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It’s true that starting anÌýonline store can beÌýaÌýlittle bit intimidating when itÌýcomes toÌýtheÌýbusiness aspects (think taxes, legal filings, theÌýbusiness paperwork, etc.)

But one thing that’s surprisingly untrue isÌýthat those aspects ofÌýsmall business ownership make theÌýleap into aÌýnew venture costly andÌýunrealistic forÌýtheÌýaverage person. InÌýfact, there are many low costÌý— sometimes even freeÌý—options out there that make life aÌýwhole lot easier (and less scary, too!)

InÌýthis post, we’re going toÌýfocus ´Ç²ÔÌýtheÌýlegal side ofÌýbusiness ownership, andÌýpoint out 25Ìýplaces toÌýfind low-cost legal advice, tools, platforms andÌýresources forÌýyour online store that you can start using right away. We’ll even share some free tools, too. Hooray!

Let’s start with some ofÌýtheÌýversatile platforms that have several different features andÌýuses.

Low-Cost Legal Advice, Tools, andÌýPlatforms

Whether you need aÌýtool toÌýhelp you find theÌýright lawyer, orÌýyou simply need toÌýfind andÌýdownload theÌýright legal document, these resources are make owning anÌýonline store just aÌýlittle bit simpler.

1.Ìý

LegalShield grants online business owners access toÌýlegal counsel when they need it. With different service tiers, you can get legal consultations, phone calls, legal documents, andÌýeven trial services.

Cost:ÌýPlans start atÌý$39/month

2.Ìý

RocketLawyer helps online business owners create legal documents andÌýoffers legal consultation ´Ç²ÔÌýdemand. With this tool, you can get your legal documents professionally reviewed, , andÌýask questions toÌýaÌýcertified lawyer whenever you need assistance.

Cost: Free trial forÌýone week, then plans start atÌý$39.95/month

3.Ìý

Nolo began asÌýaÌýcompany that produced print legal resources, but today, their online site offers free legal advice andÌýtips asÌýwell asÌýbooks andÌýforms that you can purchase. You can also browse their extensive directory ofÌýattorneys, which isÌýarranged geographically andÌývia speciality.

Cost: Products start atÌý$19.99

4.Ìý

LegalZoom isÌýaÌýgo-to resource forÌýonline store owners who want toÌýask legal questions, get advice, andÌýhave anÌýattorney review contracts (without having toÌýschedule anÌýin-person meeting with aÌýlocal contact.) This site isÌýalso handy forÌýfiling legal paperwork (like forming anÌýSÌýCorp orÌýLLC), although it’s aÌýbit more costly than ifÌýyou took aÌýDIY approachÌý— theÌýconvenience will cost you.

Cost: Plans start atÌý$23.99/month

5.Ìý

LawDepot allows store owners toÌýcustomize andÌýprint important legal documents, like theÌýpaperwork forÌýanÌýLLC orÌýsole proprietorship.

Cost: Documents are priced per document ´Ç²ÔÌýtheÌýbasic plan ranging from $7.50-$35Ìýper document, andÌýfree trial isÌýavailable.

6.ÌýCreative Class Contract

Ideal forÌýonline store owners who need aÌýcustomizable contract that can beÌýtailored toÌýtheir unique business needs, this pre-made contract has been put together byÌýaÌýgroup ofÌýlawyers andÌýtakes aÌýlot ofÌýtheÌýlegwork out ofÌýaÌýprofessional, formalized contract forÌýyour clients (if you’re offering some service-based work.)

Cost: $250.00

7.Ìý

LegalMatch helps you find theÌýright lawyer forÌýyour legal issue orÌýwithin your ²¹°ù±ð²¹â€“k¾±²Ô»å ofÌýlike aÌýmatchmaker, but forÌýlawyers instead ofÌýforÌýdates. There’s noÌýfee toÌýpresent your case, either.

8.Ìý

From contracts toÌýintellectual property documents, FindLegalForms.com can help you download andÌýpurchase theÌýlegal forms you need forÌýyour business. These are attorney prepared, valid inÌýyour state, andÌýhave aÌý60-day money back guarantee, too.

Cost: Per form, orÌýkits begin atÌý$39.95

9.Ìý

This UK-based company also sells prepared legal documents ´Ç²ÔÌýaÌýself-serve basis toÌýmake itÌýeasy forÌýsmall business owners toÌýtake more ofÌýaÌýDIY approach when itÌýcomes toÌýatÌýleast preparation ofÌýlegal documents. You can browse, download, andÌýpurchase aÌývariety ofÌýlegal documents here like website privacy policies andÌýeven stock transfer forms.

Cost: Templates begin atÌý£58.80Ìýinc VAT

10. Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has many free resources that can help you better understand theÌýlaws andÌýregulations around , asÌýwell asÌý. Check out theÌýmany different resources here toÌýget up-to-date ´Ç²ÔÌý±ô²¹·É²õ–a²Ô»å know your rights asÌýaÌýsmall business owner.

