How to Set up a Legitimate eCommerce Website

Building and deploying an eCommerce website has become easier as Internet technology advances.

ECommerce sites were once the domain of companies with deep technical resources. Over the last decade, the development of eCommerce hosting and management packages has made it possible for even those with limited resources to create an eCommerce presence.

Things You'll Need

• Website hosting
• ECommerce software
• Payment processing

Instructions

1. Setup a web hosting account that offers third-party software hosting. The software hosting is critical because it is required to develop the site. Hosting can be relatively inexpensive; as of August 2010, reputable hosting of this variety is available for around $4 per month.

2. Choose an eCommerce software package to use for the site. There are multitudes of choices available ranging from free open-source to commercial software. Read about the options, discuss with peers, and, if questions still linger, ask for recommendations from the web host.

3. Install the eCommerce software package. Web hosts offering third party software hosting usually use software called Fantastico De Luxe to install these applications. From the Fantastico menu, choose the name of the eCommerce software, click "new installation" and follow the wizard until installation is complete.

4. Create a payment processing account. This will allow customers to pay for online purchases with a credit card. Small businesses often prefer to use PayPal and Google during their early stages. There are other, highly competitive, alternatives available. Choose one that best suits the needs of your site.

5. Configure the eCommerce software options. This will include configuring security settings, uploading items into the product catalog, setting the site's design theme, and integrating the payment processing settings provided by the payment processor. These are primarily click, point, copy and paste operations that most users are comfortable doing without prior experience.

6. Open the site to the public. When everything is set, open the site from the eCommerce software's administrative settings. The public can now shop on your site and purchase products.

References

• Ecommerce-Guide: Open Source E-Commerce: Twelve Promising Programs
• CNNMoney: 5 Paypal Alternatives