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Business Question - What Do I Need to do to Start an Internet Business?
By clownfish
@clownfish (3269)
United States
March 1, 2007 11:50am CST
Hi! I started a business several years ago, but it wasn't solely Internet based, so I had to go get the paperwork, etc. Is there anyone here who has started their own Internet based business who would be willing to tell me what you had to do to set it up - as far as registering your business, tax ID number, things like that? Is it as strict as setting up other types of businesses? Thanks for any advice! :-)
1 person likes this
2 responses
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Technically an internet business is almost identical to running a regular business locally out of a store. The biggest difference is that you only have to collect tax if you are shipping within your state.
You also have to get equipped to have a secure site that can accept various formats of payment. In order to do this you have to get set up with either the credit card companies or if you alreayd have paypal you can do it with them but there are fees with Paypal after a certain money value or number of transactions.
You also want to make sure you have the ability to maintain your website constantly and have firewalls in place, either by your host or other means, that protect your customers. That's the biggest issue for most internet businesses.
One of the best things to do is start your store front on an internet mall type site. Ebay buy now is a version of this, with ebay literally taking all the work of obtaining a secure site. You can also use paypal with their site so you don't have to get set up for credit cards either, which can be costly for small businesses.
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@clownfish (3269)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Hi! I actually just bought the whole website package over Ebay, so I won't have to pay someone to design the site for me. Cool, huh? I guess mostly I need a tax ID number to get registered with the IRS for taxes. I have another friend here on Mylot who has offered to install the site for me, etc (very reasonably). So, other than the technicalities, I should be in pretty good shape. Thanks! :-)
@bigedshult1 (1613)
• United States
2 Mar 07
og talk to oldbuddy@mylot he has startes some and he will help you out as for my self I do hit4pay it pay 2cent for ever add thet you read that they have ane when you get 25 dollers they send you a chuck to you
1 person likes this
@clownfish (3269)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Hi! Thanks, BigEd! I think you're right, OldBuddy would be able to help me. Anyone else have any other advice?
:-)
1 person likes this



