Checklist for starting an E-Commerce enterprise

Starting an E-commerce venture checklist consists of things to be considered for successful preparing and launching of internet business. The items of checklist describe the main elements of such venture: design of Web site, software which is required to keep the site working and the ways to attract the clients. This internet business starting checklist can be quickly modified and elaborated in details according to specific needs.

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Checklist for starting an E-Commerceenterprise.zip 6,5 Kb

Web host and Web page design:

• Choose a web host for your site

Research Web hosting services available, identify your needs and select the best deal. Remember that it is easier to upgrade services than downgrade.

• Decide on the Web site address (domain name)

 Research the domain name with a help of search engines (if you want to register new one), try to make name simple enough to remember and connected directly to business name.

• Look for a package deal where you can register a name with your hosting service
• Preliminary decide how the Web page will look like

            Decide the style and colors which should be used for site and what sections it should include.

• Outsource web design or make it yourself

 If you are not the experienced person in web design it is advisable to hire a professional web designer. A lot of IT companies and freelancers offer such service.

• Web site layout and maintenance

Determine organization and view of your site. Determine if it will be easy to change, update and modify your site and if you can do it yourself.  Take care about ergonomics of the Web site. Do not overload pages with banners, superfluous information and so on.

• Design pictures and descriptions of products or/and services which you provide

Ensure that the logo of your company, logos/pictures of products and/or services are attractive for consumers.

• Design policies: privacy statement, return policy, terms and conditions, and shipping policy.

Check existing e-commerce sites for examples of such policies

Payments, sales management, shipment:

• Choose best E-Commerce software

This is the software that will run your store

• Establish Credit Card Merchant Account

To accept credit cards online, you'll need a merchant account, which is an account with a bank or other financial institution that allows you to accept your customers' credit cards.

• Choose an accounting package.
• Choose a web analytics package

A Web analytics program tells you how visitors use your site. It reveals where users come from, what pages they visit and what keyword searches brought them to the site.

• Ensure the proper security of credit cards payments
• Select Internet security system which can protect your site   
• Select data backup system to store your business information
• Identify you shipment needs and...

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