How to Have an Online Store

Online commerce allows anybody to make money on the Internet.

Having a business on the Internet has never been easier. With help from a number of online e-commerce services and their applications, anyone with an idea and a product can have a successful online store and make an income from it. However, like everything else in life worth having or doing, it does not always come easy.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Products to sell
• Domain name

1. Register a domain name for your product online.

2. Purchase an e-commerce service. Options include: Vendio, Zlio, Yahoo Merchant Services and Flying Cart to name a few. These services come with an all-in-one package. They will host the online store, give you the online store platform and will help you process payments.

3. Point your online store to your domain name. You can do this through your DNS entries under your domain registrar's control panel. Your e-commerce service may help you in this process.

4. Upload your products and add pictures and descriptions, including enough content to sell the users on your product.

5. Test everything before going live. Make sure the shopping experience is simple enough for an average online user.

6. Take your store live.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to do your research when choosing an online store service. Ask about fees, your own domain, web hosting, merchant account services and support.

References

• Quick Overview: Creating an E-Commerce Website

Resources

• Vendio: The Vendio Store
• Zlio: Open Your Very Own Store For Free
• Yahoo! Merchant Solutions
• Flying Cart: Create An Online Store
• FreeWebstore: Create Your Free Online Store
• Godaddy: Register A Domain