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How to Take Your Business Online in Five Steps
Posted by Revolution Tweeting
From a major mass retailer to a small e-commerce store just getting started, all retail websites share the same fundamental building blocks no matter how large or small they are. Before you officially open your retail site for business, here are the tools you need first to get your website ready for sales.
1. Similar to choosing a name for a brick-and-mortar store, you need to select a domain name. If you’re unfamiliar, a domain name refers to how customers will identify your website (e.g. www.HancockToys.com). Domain names must be registered with a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy.com.
2. In conjunction with a domain name, you’ll need web hosting for your site. Web hosting basically provides a home for your website and stores it on a server where any user typing your domain name will find it. If you’re an internet noob or have very little technical expertise, you may want to consider purchasing an all-inclusive web hosting package that has everything you need to get your site live. Most web hosting services charge a monthly rate and some may charge fees based on a percentage of your sales or a flat percentage per transaction.
3. Find a website designer or a site design company that can create and maintain an attractive, intuitive website that will impress your custoers. This option tends to be more expensive than opting for a complete site package, however, your website will be completely unique and you’ll have more control over the features of your site.
4. In order to handle online payments through credit cards, you will need to obtain a merchant account. Most small business owners (with evidence that they are a registered business, such as a business license) can obtain a merchant account with their local bank. Another possibility would be to obtain a merchant account through a web hosting package.
5. In addition to a merchant account, you will also need a payment gateway. This refers to the system that automates transactions between you and the customer. Through secure encryption, the payment gateway will automatically process, verify and accept or decline each credit card payments on your behalf.



