E-Commerce Basics

Start at the beginning with overviews and tutorials

E-Commerce and your Business Strategy

How does e-commerce fit with your business?

• Write a Business Plan
• Guide to Your Internet Business Plan
• Determine Your Web Site Goals
• Creating an Online Business Plan
• New Rules for Writing an E-Business Plan

Build Your Web Site

Register a Domain Name

• Search for domain names.
• List of accredited domain name registrars. - icann.org

Find a Web Host

• Find a host for your web site. - ispcheck.com Search for companies.
• Determine What Services You Need From an ISP
• Web Developers - How to find one and decide if they're right for you
• Hire a Design Team to Build Your Site
• Develop a web site that is easy to use
• Ten good deeds in web design.
• Usability checklist for site developers. If your site is easier to use, customers will stay longer. 

Web Storefront Services

Get an out-of-the-box, commerce-enabled site:

Build a commerce-enabled web presence for your small business using these low-cost, out-of-the-box services. Web storefront software should allow you to maintain your product catalog as well as enable you to process credit card transactions.

• E-Commerce Software Packages
• Features and Relationships That Support E-Commerce
• E-Storefront options for small businesses

Low-cost, out-of-the-box solutions to create your e-commerce web store:

• freemerchant.com
• Yahoo Store
• bigstep.com

E-Commerce software solutions:

• Guide to e-commerce software
• How to build a web store
• Storefront software reviews (low to high cost)

Payment

How will you receive payment on your web site?

You'll need a merchant account provider (MAP) to allow you to accept credit cards over the web and a credit card clearinghouse service that supports your MAP. It is also important to note whether your web storefront software/shopping cart software is compatible with your credit card clearing service.

• Payment solutions for your e-commerce web site.
• Electronic payment system guide.
• Adding plastic to your site.

Making the payment process easier for your customer:

• Cyber Checkout

Merchant Accounts:

A Merchant Account Provider is a bank or other institution that processes online credit card transactions, will verify the credit card, process the transaction, and deposit the results into your account.

• Qualifying for a Merchant Account – Do You Meet the Criteria?
• Don't Fly By Night: The Inside Information on Merchant Accounts
• Understanding Merchant Accounts and their fees.
• Understanding Merchant Service Provider Rates - explains the various fees and charges involved.
• Finding the Best Merchant Account Provider for your Business

Credit Card Clearing Services(transaction processing service or commerce engine):

A clearing service takes the credit card information from your site and transfers the information to your bank or Merchant Account Provider. Performs a similar function as a swipe terminal might in a brick-and-mortar setting.

• Choosing a credit card clearing service.
• Electronic Payments - Alternative Systems
• Electronic Checks - works similarly to paper checks.
• PayPal - a possible choice for merchants with lower-priced goods who may not be able to afford credit card capabilities.
• Micropayments - From the W3C.

Security Issues

Ensure that all transactions on your site are protected. Generally, security is provided by various implementations of cryptography, including encryption, digital signatures and notarization, secure protocols and digital certificates.

• Developing Your Privacy Policy on Your Web Site
• Customers Fear for their Online Privacy
• Sample Privacy Policy
• Web Site Security
• Thawte - Digital Certificate Provider
• Verisign - Digital Certificate Provider
• Entrust - Security Products/Services

Taxes and E-Commerce

• E-Commerce Tax FAQ
• E-Commerce Taxation Principles
• Focus on Net Taxes

Market/Promote Your Web Site

Improve the chances of customers finding you online.

• WebPromote Articles on web site marketing.
• E-Commerce Times
• E-Commerce/Marketing Channel
• Search Engine Submission Tips
• E-Commerce Merchandising/Marketing
• Web Site Marketing Primer How to market your web site
• Creating Effective Email Campaigns
• Email Marketing ClickZ's portal for email marketing
• Beyond the Banner: New Strategies in Online Advertising ZDNet
• Advertising Age's NetMarketing

Marketing/Statistics on E-Commerce

• E-Commerce Statistical Toolbox

Fulfillment

How will you track and fill your customers' orders?

• Shipping Costs Bleed E-tailers Dry
• Who Pays to Get it There?
• Using Drop Shippers for Your Online Store
• Your Fulfillment Choices
• Distribution Decisions: Drop-Shipping vs. Inventory vs. Fulfillment House
• Should You Outsource E-Commerce Fulfillment?
• E-Fulfillment Companies  

Customer Service

Is shopping on your site a good experience for your customer?

• Understand Online Customer Service
• E-Customer Service Gets Real
• The Human Face of E-Customer Service

E-Commerce News and Information

Keep up to date.

• E-Commerce Times
• The Industry Standard - The Newsmagazine of the Internet Economy
• Internet.com - E-Commerce News

General Resources

• E-Commerce Web-o-pedia - Find out what EDI, SET and ASP mean

To find out if CCSBDC consulting can help you call or email us, or fill out a request for services. There is no cost to you. What will it cost you not to get all the help you could?