Starting up an Online Business in Simple Steps, 1st edition

Published by Pearson (February 7, 2013) © 2013

  • Heather Morris
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Details

  • A print text
  • Free shipping
  • Also available for purchase as an ebook from all major ebook resellers, including InformIT.com

This product is expected to ship within 3-6 business days for US and 5-10 business days for Canadian customers.

This book is for those either starting a small business online or for an existing business owner looking to reach the growing number of online shoppers. It outlines basic business strategies, tools and resources needed to run a business online in addition to the security considerations and legal obligations for small businesses. Readers will learn how to build and manage a website from scratch with an emphasis on using an all-in-one Internet and web hosting service to create a secure and easy-to-navigate e-commerce site. As online marketplaces continue to be a good platform for existing and new business people to market and sell products, ebay.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk marketplace are explored in two separate chapters.

This series of vibrant books will teach you exactly what you need to know using

  • A friendly, visual approach

  • Easy-to-understand language

  • Practical hands-on tasks

  • Full-colour large format screenshots

To build your confidence and help you to get the most out of your computer, practical hints, tips and shortcuts feature on every page:

§    ALERT!– Explains and provides practical solutions to the most commonly 

    encountered problems

§    HOT TIPS– Time and effort saving shortcuts

§    SEE ALSO… -  Points you to other related tasks and information

§    DID YOU KNOW?  – Additional features to explore   

§    WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?– Jargon and technical terms explained in plain English

Top Ten Tips

1. Assess demand for your idea
2. Choose and all-in-one domain and site building package
3. Consider creating a logo
4. Register for a PayPal account
5. Keep in contact with your customers
6. Understand SEO
7. Protect your business information on a shared computer
8. Understand eBay business basics
9. Understand Amazon marketplace
10.  Understand e-commerce regulations that apply to your business

1. Develop your business idea

  • Choose a product or service
  • Adapt your existing business
  • Study the market
  • Assess demand for your idea
  • Analyse your business idea
  • Find a supplier
  • Assess start-up costs
  • Create a business plan
  • Learn about affiliate marketing

2. Prepare to get your business online

  • Check your computer’s operating system
  • Update your browser
  • Understand domain names
  • Register a domain name
  • Understand web hosting
  • Choose an all-in-one website building package
  • Prepare your product descriptions
  • Take photos of your products
  • Consider creating a logo
  • Register for a PayPal account

3. Create a basic web page

  • Set up your Quick Shopping Cart account
  • Start Quick Shopping cart
  • Edit your store information and add a logo
  • Customize your website template
  • Understand your VAT obligations
  • Add postage options to your site
  • Enable your PayPal account
  • Add product descriptions
  • Upload product images
  • Assign images to your products

4.Add email and edit your web page

  • Set up your website email
  • Assign a name to your email
  • Launch your email
  • Edit your welcome message
  • Add categories to your site
  • Add products to your categories
  • Change category page style
  • Change product page styles
  • Edit and add new products
  • Publish your website

5. Manage you orders

  • Monitor your orders
  • Process a PayPal payment
  • Buy and print a shipping label
  • Log payments in your store
  • Assign a package to an order
  • Complete the order and enter shipping information
  • Send your customer a note
  • Mark the order as shipped
  • Manage unique or non-inventoried items
  • Inventory your store items
  • Issue a refund

6. Promote your business

  • Create a special offer
  • Create a coupon code in Quick Shopping Cart
  • Keep in contact with your customers
  • Understand SEO
  • Define your key words for search engines
  • Understand website analytics
  • Use advertising credits
  • Create a Facebook page
  • Use Pinterest

7. Explore other payment options and online security

  • Explore PayPal options
  • Consider setting up an Internet merchant account (IMA)
  • Learn about SSL security certificates
  • Protect your computer against malware and viruses
  • Protect your business information on a shared computer
  • Use wireless Internet connections safely
  • Back up your data

8. Sell on eBay

  • Understand eBay business basic
  • Research completed BIN and auction listings
  • Understand eBay sellers’ fees
  • Decide on a pricing and strategy
  • Create a listing
  • Write a title
  • Add photographs
  • Write an item description and set a price
  • Choose payment options
  • Select postage options
  • Include a return policy
  • Monitor your sale and respond to queries
  • Print postage

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