12 essential legal elements for creating your online store
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 9:28 am
If you are starting a new online store, there are many legal questions that may arise, both expected and unexpected. Since forewarned is forearmed, here are 12 important points to consider. And even if you have already started, it is always worth checking that you have thought of everything, because it is never too late to do it right.
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1. Choose your legal structure
You must decide whether to separate your online store from your existing business (if you already have one) and/or your private assets. We strongly advise you to consult a lawyer and/or an accounting expert, in order to assess all the risks and tax implications in full knowledge of the facts.
2. Choose a name and logo for your online store
For your online store, choose a name that is not confusing for the taiwan cp number average consumer. Clearly distinguish yourself from the trade names and logos of your competitors. When considering a trade name, it is wise to check whether it is still available as a domain name in your region. If so, register or purchase it without delay. If you also want to register your name as a trademark (see also point 6 below), keep in mind that your name must not only be descriptive, i.e. it must not only describe your products and/or services. Names that are only descriptive cannot be protected under trademark law, because they do not allow the source of the products or services to be identified or distinguished.
3. Register your business
Whether you have created a separate legal entity or not (see point 1 above), your (e-commerce) business must be registered in the local commercial register, just like any other business. If your business is located in Europe, this site can help you find your local commercial register.
4. Set up your online store
You will need a website to promote your business. Make sure that this website includes all the legally required information , such as your company name, your legal form (if you have created one, see point 1 above), your company address and contact details, your commercial register number and your VAT number.
It is highly recommended that you include a prominent link to your Terms and Conditions (see #5 below) and your Customer Privacy Statement (see #7 below). Don’t forget to inform your website visitors about the cookies you use on your site and their purposes. This can be done by adding a statement about your use of cookies or including a paragraph on this topic in your Privacy Statement. Don’t worry, Lightspeed’s eCom product, resources, and support can help guide you through this challenging journey.
If your company is located in the European Union (or Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), your website must also include an easily accessible link to the European Online Dispute Resolution platform . This platform, managed by the European Commission, helps to resolve disputes relating to online transactions – both national and intra-EU – without resorting to the courts. You can find more information on this topic here .
When building your online store , be careful not to copy another person or company's design, especially a competitor's. Many web building platforms, including Lightspeed , offer free or affordable themes or templates. If you outsource your website to a third-party builder, it's important to ask them to hand over the keys/orders and explain how to make updates to the site yourself. Also, make sure that you won't be held liable if the web builder's design infringes on third-party intellectual property rights (see point 6 below).
You’ll need an e-commerce platform that can support your business, allows you to add products, prices, and information, and can integrate with a reliable online payment processing provider. Lightspeed offers a platform that strikes the right balance between features and pricing. When listing your product prices, keep in mind that in the European Union, they must include all applicable costs, including VAT.
5. Write your general conditions of sale
It is essential to carefully draft your terms and conditions (T&Cs) to protect your business and limit your risks. These T&Cs will govern all your transactions and will be applicable to all your customers (provided they are informed of them before the transaction), but they will also be binding on you and your business. Do not copy the terms and conditions from another website, as they will certainly not be suitable for your business. After all, it is always better to write your own rules!
Need to know more about e-commerce?
Create your online store
Learn more
1. Choose your legal structure
You must decide whether to separate your online store from your existing business (if you already have one) and/or your private assets. We strongly advise you to consult a lawyer and/or an accounting expert, in order to assess all the risks and tax implications in full knowledge of the facts.
2. Choose a name and logo for your online store
For your online store, choose a name that is not confusing for the taiwan cp number average consumer. Clearly distinguish yourself from the trade names and logos of your competitors. When considering a trade name, it is wise to check whether it is still available as a domain name in your region. If so, register or purchase it without delay. If you also want to register your name as a trademark (see also point 6 below), keep in mind that your name must not only be descriptive, i.e. it must not only describe your products and/or services. Names that are only descriptive cannot be protected under trademark law, because they do not allow the source of the products or services to be identified or distinguished.
3. Register your business
Whether you have created a separate legal entity or not (see point 1 above), your (e-commerce) business must be registered in the local commercial register, just like any other business. If your business is located in Europe, this site can help you find your local commercial register.
4. Set up your online store
You will need a website to promote your business. Make sure that this website includes all the legally required information , such as your company name, your legal form (if you have created one, see point 1 above), your company address and contact details, your commercial register number and your VAT number.
It is highly recommended that you include a prominent link to your Terms and Conditions (see #5 below) and your Customer Privacy Statement (see #7 below). Don’t forget to inform your website visitors about the cookies you use on your site and their purposes. This can be done by adding a statement about your use of cookies or including a paragraph on this topic in your Privacy Statement. Don’t worry, Lightspeed’s eCom product, resources, and support can help guide you through this challenging journey.
If your company is located in the European Union (or Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), your website must also include an easily accessible link to the European Online Dispute Resolution platform . This platform, managed by the European Commission, helps to resolve disputes relating to online transactions – both national and intra-EU – without resorting to the courts. You can find more information on this topic here .
When building your online store , be careful not to copy another person or company's design, especially a competitor's. Many web building platforms, including Lightspeed , offer free or affordable themes or templates. If you outsource your website to a third-party builder, it's important to ask them to hand over the keys/orders and explain how to make updates to the site yourself. Also, make sure that you won't be held liable if the web builder's design infringes on third-party intellectual property rights (see point 6 below).
You’ll need an e-commerce platform that can support your business, allows you to add products, prices, and information, and can integrate with a reliable online payment processing provider. Lightspeed offers a platform that strikes the right balance between features and pricing. When listing your product prices, keep in mind that in the European Union, they must include all applicable costs, including VAT.
5. Write your general conditions of sale
It is essential to carefully draft your terms and conditions (T&Cs) to protect your business and limit your risks. These T&Cs will govern all your transactions and will be applicable to all your customers (provided they are informed of them before the transaction), but they will also be binding on you and your business. Do not copy the terms and conditions from another website, as they will certainly not be suitable for your business. After all, it is always better to write your own rules!