How to Make an Ebook Store

Making your own e-book store, otherwise known as an e-commerce site, involves things like deciding what your business will be named and writing ad copy intended to promote your site. With the increased popularity of e-book stores, there are a multitude of ways to get involved. The success of your e-book store depends on you and how much control you want over your store, what your budget is and how you want to develop your online storefront presence. The most important factor of success, though, depends on building relationships with your customers and site visitors.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access Domain/business name Knowledge of your skill level Decide type of store Type of e-book Online purchasing system Method of delivery

Instructions

The Steps

1. Internet access. In order to operate an e-book store, you will need access to the Internet. The method of access ranges from dial-up, broadband, to satellite or cable. Choose the method that is most convenient for you. Keep in mind, though, that dial-up may take a while to download your e-books.

2. Domain/business name. You will need to determine your business name and purchase a domain name in order to make your e-book store and start selling online. There are a variety of sites available that sell domain names. Perform online research to find one that suits your needs.

3. Knowledge of skill level. Being honest with yourself about your skill level involving HTML, website development and Internet usage is important. Your skill level plays a role in deciding how you will go forward with making your e-book store. Irregardless of what your skill level is, there are options and alternatives available to help you obtain your dream of having your own e-book store.

4. Decide type of e-book store. Do you want to start your own e-book store from scratch and host it on the Internet? This will involve you having total control over HTML, promotion and all the other areas involved in operating an online store. There are a variety of website-building kits available. Or, do you want to have your e-book store to be part of an Internet mall where they do the majority of promotion but have rules and regulations to follow?

5. Decide upon type of e-book. Will you be writing the e-books yourself? Or will you be reselling e-books written by others? If reselling for others, be certain to read the fine print of the reseller agreement to avoid any future complications. There also are affiliate programs available that may be of interest to you for earning some extra income while selling others' e-books.

6. Online purchasing system. You will need to have a user-friendly, easily identifiable and efficient order processing system for your e-book store. Online storefront malls have the applicable purchasing system in place as a convenience factor. However, if making your e-book store yourself, decide which of the numerous online payment systems is best for you.

7. Method of delivery. After your customer has purchased your e-book, the e-book will be delivered. Decide whether you will have an immediate download from your e-book store or will have delivery via email. If delivery is made via email, your customer's purchase will send you an email notification. Then, you send the e-book via email to the customer's email address. Or you can send a link to the e-book via email. Be certain the e-book is in PDF for ease of transfer.

Tips & Warnings

• There is another option available to you if you are not interested in developing your own site or belonging to an Internet mall. It involves simply purchasing a turn-key e-book store software program that includes e-books ready to be sold. Know your budget. These are already fully automated and include everything you need to operate your own e-book store.

• Be forewarned about the amount of website-building skills necessary in order to effectively and competently operate your own e-book store. It is not a one-shot deal where you can develop your e-book store, then forget about it for a while like you could do with an online mall. The time investment is daily in order to stay current. Knowing about search engine optimization will be required if your e-book store is to gain online publicity. Knowing how to write ad copy that draws interest in your website will also be important.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Journal of Website Promotion; E-Commerce and Consumer's Expectations; Falk; 2000
• online purchasing