Tools You Need to Set up Shop Online
February 4th, 2010| 98 views | 
From a huge e-commerce retailer to a simple online shop just getting started, all retail websites share the same primary building blocks no matter how large or small they are. Before you officially open your retail site for business, here are the tools you need first to set up shop online.
1. Similar to picking a name for a regular retail store, you need to select a domain name. Also called a URL, a domain name refers to how customers will identify your website (e.g. www.HancockToys.com). Domain names must be registered with a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy.com.
2. In conjunction with a domain name, you’ll need web hosting for your site. Web hosting essentially provides a home for your website and stores it on a server where any user typing your domain name will find it. If you’re an internet beginner or have very little technical expertise, you may want to consider purchasing a web hosting package including more customer service and implementation help. Most web hosting services charge a monthly rate and some may charge fees based on a percentage of your sales or a flat percentage per transaction.
3. Hire a website designer or a site design company that can create and maintain an attractive, intuitive website that will impress your custoers. This option tends to be more costly than opting for a complete site package, however, your website will be completely unique and you’ll have more control over the features of your site.
4. In order to process online payments through credit cards, you will need to obtain a merchant account. Most small business owners (with evidence that they are a registered business, such as a business license) can obtain a merchant account with their local bank. Another possibility would be to obtain a merchant account through a web hosting package.
5. After you have a merchant account lined up, you will also need a payment gateway. This refers to the system that automates transactions between you and the customer. Through secure encryption, the payment gateway will automatically process, verify and accept or decline each credit card payments on your behalf.
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Posted in Internet Businesses | 
Tags: Building Blocks, Business License, Conjunction, Credit Cards, Custome, Customer Service, Domain Name Registrar, Domain Names, Flat Percentage, Implementation, Internet Beginner, Intuitive Website, Local Bank, Merchant Account, online payments, payment gateway, payment processor, Registered Business, Retail Store, Small Business Owners, Technical Expertise, web design, web hosting, Web Hosting Services