| day's economy, more people are looking to | | | | your host before you launch your website. |
| supplement their income by starting a side business, | | | | The next consideration is a financial one. Most likely, |
| or making a complete move to self-employment. An | | | | you need to accept credit cards, and to do so you'll |
| e-business often appears to be a quick and easy fix - | | | | have to obtain a merchant account. Shop around for |
| and sometimes it can be - but it's important to know | | | | the best rate you can find, or ask your host or other |
| what it takes to get started. The benefit of an online | | | | business owners for a referral. Make sure the |
| business is that the startup costs are generally lower | | | | merchant account you choose supports a payment |
| than a brick-and-mortar store. If you choose to | | | | gateway that is compatible with your shopping cart. |
| drop-ship items, you may not have any costs for | | | | The gateway and the merchant account work |
| rent, insurance on your inventory, or interest charges | | | | together to charge customers' credit cards and then |
| for purchasing stock in advance using credit instead | | | | electronically deposit the funds into your checking |
| of cash. But even companies who stock items have | | | | account. |
| lower costs - rent is cheaper on warehouse space | | | | Sometimes the trickiest part of setting up an |
| than it is on retail space, fixtures and signage are | | | | ecommerce website is working with shipping charges |
| often unnecessary, and you may not need to hire | | | | and sales tax calculation. For shipping calculations, a |
| staff until your business begins to grow. | | | | little trial-and-error may be required. Keep a close eye |
| But what aspects of your business should you | | | | on your initial orders, and make sure your average |
| consider in advance? | | | | shipping costs are about the same as the average |
| The first consideration is your image and your | | | | charges to your customers. You may also wish to |
| product offerings. Research and select a unique, | | | | increase your shipping charges to make a little profit |
| memorable name for your company, one that | | | | on them, or decrease them to encourage more |
| reflects the products you plan to offer. Next, decide | | | | shoppers to complete their orders. |
| on a domain name, and register it - your host can | | | | Sales tax may be easy or difficult, depending on |
| help. You may choose to register .com, .net, and .org | | | | where your business is located. You should speak |
| domain names to avoid desaturation of your brand in | | | | with the state taxing authorities for any states in |
| the future. Depending on your budget and your goals, | | | | which you have nexus, which is loosely defined as a |
| you may also wish to register the name of your | | | | state where you have a physical business presence. |
| company as a trademark with the United States | | | | Find out what your requirements are, and work with |
| Patent and Trademark Office. | | | | your shopping cart to make sure that the right |
| Sourcing is the next hurdle. This term refers to | | | | customers are being taxed the correct amount. Learn |
| finding and working with vendors who wholesale the | | | | how to complete your sales tax return, and make |
| products you are interested in selling. Consider | | | | sure that you keep accurate and detailed records to |
| whether you wish to drop-ship your inventory - | | | | help you maintain sales tax compliance. |
| where the vendor stocks the items and ships them | | | | Order fulfillment is the last step. When a customer |
| directly to your customers - or if you want to stock | | | | places an order on your website, you then need to |
| your own items. You may also choose to do a | | | | ship his order to him. Make sure you have facilities in |
| combination of the two approaches. Vendors may | | | | place for communicating an order to your |
| require that you provide them with a resale | | | | drop-shipper, or that you have the software and |
| certificate, so make sure you are registered with | | | | supplies necessary to package the products, |
| your state government to collect sales tax prior to | | | | generate a label, and print postage (unless you plan |
| beginning your work with vendors. | | | | to take your orders to the local post office or carrier |
| Next, research your web site hosting needs. Many | | | | store). Provide customers with an easy-to-understand |
| hosts offer plans that include shopping carts, such as | | | | return policy (on your website and in your packages, |
| Miva Merchant, as part of the monthly fee. You | | | | if possible) and a way to contact you if they have |
| should look for a host that has a good reputation | | | | questions or problems. |
| among other businesses who use the same shopping | | | | Reviewing each of these aspects of your business, |
| cart software, and one that offers phone support | | | | prior to launching the company, should be part of |
| (24/7 if possible). Purchase an SSL certificate - the | | | | your overall plan to help your company achieve the |
| software required to encrypt sensitive information | | | | success you desire. |
| such as your customers' credit card details - through | | | | |