Urgent !! how to LEGALLY open ecommerce site

The "exact steps" to open an ecommerce site vary widely depending on your needs and business goals.

However, it's important to note that in the US, you can run a business as a sole proprietorship. You do not even have to file to be a sole proprietorship. The IRS presumes that you're a sole proprietorship unless you file otherwise. Of course, your assets are not protected as they would be for an LLC or S Corporation, but it's certainly the easiest way to set up a business. And, you can always transform your business into a separate entity once you begin making some money and can validate that it's worth the time and expense. I think this is what most people do when starting out with any kind of money making website. You just claim any extra income on your tax return and get back to business.

Now, if you insist on covering your ass up front (see what I did there)... You can set up an S Corporation or LLC for nothing more than the IRS filing fee. I know, I have done it. I set up an S Corp. for abut $90 bucks. No lawyers, no business plans...just some Googling and the IRS fee.

Hope that helps.

I run an ecommerce site that sells physical goods (Women's MMA and Boxing Gear).

As Shopping mentioned, the exact steps will vary on your state/city/county regulations. But here's what I had to do for my Sole Proprietorship and Resale License, as best as I can remember:

Went to city website and filed for a business name. This only allowed a part of the process. For the second part, I had to actually go into the city office and speak with a rep. She then gave me some paperwork to fill out.

I then had to fill out the forms and go to a Tax office in a completely different city. Had to get them to sign the paperwork. They grilled me on what I planned to do and how much tax I was expected to pay. They signed it then told me to go back to the previous city and turn in the signed paperwork.

So I went back to the first city and turned in the paperwork. But not finished yet. They then told me I had to go to the County office so I could apply for the business name. So I went to the county office and applied. They gave me more paperwork, I paid a fee, and they told me I had to put an ad in the newspaper declaring my intent to operate a business within the county and it had to completed with 30 days. Once completed I had to get paperwork signed by the newspaper office.

So I got that done then had to go back to the county office and turn in the paperwork showing I ran the ad. They signed off and told me had to return once more to the first city office and get some more paperwork signed. So I did that too, paid another fee, and finally was done. Whew!

Huge pain in the ass. And that was just the start. Then you have to go through the process of setting up your shopping cart, shipping, taxes, inventory, etc.. ****, it's crazy haha. Once you get through all that it gets better. But it sucks when you're going through it!

just register an llc and your good to go