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Online Stores

Vendors that offer online store solutions, ecommerce webstore applications, and other tools for building online stores. Identify providers of ecommerce software offering products for starting and maintaining web stores.
Top Online Store Software
All in One Hosted Site w/Cart to Sell Your Items Online, Free Trial.
www.Volusion.com
Web Store Solutions
Secure, Reliable, Scalable Webstore Software. Trusted by 30k Merchants!
www.StoreFront.net/Webstore
Web Store
Free Web Site, Domain Name, Company Branded Email & More from Microsoft
SmallBusiness.OfficeLive.com
Storesonline's Solutions
Why You Should Choose Storesonline As Your Ecommerce Solution
StoresonlineSite.com
Web Store Solutions
Offers integrated software solutions to streamline the sale of complex products, including online catalog management and interactive selling.
www.technicon.com  Save My Rating
Get a Free Online Store
Use the promo code JUHEPECO844 for a free online store.
Sign Up | Why Join Moli? | Link to Moli | Create a Site
www.moli.com  Save My Rating
Running an Online Store?
Sign up with Google Checkout to buy and sell online. Learn more.
checkout.google.com/sell
Webstore Integration
eCommerce integration with your Financial Application
www.SalesAmigo.com
AspDotNetStorefront
Complete C# or VB.NET shopping cart Source Available. No Monthly Fees!
www.AspDotNetStorefront.com
Web Design & Development
Avail w/ CMS platform, E-com, Stats Marketing. MS Certified Provider.
www.I-ology.com
WebsitePros Official Site
Build & Promote Your Website With Our All-Inclusive Website Package.
WebsitePros.com
Free EZCommerce Store
EZ Setup in 15 Minute Accept Credit Cards. 100's Features 1 Month FREE
www.GetShops.com
A-Z Online Stores Provider Directory
1-9 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
1-9
101 Highway
Reseller of Miva Merchant shopping cart and ecommerce packages.
www.101highway.com
2DEG
Software which allows merchants to create ecommerce enabled web shopping sites, or real time credit card processing.
www.2deg.com
A
Able Solutions / Able Commerce Division
Developer of electronic commerce software. Products are sold to Internet service providers and developers. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.ablecommerce.com
AddCart
Provider of hosting space, free web management software, ecommerce tools and customer support.
www.addcart.co.uk
CheckItOut
Offers ecommerce software.
ssl.adgrafix.com
Advanced
Provider of ecommerce solutions.
www.advancedminds.com
Ala Kart
Ecommerce software system for marketing products on the web.
www.alakart.com
Alliance Commerce
Provider of Web-based ecommerce store creation tools that can be integrated with current databases.
alliancecommerce.net
Amazia
Provider of hosted ecommerce applications including merchant accounts and store builders.
www.amazia.net
AMS Technology Group
Ecommerce consulting firm that focuses on business strategies, site design and development, marketing, and operations.
www.amsgrp.com
AMT Internet E-Solutions
Provider of hosting services and ecommerce applications.
www.amtinternet.com
ANNO Internet
Provider of managed and unmanaged virtual server hosting and ecommerce tolls, including payment solutions, shopping carts and security assurances.
www.anno.com
A Plus
Web presence provider offering web hosting, site design, construction, storefronts, ecommerce and maintenance.
www.apluswebhosting.net
Applabs
Provider of scalable turnkey applications developed within Microsoft, Java, EJB and Oracle-based applications.
www.applabs.com
Ariesnet, Inc.
Provider of Internet related services focusing on web-host setup, transaction processing, domain name registration and credit card processing. Services are provided to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.ariesnet.com
Ars Nova Interactive, Inc.
Provider of interactive services via the Internet for clients seeking web site design for their businesses. The company also produces business-related and entertainment industry-related CD-ROM and DVD presentations. Products and services are s...
www.arsnova.cc
Aspective
Provider of integrated front-office ebusiness hosted applications.
www.aspective.com
AssureBuy
Provider of applications for secure order management, real-time credit card authorization, payment processing, fraud prevention and other applications.
www.assurebuy.com
Performance Support, Incorporated.
Provder of online storefront services including catalog and shopping cart systems, credit card processing and system integration.
www.at-psi.com
AtlasMall.com, Inc.
Provider of e-commerce services for retail sales via the Internet. Services are provided to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.atlasmall.com
AtomicWeb
Self-serve application for creating online stores with business templates, text and images.
www.atomicweb.com
Web Australis Internet
Provider of Internet access, web, server and domain hosting, online storefronts, web development and online payment systems.
www.australis.net.au
