First of all I want to just say that these forums have really been a great help (and I am still browsing through them as I am typing).

In the next month or so I want to start up my reseller/web host business and I want to be exactly sure what needs to be done before I do it.

I already have my website, who I will be reselling for. Along with my business name (of course). As I browse these forums I see that CC fraud is a major issue, or at least the chargebacks are not something fun to deal with. Please feel free to submit your opinion on what I have listed below, and if I need to do anything else.

1. Setup an account with 2Chechout (or should I go with Revecom or someone else).
2. Buy a SSL or is it SSI for the website.
3. Try to detirmine if the CC that has been submitted is valid or not. If I feel it is, then submit the info to 2Checkout (or a service like that.) If this isn't right please let me know which is.
4. For recurring billing does 2Checkout or services like that automaticly charge the CC of the clients monthly or is it done manually.

Please let me know, any help would be appreciated. Thanks again.


Ringo :rolleyes: :(

Hi :)

1. IMHO The CC processor you use really depends on what you are willing to pay in signup and transaction fees etc and the features of their services. Many here on WHT use 2checkout and Revecom etc so you shouldn't go wrong with either.

2. I assume you mean SSL for payment transactions. :) The likes of 2checkout, etc have their own SSL secured order pages so you really dont need it.

3. As far as I am aware most services like 2checkout don't allow/like you to manually submit customers credit card details. It has to be done by the customer on the order page. You should get notification from 2checkout of an order and then you can run a check on the details for yourself while 2checkout does their checks.

4. I know 2checkout can be setup to do recurring billing at whatever intervals you setup in their account admin section. I would think most 3rd party CC processors are pretty much the same. :)

I noticed in a thread that others were doing something on this order (I may have mis understood what they were doing), in reference to question #2.

All I know is, I would really hate to get alot of charge backs when first starting out especially (I would hate to get them anytime for that matter). Not sure what the link is but I believe the thread was started by Gordan?

Thanks for your help.

Ringo

I know this place isn't 'legal' help forums but would it be *legal* to hold off on registering the business name and such until the funds rise a bit higher. (of course taxes would be paid on what was earned).

To file a DBA or Fictitious Name Certificate. Is it required and if so does anyone have an ideal as to how much it would be?

(I live within the U.S.)


Thanks for your time,
Ringo

Originally posted by Ringo5thsf
I know this place isn't 'legal' help forums but would it be *legal* to hold off on registering the business name and such until the funds rise a bit higher. (of course taxes would be paid on what was earned).

To file a DBA or Fictitious Name Certificate. Is it required and if so does anyone have an ideal as to how much it would be?

(I live within the U.S.)


Thanks for your time,
Ringo

If you are a sole propriator (sp?) - then you can get away with it for awhile. For example, I am a sole prpriator - so I do not need a EIN as my social will work the same.

However, I did get a DBA or Fictitious Name Certificate. If you want to accept checks for your business, you will need this (you'll need it to open a business account also). In my town, I can't get a city business license since I sell nothing tangeable, so I need the DBA. If you want to get like a GeoTrust True Site or eBusinessID you'll need this.

Most DBA's only cost between 10-13 dollars (I know that my state [Arizona] was only 10) - and it lasts for 5 years. Thats only 2 bucks a year for all you math wizards out there! :D

Get the DBA now - you get it from your Sec. of State - they should have an application online.

You won't have to pay sales tax on it, since nothing tangeable is exchanged - but you will have to pay state and federal income tax - so make sure you keep good records on what you made for the fiscal year and how much each client paid that fiscal year.

Unless you're doing business under your legal name, you definitely want to get a DBA as the very first $10-$20 that you spend. Your very first five things should be.

1. Start ledger and put in some money to pay for step 2
2. Get DBA/Partnership/Corporate papers
3. Enter license fee from step 2 as expense
4. Open business bank account
5. Enter deposit in ledger as owner investment

Thats what I like, simple terms where I can understand it :)

The site/comany I would have, I would be not only a web hosting service (reseller) but would be offering Web Design and Graphics design services as well. It should cover it all correct?

Also, when registering would I register "My Company Name" or "MyCompanyName.com" ?

Thanks for your help & time.

Ringo :o

tired of newbies :)

But I am glad you're helping me thus far. I live in what you might say a very rural area (out of the city) so it shouldn't apply to me especially correct? (city tax).

Also, I have a final question then I will put a lid on it.

Is 2CheckOut an actually CC processing account. (eg, I wouldn't need any other type of program to go with it), and it compared to Revecom, which is the best for a business just starting out. (that needs to avoid charge backs at all costs :rolleyes: )


Thanks for your help.

Ringo

Is 'Certificate of Assumed Name' the same as an DBA/ Fictitious Name Cert. ?

Thanks.

Visit your state's secertary of state's web site - look for tradename/fict./DBA - they're basically the same thing.

There should be no city tax as you sell nothing tangeible.

I'm a full merchant, so I really don't support either 2checkout.com or revecom - however, I have used 2checkout.com for sites I have designed where they needed credit card processing. Its pretty simple to figure out. (infact, if you can't figure it out, you might seriouslly want to reconsider hosting :D) So its pretty easy ;)

A lot of time, a lot of techy people jump into opening a business, but they forget that it is a business. If you've taken business courses it will be very useful. Punishment from the IRS for making mistakes is not a slap on the hand ;) So really make sure that you have everything setup before you even think about opening.

First thing I would do is to write a business plan - say exactly what you want to do / what you need to do it / and what your goals are for that year. Then work your ass off to do them :D

2checkout.com is the merchant - you would not be the merchant. So basically, they have the merchant account #s registered with their name, not yours. They allow you to process cards through them, and they then in return pay you.