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Are you new to e-Commerce and full of questions? Or unsure about one specific aspect? Then this e-Commerce guide could be of great help to you.

Everything you need to know to get started in e-Commerce has been answered in plain language by one of the pioneers of e-Commerce. Each chapter is brief and to the point. So delve right in. Just click on an image or the headline to read the chapter.


e-Commerce is nothing new. It’s just a 200-year-old service repackaged: the latest way to sell goods and services.     1. An old service back in vogue
 e-Commerce is nothing new. It’s just a 200-year-old service repackaged: the latest way to sell goods and services.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to get into e-Commerce. It’s easy. There are some pitfalls - but they can be avoided.     2. It’s not rocket science
 You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to get into e-Commerce. It’s easy. There are some pitfalls - but they can be avoided.
The Internet is a huge worldwide network of computers connected to each other.     3. What is the Internet ?
The Internet is a huge worldwide network of computers connected to each other.
While the Internet has been around for decades, it hasn’t always been used for e-Commerce.     4. How the Net became a mall
 While the Internet has been around for decades, it hasn’t always been used for e-Commerce.
You can do business on the Internet by selling goods and services on special interactive web pages.     5. What is an Internet shop?
You can do business on the Internet by selling goods and services on special interactive web pages.
People enjoy the convenience of shopping on the Internet. And more and more are discovering it.     6. e-Commerce: here to stay
 People enjoy the convenience of shopping on the Internet. And more and more are discovering it.
You are facing a revolution. If you don’t get on top of it, you may be left behind by those who do.     7. Get on top of it or get run over
 You are facing a revolution. If you don’t get on top of it, you may be left behind by those who do.
You don’t have to spend thousands to put a shop on the Net. Doing so might actually be a bad idea.     8. Low cost e-Commerce entry
You don’t have to spend thousands to put a shop on the Net. Doing so might actually be a bad idea.
To open an Internet shop, you must create web pages with your information. You have four options:     9. Your Shop Building Options
 To open an Internet shop, you must create web pages with your information. You have four options:
Your web site is like your business window to the world. It should look as professional and appealing as possible.     10. Your Window to the world
 Your web site is like your business window to the world. It should look as professional and appealing as possible.
While the Internet is getting faster, for many it is still slow. You have 30 seconds to attract your customer. Starting now.     11. Don’t blow your 30 seconds
 While the Internet is getting faster, for many it is still slow. You have 30 seconds to attract your customer. Starting now.
Your visitors want shopping to be easy. Don’t give them a hard time.     12. Make it easy to reap rewards
 Your visitors want shopping to be easy. Don’t give them a hard time.
A few simple rules can make all the difference, when creating a website or Internet shop.     13. Ten tips to make your Website a success
 A few simple rules can make all the difference, when creating a website or Internet shop.
Most horror stories you may have heard about doing business on the Internet are wrong. What is true however is, that many people ignore common sense when moving their business onto the Net.     14. Security - the perception counts
 Most horror stories you may have heard about doing business on the Internet are wrong. What is true however is, that many people ignore common sense when moving their business onto the Net.
Worries about lack of security are the number one reason stopping people from buying over the Internet. Even if these worries are not based on reality.     15. Security for customers
 Worries about lack of security are the number one reason stopping people from buying over the Internet. Even if these worries are not based on reality.
Research shows shoplifting is less of a problem on the Net than in the real world. But don’t take this for granted.     16. Security for shop owners
 Research shows shoplifting is less of a problem on the Net than in the real world. But don’t take this for granted.
Three letters can make all the difference. They stand for encryption methods which ensure your customers can shop in safety.     17. Encrypt your orders with SSL and PGP
 Three letters can make all the difference. They stand for encryption methods which ensure your customers can shop in safety.
You have addressed all security concerns. But how do you get the money from a customer?     18. How do you get the money?
 You have addressed all security concerns. But how do you get the money from a customer?
If you don’t want to process credit card payments yourself, or your bank is not willing to give you a merchant account to process credit cards, a real-time payment service provider can help you.     19. Accept payments in real-time
If you don’t want to process credit card payments yourself, or your bank is not willing to give you a merchant account to process credit cards, a real-time payment service provider can help you.
Creating a shop is one thing. Now you must let the world have a look at it.     20. Open your doors to the world
 Creating a shop is one thing. Now you must let the world have a look at it.
Using a web hosting company can make your life easier. It also makes you independent.     21. A place on the Web for your shop
 Using a web hosting company can make your life easier. It also makes you independent.
You need your own Internet address. You can use the one provided by your ISP. A better option is using your own domain name. Make it easy to remember.     22. Your own Internet address
 You need your own Internet address. You can use the one provided by your ISP. A better option is using your own domain name. Make it easy to remember.
If you can’t afford a domain name or want to use the free web space provided by the ISP, you can still get a good address.     23. The next best address
 If you can’t afford a domain name or want to use the free web space provided by the ISP, you can still get a good address.
Putting your Web site on the Internet alone is not enough. Now you have to start fishing for customers.     24. Let people know you exist
Putting your Web site on the Internet alone is not enough. Now you have to start fishing for customers.
People will not find your business on the Internet, unless you make it easy for them.     25. How will people find you?
 People will not find your business on the Internet, unless you make it easy for them.
Search engines are basically web sites that help you find other web sites. The easiest way to go to a search engine is by clicking on the ‘Search’ button on your browser. Or type in their web address.     26. Search engines
 Search engines are basically web sites that help you find other web sites. The easiest way to go to a search engine is by clicking on the ‘Search’ button on your browser. Or type in their web address.
Being registered with search engines is important. More important can be to let people know in the real world about your Internet shop.     27. Don't just market on the Net
 Being registered with search engines is important. More important can be to let people know in the real world about your Internet shop.
People need to see you are looking after your shop. If it never changes or you do not respond to requests, they’ll lose trust in you and take their business elsewhere.     28. Keep looking after your shop
 People need to see you are looking after your shop. If it never changes or you do not respond to requests, they’ll lose trust in you and take their business elsewhere.
The Internet allows you to keep in touch with your customers for very little money.     29. Stay in touch with customers
 The Internet allows you to keep in touch with your customers for very little money.
People who are connected to the Internet can send and receive electronic messages - the equivalent of letters on the Internet.     30. All about e-mails
 People who are connected to the Internet can send and receive electronic messages - the equivalent of letters on the Internet.
If you want your Internet venture to be successful, you must take your customers seriously.     31. Take web customers seriously
 If you want your Internet venture to be successful, you must take your customers seriously.
E-Commerce Glossary     E-Commerce Glossary
 A quick look at words you may come across when dealing with e-Commerce.Experts often hide behind incomprehensible words to make even simple issues appear complex and difficult – something you cannot do without them. Well, with ShopFactory you can. But here are some of those terms that you will run into again and again, anyway.

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