For Legal Filings, You Need To

1. Buy Your Website Domain and any name variations you want to cover
2. File an LLC (Limited Liability Company) If you have any personal assets, anything to lose at all, you want an LLC!  If anything goes awry with your business and your business winds up in a law suit (it’s very uncommon, but it happens), an LLC will protect you from losing your car, your home, your retirement, etc.
3. Register a Trademark (If you want/need Federal level protection)

Web Domain Option 1: Shopify

(My Recommendation)

Unless you’re highly technical or need more than a beautiful, functional website with standard shopping cart functionality, Shopify will best cover your website and Ecommerce needs.

The first step is buying your Web Domain.  I recommend getting any name variations on your .com here too.

Why Shopify? And not Wix, SquareSpace, and other do-it-yourself platforms?  I feel Shopify offers the best value per dollar in terms of being feature rich, easy to make money with, and easy to use.  Shopify has an intuitive do it yourself interface, extensive how-to’s, and excellent customer support.

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Web Domain Option 2: HostGator & WordPress

(My WordPress Recommendation)

If you DO need a highly customized website, WordPress hosted by HostGator is the way to go.  There are lots of free and paid plugins to cover custom functionality, but you can always hire affordable developers if what you need isn’t easily accessible.

I also recommend using the Divi WordPress Theme from Elegant Themes (what this website is built on)

Why HostGator? And not BlueHost, WP Host, or the other popular names?  HostGator has proven to me to to be the best combination of long term affordability, consistent uptime, and fast website delivery to your customers.

Why Divi from Elegant Themes? Divi is THE MOST used WordPress theme on the internet, and yet it’s so customizable it’s easy for you to make it look completely unique.  There’s also a huge development force behind it both at Elegant Themes and available for you on Upwork.

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LLC Option 1: File using IncFile $49 + State Fees

(My Recommendation)

IncFile Gives you the best boom for your dollar! Unfortunately, the cost does go up after a year, but that’s what every single online legal service does. IncFile continues to be the best value over the years.

I recommend continuing to use IncFile as your registered agent
(publicly available business address for your LLC)

If you use yourself and home as the registered agent, your address WILL be publicly available.  The worst that I ever experienced was getting a bunch of junk mail and business credit card offers in my mailbox, but you’ll have to use your judgement on listing your home address publicly.

LLC Option 2: File With Your State Manually

I admit, I took the cheap route a few times.  While it worked out for me, it may or may not for you.  You can do this if you’re the super hands on, knitty gritty type.

I still recommend getting a Registered Agent so your home address isn’t publicly available.  You can Google “[My LLC State] Registered Agents” and often find affordable options.  Do your due diligence and make sure they have a good reputation.

Register a Trademark

You can do this later if you’re starting a small local business.  But if you need Nationwide name protection, you’ll want to get this done right away.

You can do it yourself for the Federal fee of $225

or

IncFile can help you again for $199 + the Federal $225