Small Business Blog

Online stores are supposed to be quick and easy to setup, right?  You just sign up and type in a few products, upload a few pics, and voila… er, not so fast. Today, online store’s are offered like a commodity, just pick the one with the cool web design and a list of checkmark features that seems to match your needs, at least the needs you think you know you have.  It’s all up to you, good luck!  Setting up an online store can be done on the cheap but I don’t think most merchants would describe it as easy, quick, or sufficient to needs of their success.

Online Store Customization = Custom For You

Customization is a key to success, your website has to stand out through branding (your domain name, visual design, and marketing) and a variety of other factors including online store functionality and customer service in order to be distinct in the marketplace! Customizing your online store or website could involve:

• having the website design created exactly the way you want it
• create custom content or using high quality stock photos & video
• creating a custom interface for the customer ordering process
• programming to automate and process orders more efficiently
• connecting in with 3rd party API’s
• recurring billing subscriptions with membership account
• storing customer billing information
• digital download products

What Does This Mean For Me?

There are many ways to customize your online store and so the biggest question is… Does your online store software provider provide the service to help you customize?  Better yet, do they go the extra mile and offer the flexibility to meet your specific demands? If the answer to any of the questions above is NO, then please call Earth Skater today where we will be happy to help you review and find a solution to your business needs. Earth Skater specializes in eCommerce with complimentary website setup and transfer.  We’ve helped hundreds of merchants make an easy transition into the world of websites and selling online with our online store platform.  

What are the nuts and bolts of an eCommerce website? What are the foundation pieces you need to begin selling online? The answer to this question depends on at least two major factors including and perhaps most importantly:

1. Your businesses budget
2. Your interest and ability to compete head on with market leaders

The Absolute Basic Nuts & Bolts

In order to sell your products or services online, you must have the following 4 nuts and bolts as part of your eCommerce business:

1. A domain name
2. A merchant account (also called a payment gateway) such as PayPal
3. An online store eCommerce website
4. Website analytics (such as Google Analytics, Google WebMaster tools)

Minimum to Sell Online

1. A brandable domain name
2. A merchant account (also called a payment gateway) such as PayPal or Authorize.net
3. SSL Security Certificate may be used to increase trust signs to customers
4. An online store eCommerce website
5. Marketing newsletter system
6. Website Blog

Requirements to Compete with Market Leaders

1. The most brandable domain name you can find or afford
2. A merchant account (also called a payment gateway) that is integrated securely and directly into your own website such as Authorize.net or FirstData
3. An online store eCommerce provider that offers real service to update and maintain your website, affordably, and when you need it
4. SSL Security with clickable trust badge (provides extra level of trust to your customers)
5. Marketing newsletter system (regular postings to your newsletter list)
6. Website Blog (regular postings to your website blog)

  Earth Skater specializes in eCommerce with complimentary website setup and transfer.  We’ve helped hundreds of merchants make an easy transition into the world of websites and selling online with our online store platform.