Author: Mark Edwards, General Manager at www.rocketlawyer.co.uk, an online legal service providing starts-ups and small businesses with easy-to-use, professional legal documents and affordable help from specialist lawyers.

Starting out in business is tricky enough without having to navigate what can seem like a complex and expensive legal minefield.  The failure of the legal industry to move with the times and provide modern solutions to meet the demand from businesses means that many new companies have fallen at the first hurdle when starting up.

Thankfully the legal landscape is changing fast with the introduction of technology to the industry by innovators like Rocket Lawyer, an online legal service providing businesses with easy-to-use legal documents and affordable help from specialist lawyers at the click of a button.

Such online legal services are exactly what entrepreneurs and small businesses have long been demanding and they bring legal services in line at last with other service industries that have been providing online access for many years. Around half of people seeking legal help and advice look to the internet first, so where better to provide a one-stop legal solution than online.

The great thing about online innovation in the legal industry, which brings with it a significant reduction in costs and simplification of the law, is that business owners up and down the UK will now be able to manage their legal affairs much more conveniently and at a cost they can afford.

But what do you need to look out for; what questions should you be asking to ensure the online legal service you use is both trustworthy and credible? First, look at the types of legal documents they allow you to create, are they sufficient for the growing needs of your business? Have all the legal documents been drafted initially by a qualified lawyer who is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority? If you not, you are putting your business at risk. In addition, can you get in direct contact with a lawyer if you need more legal guidance, or a customer service representative for technical support?

An online legal company that specialises in legal help for start-ups and small businesses is a great place to start. For example, Rocket Lawyer provide independent online legal guides for first-time and seasoned entrepreneurs alike to guide them through the basics with confidence. Also, the breadth of legal documents available to create are vast yet tailored to the needs of a small business. You can create everything from shareholder and partnership agreements to employment contracts and health and safety policies. Making sure you have solid legal footing from the start will prevent you from falling into common legal issues later down the line, and ensure that you are complying with the latest laws. You can also easily ask an On Call lawyer a question at any time if you need further advice.

We all know that business and finances are tough but at least it is reassuring to know that legal issues need not be a concern for your business, or your finances for that matter.