eCommerce: Getting Started with the Basics
The ability to "sell online" means different things to different people. We recognize that to most of our clients, it means the ability to offer their products online and accept credit cards for payment.
That's the "e" in e-Commerce, because the truth is, most Websites are "commerce sites." Meaning that your site is an additional sales channel, allowing prospects to learn more about your products and services regardless of whether they can buy online in real time or not.
| e-Commerce Growth |
The role of e-commerce is likely to grow for smaller b-to-b companies over the next couple of years as more small businesses develop “purposeful” Web sites, according to eMarketer. Adding eCommerce to your Website is just one more way to make it more purposeful and effective. |
For some businesses, adding e-Commerce capability may be as simple as adding an order form behind a secure socket layer (SSL) that encrypts the information and keeps it from being stolen and used fraudulently. Someone else may need a basic shopping cart program with SSL security and credit card capability, but they process those credit cards offline or manually.
Still another business may need a much more sophisticated solution with inventory tracking and real-time credit card processing.
Your needs are what determines the best solution for you. That's why getting started begins with an analysis of what you need and what solution will best to support your existing sales channels and your future goals. It takes into consideration who you are currently partnering with regarding your site, your merchant accounts and what programs you are using. And it takes into consideration the three key players that make e-Commerce possible: the payment processor, the Internet Merchant Account and the shopping card solution you choose.
Once we understand where you are today and what you'd like to accomplish, then we can offer solutions that make sense for you. So check out the rest of this section to learn more about Payment Processing, Internet Merchant Accounts and Shopping Cart solutions. For additional answers to your questions, give us a call or meet with us to discuss your specific situation.