It would be preferable to have a registered company when launching a saas, just to not be personally responsible for issues with GDPR, terms of use and such things. But, at least here, it costs about 2500$ to register a business. How do one think about this in the early stages, when you are just testing your ideas with the market? It is a bit expensive if it does not succeed.
I’m curious how European economies justify the high cost of starting a business?<p>Maybe I don’t fully appreciate the situation. I have known some German freelancers be stuck, unable to afford to start a business. However without a business the freelancers clients will be seen as participating in disguised employment. Same goes for issues the OP cites like personal liability, etc. In the US, business licenses are relatively easily obtained to protect individuals. It would seem to benefit society to encourage new ventures. Though this is perhaps my American biases. I’m sure I’m misunderstanding something.
You can start offering your Saas for free (so no need to stablish a company since you are not actually selling anything online, nor making money). Let if run free for 3 months, see if people actually use it and if so, then proceed to make things official.<p>It makes absolute no sense to setup a company just to check if your idea works.
Depends on your jurisdiction, but in many places putting up a website and taking signups doesn't require a registered business.<p>In the case of OnlineOrNot (<a href="https://onlineornot.com" rel="nofollow">https://onlineornot.com</a>) - I just used my name. It hasn't stopped people signing up and paying me.
You could run a more general software house-type company, and spin off successful startups if it's necessary.<p>Wait until you actually have a business, though.