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

Expand your online store builder skill set with email marketing tools

An Internet store solution company can only do so much for you. They can supply the web store applications, ecommerce shopping cart and online store tools but what you do with these is up to you. Find out what makes an ecommerce store tick, what works and doesn't work. Be a more integrative part of the store to see greater returns and sales by getting involved in your email marketing.

I recommend: AWeber provides auto responder software as an automated email marketing tool. SubscriberMail hosts seminars and webinars for email marketing.

Use SEO-ecommerce software to increase website rankings or start a blog or RSS Feed

You're making the most of online stores now by learning the ins and outs, even if it is just a little bit at a time. Learn how to use SEO software tools to most searched keywords or phrases for your sites. A blog or RSS feed will create traffic for your site to build business visibility.

I recommend: Try Wordtracker free for seven days and find key-phrase rich content to boost the rankings for your website. If your business provides an active site with a lot of new posts and news, an RSS Feed is a good choice. It is a good way to increase rankings on Google. PCSTATS explains RSS Feed set up. Start a blog at Blogger for regular posts and links to your website.

Learn more about shopping carts for web stores

You already know about these companies. They handle payments, shipments and other services for your web store. However, take a closer look. Compare companies and see what the strengths and weaknesses are between shopping carts.

I recommend: WebMarketingMagic.com first and foremost handles credit card payments. However, it offers other services that you’ll want to read about on this website. Look at some of the features 1ShoppingCart.com offers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Webstores solutions companies are application service providers (ASPs), because so much is involved in a web stores. However, you will be a better CEO and businessperson when you learn a few basics about the services. Take a little time to investigate and learn key terms and Internet language; it will help in the long run.

Guide to Online Stores

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

By Matt Alderton, Writer, Editor and Media Consultant, Logolepsy Custom Content and Communications

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.

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.

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

Find a domain name and web hosting for your ecommerce store

You will need some kind of website for your e-business. The first step to putting up a website is checking availability of domain names, buying one and obtaining web hosting. Taking the initiative to do this will make you feel empowered, and give you the sense that you are making progress-and indeed you will be. Think about the name for your e-business and choose well.

I recommend: 1and1 is a good place to start your domain name search, as is Yahoo! Small Business. Find webhosting at HostGator or GoDaddy.

Learn to use free website ecommerce software and tools to learn the basics of designing a website

No one says you need to become a professional web designer, and you may have no interest in getting involved with it at all; but websites are fundamental to an Internet store solution, so knowing a little something about it will help you be a better manager or CEO.

I recommend: ColdFusion offers free tools and web design software free for 30 days. Webweaver has web tools, clipart and webpage development tips at their site. SearchBliss offers web development software as well.

Find an ecommerce shopping cart and other web store services that will do almost all of it for you

Now that you have learned a few basics, it is time to find an Internet service company that can automate your store. You know the basics, now you can hire someone to help you pull it off and get your online store up, active and live.

I recommend: AspDotNetStorefront offers a complete storefront solution. WebMarketingMagic.com offers nearly a total solution as well. Then there is Volusion, another online store solution.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Web store solutions companies can provide you with online store tools and web store applications to automate your store. These companies are application service providers (ASP). Learn online stores basics and then hire the right company to help you do the rest.

Guide to Online Stores Key Terms

Understand online stores key terms before starting up your business

By Andrea Townsley, Owner, Keystone Writing Services

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

Ecommerce

Also known as e-commerce or electronic commerce, this is any type of business conducted over the Internet. Online stores are engaged in ecommerce.

I recommend: EcommerceEducation.com goes into detail on the benefits of ecommerce in the digital age.

Storefront

The basics of the storefront are rooted in web design. The storefront is also known as the product catalog. This virtual display rack can oftentimes be sorted by price, type of product or by the product name. It's more than just your catalog, though; the storefront gives your online shop a unique look and directs consumers to products that you, as the seller, want to feature.

I recommend: Get more information about virtual storefronts at PaymentOnline.

Shopping cart

A virtual shopping cart works exactly the same as a real one: Customers put items into this 'cart' to save them for purchase. They are free to add and remove products from the cart.

I recommend: Find out more about the different types of shopping carts at Early Impact.

Checkout

The checkout process involves customers verifying their orders and proceeding with payment. Shipping costs may be calculated at this time as well. Some checkout providers require customers to register and login before they can checkout.

I recommend: Check out typical checkout features at PayPal.

Secure socket layer (SSL)

The secure socket layer, or SSL, provides a safe connection for transmitting data over the Internet. Many customers look for this before they buy, as it assures them that you're taking care to keep their credit card data and other information private.

I recommend: Network Solutions provides useful information for an SSL rookie.

Conversion

Conversion for online stores is the percentage of people who buy an item on your site compared with the number of people who visit your site. Essentially, if 100 people visit your site and 10 people buy something, you have a 10 percent conversion rate. Tracking where your 'converted' customers come from can help you with ad placement.

I recommend: Peterson Design has an easy-to-understand explanation of conversion for online store owners.