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E-Commerce
E-Commerce Topped $45B in 2002
(http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/20840.html)
Total e-commerce sales for 2004 were estimated
at $69.2 billion, an increase of 23.5 percent (±2.1%) from 2003.—United
States Department of Commerce (http://www.census.gov/mrts/www/data/html/04Q4.html)
Every year, the total amount of online sales is increasing. If your store
isn't on the Web, you are potentially missing out on increased sales. The
Internet markets across the world, and while you may choose to sell your
goods only in the U.S., you can reach more customers with a website than
would ever step through your brick-and-mortar doors.
Why should I sell my products through a website?
The Web is a very big place, with many, many shoppers online. While it
has gotten tougher to get your site out there and known than it was a
few years ago, it can still be done successfully. Toner Design has helped
create or set up a number of e-commerce sites on the web. This must be
done carefully as there is risk involved whenever one begins to accept
payment over the Internet for goods and services. Taking good security
measures and taking care that software or programming used will be done
properly and well, keeping credit card numbers secure, is a process
that should not be done by amateurs under any circumstances, or you risk
exposing your business to fraud and other unpleasant experiences.
But I already sell plenty through my normal
storefront...
If you want to expand your business, getting your products on the Web
can really help market your products. Buyers shop the web 24/7 every
day of the year. A storefront is only open a limited number of hours
a week. With an online storefront you can be selling while you sleep!
We
can advise you regarding your e-commerce site, helping you to decide
precisely what you need and not more than you require. Choosing the right
shopping cart, installing a secure certificate for website security,
and all the other tasks that are necessary in this process are things
we have long experience in handling.
 I
want to start a business on the Web. Can you help?
The first recommendation for starting a new business is always to research
it to make sure it will be a viable business. There is no guarantee of
success just by putting up a website, but a well thought out business
plan and good research can go a long way toward making your business
succeed. There are plenty of resources out there for the purpose, such
as S.C.O.R.E., an organization of experienced business people who help
new business people through the tasks of creating a new business.
Once you have your business plan in place, and in particular your plan
for an e-commerce venture, then is the time for us to sit down together
and discuss your needs and what will work for you. A website is part of
your marketing plan, not the entire plan.
What goes into creating an e-commerce
site ?
Planning! You must consider what you plan to accomplish with your e-commerce
site (the same is true of any website), and how you want to approach
it. A user on the web gives you 7-10 seconds to make your case. How will
you convince him or her that you have the best product, or will be the
best place from which to make their purchase?
Once you've figured out the marketing aspects, then it's time to get
the pieces put together. Think through your buying and selling policies,
your return policies, privacy policies, and any other policies a buyer
would need to know. All these must be written out and ready for the site.
Put together a listing of your inventory, preferably in electronic form,
so it can be imported into a shopping cart. Get estimates of the cost
of an e-commerce site, which will vary depending on the size of your
inventory and other details. Prepare yourself as much as possible before
meeting with us, and your meetings, and later your website, will be productive.
Call us with your questions at (828) 891-2563!
We are here to answer your questions and help you find your way around
the Web.
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