Getting Started in E-Commerce

E-commerce technology has come a long way from the bare-bones Web sites that were common a decade ago. Today one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is how to choose from so many e-commerce

packages, which range from free do-it-yourself solutions to custom storefronts costing thousands of dollars. An increased range of options means an increased range of choices, which can be frustrating and confusing.

Fortunately, it's possible to narrow your choices and figure out what works best for your business by considering a few key issues. Unless you're a technical whiz or expect to launch the next Amazon.com, it's better to start with a simple and inexpensive online store that can grow with your business. Before you get started, ask yourself these important questions:

Who will run your site?

Although some businesses operate and maintain their own Web sites, this can be an expensive and difficult process. You'll need to invest in hardware, a dedicated Internet connection, and software, along with a Webmaster and programmers to maintain your site. This is an expensive process, and you can't cut corners — customers won't tolerate a buggy, unreliable online store.