How to Launch a Fantastic Web Presence With eCommerce

Test your eCommerce site several times before going live.

ECommerce has revolutionized the way companies conduct their business, making it easier for companies to sell products across the globe. Although eCommerce offers amazing opportunities for businesses to establish themselves and grow, launching a web presence with an eCommerce site requires careful planning. Starting an online store requires choosing products, designing a site, establishing a way to accept payments and securing your site. Failing to follow all of the necessary steps can hinder the success of your eCommerce business.

Things You'll Need

• Product information and pictures

Instructions

1. Register a domain name. Search for an online company that sells unregistered domain names or purchase an existing domain name. Choose a domain name that is short and easy to remember. Relate your domain name to the type of business you own, if possible.

2. Purchase a hosting plan with a hosting company. Some domain companies allow you to bundle a domain name and hosting plan into one package. Consider whether you want a shared or dedicated server and how much hard drive space you'll need. Also, ensure that you have email account accessibility. Verify that the company offers excellent customer support before signing up.

3. Plan the elements of your website. Write compelling content for each page of your site. Research other successful eCommerce sites to gather helpful hints on how to design your site. Keep your site simple and use a minimum amount of graphics to keep download times fast.

4. Select a website building tool to create your site or hire a graphic designer to design your site. Website building tools are easy to use and require little HTML knowledge. Establish a navigation bar that allows visitors to easily navigate from one page to another. Include a privacy and security statement on your website that explains how your company secures the information of its customers.

5. Protect your site with a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) digital certificate. Use encryption software, SSL certificates and digital certificates to protect your site against fraud and theft. Most hosting companies offer these options for an additional fee.

6. Register for an account with an online payment processing service and add a shopping cart to you site. Choose a financial institution that accepts all major forms of payment online. Look for providers with competitive rates and excellent customer service; also, look for an institution that offers confirmation emails for customers after purchases are made.

7. Promote your website using several advertising channels to gain customers. Register your website with popular search engines. Create online advertisements on free advertising sites. Use offline methods to promote your site as well. Design and print brochures, postcards, business cards and other marketing products with your domain name on the material.

8. Include social media links on your site that allow customers to easily share your site with their network. Twitter, Facebook and other social media buttons can easily go on your site when HTML code is entered in the designated area. Social media links allow customers to promote your sales and discounts to other interested buyers through the web.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning some basic HTML can help you with designing your site.

• Verify that your hosting company can handle the size of your website to prevent it from continually crashing.

References

• Independent Retail in America: How to Create an E-Commerce Web Site
• Inc.: How to Design an E-commerce Page
• Taming the Beast: Basic Ecommerce Website Design and Development

Resources

• Free Management Library: Basic Guide to E-Commerce