Launching an online store is easy, but setting up a successful shop is another story entirely. Offering appealing products on an attractive site in no way guarantees that your e-business will succeed. There are a large number of factors to consider when setting up shop on the Internet, factors that go far beyond the act of adding a shopping cart to an online catalog. Obviously the first step in e-tailing is building your online store. With some investigative work you can find a service that's right for you.
Smaller stores can choose from among a variety of services.
As the name implies, this is a free service for all parties. If you already have a site, Digital StoreFronts' Retail Pro is one of many services that allow you to commerce-enable your site without learning an array of programming skills. Such features as inventory control, search tools, sales support, and reporting validate the additional cost. Either solution provides SSL encryption for transactions and the ability to handle online credit card processing. Larger stores require a more powerful solution that provides their customers with a richer experience and integrates with their existing systems.