Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies®, 3rd Edition

Chapter 2: Choosing the Right Foundation — from Partnerships to Corporations

In This Chapter

• Deciding which business form is best suited to you
• Establishing yourself as a sole proprietorship
• Evaluating alternative legal structures when other owners are involved
• Operating by the rules of incorporation
• Modifying your ownership structure

At the top of every start-up checklist is a line item that reads “Establish the formal structure of your business.” This line means that you start by deciding how you want your company legally organized. You can be the sole owner or have 2 partners or 50 shareholders. Each form of business has definite advantages and disadvantages, depending on your goals for the business.

Read the information we provide in this chapter about all these options before making your final decision.