Hi

Can anybody define what legal stuff I need to sort out in order to start up and run an ecommerce business? I know there are books out there on this and probably online articles too but I figured this would be a good starting point to find out what I need to do, and then going out to work out the best way to do it!

Firstly, what issues are there with running an online business part-time whilst in full-time employment? What exactly do I need to do to get my company 'registered'? Also, someone recently told me that you have to have a registered company address but I rent so wondered what the solution for this would be? What else do I need to look into?

Thanks for your help

x
=============
Hi Hitomi,

?Check to see that the name you want isn’t already in use ?you can find existing company and LLP names online at www[dot]companieshouse[dot]gov[dot]uk

?Check you can then register the .co.uk and .com version of your domain name.

?You may want to register a trade mark with the UK Intellectual Property Office ?ipo[dot]gov[dot]uk.

?Decide whether you want to be a sole trader or limited company
o A limited company or LLP must show the name of the business, the place of registration (e.g. England), company (or LLP) number and registered office address.
o A sole trader or partnership should show the name of the owner or partners and the main business address. This information must appear on all notepaper, invoices etc and on the website. It should also be shown on emails sent by the business.

?If registered for VAT, the notepaper should show the VAT number.

?If you collect data on clients, customers, etc. you may need to register with the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act ?ico[dot]gov[dot]uk

?You'll need standard terms and conditions and a privacy policy. You can get these from somewhere like ContractStore[dot]com. (Privacy policy is free from here)

Hope that helps,

Katrina
=============
Oh, and your registered company address can be your accountants or book keepers if you don't have a fixed address.

Cheers,

K
=============
You must follow the "Distant Selling Regulations" try google
=============