How To Set Up An Ecommerce Site
Step By Step
The following Steps, in answer to the question, How To Set Up An Ecommerce Site, are recommended:
- Domain Name: A brand new Ecommerce site is often characterized by the Domain Name. This may be the first step towards a Brand Name. It is therefore worth considering very carefully. A vast number of Domain Names are always up for purchase, but the Domain targeted by the new Ecommerce site must be visualized very early on the game. If the target is local only, a single Domain Name may be fine. But if the target is multiple, or in different localities, regions or countries, then purchasing several Domain Names may well be in order. Of course, some organizations or individual entrepreneurs plan to deliver all their products and services through a single, international door (or brand), then a suitable single Domain Name may just be the right approach.
- Secure Certificate: Ecommerce starters not using a pre-packaged service, will also need an SSL certificate. This is to secure communications between a visitor’sweb browser and the web server hosting the User’s website. For this, one needs to approach one of the several SSL certificate providers in action right now. Some of the most popular are Symantec and Thawte. Other options also exist, such as inclusive hosting companies who take care of a number of requirements for a new Ecommerce website, such as purchasing SSL certificates. Costs vary from provider to provider, but it is not prohibitive.
- Hosting Package: OfferIng a choice of Domain Names often comes wrapped in an all-inclusive Hosting Package , together with necessary services like obtaining an SSL certificates. But the main areas to select the Package wisely are often as follows:
Uptime and Performance: The ability and record of the hosts to support continuous usage, especially times of high demand, is sn essential feature of the decision to choose one host over another. The host is the true support of an Ecommerce site, and it is their reliability in providing quality support continuously that can determine the performance and hence the future of a budding Ecommerce site.
Shared hosting environments: This is clearly not a good idea, as there is no choice in the matter of who is co-hosting. Both the Control and Security of the User’s site is at stake here, and if and when the site takes off, this may become an insurmountable hurdle. New Starters would be well advised to steer clear of this option. You may be sharing hosting with a company or site that is completely unrelated to yours. You wouldn’t necessarily wanted to be hosted with a sex site like free fuck book or another adult site for example if you have products that aren’t geared toward that same demographic.
Website Speed: The website speed can vary relative to the time difference between the location of the Site and the buyer’s location. This may involve different countries altogether. Of course, if the locality is the same, the website may be rapidly loaded. In general, however, its best to use a CDN (Content Delivery Network)to help localize the Owner;s site to different target countries. No visitor can then be lost in this way.
PCI: Most hosts can offer PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant hosting for Ecommerce customers, thereby making payments for purchases more customer-friendly and also easy for the seller.
- Platform: Ecommerce is extremely dependent on the Platform selected for access to the right customers. Of course, it is possible to change Platforms later as the business ripens, but it is a very time consuming process to move large numbers of products, sometimes numbering in the thousands. SaaS (Software as a Service) storefronts offer a vast range of Ecommerce Platforms, with many offering customized solutions. Benefits and drawbacks should be carefully considered before choosing the right Platform.
- IMA: An Internet-ready Bank account is necessary for Ecommerce transactions online. This IMA (Internet-ready Merchant Account) have a number of requirements and information that the Bank may need in order to set an account up for the Owner of the Site (or “Merchant”). These accounts are different from normal accounts in that the Merchant has no direct access to the funds collected until they are cleared by the Bank.
- PSP: Ecommerce Merchants must next secure a PSP (Payment Service Provider) or a gateway for processing the payment. The rates for PSPs vary widely, so a shrewd Merchant shops around for a PSP before making the final choice.
- PCI SSC Compliance: The PCI SSC (Payment Card Industry Security Standard Council) has an International presence, and ensures the best practices for security of online card processing for Ecommerce transactions. Each online Merchant needs to satisfy the level of compliance dictated by this worldwide organization, which creates a safety net for all the parties concerned in each online transaction.
- Digital Marketing: Ecommerce Merchants must actively promote their website to draw customer attention to the products and services advertised online. Professional help is available, but again, careful selection of the appropriate expert is essential.
