e-Commerce
Checklist
Get Going
These things are crucial to
accomplishing other steps, so
get them in motion now.
Apply for an Employer Identification
Number (EIN), also known as a Federal
Tax ID Number from the IRS. This is used
to identify your business and allows you
to hire employees. If you are a sole
proprietor without employees, you may
choose to use your Social Security
Number instead.
Choose and file a business name. File a
Fictitious Business Name (FBN)
Statement at the Office of the County
Clerk if you will be using a name other
than your given name, the names of your
partners, or the officially registered name
of your LLC or corporation.
If you will be operating your e-Commerce
business from an office or warehouse,
you may need to apply for a Sales & Use
Permit.
e-Commerce Checklist
1
Visit
Talking to people at these
offices will help you figure
out what you need.
Office of Finance
Special Desk Unit
200 North Spring St. Room 205
Los Angeles, CA. 90012
(844) 663-4411
Los Angeles County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Los Angeles, CA. 90650
(800) 201-8999
Read
Reading up on these materials
will prepare you for opening
your consulting business.
Visit finance.lacity.org for essential
reading about permits and taxes.
This guide tells you which forms you need to fill
out, offices you need to visit, and decisions you
need to make.
Choose Your Business Entity
❑ You could operate your consulting business as a
sole proprietorship or partnership, but you should
also consider other legal entities that could protect
your personal investments such as a corporation or
limited liability company (LLC).
Tip: Establishing your business as an LLC or
corporation would make sure that
your business, and not you personally, would be
responsible for any liability.
Get Licensed
❑ Register your business with the City, County and
State.
❑ Apply for a Business Tax Certificate from the Office
of Finance and mail the completed form to the
address provided in the application
e-Commerce Checklist
2
Open Your Business
❑ If you have a marketing and advertising budget, you
may want to consider print, radio, or television
advertising.
❑ Social media marketing can be a low-cost, but
effective method for getting the word out. Start a
Facebook or Yelp page for your business, and
consider using other platforms such as Instagram or
Twitter to showcase your work.
Bring on staff
❑ Review business.lacity.org/manage/employees for
information on additional wage and employment
guidelines.
Things to consider
❑ You can operate your e-Commerce
business out of your home or from an
office, but depending on the scale of
your operations, a warehouse may be
required to store your inventory.
❑ Your terms and conditions should
outline that buyers are entering into a
contract when they purchase goods
from your website.
i.Tip: Outline the terms of delivery,
shipping, refunds and payments,
exclusions of liability and terms of
use for your website
