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| ECOMMERCE
GUIDE |
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Why Should I Open an Online Store?
Put simply, we are in an age of small-business ecommerce,
where having an online presence is a fundamental concept in owning
any successful business. As ecommerce is accruing billions of dollars
in revenue, and growing, it is both impossible and foolish to ignore
the possibilities that your business could have in this marketplace.
You must have a clear understanding of what exactly Ecommerce means.
Ecommerce is the ability to actually sell products through an online
store. In recent years, these electronic stores have become a huge
part of our economy. Many small businesses have managed to double
or triple their revenue by simply making their products available
through the Web. This success relates to the fact that Ecommerce
is a less expensive alternative to owning an offline store, or a
catalog business, for instance, because of production, distribution
costs, etc. If you move your store online, you gain immediate exposure.
Owning an online store will broaden your opportunities and capabilities
to sell and cater to both a wide, vast audience. With the emergence
of Internet technology, consumers have access to shop outside
the area in which they live, and obtain a more specific product
they are looking for. With the proper entrepreneurial steps, your
online store will provide a luxury, convenience, for your consumer.
Your store will stand apart from many others. You just have to
know how to play the game…. |
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What's Involved in Building an Online Store?
First and foremost, it’s of utmost importance to acknowledge
that there is a certain order of events that must occur when you
are taking your business online. Ecommerce is one of the most integrated
solutions when it comes to taking your business online, and you
must look at all the different components that are necessary to
take part in the excitement and potential profits. For example,
shopping cart software, web hosting and a merchant account are all
necessary features of bringing your online store ALIVE. Above all,
it’s necessary to KNOW your product. Knowing your product
will influence some of the technological requirements, as well as
dictate the required features and options you will need to bring
your store to the Web. Your shopping cart application is what will
make this all happen.
You must choose the right store creation and management tool, which
is generally called a shopping cart. Shopping cart software makes
it possible to have an online brochure where your customers can
browse, add items to their virtual shopping cart, and check-out
through an order form. Shopping cart software, which should be both
easy to use and powerful, is what makes Ecommerce possible. Reputable
hosts will offer Ecommerce packages that include the shopping cart
software. Hostway offers Miva Merchant shopping cart software, which
is able to plug right into a merchant account to do online credit
card processing. An Internet merchant account is a type of bank
account that allows you to accept credit card payments online.
It handles fraud checks on each transaction, as well as the transfer
of funds from your customer’s credit card to your bank account.
You will need a merchant account in order to perform any online
credit card transactions. Also, in addition to the Merchant Account,
you will need an online payment gateway that often comes included
with a merchant account.
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Who's Going to Build It and Administer It?
It is necessary that you choose a hosting company that will host
your online store and your web site. The hosting company should
be able to provide you with a reliable, secure, easy, and powerful
environment within which to establish your on-line business, as
well as provide you with cutting edge technology. A reliable host
will be able to give you the connectivity and resources you need
to get you online business up and available for the world to see.
You will need simple storefront solutions for your online business,
as well as the technical support, that will allow out you to grow
and succeed on the Internet. |
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How Much Will It Cost?
Ecommerce plans may range anywhere from $20 a month, to $130 a month.
You just need to select the plan that best suits the requirements
specific to your product and Ecommerce storefront. You have to take
into account the number of products you’ll be selling, your
customer base and the traffic to your site you anticipate, etc.,
as these factors will determine the type of plan you should choose.
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Did You Say "HOSTWAY"?
Yes, that’s right, Hostway is the company that will most certainly
fulfill your needs and goals to bring your storefront creation to
life….
Since 1996, Hostway has been providing Ecommerce solutions to tens
of thousands of businesses like yours around the world. Our ranks
of successful and satisfied customers are growing each day. We would
like to think that's because we know what it means to support business
critical Ecommerce enabled web sites. After all, many of our customers
derive 100% of their revenue from their online stores. Our stellar
development team is on the cutting-edge of technology today and
already making waves into tomorrow. Our industry-leading technical
support staff is available 24x7 to answer your questions and work
with you to resolve your problems. Your website and all material
on our severs is fully secure in our data center with 24x7 network
monitoring, 24x7 security guard as well as state of the art backup
systems.
With Hostway, your business and our experience will pave the
way into the 21st century. With Hostway’s Ecommerce solutions,
you will stand out in an expanding online store community. First,
choosing from one of Hostway’s shopping cart software will
lead you on the path to success...
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