Axonet, Inc.
Developer of process control software. Software runs on Windows. Products are sold to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.axonetinc.com
B
Beanbasket
Provider of hosted applications for building and maintaining an Internet storefront, accepting online payments and customer service management.
www.beanbasket.com
Betrindo Shop Builder
Application for building an ecommerce site with photos of products, secure order forms for customers and more features.
www.bg-net.com
Bidland
Provides the premier online auction enabling technology to the market, for business-to-business and business-to-consumer selling.
www.bidland.com
Blue Hub
Provider of professional web design, shopping carts, credit card transaction capabilities, search engine submission and online and offline marketing.
bluehub.com
Bpath
Provider of hosted applications including site development, marketplace tools, business news and community features.
usa.bpath.com
Butler and Curless Associates
A business-to-business ecommerce technology company that provides fully managed solutions for information technology operations.
www.butlerandcurless.com
C
CafePress.com
Provider of free online store for selling their customized t-shirts, mugs and other printable items.
www.cafepress.com
Cartnetwork
Ecommerce package that includes secure socket layers (SSL) encryption, digital certificates, credit card processing, customizable shopping carts, page layout and design and password-protected access.
www.cartnetwork.com
Connectech.net
Provider of online stores, web design and development, site marketing, merchant capabilities and online inventory.
www.connectech.net
Consonus, Inc.
Provider of Internet web page design, custom application software programming and hosting services. Products and services are sold to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.consonus.com
Corporate Voice
Firm offering web site strategy assessment, web design, ecommerce and data base programming, branding and hosting services.
www.corporatevoice.com
CreateAStore
On line store using ecommerce software. No download or purchase.
www.createastore.com
CreditCardProcessor.com
Offers real-time Internet processing, virtual shopping carts, low-cost web pages, as well as traditional credit card processing services for both website and store front locations.
www.creditcardprocessor.com
California Software Laboratories
Applications developer that focuses on commerce enabling web sites for either consumer focuses or B2B.
www.cswl.com
D
Destiny WebSolutions, Inc.
Provider of e-services for building next generation web businesses for financial institutions. Services include web strategy, web architecture consulting, web design and branding, e-relationships management, online financial systems integration...
www.destiny.com
dibit.com
Online store builder that also offers promotion services through its affiliate programs.
www.dibit.com
DigiBuy
Provider of turnkey service for building secure storefronts to merchandise products, take orders online, process payments and distribute digital products over the Internet.
www.digibuy.com
Digital Bridge, Inc.
Provider of web page design and graphic development, hosting, domain name registration and E-commerce solution services. Developer of XML-based middleware server and web-based construction managemnet tool software. Products are sold to multipl...
www.digitalbridge.com
Digitalsnaps
Developer of Product Information Management and Delivery (PIMD), a centralized interactive database of product images and associated information that is easily accessible for ecommerce sites.
www.digitalsnaps.com
DXSTORM.COM
Ecommerce service provider that offers small- and medium-sized businesses solutions to build, maintain and operate an online store.
www.dxstorm.com
E
e-Business Express
Provider of hosted applications inclusing store and catalog builders, shopping cart tools and payment solutions.
www.e-businessexpress.com
e-commatrix.com
Provider of ecommerce, ebusiness and digital solutions that also develops intranets and extranets.
www.e-commatrix.com
Online Ordering and Tracking System
Free service that allow you to create, manage, promote, monitor your eShop and interact with your customers.
www.e2r.net
APS Technology
Provider of web hosting, design, application development, content publishing and ecommerce solutions.
www.easystorefronts.com
ecomstorefront.com
A custom ecommerce solution that includes professional web design, catalog and shopping cart, real-time credit card processing and secure hosting.
www.ecomstorefront.com
Edgenet
Web-based provider of Bondware, an ecommerce/community package for small businesses, and Watercooler, an intranet package for businesses with fewer than 100 people.
www.edgenet.com
Electron Economy, Inc.
Provider of an Internet Transaction Operations Network (TONE) that allows businesses to leverage common services and infrastructures for e-business operations and provides an outsource management solution integrating a company's online storefron...
