Action Steps
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Read explanations and descriptions about application service providers for e-commerce

Compare applications of ecommerce service providers to airline companies as HowStuffWorks does. Business people need to fly places. They desire convenience, comfort and affordable prices. Just imagine if the business flyer had to learn to fly an airplane or hire a pilot, buy or rent the airplane, locate airstrips and do all of the other things necessary for convenient flying. An airline is an example of an ASP. We are talking about ecommerce applications today.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks explains the workings of an ecommerce ASP. They give examples of ASPs outside the realm of the Internet that provide clear analogies to ecommerce. Read more about an ecommerce ASP at InformIT.

Find out what basics you need for ecommerce solutions and who is providing those basics

To begin with you will need a website. When you use an ecommerce application service provider, you won't need to build the website yourself. You can learn as many or as few Internet skills as you want to learn. You will probably want a shopping cart and a way for customers to opt-in so that you can begin building a client list. You can read about and learn about most of these ecommerce solutions right on the websites of the providers.

I recommend: Hostway shows you how to get a basic website up for your business. Interspire shows you how to consider using a shopping cart for your ecommerce website.

Learn how to use ecommerce applications for the big and small needs of your ebusiness

Find tools to make your ecommerce business easier like using macros, so you don't need to type everything from scratch. On the other hand, sometimes you need everything up and running and fast. In this case, you may want an automated storefront.

I recommend: AspDotNetStorefront shows you how to put up an entire online store. They have a customer support team who will answer all your questions. Pitrinec Software gives you a tool to make macros so you don’t have to type everything from scratch.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  ASP for ecommerce can do so much for you. You don't need to be held back just because you don't know how it all works. A little basic knowledge and the vision of the bigger picture is all you need to get started. Then start with baby steps before you spend a lot of money and learn a little more.

Action Steps
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Define what you need from ecommerce applications

Your ecommerce site will have some key requirements that the ecommerce application service providers must offer. Estimate your required bandwidth, number of transactions you anticipate, the security you want in place for your customers and, of course, the price you can afford. Determine if you want to sell advertising on your ecommerce site. Use these parameters to choose the ASP providers that best fit your needs.

I recommend: Read expert advice on ecommerce options at Sourcingmag.com or WebSiteMarketingPlan.com. Thesitewizard.com contains useful details about choosing the most effective hosting service.

Choose the ecommerce service provider that works within your parameters

Once you have defined what is most important to you, compare ecommerce application service providers to find the best partner for your business. Avoid going with the lowest cost if it means sacrificing important service aspects to your ecommerce site.

I recommend: Compare ecommerce solutions such as Microsoft Office Live Small Business, and Yahoo! Merchant Solutions. Both provide easy and reputable ecommerce applications. Review the plan difference on Yahoo using their easy plan summaries. Check out the Ebay eCommerce Merchant Solutions Center or Volution as other ecommerce service providers.

Understand the ins and outs of ecommerce

You must do more than simply pay the bill of your application service providers for e-commerce. Be sure you understand the details of an ecommerce site to get the most of your Internet business presence.

I recommend: Review NetworkSolution's white papers for valuable information on applications of ecommerce such as basic ecommerce business rules, how to optimize ecommerce sales and ecommerce market research. Carefully read and understand security compliance requirements for accepting Visa transactions on your ecommerce site by visiting EnvisionWare.com or Visa.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider making your website far more than just an Internet portal for your customers. Interacting with employees, partners and suppliers gives you power and flexibility as your business grows.

Action Steps
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Use ecommerce applications for auto responder messages and delivery of digital products

Hosted ecommerce helps you do things you otherwise would not be able to do. There are so many different software programs, programmers, engineers and support staff necessary for RSS feeds, auto responder software, eBook delivery, shopping carts that it would be too expensive for one business.

I recommend: Aweber provides auto responder software to send automated regular messages like thank you and follow up messages to big client lists. They also provide email marketing software programs. 1ShoppingCart has an eBook delivery system that can deliver digital products to thousands of customers a day with security that protects your product from getting stolen or resold by removing download links within 24 hours.

Put shopping carts, opt-ins and surveys to work for you with an ecommerce service provider

An application service provider for e-commerce can provide you with so many tools to help your online business that you will not even know where to begin.

I recommend: Interspire is a shopping cart ASP that offers help and software tools for shipping products, marketing, management of inventory, products and orders. SurveyGizmo offers software that allows you to ask your clients what they want. WebMarketingMagic is a total package ecommerce shopping cart ecommerce application service provider that offers auto responders, shipping and fulfillment, pricing calculators, banner link automation, pop up tools and opt-in boxes.

Find a solution for making the most of ecommerce application service providers with a storefront

Storefronts leave little to the imagination, but that does not mean you can't customize them and make them a creative integrative part of your ecommerce business. It only means you do not need to fuss around with all the technical details. You can have as much or as little automation as you like.

I recommend: A Znode storefront sets up shipping rules and rates, offers discount coupons and promotions and manages stores. They offer attractive catalog features. AspDotNetStorefront offers top-notch customer support and full storefronts as well.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make some friends with ecommerce application service providers by getting involved with an ASP forum. There are so many options and choices with ecommerce ASPs, and it all changes, improves and builds on itself so quickly. A forum is a good place to get up to speed with the latest in ecommerce applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Servers and hosting

Servers are the hardware that are used in hosting. Your hosting company keeps all of the files for your website on their servers. When someone tries to access your website, the servers will deliver the content. This is an important service provided by ecommerce companies.

I recommend: Hostway explains their hosting options and the benefits of a dedicated server.

Electronic and ACH payments

In order to have an ecommerce site, you need to accept payments electronically. Ecommerce application providers should provide you with a solution that allows you to take payments. ACH payments are ones that go through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network, which ensures funds are available.

I recommend: NACHA explains the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network and how it works.

Shopping cart

A shopping cart allows your customers to purchase several items at the same time, similar to a shopping cart in a store. Ask your application provider to install this important application on your site.

I recommend: Interspire lists out some of the features of their shopping cart.

Macros

Macros are small bits of computer code that give your website functionality. In many cases, the code for a macro has already been written and your provider will adjust the code to suit your needs.

I recommend: Learn more about macros and how to write them from ImageJ.

RSS feed

An application provider should install something on your website that makes it easy for customers to sign up for your RSS feed. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and it is a way that customers can learn about new information on your site.

I recommend: Learn more about RSS feeds from a video on YouTube.

Autoresponders

Autoresponders offer a way for you to capture customer data and follow up through a series of scheduled emails. This is a great feature for retaining customers. Ask your provider about this service.

I recommend: Aweber offers autoresponder service and explains the concept.