Do you want to know the legal requirements you need to start a digital marketing agency? If YES, here is a checklist of digital marketing agency licenses, permits & insurance.
Having provided you with a:
- Industry Overview
- Market Research and Feasibility
- Digital Marketing Agency Business Plan
- Business Name ideas
- Licenses and Permits
- Marketing Plan
- Cost of Starting a Digital Marketing Agency
- Marketing ideas & Strategies
We will consider what it takes to get operating license and permit for your digital marketing business including insurance coverage and intellectual property protection.
Getting a Digital Marketing Agency License, Permit & Insurance
- Best legal entity to use for your digital marketing agency
Starting a digital marketing agency business is indeed a serious business so the legal entity you choose will go a long way to determine how big you want the business to grow. No doubt choosing a legal entity for a business can be a bit challenging.
When it comes to choosing a legal entity for your digital marketing agency you have the option of choosing from general partnership, a limited partnership, an LLC, a “C” corporation, or a “S” corporation. It is important to clearly state that these different forms of legal structure for business has its own advantages and disadvantages; which is why you must weigh your options properly before making your choice.
These are some of the factors you should consider before choosing a legal entity for your digital marketing agency business; limitation of personal liability, ease of transferability, admission of new owners and investors’ expectation and of course taxes.
If you take your time to critically study the various legal entities to use for your digital marketing agency business, you will agree that Limited Liability Company; an LLC is most suitable. You can start this type of business as limited liability company (LLC) and in future convert it to a ‘C’ corporation or a ‘S’ corporations especially when you have the plans of going public.
Upgrading to a ‘C’ corporation or ‘S’ corporation will give you the opportunity to grow your digital marketing agency business so as to compete with major players in the industry; you will be able to generate capital from venture capital firms, you will enjoy separate tax structure, and you can easily transfer ownership of the company; you will enjoy flexibility in ownership and in your management structures.
Is Professional Certification Needed to Start a Digital Marketing Agency?
Aside from the results you produce, professional certification is one of the main reasons why most digital marketing consultants and digital marketing firms stand out. If you want to make impact as in the digital marketing agencies industry, you should work towards acquiring all the needed certifications in your area of specialization.
You are strongly encouraged to pursue professional certifications; it will go a long way to show your commitment towards the business. These are some of the certifications you can work towards achieving if you want to run your own digital marketing agency business;
- AMA Certified Professional Marketer
- Content Marketing Institute Online Training and Certification
- Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer
- DigitalMarketer Certified Content Marketing Specialist
- Google AdWords Certification
- Google Analytics Certification
- HootSuite Advanced Social Media Strategy Certificate
- Marketing Management Certificate
- HubSpot Certifications
- DMA Certified Marketing Professional
Please note that the higher your qualifications and experience (expertise), the easier it is for you to secure high profile digital marketing contracts as a digital marketing consultant.
List of Legal Documents You Need to Run a Digital Marketing Agency
The essence of having the necessary documentation in place before launching a business in the united states cannot be overemphasized. It is a fact that you can successfully run any business in the United States without the proper documentations.
These are some of the basic legal document that you are expected to have in place if you want to run your own digital marketing agency business in the United States of America;
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business License
- Business Plan
- Non – disclosure Agreement
- Employment Agreement (offer letters)
- Operating Agreement for LLCsOperating Agreement for LLCs
- Insurance Policy
- Consulting contract documents
- Online Terms of Use
- Online Privacy Policy Document
- Apostille (for those who intend operating beyond the United States of America)
Choosing the Right Insurance Policy for your Digital Marketing Agency
In the United States and in most countries of the world, you can’t operate a business without having some of the basic insurance that is required by the industry you want to operate from. So it is important to create a budget for insurance and perhaps consult an insurance broker to guide you in choosing the best and most appropriate insurance policies for your digital marketing agency business.
Here are some of the basic insurance covers that you should consider purchasing if you want to start your own digital marketing agency business in the United States of America;
- General insurance
- Health insurance
- Liability insurance
- Workers Compensation
- Overhead expense disability insurance
- Business owner’s policy group insurance
Intellectual Property Protection / Trademark for your Digital Marketing Agency
If you are considering starting your own digital marketing agency business, usually you may not have any need to file for intellectual property protection / trademark. This is so because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successful run the business without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.
But if you just want to protect your company’s logo and other documents or software that are unique to you. Then you can go ahead to file for intellectual property protection. If you want to register your trademark, you are expected to begin the process by filing an application with the USPTO. The final approval of your trademark is subjected to the review of attorneys as required by USPTO.