Clickbank might be one alternative for you guys to start selling ebooks, but I guess you should begin with a strategy first. I mean, to sell anything online, you basically need three things: a website, a payment processor and a product. But if you want to be successful at it, then you have to make sure that there is a market for your product and most importantly, that your product gets as much exposure as possible. Clickbank might do it via affiliates, but you could also design a marketing campaign that includes different media through which you'll reach your target customers. All in all, best of luck.

Hope you were able to find answers. But if you haven't, I would highly, highly recommend you check out Clickbank, especially for ebooks.   It's a third party company that automatically delivers ebooks and online software (anything that can be downloaded to a computer) once a customer pays for it.   Clickbank is very affordable and the best part is that there are affiliates that will get the word out and sell the products for you. These affiliates get a commission out of the sale (that you decide on) kind of like Amazon affiliates.   It's definitely worth checking out for your 'downloadable' products.

To learn about the applicable licenses and permits for an online business, see these Steps to Starting an Online Business

Dear Matt, There is no need of permit or license to sell ebooks Online. But to sell a software you need the liscence / pemission from Software author / developer.

Matt, There are two types of taxes involved: sales taxes and income taxes. Sales Taxes: According to the payment processor I use (E-Junkie, very good), if you are selling a 'soft' item for download, there sales taxes involved. Sales taxes may be incurred when the product becomes a hard item that is shipped. Corporate Taxes: Be concerned if you have a physical presence in any state. In my own business, I sell ebooks all over the world. I pay corporate income taxes to the US and to my state, but there are no sales taxes, and I don't pay taxes to any foreign country. MaryAnnBusiness Plan MasterStart and Finance Your Business Now ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

My experience in the import/export arena says it is always better to find a joint venture partner on the other side. It helps keep costs in line and takes some of the pressure off, even if it severely cuts your margin. Given you are American though things could certainly be different in your situation. I think software is going to require some extra work, but with ebooks you might be best off putting them up on sites like ebay and amazon to see what the reaction is, before putting forth a full effort. Distribution channels online for ebooks should be readily available no matter where you live.

If you are doing your business online without any property in America, then you don't need registration. But if you have offices in the US then you need to register it with your county. For better business, i suggest you to get a Trademark also. It helps and make company more trustful.

Hi mattjpn, Check out our Import Export Guide- it gives you an overview on how to export goods to the U.S. Feel free to read the Printing Industry Guide for more information on laws and regulations. Are you planning to set up an office in the US? Or is this all done online? Does anyone have experience or suggestions for mattjpn?