How to Build Online Store (or website)!

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.

A regular/standard website? An ecommerce website (e.g. shopping cart, etc.)? or something in-between? 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
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 Website/Online 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: 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.

I like two providers in this field.

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.)
Strengths: Strong traditional Online Store/Marketing Components.

Second Choice: Build out a standard/regular website as suggested below to get a standard-plus website capable of handling ecommerce.

b) 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, a little more backup emphasis, website building tools).
Bonus Coupon/Promo Code: DAYLIGHT $5 off coupon! (1+ year signup). (Use it before the coupon expires.)

or

c) In the Middle

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). Install it.

Next you will likely need two "upgrades" which you will have to buy separately. Follow up (sequential) autoresponder and templates.

Sequential autoresponders.
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.).

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!