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Success in Ecommerce: More Than Just The Right Software
August 22, 2005
by Edward Castro
Business Programs Columnist
According to the Nielsen//NetRatings MegaView Online Retail report, E-tailers have higher online conversion rates than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. This is the statistic that the ecommerce industry and Web hosting companies have been waiting for since the first widget was sold online.
Ecommerce: Software, Web Hosting, and You
The goal of any business, whether online or off, is to increase sales revenue while expanding the customer base and offering services that allow customers to shop at their convenience. Ecommerce software and the right ecommerce web hosting company give businesses that opportunity. But what truly makes the difference is a command of the technology that drives the Internet: information technology.
What A Site Needs
When setting up an ecommerce site, businesses should carefully consider the Web hosting companies, as well as the ecommerce software they run. Good ecommerce software should contain an online store that gives you complete control of the product catalog, shopping cart, shipping and handling options, and online payment processing.
The ecommerce web hosting company should meet the following basic criteria:
- Ample server disk space and Internet bandwidth
- FTP access to upload and install the ecommerce software
- Domain name registration services
- Database access
- PHP script preprocessor for dynamic webpages
- Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate installed and configured on the server computer for securing the transfer of credit card information
Secret of Success
The best way to ensure that your ecommerce Website is successful is by learning everything you can about the technical management of the site. A certificate or graduation from a course in information technology won't ensure success in your venture, but it can make managing it much easier, leaving you free to focus on selling rather than worrying about why something isn't working. There are a number of ways you can get an education in information technology, ranging from certificate and degree programs online and off. Take a little time and get to know what type of program is right for you, then prepare for success.
About the Author
Edward Castro has an extensive experience as a creative media writer. His client portfolio has included such notables as Hewlett-Packard, Sony Computer Entertainment, Shockwave, AtomFilms, GameBlast and Mervyn's California. In his current position, Ed is developing the marketing strategy of an Internet start-up company specializing in Japanese trade goods.
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