www.electroneconomy.com
Elpix Technologies
Provider of ecommerce, ebusiness and Internet security services, such as call centre applications, electronic presentation of goods and services over the web, on-line purchasing, on-line database driven catalog and inventory control, and encrypt...
www.elpix.com
Electro-Optical Systems, Inc.
Manufacturer of infrared detectors and detector subsystems. The equipment includes control systems, photodetectors and germanium, InGaAs, InSb, ImAs, lead sulfide/selenide and HgCdTe detectors. The infrared detectors and detector subsystems ar...
www.eosystems.com
ePageCity
Service offering web store builder, site hosting and promotion.
www.epagecity.com
Erpapps: Hosted e-business applications
Provider of hosted applications for conducting business on the Internet including storefront, catalog development and shopping cart tools.
www.erpapps.com
eShowcase Pro
Internet business tool that automatically creates ecommerce web sites that users can lease to traditional local businesses in their areas.
www.eshowcasepro.com
eSolution Online
Provider of ecommerce solutions including shopping carts, merchant accounts, email and web hosting.
www.esolutiononline.com
eStoremanager
Provider of tools necessary to affordably create and operate an electronic storefront, including personalization, electronic coupons, advanced reporting and real-time credit card processing.
www.estoremanager.com
Evolve 2000
An application used to create an online store or commerce-enable an existing site.
www.evolve2000.net
Exanium
Web presence and ecommerce provider for small to medium offices and home offices. Services include: web hosting, web site development, marketing and internet access.
www.exanium.com
Exradin, Inc.
Manufacturer of ionization chambers, special conducting plastics used to simulate body tissues and triaxial low noise signal cables. The special conducting plastics are used for radiation dosimetry. Products are sold to the medical industry. ...
www.exradin.com
EyeMedia
Developer of electronic procurement and auction software with features that include catalog management, purchasing systems, product selling, reverse auctions, sealed bids, Dutch auctions and more.
www.eyemedia.net
F
Fletcher Gaphics
Design and illustration firm that also offers ecommerce site services such as merchant accounts, shopping carts, and credit card processing.
www.fletchergraphics.com
Shop@ssistant
Provider of software packages top help set up online stores.
www.floyd.co.uk
Fourthchannel
Application service provider (ASP) that develops Internet commerce solutions for the middle market.
www.fourthchannel.com
Freedom Software
Provider of E-commerce site design and consulting services. Products and services are sold to the e-commerce industry. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.fsw.com
G
Gan-X Software
Specialist in ecommerce applications, with a suite of proprietary tools that enable the execution of secure transactions over the Web.
www.ganx.com
GizmoSoft
Software and consulting for small business ecommerce projects.
www.gizmosoft.com
Shop Creator
Software tool that enables building an online store, auction site and shopping mall on your web site.
www.greatshop.com
H
HighPoint Systems, Inc.
Provider of web-based software that allows food retailers to offer customers online grocery shopping. Products are sold to the food industry. This company was capitalized by venture capital.
www.highpoint.com
HipHip Software Corp.
Developer of MerchandiZer(tm), a software that helps users build online storefronts. The software also handles general accounting, inventory control, credit card processing and marketing functions. It is compatible with Windows and Windows NT....
www.hiphip.com
Holt Software
Developer of software designed for either retail or wholesale business-to-business systems.
www.holtww.com
Homedelivery.com, Inc.
Provider of e-commerce services for consumers and neighborhood merchants including on-line stores, secure transactions and inventory management. Services are provided to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.homedelivery.com
CyberElf's Ecommerce
Provider of ecommerce packages.
ecommercesales.hypermart.net
I
Impulse Software
Developer of ecommerce software applications.
www.impulsesoftware.com
IMRglobal.
Developer of customized and prebuilt ecommerce applications.
www.imrglobal.com
Independent Commerce
A complete ecommerce solutions provider offering web site design, hosting and a shopping cart.
www.independentcommerce.com
Information Provider Technologies
Firm offering shopping cart system and ecommerce technology to create Internet stores.
www.infoprovider.com
Infotech Canada Inc.
Internet consulting services and products, including website development and primary ecommerce capabilites.
www.infotechcanada.com
Intellivend
Firm providing an online catalog system for building a webstore.
www.intellivend.com
Internet Partners
Designer of online auctions, electronic procurement, ecommerce and database-driven sites.
www.internet-partners.com
