The Rea Report Fall 2019 | Page 7

The Cost Of Doing Business: ONLINE VS. OFFLINE Thanks to the high court’s South Dakota vs. Wayfair decision, the cost of running an online business has never been higher. State and local tax remittance and compliance now make up in the bulk of your overhead costs. Review the graphic below for a better understanding of what you can expect to contend with when you choose to open an online business. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING A PHYSICAL LOCATION: $ Rent & utilities $ Janitorial & maintenance $ Physical security $ Employees $ Marketing $ Professional services COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DOING BUSINESS ONLINE: $ Enhanced website $ Sales tax automation software $ State tax registration & compliance $ Increased legal & accounting costs $ Storage & order fulfillment costs $ Online marketing & optimization $ Data security