Shopping Cart Web Sites
An ecommerce site is different from an information site - it has a different function or purpose altogether
The main function of an eCommerce site is to allow people to buy on line.
As a result the software required to run such an eCommerce site is a lot more sophisticated. Fortunately though it doesn't have to be all that much harder to build or maintain.
Here's a short list that will help you get started with your eCommerce site
The Five Things Required Are
1. Products - you have to have something to sell!! But what you sell online doesn't have to be a physical product. Shopping carts can be configured to sell digital goods such as pictures, music, software, etc. Or another option, if you don't have any inventory, is to look into drop shipped products. This is where people buy from you but the order is fulfilled by a wholesaler who then delivers the product directly the customer without any further involvement from you.
2. Shopping Cart Software. There are many of these. Possibly even thousands. Some are better than others for certain purposes, some have annual license fees and some are completely free. More important though than the license fee is the level of technical support available.
3. SSL and Dedicated IP: An SSL certificate creates the 'https' secure version of your website. This represents the fact the web page is encrypted and is thus more secure than an http page. With SSL , sensitive financial data like credit card details are protected.
You don't need to know how to install an SSL certificate though - let your web host or web designer do it
4. Merchant Account and Payment Gateway. Typically new online stores use an online credit card processing company such as PayPal or Paymate to accept credit card payments. These work well and are widely used and inexpensive. Most shopping carts integrate with them easily too.
You may prefer to set up a merchant facility through your bank. If you do be aware there is usually a monthly fee involved but often you can negotiate a lower if you have a high volume of sales.
Otherwise stick with the online processors.
5. Shipping Provider. This can be harder than you might think. Getting the shipping right is a key part in how competitive your site will be.
The easiest way is to do it is to have the shopping cart software link directly to your chosen shipping company - in Australia this would most likely be Australia Post. The software tells the shipping company the weight, size, origin and destination of the item being sent and gets a shipping cost in return. This is then used in the checkout process.
Other possible options are to set a flat rate for all deliveries within a certain region or even free delivery for items over a specified value.
Just be sure your shopping cart has enough flexibility to change between these options at will.
Putting it all together
If you are a DIY sort of person and have enough time then you can save some money by doing it all. ie you can set up a hosting account, map the domain name over, order the SSL certificate and have it installed and then finally installing the chosen shopping cart software.
This shopping cart software will need configuring for your desired payment gateway and shipping and probably will almost certainly need some code modifications and template modifications.
Then you will need to input of your terms and conditions, privacy statement and so on.
Finally you'll need to set up your categories. And also input your products.
As you can see it's not an overnight process and if you're doing it for the first time it might take 60 - 80 or so hours. But it would only have cost you about $500
Or you can outsource it. Get a web designer like myself to do it. Just supply them with the required data and it will all ready for you, typically within 3 - 4 weeks. It will cost more than the DIY option but its probably worth it ... considering it will free up 80 hours of your valuable time!
Now you have a shopping cart: what to do next?
Now you're online with your shopping cart that just the beginning. You're going to need some good traffic to make sales. But at least you have a solid foundation in place to start from.
by: John McPherson
Create Our Website With Toronto Web Design Company's The Importance Of Offsite Data Backup Solutions French bulldog puppies for sale and importance of their website Advantages and Disadvantages of Indian Matrimonial Sites How To Unblock Websites With Vpn Worldwide Foreclosure Guide Site Web Site Traffic Promotion - A Must Read for Those Looking to Build a Better Traffic to Their Niche Why Hire Web Designers for Website Designing How the Best SEO Services should Work to Increase the Volume of Traffic to Your Site Graphic approach with a difference by Phoenix Web Site Designers Behind The Scenes Of Your Website Save Time And Money Designing a Website that Looks Professional Benefits of Mobile Websites