Whether you are running a SEO firm or are a freelance writer, you probably have a lot of worries already on your plate. Between deadlines and the dynamic nature of the business, things can get pretty stressful. This is why the last thing you need to worry about is legal trouble; unfortunately, you may find yourself in a situation one day where this is the case. While most scenarios and situations can be resolved amicably, the exceptions to this are the ones you must truly be on the lookout for. In the following article, we’ll discuss a few legal steps you must take if you want to protect yourself from any potential liability in an SEO related endeavor.

Always Have Contracts

Whenever you make acquaintances with a new client, you can’t foresee how the relation will unfold. You may have a great relationship that goes on for years, one that is short-lived but amicable, or one that takes a turn for the worst. In the event of the latter, you need to be prepared. We highly recommend that you obtain assistance from a lawyer who can walk you through the process of creating a contract, and a good lawyer will learn (or maybe already even know) what it is you do. When pinging networks for the right lawyer, always consider those who have a firm understanding of client services, business to business relationships and employee relationships with contractors.

Incorporate

By being a sole proprietor, you leave yourself open to all sorts of liability. Even with contracts that are iron-clad, there are some instances in which you may not be protected. The most common route for individual employees and freelancers is to incorporate as a single-member LLC. The biggest benefits to an LLC are that your personal finances and assets cannot be touched – so long as they are separate from your business funds, the reporting and administration of an LLC is much easier than many other types of incorporation, and you are only liable up to the point that you run out of company assets. Theoretically, you can empty your business’ bank account out each month by moving it into a personal account, making that money untouchable.

Insure Yourself

Last but not least, you want to be sure that you have one more line of defense: insurance. There is no out-of-the-box insurance plan that will cover everything you need to handle as a SEO writer or firm, so you’ll be pinging networks in search of an agent who can create a customized plan for your needs. Again, there will be a need to educate your agent on the matters and details of your business in order to obtain a valuable plan. For many, the most valuable aspect of insurance is the legal protection element, which will provide you with a lawyer whenever or if you are sued.

Conclusion

The three main keys to legal protection for freelancers and SEO firms – incorporation, insurance and contracts – will hopefully never have to be utilized to protect yourself from legal action, but are a powerful combination that will all but shield you from the hazards of any legal challenge.