How to Make a Web Page to Sell Items

Selling items online allows customers to buy items in the comfort of their own homes, usually at cheaper prices.

Customers who are looking for a better deal online than at their local store may come across your website if you are selling a product they are interested in. Your site must be professional looking and welcoming, as websites that appear unprofessional may cause customers to go to another site in fear of their credit card information being compromised. Using templates and sites like PayPal can allow your web page to be established to sell items in less than 48 hours.

Things You'll Need

• Domain name
• Web host
• Web template
• Merchant account
• Products
• Shopping cart software

Instructions

1. Purchase a domain name for your website. A domain name is the website address (after the "www") that users type into their browsers, like Firefox or Safari, to reach your website. Domain registrars charge between $1 and $14 per year.

2. Take pictures of the items that you will sell on your website using a digital camera in a well-lit area. Make the background the same for all of your images for uniformity. Gather images from your supplier if you do not have your own items to sell on your website. Locate suppliers overseas from Tradekey.com or Ec21.com. Use wholesale supplier lists.

3. Write the content for your website using word processor software. Write the description of your products and information about your company. Proofread the document several times to ensure there are no grammar or spelling errors, as this can cause customers to want to go to another site.

4. Open an account with PayPal, or contact your local bank to open a merchant account. Merchant accounts process credit cards and checks on your behalf for a transaction fee and percentage of each sale. After your customers pay for certain items, the funds will either go into your PayPal account or be automatically transferred into your checking account if using a merchant account.

5. Set up your online store using website templates. Website templates are websites are already created and require you to upload your pictures and information about the products that you are selling. Use ecommerce services like Auctiva and Yahoo small business, which create a storefront website for a monthly fee. If you want a unique website, hire a freelance web designer from a site like Guru.com.

6. Purchase web hosting for your website. Web hosts are responsible for the servers that keep the traffic coming to your website as well as keep the content online. Web hosts can charge between $3 and $100 per month. Purchase an inexpensive web package initially to minimize expenses as your business grows.

References

• Tamingthebeast: Basic Ecommerce Web Site Design and Development

Resources

• Thesitewizard: How to Choose a Web Host
• Compassdesigns: Comparison of Ecommerce Online Stores
• Templatemonster: Website Templates
• Wholesaledistributorsnet: Wholesale Distributors Lists
• Infomerchant: Merchant Account Comparison Chart