E-Commerce Startup Checklist

E-Commerce Startup Checklist

1. Have a Business Plan:

1. Define niche market
2. Write brief mission statement
3. Develop business identity
4. Have a reliable source for your product- manufacturers/suppliers
5. Have a reliable source to deliver your product- direct delivery or drop-shippers

2. Form a business/corporate entity:

1. Choice of Entity/ State Selection
2. Obtain a federal tax ID
3. Obtain state/local sales tax license, as necessary
4. Open a business checking account

3. Business Logistics:

1. Establish business address
2. Set up phone & fax service
3. Establish a merchant account (direct credit card processing)
4. Set up shipping provider accounts
5. Purchase shipping supplies
6. Shipping rates

4. Web logistics:

1. Choose a web hosting provider
2. Designing your e-commerce site
3. Web-marketing/ SEO
4. Information Security

5. Legal Issues:

1. Terms & Conditions of Use
1. Disclaimers
2. Limitation of Liability
3. iii. Liability for 3rd party content
2. Privacy Notices
3. Contracts with Vendors (web designers, graphic designers, etc.) & Suppliers
4. Use of copyrighted materials/trademarks

For further information, please contact Arieh M. Flemenbaum at Griffith & Jacobson, LLC via email - amf@gjlaw.com or by phone at 312-236-8110