Offering An Online Service

[mushroomcheese]

Hey, I'm new to the business scene but am interested in starting an online business and have been doing a lot of reading about it lately.

I have a couple of general questions. If I am looking to offer a service to people in my neighbourhood, what exactly will I need in terms of legal issues?

What I'm asking is what is basically required apart from getting a website organized to take online orders and such?

[HopeItHelps]

You will need a city business license.

If you have people visiting you for this service then there may be zoning regulations that restrict your ability to carry on a business from your home.

[mushroomcheese]

How can I apply for a business license in my city (Richmond Hill)

And what are the requirements in order to obtain one?

[Jon Lai]

You will need a city business license.

If you have people visiting you for this service then there may be zoning regulations that restrict your ability to carry on a business from your home.

Why a city business license? Shouldn't you just get your business registered on the provincial level? You need to pay/register for PST/GST numbers anyways.

[mushroomcheese]

Well I'm just offering a service, I'm not selling items like a vendor.

And I have a question: let's say example I'm offering to paint houses in my city. Is there a way to be the only company offering this? I didn't exactly word it right but I guess what I'm asking is what's stopping someone from taking my idea and offering the exact same thing in my city?

And do I still need to pay PST/GST even if it's a service?

And how would I go about registering at a provincial level? Would that still be necessary if I plan on only offering my service in my city only?

[jefguth]

GST = "goods and services tax"

Yes, you must still pay PST/GST.

[lapopal]

Well I'm just offering a service, I'm not selling items like a vendor.

And I have a question: let's say example I'm offering to paint houses in my city. Is there a way to be the only company offering this? I didn't exactly word it right but I guess what I'm asking is what's stopping someone from taking my idea and offering the exact same thing in my city?

And do I still need to pay PST/GST even if it's a service?

And how would I go about registering at a provincial level? Would that still be necessary if I plan on only offering my service in my city only?

this made me chuckle, but seriously you cannot stop someone from offering painting services and odds are you aren't the only one offering this type of service online or otherwise.

You need to consult your local business office, I'm assuming you're in Ontario and if I recall correctly there is a small business services office at the library near SQ1 among other places. Inside you will find a wealth of knowledge and tonnes of information regarding online services for FREE.

Start here

http://www.sbe.gov.on.ca/ontcan/sbe/en/start_en.jsp