How to Build a Website to Sell Ringtones
Many cell phones allow customized ringtones. As a result, selling ringtones can be a lucrative business. It takes some know-how, however, to install and configure the infrastructure that will power an e-commerce website.
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Things You'll Need
- Web host
- E-commerce platform
- Supplier of media (ringtones, wallpapers, games)
Instructions
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Platform and Web Host
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Research various e-commerce platforms to see if their offerings fit your needs. You will need an e-commerce platform that supports digital downloads and virtual delivery unless you are planning to ship purchased ringtones on physical media. Download or purchase the e-commerce platform.
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Choose a domain name for your business and register it. Many web hosts offer discounts on web hosting if you register the domain with them.
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Research various web hosts to ensure their web hosting packages meet your selected e-commerce platform's requirements. If you are unsure if a particular web host can support your e-commerce platform, contact their sales department.
Some web hosts will install e-commerce packages for you free of charge. Take advantage of this option if you are unfamiliar with installing and configuring internet applications. Many web hosts offer easy installation of e-commerce packages from within the account control panel. Again, you may want to take advantage of these options if you are uncomfortable with attempting an install on your own.
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Make sure your web host is extremely secure. Find out if it supports SSL certificates. SSL certificates allow your server to encrypt its communications to your customers' browsers. Security is essential in establishing trust between your website and your customers.
Ringtone Supply
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Find a wholesale ringtone supplier or company that will license its ringtones to you. You can also contact independent artists directly and agree to sell their ringtones on your website.
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Find music and sounds from the public domain to sell as ringtones. Media in the public domain is no longer protected by copyright and is free to use in any matter.
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Round out your website by offering wallpapers and games. The process is the same as selling ringtones. Find a company that licenses out its media to sellers, forge relationships with independent creators to feature their products on your website and sell media in the public domain.
Putting It All Together
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Install your e-commerce software on your web server, and configure the functionality that allows digital downloads and virtual delivery.
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Create your storefront using the e-commerce software's administration panel.
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Make sure your store functions properly by running a few test orders. Check and see if the sale registers and if the media is delivered properly. If all goes well, you should be ready to open to the public.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are selling copyrighted media, be sure to obtain a license to do so. Otherwise, you could be held liable for criminal copyright infringement. Most licenses will require you to pay royalties to the copyright holder in order to sell the copyrighted media.
