Do you have any assets in your own name that you want to protect in case something should go really really wrong? If so, think about incorporating.
If not, then: 1. Register for a business name in your home state as a sole trader; in NSW you can do it online at http://blis.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ 2. Register for an ABN in this "trading as" business name; you can register online at http://www.abr.gov.au/ABR_BC/ 3. Register your .com.au based on the ABN (if you want one) - there are many registrars listed at http://www.ausregistry.com.au/ (we use Enetica) 4. Open a bank account, and then register for a merchant facility to use off it (probably chose your bank based on the price of their merchant facility); ANZ screwed me recently (they added an account termination cost after signing up, won't return calls even though I've lodged a complaint), and I've found Bankwest to be very good and professional. 5. Use someone like eWay or SecurePay to give you the ability to take credit card details in your own shopping cart; they provide a virtual EFTPOS machine effectively, and have plugins for many common shopping carts. 6. Develop website/cart, and make sure you install Google Analytics and enable the Ecommerce Tracking option 7. Start trading If you earn towards $100K in profit, then you should think about incorporating (registering a company). This is also good if you want to protect your personal assets (ie, house) in case someone sues the company (because the product you retailed made them unhappy, etc). The ATO gives 'rollover' relief so you can change from a sole trader to a company - a completely different legal entity owning/running the business - without incurring CGT as long as the process is going from an unincorporated entity with a certain ownership structure (sole trader, partnership) across to a company with the identical ownership structure (you own all shares, or the shares are split between partners in the same ratio as the partnership) There's a lot more to consider, such as inventory, shipping prices, refund/return policies and so forth. I'm not as experienced in this side of things: perhaps another beacher could contribute? From: silicon-beach-australia@googlegroups.com [mailto:silicon-beach-austra...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Michael Harries Sent: Tuesday, 3 November 2009 10:37 AM To: silicon-beach-australia Subject: [SiliconBeach] Web retail in a box? Hi Silicon Beachers, Can anyone recommend a 'out of the box' system/methodology/accountant for the accounting side of setting up a simple web retail business (sole trader, etc)? Low cost/low admin start, etc. Thanks, Michael -- __ Michael Harries --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Silicon Beach Australia mailing list. Guidelines on discussion: http://tr.im/ujKF No lurkers! It is expected that you introduce yourself: http://tr.im/ujMm To post to this group, send email to silicon-beach-australia@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/silicon-beach-australia?hl=en?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
