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Websites/Ecommerce Made Simple
Copyright 2008. All rights Reserved.

 

I have build several websites over the years. I have made several mistakes, learnt many lessons, and over the years refined my skill set. I thought I'd share some of it with you.

Today, building most websites, including ecommerce ones, is much, much simpler. And with the right tools and resources, the average, reasonably intelligent, motivated person can organize quite a nice one.

Note: There are many people without formal technical training who have done just that. Some places even offer a risk-free trails, and/or video demo/tutorials.

Here are a few tips.

1) Decide what you need.

Generally speaking there are four categories: 1) ecommerce (emphasis own store products) 2) ecommerce (emphasis on third party products) 3) standard basic website 4) standard-plus basic website augmented with addons to build it up.

Knowing from the beginning can save you a lot of headache. Generally speaking, ecommerce websites have more "moving parts" and so cost more.

Ecommerce /Online Store
Maintenance costs run at least $30+/month. I'm talking about a "standard" ecommerce, small business type solution. Note: If you need a "custom" solution that can cost a lot (in fact, there is no upper ceiling in cost.) Custom solutions" are not really discussed here at any length.

Standard Website
Website Plans (that are reliable) typically run at least about $8+/month in maintenance.

Middle Ground (Also can be an ecommerce option)
One can "build out" standard websites enhancing them in the process, creating a fluid middle ground website. One would need to spend additional money and time on these addons.

2) Get a reliable webhost.

Having had a marginal webhost in the past (thankfully long ago), I cannot stress this enough. A good webhost is worth their weight in gold. The good news is that reasonably reliable hosts don't cost that much more.

3) Get the right tools for the job.

IMPORTANT RULE: The better the tools, the easier the job!!! Sounds simple, but its VERY easy to neglect these basics.

Here are my current recommendations (based on whether you want a business website, a basic website or something in the middle) : :

a) Useful Ecommerce/Store Features:

(Note: Any one provider may not have ALL these features)

  • Shopping Cart
    Just like the "shopping cart" in a grocery store, allows one to collect items for purchase before heading to the "checkout lane".
  • CRM: Follow up autoresponders (also known as sequential autoresponders)
    Important marketing tool to increase sales to customers and build credibility.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools
    Get exposure for your business at the main search engines like Google.
  • Site Forums
    Useful places to get free advice from people having the same questions as yourself
  • Website Building Process tools
    The appropriate tools to help one on each step of the website building process.
  • Membership Area
    Useful if you have a paid premium section on your website.
  • Ebook Downloads
    Ebooks can be used in promotions and also as products for sale.
  • Payment processor interface
    Gateways to paypal, 2checkout, authorize.net, etc.
  • Reports
    Slice and dice information.
  • Handle Coupons
    Want to run a short promotion. Got a discount coupon?
  • Upsell
    Increase the "spend per customer"
  • Affiliate Module
    Get people to promote your business for a cut of the action
  • Tracking & Surveys
    Marketing runs on information. Do you have it?
  • Any well-thought, streamlined workflow process or automation is always great.

 

First Choice: WMM (They have a free trial offering -probably the best way to find if the product works for you. Then use their easy to follow online training videos to work through the system with your trial.) Great product!
Strengths: Strong traditional Online Store/Marketing Components.

b) Ecommerce ( not selling own products, or emphasis on traffic e.g. lead generation, etc. )

Typically, if one is selling third party products, generating leads, or monetizing ads, the main ecommerce emphasis is to build traffic to one's site. One needs the right set of tools to do this easily.

First Choice: SBI (Easy set of tools to get traffic even for someone new)
Strengths:Seo, traffic, forums (useful for someone new), website process tools, content 2.0.

