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Do I Need A Business License To Sell Online?

Wright Law Firm Update | Small Business

Legally, yes, you might. Running a virtual company does not erase the need to put certain legal documents in place.

There are a zillion things you have to worry about when starting an online business. From product design, to platform, production, inventory, operations, finance, marketing, branding, and the many, many other things that need to be in place to kick-start a profitable venture.

It’s no wonder some people avoid dealing with legal formalities till the end, or never consider them at all. As an e-commerce business owner, it’s even easier to forget because you don’t have a physical location. Running a virtual company does not erase the need to put certain legal documents in place. A business license is one of those documents.

Business owners often ask if a business license is necessary when starting an online business. Whether you’re shopping for designer jewelry or tring to track down needed climbing gear for your upcoming attempt to summit Kilimanjaro, there’s a good chance you’ll shop for it online. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than $600 billion in goods were sold online in the U.S. in 2019, an increase of almost 15% over 2018, while traditional retail sales grew by only 3.4%.

With a wealth of great e-commerce platforms to choose from, online businesses present almost unlimited opportunities. Yet success with an online business goes way beyond setting up a great e-commerce website. It’s just as important to get every required business license for your online business.

Being properly licensed is critical to business development and growth because it reassures customers that your online business is legitimate and compliant with the law. Contact us for more information that you will need to know to get a business license to sell online.


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