Everything you need to know before launching your online business

Getting started in e-commerce is not easy. You have to succeed in finding a new idea, stand out from the competition, prepare your marketing strategy, but above all, create your website and respect different rules.

The essential step: the creation of the site

To get started in e-commerce, you have to open a merchant site. As indicated on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, three solutions are possible: the use of an existing sales platform, the rental of an e-commerce solution and the creation of a site from A to Z.

The first two solutions are not the most interesting for someone who wants to start e-commerce. The last gives the possibility of having a completely personalized site. On the other hand, it is necessary to have good technical knowledge to manage it entirely. For novices, it is preferable to call on a professional who will take care of creating the site and ensuring that it is put online.

Mandatory information to remember

In addition to the technical knowledge needed to create a website, you should also know that certain mentions are mandatory. Indeed, to create a merchant site, you must first buy a domain name. The latter makes it possible to identify a site. The manager of the company (and not the service provider if there is one) must be the one associated with the domain name.

The site must include various mandatory information including the company name, i.e. the legal form of the company with all the information related to it, a telephone and an email address, the name of the person in charge of the publication, the RCS registration number and the intra-community VAT number, the contact details of the site host and the GTC. All this is clearly stated on the site of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.

Last thing, it is essential to protect your website well.

The choice of legal status

Determining the legal structure of the business is mandatory before starting in e-commerce. Several possibilities exist some of which are reserved for small businesses that are starting out and others that are aimed more at growing businesses.

The status of the micro-enterprise is interesting to start with. To be kept, it must not exceed 188.700 € per year. Very easy and quick to create, the micro-enterprise does however have some disadvantages since it is impossible to associate and deduct professional expenses.

The SARL or EURL is rather intended for entrepreneurs who are already launched and who generate a turnover of more than 188.700 € per year. It allows easy association but requires strict management.

For entrepreneurs who no longer have to prove themselves and who wish to continue their development, SAS is recommended. It offers a certain freedom to the partners but the charges are significant.

The choice of legal structure is really important, because a mistake can lead to administrative difficulties or fiscal constraints.

Launching an online business is a beautiful, but difficult, project. The creation of the website is an essential step that should not be taken lightly. Several legal notices must appear, depending on the legal status of the company.