Hi all, I'm completely new to running a online business so I could use some helpful advice. I basically have no budget, no income, and I'm running my first 'store' site which launches in March. I own my own domain and I want to know what I have to do now (other than finish my site). I'm an American living in Germany, but my site is US based and has US customers. I pay taxes in Germany. So I'm wondering... do I need a business license? What country would I have to get it in? How soon do I need it? What if I don't make any money? Should I wait first til I make some money before I file any papers? What about my site name? Is there a way to trademark my company name / domain? What about my idea that my site is based on? It sort of has its own nitch, is there a way I can protect that? Thanks so much for all responses.
As long as you put a Copyright 2007 on your site, you are safe in that aspect...as far as TM you need to do some investigating on how to TM, some places require a payment. As far as niche goes, there are tons of sites that sell the same exact thing, walmart, target, and kmart come to mind, along with Lowe's and Home Depot. The best way to protect it IMO is to make sure your customers come back to you, and not to another, cheaper seller of the same good or product.
I'm an American living in Germany, but my site is US based and has US customers. I pay taxes in Germany. So I'm wondering... do I need a business license? YOU DO NOT NEED ONE TO GET STARTED, BUT YOU SHOULD GET ONE. What country would I have to get it in? WHATEVER COUNTRY YOU AND YOUR BANK ARE IN. How soon do I need it? AS SOON AS YOU ARE READY TO ACCEPT PAYMENTS IN A COMPANY NAME. What if I don't make any money? THEN YOU WILL PAY LITTLE OR NO TAXES. Should I wait first til I make some money before I file any papers? NO, I WOULD NOT WAIT. ESTABLISH YOUR COMPANY AS SOON AS YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE DOING IT. AGE ALWAYS IS BETTER WHEN IT IS ON YOUR SIDE. What about my site name? BE SURE TO PICK A MEMORABLE DOMAIN NAME PREFERRABLY WITH THE .COM EXTENTION. Is there a way to trademark my company name / domain? YES - THE FEE IS $350 US What about my idea that my site is based on? It sort of has its own nitch, is there a way I can protect that? YOU CAN DETAIL THIS IN THE TM, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN SOMEONE CANT COPY THE IDEA, IT JUST KEEPS THEM FROM COPYING THE IDEA AND USING IT WITH A BUSINESS WITH THE SAME OR CLOSELY SIMILAR NAME. Thanks so much for all responses