Web Stores Do-It-Yourself For Dummies^®

by Joel Elad

• ISBN13: 9780470174432
• ISBN10: 0470174439
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-03-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Are you excited about opening your Web store, but a little intimidated too? Relax! Web Stores Do-It-Yourself For Dummies is her to guide you step by step through the whole process. You'll find the easiest and best ways to choose a provider, sign up with payment processors, and open for business in no time.This make-it-happen guide for online entrepreneurs walks you through the process of opening an account, designing your store for easy shopping, creating a catalog that shoppers can't resist processing orders and payments efficiently, and much more. You'll find the best ways to choose merchandise, establish store information, create a skype phone number, develop store policies, and reach the customers you want. Discover how to: Pick products that will really sell Find and evaluate storefront providers Establish payment options Accept credit card payments safely Lay out your design from the ground up Set up a catalog of goods Arrange for shipping Incorporate the best practices of super-selling sites Keep your store up to date Put your Web store at the hub of your sales Fine-tune before you open Take advantage of search engines and pay-per-click campaigns Complete with lists of the top ten things every Web store needs, tips for designing your store, and traps to avoid while building and running your store, Web Stores Do-It-Yourself For Dummies makes opening your Web store fast, fun, and simple!

Author Biography

Joel Elad is the head of Real Method Consulting, a company dedicated to educating people on how to sell on the Internet, and eBay in particular, through training seminars, DVDs, books, and other media. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business from UC Irvine, and a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from UCLA.
Joel has written several books in the field of e-commerce, including Starting an Online Business All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies, eBay Your Business, and How to Sell Anything on Amazon . . . and Make a Fortune! He has contributed to Entrepreneur magazine and Smartbiz.com, and has spoken at regional and national conferences on the topic of eBay and/or e-commerce. He is the lead eBay instructor for the Learning Annex in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. He has taught at institutions like the University of California, Irvine. He is an Educational Specialist trained by eBay and a proud member of eBay’s Voices of the Community.
Joel has previously worked for companies like IBM Global Services, where he was a project manager and software developer working for Fortune 500 clients. He operates several e-commerce sites, including NewComix.Com, which has quickly become a low-priced leader of comic books, toys, and action figures to US and international customers. While he was the Marketing and Sales Director at Top Cow Productions, Joel implemented an eBay sales channel and helped revamp their e-commerce operations. He continues to consult for various clients to add or improve their e-commerce operations.
Joel lives in San Diego, California. In his spare time, he hones his skills in creative writing, Texas Hold ’Em poker, and finance. He is an avid traveler who enjoys seeing the sights both near and far, whether it’s the Las Vegas Strip or the ruins of Macchu Picchu. He spends his weekends scouring eBay and local conventions for the best comic book deals, catching the latest movie with friends or family, and enjoying a lazy Sunday.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Planning and Gathering

Web Stores Overview: Discovering Your Purpose

Developing Your Store Policies

Constructing Your Web Store

Finding Your Storefront Provider

Yahoo ! Merchant Solutions

ProStores

1&1 eShops

Establishing Your Payment Options

Laying Out Your Design from the Ground Up

Filling In the Blanks (and Shelves)

Setting Up Your Catalog of Goods

Adding Pictures and Copy to Your Catalog

Building Your Store Features and Functions

Setting Up Your Back Office

Finalizing Your Web Store

Putting Your Web Store at the Hub of Your Sales

Hard Facts About Your Store's "Soft Launch"

Load, Look, and Launch - Final Steps Before You Open

Promotion and Outsourcing of Your Web Store

Getting the Word Out - Drawing Attention to Your Store

Online Marketing Campaigns

Outsourcing Store Elements - Going to the Next Level

The Part of Tens

Ten Things Every Web Store Needs

Ten Tips for Designing Your Web Store

Ten Traps to Avoid While Building and Running Your Store

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.