what do i need to start an on-line business?
Question Details: i want to start an on-line business but i don't know how to do that legally. i need to know what i need to do or get to get started and where to do these things.
Hi. I am a Maryland barred attorney and regularly help small business start-ups. You will likely want to set up an entity to limit your liability, then get necessary tax accounts and licenses. The first step usually involves figuring out what kind of entity (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, parternship, etc.) best suits your business. Most entity types require a basic filing with the State, with an Operating Agreement or Bylaws detailing your business operations.
How you structure this will depend on a few factors - Will you operate the business yourself? Do you plan on pulling others to give the business some cash? What type of product/service will you be offering online? Is the product/service regulated? Internet businesses have some additional legal considerations and should be careful in how they gather information from visitors/customers.
You may wish to talk with an attorney (and your accountant) about your business goals. While this post is not legal advice, I hope it points you in the right direction.
