E-Commerce Association of Singapore

Implementing e-commerce

The key tool for delivering e-commerce services is the business website. This must be specified, designed, hosted and maintained.

Specification

The website specification should clearly identify what the site is trying to achieve and how its various components will contribute to this. An understanding of the intended user audience is required for both technical and marketing purposes.

Domain name

Domain names are an enormous help in the branding of a business. Your domain name should be easy to remember and spell, and should show what your business is all about. If not, then potential customers will surf elsewhere and possibly find your competition.

Website hosting

If you purchase a domain name you can either host your own website or have an internet service provider (ISP) host it on your behalf. If you choose to host the website yourself, you will require a fast internet connection, a suitable server and the provision of technical support. However, ISP hosting is relatively cheap and straightforward and is the most preferred option for most businesses.

Software options

An important early decision to consider is whether to use a ‘shop’ package or build the software from scratch.

Shop packages allow you to configure product information and the look and feel of the shop. However, they can provide limited opportunities for tailoring them to your back office processes.

Alternatively you can get a third party to build the software for you, or develop it yourself in house.

Source : Business Link