Free guide · Ecommerce in Texas

How to start an ecommerce business in Texas.

Texas is one of the best states in the country to launch an ecommerce business, with no state income tax and a huge, fast-growing population. Its central location and major highways and ports let you ship across the United States quickly. A strong cultural identity, from barbecue to western wear, also gives founders authentic products to build a brand around.

Start with a product

The best ecommerce products to sell from Texas.

These eight are tuned to Texas's real strengths, from what sells to how it ships. Tap any one to explore it and find more like it inside the platform.

1. 1
   BBQ and Tex-Mex food products

   Rubs, sauces, and salsas carry a beloved regional story that ships nationwide.

2. 2
   Western wear and boots

   Texas's western identity gives a boots-and-apparel brand instant credibility.

3. 3
   Custom apparel and print-on-demand

   No inventory is needed, and central shipping delivers tees and hoodies fast.

4. 4
   Hunting and outdoor gear

   A large outdoor culture supports online gear and accessories.

5. 5
   Home and ranch decor

   A distinctive aesthetic sells well to a national audience.

6. 6
   Health and fitness supplements

   Wellness products sell well online and ship compactly.

7. 7
   Handmade crafts and leather goods

   Etsy-style storefronts let makers reach a nationwide audience.

8. 8
   Dropshipping and curated storefronts

   Central logistics and no state income tax make a low-inventory model efficient.

Why Texas works for online business.

Texas charges no state income tax, a real advantage for a founder keeping more of what the store earns, and its huge, fast-growing population gives you an expanding home market. Its central location, major highways, and ports make shipping across the country fast and affordable, whether you fulfill yourself or use a warehouse. The state's strong culture, from barbecue to western wear, also hands you distinctive product niches to own.

Registering an online business follows the same path as any other business in the state. For the full picture, read our complete guide to starting a business in Texas.

The steps to launch.

1. 1

   Form your business with the Texas Secretary of State

   Most online sellers form an LLC for liability separation. File directly with the Texas Secretary of State and pay only the state's own filing fee. Our free name generator checks the matching web domain with every store name it suggests.

2. 2

   Get your EIN free from the IRS

   The Employer Identification Number is your business tax ID, required by processors and banks. The IRS issues it directly at irs.gov in minutes, at no charge. Get the EIN at irs.gov ↗

3. 3

   Register for a Texas sales tax permit

   Register with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for a sales tax permit so you can legally collect and remit sales tax on orders shipped to Texas customers.

4. 4

   Pick your platform: Shopify, Etsy, or Amazon

   Shopify gives you your own branded store, Etsy connects you to a handmade and vintage marketplace, and Amazon offers the largest built-in audience. Start with one and expand later. When you set your prices, our free pricing and margin calculators help you cover fees, shipping, and profit.

5. 5

   Set up payments and a business bank account

   Connect a payment processor to accept cards, and open a business bank account with your EIN and formation documents to keep business money separate from personal money.

6. 6

   Handle sales tax nexus as you grow

   Selling into other states can create a sales tax obligation there once you cross their thresholds. Track where your customers are and register in new states as you reach them.

On sales tax: Texas requires online sellers to collect sales tax on taxable goods sold to Texas customers, so register for a sales tax permit with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts before you start selling.