Q: Does A person need A business license to start A digital marketing agency?
A:
Generally, no.
What types of good will you be marketing? Will you just be advertising goods or will you be fulfilling customer orders, by dropshipping for example? If you're doing more than connecting a customer with a company you may need a license, depending on the industry you're selling goods in.
Some industries are regulated by licensing requirements, so find out if there is a regulatory board which governs the products you intend to advertise or sell. For example, you should not start selling pharmaceutical, dentistry-related, or medical products without consulting with an attorney. Also, advertising online sports betting or gambling may be a crime.
Some other potential legal pitfalls to be aware of: trademark and copyright infringement; adhering to federal/state and client privacy regulations; FTC's Truth in Advertising regulations; and DMCA compliance if applicable to your method of marketing.
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