Online Consultation

[MsThang]

I'm thinking of starting a website through which students and their parents can contact me to get help with their college search, applications, application/scholarship essays, FAFSA, etc. I have a friend who can help me set up and run the website, but I plan to be a sole proprietorship and pay him through a contract, rather than have him as an employee. Does anyone know if I still have to get a business licence to do this? What other things should I be thinking about?

[Experimental]

I would set it up as a limited liability corperation. The advantage being you would only be limited to what the business could pay out if someone brought suit against you for some reason. Also, I would assume you would need a business license for the business. Even though it is web based, you would be running a business nonetheless.

[crammer]

LLC might be the easiest way to go depending on the law in your are. I would second the business lic. as well, is always a good thing to keep in mind just to be on the safe side.

[MsThang]

Thanks for the tip, guys. I've been putting a lot of thought into this. I found a site that does the same thing but hires many people to do the work on a contract basis - I think I might try working for them first and then try branching out on my own.