iPlanet
Provider of a scalabale suite of packaged applications for buying, selling, merchandising and delivering content over the Internet.
www.iplanet.com
iTransact
Provider of applications for online credit card processing, free shopping cart, a credit card merchant account, Internet payment processing, electronic funds transfers (EFT) and secure online electronic commerce.
www.itransact.com
It's My Shop
Shop builder that offers a wide choice of site templates, shopping cart and promotion within the site mall.
www.itsmyshop.com
L
Logical Design Solutions, Inc.
Developer of custom self-service web application software for Fortune 1000 companies. Developer of TeleTrac(tm), a software which gives a detailed analysis of telephone tracking. Provider of custom telecommunication management software program...
www.lds.com
Linkhost Services
Specialist in secure shopping environments, catalog presentation and managment services.
www.linkhost.com
M
Mark Nine Networks
Ecommerce solutions provider focusing on end-to-end services for small to medium companies, including online catalogs, shopping carts and bespoke software development.
www.marknine.net
Mercado Software, Inc.
Developer of Internet catalog search and building software. Software runs on any database platform. Products are sold to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.mercadosoftware.com
Merchant-in-a-box.com
Provider of a browser-based store builder. Features include secure, automated credit card processing, inventory tracking and sales reports.
www.merchant-in-a-box.com
Mikita Communications
Provider of web hosting plans, site design and ecommerce solutions, including shopping cart technology.
www.mikita.com
Mill City Solutions
Provider of numerous hosting packages for small businesses, along with shopping cart and merchant account technologies.
www.millcity-webhosting.com
MindFrames, LLC
Provider of e-commerce development services including site design, hosting and design for storefronts. Services are provided to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.mindframes.net
Mitridat Solutions
Ecommerce web site and software developer.
www.mitridat.com
Miva Corporation
Provider of ecommerce software solutions, including a store front developer.
www.miva.com
Market Market
Provider of hosting and ecommerce functionality, including merchant accounts, shopping carts and real-time online or manual offline order processing.
www.mktmkt.com
Get a Free Online Store
Use the promo code JUHEPECO844 for a free online store.
Sign Up | Why Join Moli? | Link to Moli | Create a Site
www.moli.com
ecBuilder Pro
Web store solution that includes a catalog, shopping cart to process orders, security encryption, real-time credit card transaction processing and order management.
www.multiactive.com
Technology's Edge
Provider of ebusiness products and services including sales force automation and web content publishing.
www.mwinet.com
N
Netpaths
Provider of ecommerce applications and solutions, along with Internet training.
www.netpaths.net
NetPoint Ltd.
Products that enable retail chains to establish, operate and maintain virtual storefronts on the Internet.
www.netpoint.co.il
NetStores
Provides everything you need to establish electronic commerce on your existing Web Site.
netstores.com
NetStores E-Commerce Solution
Company that provides the software, server and resources to integrate electronic-commerce capabilities into an existing site.
www.netstores.com
Hazel
Developer of an ecommerce system that inlcudes an online catalog and shopping cart.
hazel.netsville.com
New Vision Web
Provider of web development and ecommerce enabling services.
www.newvisionweb.com
NoMatterWare
Provider of a variety of bundled packages for taking a business online.
www.nomatterware.com
O
Open-A-Store.com
Web store application whose features include design control, inventory management and an automatic shopping cart.
www.open-a-store.com
OpenVertical
Provider of software infrastructure for creating online E-commerce. Services are provided to multiple industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.
www.openvertical.com
P
Payment Online, Inc.
Ecommerce solutions company providing real-time credit card processing, professional storefront development, catalogs, shopping carts, merchant accounts, and secure hosting.
www.paymentonline.com
PDG Software, Inc.
Software solutions that include shopping cart, drop shipping management, and auction site development and administration.
www.pdgsoft.com
Photo Guild's Web Publishing Services
Provider of a range of web publishing services, including web stores, ecommerce solutions and automated credit card transactions.
photoguild.net
Planet411.com
Planet411.com, Inc. provides retailers seeking to engage in e-commerce and seeking to develop an online sales distribution channel with a complete e-business solution.
www.planet411.com
Prostar Interactive MediaWorks
Application for building catalogs for diskette, CD-ROM and the Internet.
www.prostar-int.com
Pyxis International
