Everyone knows that the best deals in the world are on the internet. From prescription drugs, to electronics, and even groceries; the internet is a consumer’s paradise. Many people speak about ways for a consumer to benefit from the robust collection of web stores out there including sites like Slickdeals.net or Fatwallet.com. Internet consumers these days are extremely picky, well informed and rarely loyal. Building your brand on the web is a essential part of doing business.

Gone are the days of getting Microsoft’s Frontpage:

These are the days of simplified pastels and sleek design:

Step number 1 to success with your e-commerce site is design. Much like a brick-and-mortar storefront your webdesign tells the tale of what prospective customers have in store for them. We have all walked into a diner or shop that was less than inviting, and more often than not, nothing was purchased from that establishment. So hunker down and get yourself some decent web design.

The next step once you have the customers in your store is the coax them into purchasing a product or service and giving up their precious credit card information. Unfortunately for legitimate sites out there, there are too many illegitimate sites posing as real sites. Savvy users are scared away when things like SSL certificates are not present or have a error. That is a instant dealbreaker for many users. Additionally you must present yourself as a legitimate merchant. Most legitimate merchants do not take payment through 2checkout or a similar service. They have gone through the hassle of setting up their own Merchant Account. This way the user can identify the store on their credit card statement and be reassured that the company they are doing business with is professional and safe. Most people do not know the preocess of becoming a Credit card merchant. Without going into all the details, suffice it to say they do not just hand out merchant IDs. You must prove yourself to the credit card companies and your local bank. That is not to say they are impossible to get, however if you are doing business without proper paperwork don’t count on it. PowerHost uses CDG Commerce for our merchant account provider. We have used them from the start and would not image going with anyone else.

Don’t get discouraged and think your site cannot be successful without its own merchant account. Plenty of sites do just fine taking Paypal. However to bring your site to the next level you will need a alternative for your users. Plus those Paypal fees get old real quick