Support
Visitor
|
Re:Does easy ecommerce exist? - 2006/02/16 22:25
Dear Confused,
You can stop fretting. eCommerce is really not that complicated. It's just about taking it in stages & talking to the right people.
Let's look at this in 3 stages.
Stage 1-Deciding what you want to do.
Stage 2-Deciding how to do it.
Stage 3-What to do after it's done.
Stage 1-Deciding what you want to do.
It may seem simple and obvious, but what are you planning on "selling" on the web? Is it a product, many products, services, advertising, subscriptions, memberships, or something else?
i.e. a few unique products, gifts or specialty items, etc
It is always best to start simply and grow from there. Think of a specific problem for a smaller group of people, and solve it. Ask yourself:
a) What do your customers need from you? (Subscriptions/memberships)
b) What would your customers buy from you? (product sales)
c) What do your customers need from each other? (match service)
d) What do other people need from your customers? (advertising)
Stage 2-Deciding how to do it.
The basics you will need for any eCommerce package is:
-an easy way to search for products/services,
-prices,
-content for descriptions, photo's,
-security for contact & credit card purchasing,
-responsive customer service process in place
Let's look a bit closer at collecting money online:
1) Credit Cards: The most basic payment method. Will require a payment processor (like Verisign) internet merchant account (account number from a FDIC-insured merchant bank to enable you to receive credit cards) , secure server to house the sales pages, & gateway to send secure transactions to your processor and bank.
Expect set-up fees, processing fees, and transaction fees.
2) Online Cash: Well, not really cash. It's a middleman service like PayPal. They let you transfer money directly from one person to another. Benefits? They handle all the credit card processing, all you do is set up an account. Disadvantages? They take a larger cut of every sale than if you accepted credit cards.
3) Cash, check, or money order. These would be sent by mail. Be warned! If your competitors are providing instant sales using credit cards, you will hurt your sales if you do not too.
Basic options to consider for a cart:
-The $99 down and $9.95 a month ecommerce on myMarketingGuide.com
- Template shopping carts: PayPal, Yahoo (from $50 a month & up)
-Hybrid: Verisign with custom web design (from $2500 a build & up)
-Custom: Custom built program and secure servers (from $10,000 a build & up)
Stage 3-What to do after it's done.
Once your site is planned, designed, built, and launched, you may feel a sense of accomplishment. But wait! Your work has only just begun. After you launch your site, study how it's used, and make continual changes to improve it. Plus, you have to tell people it's there! Don't forget to market/promote it.
How much time and effort you put into your site will reflect in the revenue you receive.
For more info, make sure to check out the Service Finder or Vendor Selector on this site or give us a call at 888-215-0820.
With Regards,
Samantha
|
QUICK LINKS 
