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6 steps to running an online business
Author: Dave Friston
7th November, 2006
Step 1: Hosting, Domain Name & Emails
Step 2: Payment Service Provider & Merchant Account (PSP)
Step 3: E-commerce Software
Step 4: Design, Logo & branding
Step 5: Tax & Fulfilment
Step 6: Marketing & Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
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1: Hosting, Domain Name & Emails
You will need to purchase hosting, a domain name and an email account.
Hosting
Your web site needs to be hosted on a server that is permanently connected to the Internet so that it can be seen by anyone connected to the Internet at any time.
Domain Name
A “Domain Name” is the “address” or URL of your online store. For example www.erolonline.co.uk is a domain name.
To buy and register a Domain Name, first check for the availability of your chosen name. The following website would be a good starting point.
Tip: Do this as early as possible to avoid your domain name being snapped up!
Email Addresses
You will require at least two email addresses for your online store.
sales@mystore.co.uk – This will receive notification of an order from your store
info@mystore.co.uk – This will receive other information from your ‘Contact’ page
Emails are easily setup within an online account that comes with your Hosting package.
Please Visit: EROL Hosting
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2: Payment Service Provider (PSP) & Merchant Account
You will need to open an account with a Payment Service Provider.
Payment Service Provider
A “Payment Service Provider” allows the secure transfer of credit card funds from users on your website to your merchant account.
Merchant Account
This is a “bank account” established with a Payment Service Provider for the settlement of credit card transactions.
EROL e-commerce software integrates with the following PSPs:
2Checkout.com, Barclays EPDQ, Datacash, HSBC, MetaCharge, NetBanx, NoChex, PayPal, Protx, Secure Trading, SecPay, WorldPay.
Note: Most of the PSPs above will be able to help you with setting up an online Merchant Account.
Please Visit: Payment Calculator
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3: E-commerce Software
You will need to purchase some e-commerce software such as EROL.
EROL e-commerce software provides all the functionality you will require:
Design Features: Control the look and feel of your online store
Departments: Hierarchical system of product departments and sub departments
Products: The adding, deleting and editing of products
Images: Thumbnail and expanded view images of your products
Payment Service Provider Integration: Integrating to the main PSPs in order to take online Credit Card transactions
Order & Customer Management: Order retrieval and Customer email notification
Sales Statistics: Sales statistics
Publish to the web: This allows you to ‘publish’ your online store to the internet.
Call EROL Sales on: 0870 747 9141
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4: Design, Logo & branding
You will need professional branding and design for your online store.
Design
It is a fact that potential customers are put off buying from amateur looking stores. If you don’t have design skills then you would do well to employ a professional designer to give your online store a polished and professional look.
Logo & Branding
Do you have a logo branding for your store? If not do not worry, a carefully chosen typeface and colour palette will serve you well until you have a logo designed.
EROL Design & Build Services: 0870 747 9141 (Ask for Dave Friston)
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5: Tax & Shipping
A little planning and thought here can save problems in the future.
Tax
It is important to understand how the rules of VAT are applied to your products, for example books and children’s clothing are 0% rated. To have all your questions answered please visit the following website or call the Customs & Excise Advice line.
Customs & Excise Advice: 0845 010 9000
Shipping
You will need to consider how you want to charge your shipping costs:
• Flat Rate for all orders?
• Charge by Total Order Weight?
• Charge by Total Order Value?
• Charge by Total Order Products?
• Other?
The following website will help you to source a courier service in your area:
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6: Marketing & Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Last but not least in the completion of an online store.
SEO
To have a successful online store it helps to be found easily on the top Search Engines e.g. Google, Yahoo. The process that makes this happen is called Search Engine Optimisation and involves the careful use of keywords and phrases on your store pages.
Pay Per Click
Some search engines offer an advertising program where you ‘Pay Per Click’, every time someone clicks on your advert you pay a small fee to the search engine. Google Ad-words and Yahoo Sponsored Search are good examples of ‘Pay Per Click’ programs. This is a good way to start getting your store found on Google and Yahoo, although it will of course affect your profit margins.
EROL SEO Services: 0870 747 9141 (Ask for Andy Walker)
For a free 15 min consultation with an ‘E-commerce Advisor’ call: 0870 747 9142
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