SBI can also handle a variety of small businesses (e.g. real estate, travel, etc.)
Still have questions about sbi?

c) Standard Website:

  • Storage/Bandwidth
    Check the amounts for storage and data transfer. Usually enough for most people
  • Databases
    Check the type and number of databases offered. For example: unlimited mysql
  • Support
    Available 26/7 ? Support section have any video demos? What is the is the knowledge base like?
  • Programming languages/OS
    What server side languages are supported ?Examples: Php, perl, asp. Linux or Windows?
  • Web Design
    Any quick templating system to "skin" website?
  • One click software installs
    Cpanel / Fantastico (or similar one click install system) available for quick "canned" software installs
  • Multiple Domains
    Host multiple domains. Can one host multiple domains on the plan? (Note: While not as good as separate accounts, this can drop the per domain hosting cost considerably. Yeah, web hosting can be dirt cheap.)

 

If you are dealing with a reputable web host and have a fairly "normal" website, storage and data transfer, stats and email quotas should be adequate for most people.

However do check for templates/site builders and/or "canned" software/script options. For example, if your webhost offers Cpanel/Fantastico (or one click install equivalents) it only takes a click or so to setup a blog on your website. Nice feature. Templates allow your website to look nice without doing much work.

Extra: Sometimes web hosts offer free domain registering so one can always check.

If you are developing custom software, check with your programmer whether you should have a) Linux/Windows b) What type of database e.g. mysql, sql server, etc. c) What programming language asp, php, perl, etc. d) Frontpage / Dreamweaver compatible, etc. If still in doubt, you can try a basic package of Linux/Apache/mysql since it is very popular.

First Choice:

LP (better for business minded, newer types, a little more backup emphasis, website building tools, windows and linux hosting).

or

DH (Better for techs or if you use programmers. For example, in my opinion, handle multiple domains a little better, a little more emphasis on security, much quicker to upgrade scripting language versions, autoupdate of wordpress -great for blogging, etc.) Bonus Coupon/Promo Code: DAYLIGHT $5 off coupon! (1+ year signup). (Use it before the coupon expires.)

 

Tip: If you are newer to websites use LP's easy site builder in their Cpanel/Fantastico area (videos).


d) In the Middle (e.g. how to addon ecommerce capabilities to standard)

Okay so you want a "standard plus" solution.

First buy the standard solution (LP or DH) mentioned above. Both solutions offer something like zencart (which will add some important ecommerce options and take some work). Zencart is a nice product. Install it.

Next you will likely need two "upgrades" which you will have to buy separately. Sequential autoresponder (e.g. follow up autoresponder) and templates.

Sequential autoresponders. (Also known as followup autoresponder).
An important online MARKETING tool.

Okay, so why do I need a sequential (e.g. follow up) autoresponder?

A few reasons.

A visitor to your website may have been distracted before getting round to a purchase. Can you still reach them?

You are sending out emails but they are being trapped in peoples' email filters. How many sales have you lost?
Note: Hosted dedicated email autoresponders typically have higher email deliverability. (But no one is 100% here, all the time.)

Did you know that personalized email is much more likely to be opened? Is there a quick and easy way to personalize things?

Did you know most people do not buy the first time they are exposed to a product. It may take 7 different "product exposures" before a lead (prospective buyer) buys and becomes a customer. Do you have a system for interested leads to keep in touch with you over time?

If you have no well known brand name, how are you going to inspire trust? Perhaps a free, 7 - part tutorial on the autoresponder will help build a relationship?

Do you want to increase your sales? Why not try out this sequential autoresponder series on the topic. You will have to go to your email account to confirm the opt-in to receive the email series. (Do not subscribe twice, just check your bulk folder or email filters first.) Email series will give you the information on autoresponders. (I have myself used this autoresponder company in the past).

2. Your website looks bland. You want a new look.

Look for website templates.

For the more adventurous: Beyond this, if one wants to customize the website you will probably need become technically proficient. The easiest way is to take some video technical training lessons (e.g. Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc.).

Now what are you waiting for. You have enough information to set up your website easily and quickly. Just do it. Start tonight.

Hope this was helpful.

 

 

 

Related Resources (coming soon):
How to start a business
How to start a hobby website
How to Market Online

General ...
Ecommerce General Overview Starter (Not a "how to" resource)
Ecommerce Blog News, Trends, etc.

Get started today and you can have your website in no time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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