If you’re looking to start a small business, you have likely considered target markets, financing and growth strategies, but don't forget one of the most important factors: location.
Related: How to Find the Best Location
Thumbtack, a service that connects people with businesses and licensed professionals, rated 35 states and 78 cities on overall small-business friendliness.
The survey asked 12,000 small-business owners about government policies in their areas, rating locations on ease of starting a business, ease of hiring and other business related regulations and codes.
Related: Rating the Best -- and Worst -- States to Do Business
Cities and states that make regulatory practices easier -- especially for licensing, taxes and employment -- generally rated better. Those surveyed said that regulations are often one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when starting a business.
For more on the methodology of the survey, click here. For a look at the 10 best states to start a business, continue on to the slideshow below.
10. South Carolina
Best: A for training and networking programs
9. Oregon
Best: A+ for ease of starting a business
Worst: D for zoning
8. Arkansas
Best: A+ for environmental factors
Worst: C+ for ease of hiring
7. Virginia
Best: A for ease of hiring
Worst: C- for training and networking programs
6. Kansas
Best: A+ for ease of hiring
5. Colorado
Best: A+ for training and networking programs
4. Georgia
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
3. Tennessee
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
2. Utah
Best: A+ for overall friendliness
1. Texas
Best: A+ for overall friendliness