Firm offering consulting, web development and graphic design for ecommerce businesses.
www.pyxis.net
Q
Quai
Firm offering web site design and implementation, Internet marketing, hosting, commercial site implementation with secure transactions, custom scripting in Java, JavaScript, VBScript and CGI, along with graphic design.
www.quai.com
QuantumLynx
Provider of hosted applications such as a virtual office, ecommerce tools and resources for application server providers (ASPs) and Internet service providers (ISPs).
www.quantumlynx.com
R
RES International
Provider of products that enable bussisses to transact online.
www.res.ca
Responsys, Inc.
Developer of platforms for permission marketing on the Internet. Marketers use solutions to create and deliver targeted marketing campaigns over the Internet, build relationships and realize the value of e-customers. These platforms include th...
www.responsys.com
RETCOM Technologies, Inc.
Provider of wireless e-commerce services for the retail environment. Provider of Internet software program - Pick'n Click (TM), gocery order fulillment software - Total Order Control (TM) and grocery retail trade software. Exclusive distributor...
www.ret-com.com
S
Servability
Developer of hosted ecommerce server software applications, including shopping cart and access to SSL certification.
www.servability.com
Shopping Express Online
Provider of ecommerce packages that include hosting and software applications.
shoppingexpress.net
Skylight Systems
Developer of real-time accounting and distribution software for ecommerce and order fulfillment.
www.skylightsystems.com
Softrax
Provider of ebusiness infrastructure applications for software and e-services companies.
www.softrax.com
SQLData e-Commerce Server
An ecommerce server that is database-driven and features an embedded shopping cart, automatic inventory deduction and flexible payment handling.
www.sqldata.com
SSLshop
Provider of hosted appplications covering nearly all aspects of starting and operating an online business.
www.sslshop.com
Symphero
Open-source ecommerce system based on client feedback and years of building ecommerce systems.
www.symphero.com
T
Web Store Solutions
Offers integrated software solutions to streamline the sale of complex products, including online catalog management and interactive selling.
www.technicon.com
Network Link, Inc. (The)
Provider of Internet hosting services, web page design services, e-mail services, domain name registration services, web advertising services and dial-up access services. Services are provided to multiple industries. This company was capitaliz...
www.tnl-online.com
eComm Pro
Provides software that enables users to create a store on the Internet that includes images, product descriptions, ecommerce-enabled shopping carts and secure online transactions.
www.trellian.com
U
Microburst Technologies
e-Commerce solutions, custom internet applications, JAVA and CGI development.
www.uburst.com
Inktomi Search Software
Developer of enterprise search and directory applications for use on corporate, government and education networks.
www.ultraseek.com
V
Vista.com
Hosted tools to create, manage and promote an Internet business.
www.vista.com
W
WebContactPro
Hosted applications including autoresponders, secure shopping carts, credit card processing, newsletter/list server, database system and ad tracker.
www.webcontactpro.com
WebCortex
Online store development software provider.
www.webcortex.com
WhereEverythingIs.com
Provider of bundled packages for ecommerce enabling web sites.
www.whereeverythingis.com
Wired-2-Shop
Tool that simplifies the building of ecommerce sites with drag-and-drop technology.
www.wired-2-shop.com
Wishlist.com
Provider of gift registry services to Internet and click-and-mortar retailers, portals, brand manufacturers and ecommerce solution providers.
www.wishlist.com
Online store building
Company offering tools to create a multipage, commerce-ready web site using only a standard web browser.
www.wmsesolutions.com
World Wide Web Store, Inc.
Providers of web site design, web hosting, domain registration and shopping cart solutions for ecommerce sites.
www.worldwidewebstore.com
Y
yeswereopen
Provider of an application to build a web store in minimal steps.
www.yeswereopen.com
Z
Zoovy
Web store applications that feature easy to integrate shopping carts, advanced fraud identification and prevention, optional merchant account and realtime linkpoint processing and multi-user Windows client that easily manages orders.
www.zoovy.com
  • Clarus Corporation
  • CyberSource Corporation
  • Digital River Inc.
  • Net Perceptions Inc.
  • Selectica
  • Tanning Technology
  • Usu Software AG
  • Vitria Technology Inc.
Top Online Store Software
All in One Hosted Site w/Cart to Sell Your Items Online, Free Trial.
www.Volusion.com
Web Store Solutions
Secure, Reliable, Scalable Webstore Software. Trusted by 30k Merchants!
www.StoreFront.net/Webstore
Web Store
Free Web Site, Domain Name, Company Branded Email & More from Microsoft
SmallBusiness.OfficeLive.com

