The key reasons for looking at a custom developed e-commerce solution are to support a business process that your company may have which cannot be completed with a templated design. (i.e. integrating back office systems such as accounting, ERP, or fulfillment applications), or to support some level of service during the check out process like a custom product configuration.

Pros

• The site is developed to
  Win With Google AdWords
  Maximize Your Return on Investment with Google AdWordsMost businesses want a cost-effective way to bring in more customers. The challenge is to find prospects who are thinking about your products at the exact time that you reach them.With the advent of Google AdWords, it is now possible to target prospects at the very moment they are thinking about buying your products or services. If someone does a Google search on digital cameras, they only see ads for digital cameras. If someone does a search on organically grown coffee beans, they only see ads for organically grown coffee. Google AdWords enables you to implement precisely targeted advertising.Read on to learn how to maximize your success with Google AdWords. With proper preparat
  Online commerce is the way of the future, expand your market place, increase sales, work less, increase your revenue, etc. Really, but at what cost and what do you need to know to get started?

  Many businesses are weighing the costs of moving into the online space now that barriers to entry are lower than ever, but to determine the specific solution that meets your business needs is not as easy as comparing prices.

  In order to differentiate the common strategies that you may apply to sell your “widget” online, let’s take a look at three main ecommerce solutions on the market, and then ask some key questions that will better facilitate your decision.

  1.) Amazon.com/E-Bay/MSN Shopping as an eCommerce Solution

  With this means of e-commerce there is really no true e-commerce or shopping cart development that goes on. To bring your widget online you would simply create an account on one of the various web sites that are out there and begin selling products.

  Pros

  • Easy to implement
  • May have products on the web within an hour
  • Very low cost, great for out-of-home business

  Cons

  • Minimal flexibility
  • Usually transaction based, or require a percentage of sales
  • No automated integration into any back end systems
  • No options for product configuration

  2.) Templated eCommerce Solutions

  Templated ecommerce platforms are generally “packaged” sites that are very quickly setup and launched. To summarize the process:

  1. A business will purchase, or lease via a monthly contract the e-commerce solution.
  2. Customize their web site by selecting from several templates modifying it with a color scheme
  3. Add content to their new web site by way of a technology called content management.

  Content Management allows non-coders, the ability to update and modify the content of a web site. These solutions meet the typical needs of a business, but tend to fall short when customization is necessary.

  Pros

  • Easy to implement with little required development.
  • Getting a site up and running is not as fast as a pre-built solution, but much more rapid than a custom developed solution
  • Is comparatively inexpensive.
  • Provides branding not available in pre-built solution
  • Great for small businesses entering the online space for the 1st time.

  Cons

  • Minimal flexibility
  • Cost may, or may not include graphic development of the site
  • Integration with business processes is lacking
  • No options for product configuration
  • Sometimes transaction based, or require a percentage of sales
  • Difficult to optimize for search engines

  3.) Custom Developed Solutions

  Custom developed solutions are exactly what their name implies. The user interface of the web site, product catalog and check out process are all custom-developed to meet specific needs. The look and feel of the web site is typically original, utilizing graphics that are targeted to a specific market or customer.

  The key reasons for looking at a custom developed e-commerce solution are to support a business process that your company may have which cannot be completed with a templated design. (i.e. integrating back office systems such as accounting, ERP, or fulfillment applications), or to support some level of service during the check out process like a custom product configuration.

  Pros

  • The site is developed to
    Real Estate Marketing, Do You Use Direct Mail?
    Prospecting for leads is by far the most difficult part of being a Realtor or small business professional. In fact, lead development is by far the most expensive and time consuming aspect of your job. However, you level of success in lead development will determine if you succeed or fail as a real estate agent or small business professional.So how do you develop leads? Well top selling professionals realize that they need to touch as many people as possible without spending a fortune or taking up a lot of their time. They also realize that they must make some form of contact with a prospect as many as eight times before that contact will even consider doing business with the professional. Many of these professionals use direct mail to recruit prospects, and direc
    an eCommerce Solution

    With this means of e-commerce there is really no true e-commerce or shopping cart development that goes on. To bring your widget online you would simply create an account on one of the various web sites that are out there and begin selling products.

