About AE Themes

AE Themes is an independent publication. We write practical, plain-English guides for people starting a business and building its website in the United States: how to register in each state, which privacy and accessibility rules apply to a business website, and how to get found in local search.

What we cover

• 50 state business guides — formation filings and fees, annual reports, sales tax basics, website compliance, local funding programs, and local SEO.
• Website compliance checklist — the federal and common state rules for business websites.
• State privacy laws compared and website accessibility deep dives.
• Local SEO playbook for small businesses.
• Topic guides for web designers in California, online businesses in California, and Texas website laws.

How we write

We base our guides on official sources — Secretary of State offices, state revenue departments, statutes, and federal agency guidance — and we update them when fees, thresholds, or deadlines change. Where a rule is unsettled, contested in court, or easy to misread, we say so rather than guess.

Our guides are general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Requirements depend on your facts, and agencies change fees and forms. Always confirm details with the official agency, and talk to a licensed attorney or CPA in your state before making decisions that matter.

Corrections

If you spot an outdated fee, a changed deadline, or an error, check the official source linked in the relevant guide — that source always takes precedence over our summary. We review and update guides regularly; each page shows the date it was last modified in its structured data.

Frequently asked questions