Guide to Online Stores

Online business opportunities are plentiful thanks to the growth of Internet stores


 
 

Solutions for Online Stores

  • Successful online stores start with strong domain names, solid hosting services and attractive design.
  • Shopping cart software is essential to build, manage and grow online stores.
  • Online stores require merchant accounts, security certificates and shipping solutions.
 
 
Online stores offer customers a break from the standard shopping mall, where they've got to fight for parking, for products and for their position in the checkout line. Of course, online stores have plenty to offer retailers, too. Internet stores, for example, present companies with round-the-clock online business opportunities. So while retail outlets might only stay open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., online stores are open 24/7. And the best part? You don't have to hire someone to man the registers.

For folks who are starting an online business, online stores are key. That's because whether you have a brick-and-mortar business or a presence that's entirely virtual, online stores can help you reach new customers both near and far. Consider some of their biggest benefits:

1. Online stores give local businesses a global reach.
2. Internet stores often drive physical traffic to retail locations.
3. Online stores make inventory management easy.
4. Internet stores make it possible to sell a wider variety of products.
5. Online stores offer continuous marketing and customer service opportunities.


Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the competition's online stores It's important to study your competition. Find out what other online stores are selling, therefore, as well as how much they're selling and to whom.

I recommend:  Searching for products on shopping-centric search engines like Shopzilla and Shop.com will help you identify competing online stores in your market.

Register your online store's domain name Every website starts with a good name and web address; online stores are no different.

I recommend:  Register your online store's domain name via sites such as GoDaddy, Network Solutions and Register.com.

Find a web host that specializes in online stores It's important to host online stores with reliable companies who have other clients that operate Internet stores.

