Step 7 - Maintain (Cont.)

What is E-Commerce? E-Commerce, or electronic commerce, is the buying and selling of goods and services across the Internet.

Is E-commerce For You? Although most businesses can benefit from a Website on the Internet, E-commerce isn't for everyone. Businesses likely to profit from e-commerce are those offering unique products or services that are not readily available locally. For example:

• A small bookstore such as Burke's Book Store located in Memphis, TN and was established in 1875, advertises authors who will be in their store to sign their books and tell its customers about first additions they have in stock. They don't try to compete on-line with Amazon.com.
• A Web-based business such as Leonidas Chocolate offers an wide and exclusive assortment of Belgian prelines, truffles, orange peel, and marzipan. The chocolates are all made in Belgium and shipped to the US weekly. I can't find good marzipan here in Texas, so I ordered some through their site!

The Secret? You need a unique product or offer a service, not available locally to have a successful E-commerce site.

Is This For You? So, if you have a unique product or provide a exclusive service and want to start your own on-line business check out some of the links below. Otherwise, forget it!

• Electronic Commerce Research Room. Introductory and General E-Commerce Articles.
• The E-commerce Guidebook. Is a comprehensive reference site offering a step-by-step guide to the process of becoming E-commerce-enabled, and a listing of all the known online transaction providers and a condensed comparison of the prices and services and more (including tutorials and a directory of ratings).
• eCommerce Tutorial. This tutorial will introduce you to the complex and exciting world of E-commerce and covers: introduction to E-commerce, getting an Internet merchant bank account, Web hosting, obtaining a digital certificate, finding a provider of online transactions and creating or purchasing a shopping cart software. They also have an excellent E-commerce directory and links to Websites that will help you broaden your E-commerce knowledge.

Some Low-cost Services. The following companies offer low-cost services to help you get started in E-commerce.

• Bigstep. Here you can try any of the Bigstep Services for 30 days at absolutely no cost. Plus, learn what's involved with an E-commerce Website. If after the 30-day period you decide that you're satisfied with Bigstep after 30-day test period, you can then purchase the Bigstep Service of your choice.
• Freemerchant.com. Offers basic site-building capabilities and a well-designed interface for merchants wanting to enter the brave new world of E-commerce.

A Final Word. Don't underestimate the amount of effort or cost involved in setting up a successful E-commerce site. It takes a lot of hard work. The secret of success is having a good idea, in the right place, at the right time.

Do You Need Help? Don't be shy, if you have questions or need help creating your Website, just ask me. I work cheap -- free. The only dumb question is the one not asked!

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