Cost: Free

11. Federal Resources

Within theÌýUnited States, there are actually quite aÌýfew free federal resources atÌýyour disposal forÌýlegal advice that can help get you pointed inÌýtheÌýright direction regarding your questions andÌýconcerns:

• The IRS has Ìýwith telephone assistance andÌýanÌýFAQ section
• The USÌýDepartment ofÌýJustice lists
• The Associate Chief Counsel ofÌýtheÌýIRS Ìýthat are legal advice ´Ç²ÔÌýindustry issues

Cost: Free

Online Courses

Online courses are another good way toÌýget up-to-date ´Ç²ÔÌýgeneral legalities around your online business. There are many different affordable options out there, andÌýwe’ve found aÌýfew hyper-relevant courses that make theÌýlegal side ofÌýyour business aÌýbit more simple.

12. Startup &ÌýSmall Business Law: Business Registration andÌýMore

(via )

This three-hour online course isÌýgreat forÌýintermediate level learners who want toÌýget more familiar with theÌýlaws andÌýregulations around owning andÌýoperating aÌýsmall business.

Cost: $19

13. Legal Advice forÌýEntrepreneurs &ÌýStartUps: Concepts Every Entrepreneur Should Understand

(via )

This beginner level course can help online store owners get aÌýbasic level ofÌýunderstanding about theÌýlegal issues around commercial websites, intellectual property, apps, asÌýwell asÌýsome general, practical legal advice. Bonus: It’s only about anÌýhour long.

Cost: $8/month

14. Law forÌýtheÌýEntrepreneur andÌýManager

(Via )

MIT isÌýknown forÌýoffering free, open-source online courses toÌýanyone who wishes toÌýpartake inÌýthem, andÌýthis course inÌýbusiness law isÌýnoÌýexception. With this course, participants can expect toÌýwalk away with aÌýwell-rounded foundational understanding ofÌýtheÌýbasic building blocks ofÌýbusiness law.

°ä´Ç²õ³Ù:ÌýFree

ItÌýcan beÌýtough toÌýknow where toÌýbegin sometimes, andÌýforums andÌýcrowdsourcing can help you get pointed inÌýtheÌýright direction. However, remember that these options, especially when itÌýcomes toÌýlegal advice, shouldn’t serve asÌýaÌýsubstitute forÌýanÌýactual lawyer. Use these resources asÌýaÌýjumping off ±è´Ç¾±²Ô³Ù–n´Ç³Ù theÌýfinal word.

Forums andÌýCrowdsourcing Options

15.

Quora isÌýaÌýforum where people ask questions andÌýshare answers, andÌýtheÌýbest answers are upvoted based ´Ç²ÔÌýquality andÌýrelevance (like , forÌýexample). The issue here: You can’t verify where your advice isÌýcoming from andÌýhow reliable your source is. It’s aÌýgood starting place forÌýchatting with fellow business owners, but it’s inÌýnoÌýway aÌýsubstitute forÌýprofessional legal advice.

16. SmallBizForums.net

°¿²ÔÌý³Ù³ó¾±²õ no-frills forum, you’ll find small biz owners andÌýentrepreneurs discussing aÌývariety ofÌýtopicsÌý— including legal issues (with more than 2,000Ìýposts toÌýdate). Again, this isÌýaÌýstarting place where you can troubleshoot with fellow online store owners andÌýfind out how they may have problem-solved issues you’re currently facing toÌýget anÌýidea ´Ç²ÔÌýhow toÌýapproach things inÌýtheÌýright way.

17.

Avvo lets you find free legal advice, ask questions, find aÌýlawyer, orÌýeven choose aÌýlegal service forÌýaÌýfixed ±è°ù¾±³¦±ð–w³ó¾±³¦³ó isÌýnice ifÌýyou’re working with aÌýtight budget. This robust resource has aÌýcommunity ofÌýboth small business owners andÌýattorneys who are working together toÌýsolve common issues.

18.

Here you’ll find aÌývariety ofÌýfree articles with legal advice forÌýyour online business, asÌýwell asÌýhelpful features like “Ask aÌýLawyer” andÌý“Find aÌýLawyer” that help you ask legal questions andÌýfind theÌýcounsel you need. Bonus: Customer reviews are listed here soÌýthat you can see what others have toÌýsay about each different attorney.

19.

Here, you can find aÌýlocal attorney forÌýanyÌýtype ofÌýlegal issue forÌýfree andÌýbrowse their Ìýwith helpful ³ó´Ç·É-³Ù´Ç’s andÌýarticles ´Ç²ÔÌýbasics andÌýfundamentals ofÌýbusiness law. It’s not theÌýmost robust site, but ifÌýyou’re just looking toÌýfind aÌýlocal lawyer orÌýget basic legal information, itÌýgets theÌýjob done.

