Ecommerce 101
January 29, 2008
Stumble it!This is a compilation of threads from the basics to advanced techniques. This have been compiled by a great moderator in webmaster forum. Check it out and hope it helps your e-commer and start making serious money online.
The ecommerce world is full of different options but the basic pieces involved are the same. Whether you use a free cart or online service there are a variety of considerations each store owner must address.
Basics
A while ago I wrote Shopping Carts 101: A Basic Primer. Some of the references in that piece probably need to be updated but it’s a good intro to the mechanics of ecommerce. For those just thinking about getting into ecommerce you may want to look at How about this for a plan?, Business Roadmap, and Is there any point to starting ecommerce now?. We also have this gem 100 Ecommerce Tips
Gateways, CC Processors, & Merchant Accounts
Gateways are the pieces that make credit card transactions happen. And you’ll need a merchant account to accept Credit Card payments.
- Transparent Paypal Merchant and Gateway Accounts
- The 3 Best CC Processors
- Low Cost Credit Card Processing
- UK Merchant Accounts
- PayPal vs. “real credit card processors”
- Accepting Credit Cards in the EU
SSL Certificates
These are the little gems that protect online transactions.
- Verisign SSL - is their seal worth it?
- Which SSL Certificate?
- SSL Certificate Quandry: how does this stuff really work
Catalogs & Carts
We often mash these two terms together under the general title of “shopping cart” but in actuality they are two seperate pieces. Catalogs are the part that allow you to display your products and for the buyer to browse and select products from. Carts are the part that keeps track of what the buyer has selected (added to cart) and allows them to buy what they’ve selected.
- Shopping Cart Recommendations
- ASP Shopping Carts
- Shopping cart for large inventory
- Google Checkout - Part I
- Google Checkout - Part II
- How do I pick an e-commerce service provider and e-commerce software
- All-in-one Merchant Solution vs. custom eCommerce
Shipping & Fulfillment
Shipping is all about getting the product to the customer. Shipping charges and shippers vary in each country though there are a few international shippers like Fedex and UPS.
- Free shipping absorbed in higher prices?
- Shipping To Canada
- Fulfillment - How do you do it?
- Shipping Strategies 101
- Integrated Web Ordering and Fulfilment Software?
- Shipping Charges and Multiple Drop Shippers
- Warehouse Management
Site Search Engines
Well done search tools can help generate sales. Poorly done search tools can lose a customer just as easily. And what about placement of the search box?
Pricing
Seems to matter to some folks. Others swear it’s the only thing that matters!
- Competitors and pricing strategy
- Odd or Even pricing: does it make a difference?
- Are US Citizens willing to pay in other currencies?
Advanced
Drop Shipping
Drop shipping is where you offer products for sale from a manufacturer but you don’t actually carry inventory. When an order is placed, the manufacturer (or distributor) ships the order to the customer.
Optimization & Conversion
Optimizing you ecommerce site and converting visitors into buyers.
- Increasing Conversion Rates: Your Tips for Ecommerce Sites
- The Checkout Process: small changes can lead to big rewards
- Does your buy button suck?
- Bad Title Tags Can Sink Your Site
- Brainstorm Ways to Improve Conversion
- How To Optimize For Large Retail Sites
Confidence Builders
Credit Card Fraud
Advertising & Marketing
- Radio and/or TV Advertising
- Tips for getting one way inbound links
- Writing ’salesy’ descriptions
- Recommend to a Friend
- “Enter Coupon” form at checkout
- The Adwords Quality Guide - Free E-Book
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Posted in Make Money Online, Webmasters
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January 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Some excellent content you’ve mentioned there, WebmasterWorld is definitely a resource I appreciate, I’ve even interviewed Brett a few weeks ago, definitely a great guy
January 31st, 2008 at 3:53 am
A great useful resource list for anyone who starts e-commerce site to make money online. I really appreciate all your post I see you are a regular webmaster forum active member.
Thomson