I recommend:  While there are dozens of reliable web hosts from which to choose, companies like Volusion, Apollo Hosting and Aplus.Net offer integrated e-commerce solutions for online stores, along with standard hosting services.

Hire a web designer who's built an online store While you could design your own website, it's best to recruit a professional web designer who understands the aesthetics and functionality that make online stores successful.

I recommend:  Search sites like Elance and Guru.com for web designers. While you're there, search for copywriters who write product descriptions for online stores; they can help you write persuasive sales copy with which to move your merchandise.

Consider pre-built online stores Of course, you don't have to hire a designer and build your website from scratch. There are scores of prefabricated online stores available that offer complete and yet customizable templates for Internet stores' sites.

I recommend:  Yahoo! Stores and eBay Stores are excellent options for building template-driven Internet stores.

Choose shopping cart software Critical to e-commerce, shopping cart software is what turns static websites into interactive online stores. Look for solutions that are easy to install and maintain on your end, and easy to use on the consumer's end.

I recommend:  Americart, NetSuite, MonsterCommerce and AmeriCommerce are popular examples of shopping cart software vendors; their products come with loads of features to help their customers build, manage and grow their online stores.

Open a merchant account that's designed for online stores Online stores must have merchant accounts in order to accept credit card payments from their customers. Look for accounts that were created especially for online stores.

I recommend:  The gold standard in payment solutions for online stores is PayPal, which offers a wealth of options for online stores. Meanwhile, in lieu of a merchant account, consider Google Checkout, which allows customers to easily shop their favorite online stores with just one login; plus, credit and debit card transactions are free.

Ensure your online store's security While all online business opportunities come with risks, online stores must be especially mindful of those that might compromise their customers' privacy or security. Look for solutions that will fight both viruses and identity theft.

I recommend:  Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, which encrypts, authenticates and protects consumer data, is the standard in security for online stores. VeriSign and Comodo offer trusted SSL certificates.

Keep your online store's fulfillment promises Online stores don't just accept orders; they must also fulfill them. Before you open your virtual shop, therefore, be sure you have reliable, comprehensive shipping solutions in place.

I recommend:  Work with UPS or FedEx to develop shipping solutions; they offer several small business products and services that are ideal for online stores.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
  • Images are essential within online stores. Consider hiring a professional to photograph your products for the Web. This isn't the place for amateur snapshots.
  • To get the most out of online stores, look for shopping cart software with special time-saving features such as automatic tax or shipping calculators, which make starting an online business that much easier.
  • Don't forget to include a search function on your website; searchable online stores are successful online stores.
  • Before starting an online business, make sure you'll be able to keep up with the tremendous demand that online stores can generate; that means having enough inventory and enough resources to fulfill all your orders.
  • Like any venture, when you're starting an online business, a business plan is key. Build your online store's requirements, including financial needs, into your plan in order to accommodate it from day one.
  • If you're considering pre-built online stores, keep their cost top of mind. While most online stores charge less than $50 per month, many online stores levy additional charges on extra inventory. Some even collect commissions on your transactions.
  • If you're starting an online business, you should know that some cities and states require you to obtain a seller's permit in order to sell merchandise-even from online stores. Check with your local chamber of commerce.
  • If you're engaged in e-commerce, shopping cart software isn't all you'll need. Online stores also need customer service mechanisms so that shoppers can communicate with you via e-mail, instant message or web chat. Look for online stores with built-in customer contact features, or consider purchasing a separate customer contact center solution.
  • Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for online stores. Be sure you submit your website to all the major search engines, therefore, and make sure you rank high in relevant searches; many shopping cart software solutions include SEO features.


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How-To Guide from WORK.COM

Guide author
By Matt Alderton
Online business opportunities are plentiful thanks to the growth of Internet stores.
Online stores offer customers a break from the standard shopping mall, where they've got to fight for parking, for products and for their position in the checkout line. Of course, online stores have plenty to offer retailers, too. Internet stores, ... Read more