Legal Checklist for eCommerce Startups (2025) | LLC, Trademarks, Policies

Legal Checklist for Starting Your eCommerce Business in 2025

Launching your online store is an exciting step, but skipping key legal requirements can lead to costly problems. In this quick video, AMZ Sellers Attorney® outlines the critical legal foundations every eCommerce business should put in place before selling online.

Essential Legal Steps to Launch Your eCommerce Store

• Form a Legal Entity: Consider forming an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets from business liabilities.
• Register Your Trademark: Secure your brand name or logo with the USPTO to prevent infringement and build trust.
• Create Terms & Conditions: Set expectations for buyers with clear terms of service covering sales, shipping, returns, and liability.
• Draft a Privacy Policy: Required by law in many jurisdictions. Explain how you collect, store, and use customer data.
• Comply with Data Protection Laws: If you sell in the US, EU, UK, or Canada, ensure your site is compliant with laws like CCPA, GDPR, etc.
• Set a Refund & Return Policy: Increase buyer confidence and reduce chargebacks by having a clear, fair return policy.
• Review Consumer Protection Laws: Understand the requirements around marketing claims, disclaimers, and delivery promises.
• Plan for Taxes: Consult a tax advisor to determine your sales tax collection obligations and prepare quarterly filings.

Transcript Summary

0:00 Setting up an eCommerce business is exciting—but legally complex.

0:11 Start with the right business structure, like an LLC, for liability protection.

0:16 Register trademarks to protect your brand.

0:19 Draft Terms & Conditions and a Privacy Policy to govern customer use and data practices.

0:25 Follow all data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

0:28 Create a refund and return policy that builds buyer trust.

0:32 Stay compliant with consumer protection and tax laws.

0:38 For help, visit amazonsellers.attorney

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