    Pros

    • Easy to implement
    • May have products on the web within an hour
    • Very low cost, great for out-of-home business

    Cons

    • Minimal flexibility
    • Usually transaction based, or require a percentage of sales
    • No automated integration into any back end systems
    • No options for product configuration

    2.) Templated eCommerce Solutions

    Templated ecommerce platforms are generally “packaged” sites that are very quickly setup and launched. To summarize the process:

    1. A business will purchase, or lease via a monthly contract the e-commerce solution.
    2. Customize their web site by selecting from several templates modifying it with a color scheme
    3. Add content to their new web site by way of a technology called content management.

    Content Management allows non-coders, the ability to update and modify the content of a web site. These solutions meet the typical needs of a business, but tend to fall short when customization is necessary.

    Pros

    • Easy to implement with little required development.
    • Getting a site up and running is not as fast as a pre-built solution, but much more rapid than a custom developed solution
    • Is comparatively inexpensive.
    • Provides branding not available in pre-built solution
    • Great for small businesses entering the online space for the 1st time.

    Cons

    • Minimal flexibility
    • Cost may, or may not include graphic development of the site
    • Integration with business processes is lacking
    • No options for product configuration
    • Sometimes transaction based, or require a percentage of sales
    • Difficult to optimize for search engines

    3.) Custom Developed Solutions

    Custom developed solutions are exactly what their name implies. The user interface of the web site, product catalog and check out process are all custom-developed to meet specific needs. The look and feel of the web site is typically original, utilizing graphics that are targeted to a specific market or customer.

    The key reasons for looking at a custom developed e-commerce solution are to support a business process that your company may have which cannot be completed with a templated design. (i.e. integrating back office systems such as accounting, ERP, or fulfillment applications), or to support some level of service during the check out process like a custom product configuration.

    Pros

    • The site is developed to
      Whose Fault When A Business Fails?
      Every entrepreneur has been there. The latest and greatest idea that has ever entered into your mind is not doing so well. You have put your heart and soul into something that you just knew was going to make you rich. But, things just are not working the way they are supposed to.Despite all your efforts to get your business going, it looks as though you are going to have to give up on your latest idea. What went wrong?Before you start planning your next venture (because that is what entrepreneurs do), take a while and analyze everything that you did in your business. Many times, there are circumstances that are beyond your control that affect your business that you may not have been able to foresee.A few years ago, a business owner had a profit
      ted ecommerce platforms are generally “packaged” sites that are very quickly setup and launched. To summarize the process:
      1. A business will purchase, or lease via a monthly contract the e-commerce solution.
      2. Customize their web site by selecting from several templates modifying it with a color scheme
      3. Add content to their new web site by way of a technology called content management.

      Content Management allows non-coders, the ability to update and modify the content of a web site. These solutions meet the typical needs of a business, but tend to fall short when customization is necessary.

      Pros

      • Easy to implement with little required development.
      • Getting a site up and running is not as fast as a pre-built solution, but much more rapid than a custom developed solution
      • Is comparatively inexpensive.
      • Provides branding not available in pre-built solution
      • Great for small businesses entering the online space for the 1st time.

      Cons

      • Minimal flexibility
      • Cost may, or may not include graphic development of the site
      • Integration with business processes is lacking
      • No options for product configuration
      • Sometimes transaction based, or require a percentage of sales
      • Difficult to optimize for search engines

      3.) Custom Developed Solutions

      Custom developed solutions are exactly what their name implies. The user interface of the web site, product catalog and check out process are all custom-developed to meet specific needs. The look and feel of the web site is typically original, utilizing graphics that are targeted to a specific market or customer.

      The key reasons for looking at a custom developed e-commerce solution are to support a business process that your company may have which cannot be completed with a templated design. (i.e. integrating back office systems such as accounting, ERP, or fulfillment applications), or to support some level of service during the check out process like a custom product configuration.

