E-commerce is really just a fancy way to say online shopping, a practice that my credit card has become quite accustom to in recent years. In fact I just bought a new area rug the other day, and the process was a piece of cake. I clicked on what I wanted, entered my credit card and shipping information, and that was pretty much the gist of it. But from the seller’s perspective, things can get a little sticky, particularly during the set-up stage.

So if you’re looking to start selling products online, then you’re in luck. I’ve compiled a bare-bones, four-step protocol that you MUST follow to even think about entering into the world of e-commerce.

Step 1: Set Up an Internet Merchant Account

An Internet merchant account gives you the ability to process your customers’ credit card transactions. All you have to do is go to your bank and apply for an Internet Merchant Bank Account. You can also go through an independent transaction services provider. The details vary between institutions, so make sure you discuss them with the provider you choose. On the whole it’s not an incredibly difficult procedure.

I should also note this process can take up to a month to go through, so plan accordingly.

Step 2: Get a Digital Certificate

Another name for a digital certificate is an SSL Server Certificate, which basically allows you to securely take credit card orders so that hackers can’t snag your customers’ information.

Getting a certificate is pretty easy. If you’re a smaller company, you can probably pay your Web hosting company a small fee to use theirs. Or if you’re a larger company, you can buy your own for about $250 minimum for one year from companies like Thawte or Verisign.

Step 3: Find a Good Web Hosting Company

If your business is already on the Web then you’re going to want to make sure that your Web hosting company has good tech support (specifically where e-commerce is concerned) and is knowledgeable about the process of e-commerce.

If your business isn’t on the Web yet and you’re searching for a Web hosting company, then, in addition to the earlier points, make sure you really take the time to find a compatible and reputable company. This is an important component of e-commerce and deserves some shopping around.

Step 4: Obtain Shopping Cart Software

Basically shopping cart software ties everything together and makes the whole process run smoothly. Oftentimes transaction services providers will add shopping cart software to their package of services. This can be convenient, but it can also be expensive. So be cautious.

These steps are obviously just the bare-necessities, so it’s probably a good idea to consult your Web hosting company with additional questions and concerns. 

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