How to Build a Web Site to Sell Goods

You can sell goods at home, from your computer.

Many companies specialize in setting up websites for individuals, businesses and organizations. Many companies have templates in place so you do not need to know HTML code. Webs.com is one of these companies. At webs.com, you can also sell goods on your webpage and set it up free of charge, as long as you allow them place advertisements on your webpage.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet connection
• PayPal or Google merchant account
• Inventory

Instructions

Sign Up

1. Log onto webs.com, select "Business" as your website type, and click on the "Get Started" button.

2. Create your WebsID by entering your email address, password, name, birth date and gender into the appropriate fields.

3. Choose a site address, a site title and a site category.

4. Choose a template for your site from the more than 300 templates. If you don't find the right template now you can change it later.

5. Read the terms of service, check the box indicating that you have read the terms of service and continue to the next step.

6. Check the box marked "Web Store --- sell goods through an easy but powerful online store." Click on "Create My Site." Leave the other boxes checked.

Set Up Your Site

1. Click on "Content Box" to add text. Each time you click "Content Box," a new box will appear. Click on "Photo" to upload photos, click on "Video" to add a video and click on "Link" to add a link.

2. Add your information under the "About Us" section, "Contact Us" section and add testimonials under the "Testimonials" section.

3. The "Products" section is where you add each product you want to sell. Click on "Add Product" to add each new product. Fill out each field for each product.

4. Click on the blue underlined "Settings" button in the "Products" section to link your PayPal account to your store. Enter your information to link your PayPal or Google merchant account. This will ensure that you receive the money your customers pay for the goods they purchase from you.

5. Enter your store's policies, description, cancellation policies, confirmation message and any other needed information under the "Settings" section.

Test Run

1. Make a test purchase from your website to ensure that everything is working properly.

2. Make any necessary changes or revisions to your website.

3. Start selling your goods.

Tips & Warnings

• Advertise to your friends on Facebook and Twitter, which may help get your business started. Also, you can buy advertising credits from Google and Facebook.

• When entering your products, be sure to also include shipping and handling fees. If you forget to include these fees, you could end up losing money.

• Also when entering your products, be sure to add any questions you have for the customer under the "Additional Instructions" section. If you send your customer a product, and he is not satisfied because you did not ask him questions, he may not purchase from your site again.

References

• Webs.com: Small Business Websites

Resources

• Example Goods Store