20.

With LawGuru, you have theÌýability toÌýask legal questions andÌýfind answers forÌýquestions. You may find that aÌýquestion you have has already been answered, andÌýyou can also browse articles andÌýconnect with theÌýmore than 8,800Ìýattorneys who specialize inÌýdifferent legal areas. Again, theÌýthing toÌýremember here: Free legal advice isn’t always theÌýbest advice.

21.

Justia isÌýanother find aÌýlawyer/ask aÌýlawyer resource that lets you seek out different types ofÌýlegal advice based ´Ç²ÔÌýtopic. You can research different laws andÌýregulations, read upÌý´Ç²ÔÌýlegal news, andÌýeven find aÌýpro-bono lawyer near you while you browse theÌýforums here.

Local/Regional Options

22. Local attorneys

Ask your existing network ofÌýconnections ofÌýfriends andÌýfamily toÌýsee ifÌýthere’s aÌýlocal lawyer they can refer you to. Sometimes, working with aÌýlocal attorney inÌýaÌýface-to-face context makes things easier, asÌýyou can ask all theÌýquestions you need toÌýandÌýreally build aÌýrelationship with someone you can trust asÌýyou grow your business. ItÌýmight cost more than anÌýonline option, but you get what you pay ´Ú´Ç°ù–y´Ç³Ü’l±ô likely get aÌýhigher level ofÌýservice, too.

23. Lawyers with pro-bono projects

Lawyers sometimes take ´Ç²ÔÌýÌýprojects (meaning “for theÌýpublic good”) where they offer their legal services forÌýfree toÌýpersons ofÌýlimited means orÌýtoÌýimprove theÌýlaw/legal system. However, keep inÌýmind that it’s rare toÌýfind aÌýbusiness case that meets these qualifiers. You can locate lawyers offering pro-bono service through theÌý.

24. Local chapter

Your , which connects business owners with mentors, can beÌýaÌýgreat option forÌýgetting connected with someone who can help guide you through aÌýtough time when you need advice.ÌýJoin aÌýchapter toÌýget linked upÌýwith anÌýexperienced partner who’s been through some ofÌýtheÌýups andÌýdowns ofÌýbusiness ownership, andÌýcan share his orÌýher insights.

25.

The ALA provides members ofÌýlocal chapters with advice andÌýresources ´Ç²ÔÌýall aspects ofÌýlegal ³¾²¹²Ô²¹²µ±ð³¾±ð²Ô³Ùâ€Ëð±ô³Ü²õ webinars, resources, andÌýin-person events that can beÌýquite helpful forÌýanÌýonline store owner who often works alone. Look forÌýanÌýorganization like this one that helps you stay connected andÌýstay educated ´Ç²ÔÌýchanging regulations andÌýlaws (especially when it’s easy toÌýbecome aÌýbit isolated.)

Legal Advice forÌýYour Online Store: AÌýFew Clicks Away

IfÌýyou’ve been wondering where you look forÌýlow-cost orÌýfree legal advice forÌýyour online store, here’s what you need toÌýremember from this post:

• Explore theÌýforums andÌýcrowdsourcing options toÌýget anÌýidea ofÌýhow you might tackle theÌýlegal issue you’re facing, andÌýsee how others have solved aÌýsimilar problem inÌýtheÌýpast
• Download andÌýpurchase theÌýforms you need online toÌýspeed upÌýtheÌýprocess (and save costs)
• Find aÌýlawyer through one ofÌýtheÌýservices we’ve outlined here ifÌýyou still need advice
• Consider aÌýlong-term solution, like aÌýmembership, club, orÌýmentor that will help you solve future legal issues down theÌýroad

The good news forÌýonline store owners isÌýthat thanks toÌýtheÌýinternet, reliable legal advice andÌýresources are only aÌýfew clicks awayÌý— andÌýthey’re more affordable than ever before.

Final note:ÌýKeep inÌýmind that anyÌýlegal advice you receive online (as opposed toÌýinÌýperson, from anÌýattorney you’ve paid) should always beÌýverified before acted on. The last thing you want isÌýtoÌýget you andÌýyour business into aÌýsticky situation because ofÌýfaulty legal information you received online from anÌýunreliable source. BeÌýsmart, remember that you get what you pay for, andÌýuse these resources asÌýaÌýplace toÌýget started, not asÌýaÌýhandbook.

Ìý

• Legal Docs forÌýOnline Stores: Protection andÌýTrust
• How toÌýWrite aÌýPrivacy Policy forÌýYour Ecommerce Store
• How toÌýWrite anÌýEffective Return Policy
• 25ÌýPlaces toÌýFind Low-Cost Legal Advice
• Understanding theÌýTerms andÌýConditions Page
• Registering Your Ecommerce Business
• Protecting theÌýBrand: How ToÌýRegister aÌýTrademark