We live in a digital world where e-commerce businesses are constantly growing, which leads to numerous legal requirements that businesses must complete to operate legally. If you are considering starting an e-commerce business, you will need a registered agent to start a company, as the registered agent will ensure that your e-commerce business remains compliant with the laws and deadlines.
If you are still wondering about the significance of having a registered agent, we recommend reading on to have a deeper look at what a registered agent does and why you need one.
What is a Registered Agent?
You will want to think of the registered agent in terms of a third-party individual whose job is to receive crucial legal and tax documents on behalf of a business. Simply put, the registered agent acts as the officially designated point of contact for the respective business.
The registered agent then becomes responsible for receiving legal documents, such as summons and other official documents from the government.
Most jurisdictions require ecommerce businesses to sign up with a registered agent service so that they can legally operate. Rest assured, it is the registered agent’s responsibility to ensure that the e-commerce business is in good standing with the state authority to prevent financial and legal penalties.
Why do E-Commerce Businesses Need a Registered Agent Service?
Now that we know what a registered agent does, let us dive deeper into why your ecommerce business needs a registered agent. Simply put, your ecommerce business needs a registered agent so that it can operate lawfully like any other legal business.
Compared to physical businesses, ecommerce businesses might have more legal obligations due to the potential complexity of running an online business lawfully.
That said, the registered agent will help an ecommerce business to stay legally compliant with a state.
How to Find a Registered Agent?
Several key factors come into play in finding the right registered agent for your ecommerce business. The following tips will help you find the best-registered agent for your online business.
Assess Reputation & Experience
At the time of looking for a registered agent, you will start by assessing two things: their experience and reputation. You will want to avail the services of a registered agent who has plenty of experience working with businesses like yours. You will also want to assess their reputation and see what others have to say about the registered agent services.
You will want to assess their profile for customer reviews and read testimonials to better understand their professional record.
Assess Reliability
Another thing that you will want to look out for is reliability. Ideally, your selected registered agent should be available to receive legal documents during business hours. This aspect confirms the reliability of the agent. The registered agent should also have a proper system to promptly notify you the very moment they receive any legal document on your company’s behalf.
Assess the Availability of Online Tools
You will want to check whether or not the registered agent offers online tools and online resources that can help you manage your business’s legal obligations. The tools will also help you keep track of important legal requirements.
