If your new year's resolution is to improve your businesses profits (and let's face it, who's isn't!) then this is definitely the year to look into the benefits of selling online. This article explores the range of eCommerce options available to you from NetRegistry that can get you selling online in 2007.
2007, The Year For eCommerce
By Verity Meagher
If your new year's resolution is to improve your businesses profits (and let's face it, who doesn't want that!) then this is definitely the year to look into the benefits of selling online. This article explores the range of eCommerce options available to you from NetRegistry that can get you selling online in 2007.
The internet is now a well established sales channel for Australian Businesses of all shapes and sizes. By removing the traditional geographic and time barriers of "brick-and-mortar" businesses, eCommerce enables you to offer your goods and services to a global or local market 24 hours a day, often with vastly reduced overheads associated with 'traditional' sales methods.
If, like many businesses, you have delayed looking at ecommerce as a option for your business, perhaps because of assumptions about the costs and effort involved, here are some recent figures from an AC Nielsen survey in Sept 06 that should motivate you to take a fresh look at your options for 2007.
- Australian consumers are third largest online spenders with an average an purchase over $150 (behind US & UK)
- 5.9 million Australians now shopping online, up 13 percent over the past 12 months
- Average shopper spending up 19 percent to $1,900 per annum
- Over half (51%) had made repeat purchases.
- Negativity towards online shopping declining with only 6% of consumers surveyed hesitant to shop online - down 18% from 2 years ago.
Benefits of eCommerce
- Reach new markets across traditional geographic boundaries
- Provide convenient service for customers with 24 hour service
- Automated and instant transaction processing
- Funds cleared and deposited directly into bank account
eCommerce Options
eCommerce is a broad term that covers any business that is conducted over the internet. Solutions range from straight-forward off the shelf software that enables a business to operate an online store, to more complex bespoke websites developed to facilitate a particular service.
In deciding which direction you need to take, ask the following questions:-
- How many Products/Services will I be selling on my site?
- How many transactions per month will I have?
Instant Store
A flexible, low-cost online store solution
If you are selling a small number of products and services, or just want to test the online market initially, an excellent solution is Instant Store - a low-cost online store package that can be up and running within 24 hours with very little initial outlay. The package combines secure web hosting with an online website/store builder that utilises PayPal Australia payment processing.
PayPal is the world's largest online payment processing company owned by eBay. Their system is very easy to use and is more affordable for a business processing fewer transactions.
The PayPal system offers comprehensive transaction tracking, multi-currency payments and invoicing as well as anti-fraud protection. Customers can make payments using all the major credit cards, or via bank transfer if they have their own PayPal Account.
PayPal acts as an intermediary between the customer and merchant, with payments made delivered instantly into your PayPal Account. You can then transfer any amount of funds you like to your chosen bank account. There is no fee for this transfer.
PayPal charge 30c per transaction plus a percentage of sale which ranges between 2.4% and 1.1% depending on the monthly transaction amount. This pricing structure is the same as payment processing with the major banks, and is competitively priced.
Instant Store includes NetRegistry's free DIY website builder called Instant Website which allows you to manage your own website content with ease. By simply pasting PayPal 'Order Now' buttons in the relevant areas of your website your customers will be able to order your goods and services with credit card or bank transfer via PayPal Australia.
The Instant Store solution is recommended for businesses with simple online ordering requirements.
Steps to open an Instant Store
- Order Instant Store (a new or existing domain name is also required) - call 1800 78 80 82
- Set up your website/online store via Instant Website (included in Instant Store) - see demo here
- Open a PayPal Account (Free, and activation is immediate) - apply here
- Start selling online!
Find out more about Instant Store
Instant Store Details
Instant Website Demo
PayPal Website
Enterprise Store
Powerful Online Store with custom design options
For businesses that have a wide range of products, expect a reasonable number of monthly transactions, and are ready to commit to a professional eCommerce solution, Enterprise Store is a flexible solution that will allow your business to open a fully featured online store with varying levels of customisation available.
Enterprise Store combines secure business web hosting with the worlds most most popular commercial online store software, X-Cart, as the foundation for your eCommerce business. X-Cart is a powerful and flexible online store solution that can accommodate an unlimited number of products and categories, creates a compelling shopping experience for customers, and offers a powerful administration system. It is also fully expandable with additional modules that provide specific functionality tailored to your needs.
Enterprise Store offers a number of options depending on the level of customisation you require:-
1. Level 1 - Out of the Box Creation
Develop your own online store design from the default X-Cart templates. Suitable for web designers or businesses with access to a web designer.
Cost: $299 + $49.95 month ecommerce hosting
2. Level 2 - Designer-in-a-box
This solution enables you to choose a professional X-Cart design template (http://www.x-cart.com/skin_templates.htm), and outsource the complete set-up of your online store. Simply supply all the information you require on your eCommerce website, such as product names, images, descriptions etc and your store will be set-up and deployed ready for you to use.
Cost: $999 + $49.95 month ecommerce hosting
3. Level 3 - Customer Store
This solution delivers a professional online store customised to fit in with your established branding, or establish a new design to your specifications.
You provide a comprehensive description of the desired look and feel of your Store, including style guides and any other information that can give our recommended partners the guidance they need to meet your expectations. You also supply all the information you require on your eCommerce website, for example product names, images, descriptions etc. Once approved your custom online store will be set-up and deployed ready for you to use.
Cost: $2999 + $49.95 month ecommerce hosting
Choose between PayPal or Payment Gateway payment processing depending on your requirements.
Steps to open an Enterprise Store
- Decide on the level of customisation you require
- Choose your payment processing method (PayPal, NetRegistry Payment Gateway etc)
- Order Enterprise Store (a new or existing domain name is also required) - call 1800 78 80 82
- Liaise with your Dedicated Account Manager during the production process
- Delivery of online store - Start selling online!
Find out more about Enterprise Store
Enterprise Store Details
X-Cart Template Designs
X-Cart Demo
PayPal Website
The Merchant eCommerce Package
For Businesses with numerous transactions
For established merchants who are expecting immediate online sales, we recommend "The Merchant eCommerce" package. This includes Enterprise grade ecommerce hosting as well as access to NetRegistry's Payment Gateway for real-time transactions deposited direct to your Australian bank account.
This option is most suitable for middle-sized businesses or established online companies, as the initial outlay costs are higher than Instant Store but the costs per transactions are lower. A Payment Gateway and an Internet Merchant Bank Account provide a direct link from your customer (via Online Store Software) to your bank account. There is no need for an intermediary payment facility.
Steps to open a Merchant eCommerce Store
- Apply for an Internet Merchant Bank Account (from your bank) - NetRegistry can help with this
- Choose your online store software (X-Cart or EziMerchant)
- Order Merchant eCommerce - call 1800 78 80 82
- Set-up your Online Store products
Find out more about Merchant eCommerce Store
Merchant eCommerce Details
Online Store Options
Acquiring a Merchant Account
Payment Gateway
Fee Free Transactions
Summary
With our range of low-cost, flexible eCommerce solutions to suit any business size, there is no reason your business cannot be selling online for 2007. If you would like to discuss your options, please call one of our experienced eCommerce consultants on 1800 78 80 82.
