How to Take Your Business Online in Five Steps
From a major mass retailer to a small e-commerce store just getting started, all retail websites share the same rudimentary 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 get your website ready for sales.
1. Similar to choosing a name for a traditional 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 Register.com.
2. In combination with a domain name, you’ll need web hosting for your site. Web hosting effectively 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 noob 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. Employ a website designer or a site design company that can create and maintain your website according to your standards. This option tends to be more expensive 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 handle online payments through credit cards, you will need to obtain a merchant account. Most small business owners (with documentation that they are a registered business, such as a business license) can obtain a merchant account with their local bank. You may also be able to get a merchant account through a web hosting package.
5. In addition to a merchant account, you will also need a payment gateway. This refers to the system that automates transactions between you and the customer. Payment gateways allow you to instantly process, verify and accept or decline a credit card transaction, all through a secure internet connection.