Benefits  

• Your access to capital will increase, since you can contact more potential investors.  
• Your company may become more widely known.  
• You may obtain financing more easily in the future if investor interest in your company grows enough to sustain a secondary trading market in your securities.  
• Controlling shareholders, such as the company's officers or directors, may have a ready market for their shares, which means that they can more easily sell their interests at retirement, for diversification, or for some other reason.  
• Your company may be able to attract and retain more highly qualified personnel if it can offer stock options, bonuses, or other incentives with a known market value.  
• The image of your company may be improved.  

New Obligations 

• You must continue to keep shareholders informed about the company's business operations, financial condition, and management, incurring additional costs and new legal obligations.  
• You may be liable if you do not fulfill these new legal obligations.  
• You may lose some flexibility in managing your company's affairs, particularly when shareholders must approve your actions.  
• Your public offering will take time and money to accomplish.