I've seen on a lot of hosting companies the "ecommerce ready" line

what's generally intended with ecommerce ready?

- that there are store scripts preinstalled (stuff like fantastico with oscommerce etc...)?
- that you get a SSL cert installed and an IP included in the price?
- that you can use a shared SSL already installed?

I'm not shopping for ecommerce hosting, I just need this clarified

best (late) wishes to everyone :)

I believe that "ecommerce ready" package should contain the following:
- webhosting with dedicated IP address;
- SSL certificate;
- design of the store;
- oscommerce or other cart application installed by the hosting company.

I believe that "ecommerce ready" package should contain the following:
- webhosting with dedicated IP address;
- SSL certificate;
- design of the store;
- oscommerce or other cart application installed by the hosting company.

Design is not part of hosting nor providing scripts for free. Now a days many hosting companies provide those services however those are add-ons to their service. Ecommerce ready is used often as a marketing tool, if you want to run a professional store online you need to purchase your own SSL Certificate and not use your host's wildcard, you should also build a custom store or at least make it look different from the regular free scripts such as osCommerce, Zend Cart etc.

So in reality if a host offers a dedicated IP, the option for you to install or have them install the SSL Cert, database and a fairly secure server you could say the host is ecommerce ready.