      Pros

      • The site is developed to
        From Mortgage Banker to Internet Affiliate - How Did This Happen?
        After spending 20 years in a successful mortgage banking career, I’m now an affiliate for several programs on the internet. And guess what? I love it! I am not getting rich on the internet and probably never will, but I do earn an income and it keeps getting better. The money, of course, is always important, but I found something else – it is the peace of mind. No more meetings, conference calls, deadlines, or working on some project or report for the boss, and no more daily job stress.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a Federal agency, defines job stress as: “The harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker - Job stress
        ng a site up and running is not as fast as a pre-built solution, but much more rapid than a custom developed solution
      • Is comparatively inexpensive.
      • Provides branding not available in pre-built solution
      • Great for small businesses entering the online space for the 1st time.

      Cons

      • Minimal flexibility
      • Cost may, or may not include graphic development of the site
      • Integration with business processes is lacking
      • No options for product configuration
      • Sometimes transaction based, or require a percentage of sales
      • Difficult to optimize for search engines

      3.) Custom Developed Solutions

      Custom developed solutions are exactly what their name implies. The user interface of the web site, product catalog and check out process are all custom-developed to meet specific needs. The look and feel of the web site is typically original, utilizing graphics that are targeted to a specific market or customer.

      The key reasons for looking at a custom developed e-commerce solution are to support a business process that your company may have which cannot be completed with a templated design. (i.e. integrating back office systems such as accounting, ERP, or fulfillment applications), or to support some level of service during the check out process like a custom product configuration.

      Pros

      • The site is developed to
        Viral Profit Machine - Idea Behind 'Grow Virally'
        ClickBank is one of my favorite affiliate internet business, because as affiliate I can easily earn between 50%-70% profit each product sale. In fact, not only myself there are 100,000 affiliates to deliver their product and service. Only recently, I realize what I had done in the past as affiliate and what I get in return - a measly one time commission only.It is simple to explain. Affiliates will do all the part the job and create wealthy for the vendors and the vendors will make extra money by sending email promotions to affiliates referral for long period of time. Over 10,000 web business use ClickBank as their partner in a $4.5 billion industry. Wow..., it is a huge money and it is time to get fair deal for all affiliates to make living from the internet.utions are exactly what their name implies. The user interface of the web site, product catalog and check out process are all custom-developed to meet specific needs. The look and feel of the web site is typically original, utilizing graphics that are targeted to a specific market or customer.

        The key reasons for looking at a custom developed e-commerce solution are to support a business process that your company may have which cannot be completed with a templated design. (i.e. integrating back office systems such as accounting, ERP, or fulfillment applications), or to support some level of service during the check out process like a custom product configuration.

        Pros

        • The site is developed to your specific business requirements
        • Custom features or applications may be added to the site at any point in the future, providing growth
        • Integration capabilities are limited only by the ability of your developer
        • Site may be optimized for Search Engines, (SEO)
        • All forms of shipping, handling and fulfillment are options to integrate
        • Virtually unlimited number of products and categories may be supported
        • Your site will have a unique look and feel tailored to your business
        • Great for established ecommerce providers, and large businesses looking to go online

        Cons

        • Typically more expensive
        • Longer development times
        • Require more active involvement from you.

        Questions that will help you target the right ecommerce solution for your business:

        1. Will my business survive if the web site is unsuccessful?
        2. Do I have back office applications that need to be integrated into the web site? For instance, accounting systems, inventory management or ERP systems, Point of Sales Systems, etc.
        3. Do I need custom shipping integration?
        4. How important is search engine optimization?
        5. How will I administer the e-commerce application? For instance, how easy is it to add, edit, or delete products and how do I view the business that the web site is doing?
        6. How will I differentiate my site from my competitors?
        7. Does my business currently have the expertise to manage the e-commerce solution, do I need to hire someone, or will I totally outsource the management of the web site?
        8. If I chose to manage the e-commerce solution by myself, where and how will I host the application?
        9. What is the ongoing maintenance going to cost?
        10. How reliable is my developer/web host?
        11. Does my business sell to consumers, other businesses, both?
        12. Does the look and feel of my web site meet my customer’s needs? A quick example of this is if you are selling to consumers you typically need a more attractive and easy to use site, if to businesses a utilitarian interface may be more critical, as they typically want to complete their order as quickly as possible.

        This is the first in a series of articles designed to help you understand what is involved in bringing your business on line. The purpose of these articles is to take the complexity of the e-commerce marketplace and break it down into easy to understand articles.

        Questions or comments on this article may be sent to Mike at mpowell@objectwareinc.com.

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