Hi guys,

Basically, I'm close to sorting a deal with a supplier of products that will enable me to be extremely competitive with the big guns providing the same products. Now, I know I could just set up an osCommerce type script and start selling. But I'm going to be making a proper go out of this and hopefully make myself a living from it, so I want to do it properly. I'm unsure as to whether I will need to register the business and what steps I will need to take? Along with a bank account, I'm fairly new to ecommerce and I'm reading and learning more every day, but answers from people like yourselves who have already been through these sorts of problems will be more beneficial than the millions of guides on the internet that I've found thus far :(

Thanks in advance,
Bret

I just opened my new website e-buyz.net and i feel that you cant get people to buy and sell so easily. I would suggest you to post a progect on getafreelancer and hire the person who says that you will be on top for 3 words.

I just opened my new website e-buyz.net and i feel that you cant get people to buy and sell so easily. I would suggest you to post a progect on getafreelancer and hire the person who says that you will be on top for 3 words.


I don't think I worded my post well enough, I'm not asking for suggestions on systems to use for my store. Nor am I looking for a designer / programmer. I'm asking more of the legal sides of it / technicalities etc. I'm unsure if I've posted this in the right section now though, reading that. Mods feel free to move it :)

I wouldn't register you company unless your supplier requires you to.

Watch out for trade refrences as they can often be deal breakers.

I don't think it is necessary to register a company for an online e-commerce site. A registered company would help in getting a business account like in PayPal or MoneyBookers. :)
For e-commerce scripts, I would recommend zen-cart. It is more powerful and secured than OSC, IMO.

Have a nice day,

Hi guys,

Basically, I'm close to sorting a deal with a supplier of products that will enable me to be extremely competitive with the big guns providing the same products. Now, I know I could just set up an osCommerce type script and start selling. But I'm going to be making a proper go out of this and hopefully make myself a living from it, so I want to do it properly. I'm unsure as to whether I will need to register the business and what steps I will need to take? Along with a bank account, I'm fairly new to ecommerce and I'm reading and learning more every day, but answers from people like yourselves who have already been through these sorts of problems will be more beneficial than the millions of guides on the internet that I've found thus far :(

Thanks in advance,
Bret

get oscommerce (free) get a template from templatemonster (some bucks, depends on template, 60-90 buckish each generally), get a shared hosting in a reliable place, get an account with paypal or 2checkout and launch your store.

do it as a side business at first. dont quit your day job rightaway. run the store in your spare time first.

if not required in your country/state, dont register as business. you should be able to file and pay taxes as an individual.

do marketing. participate in forums and post your offerings. set aside a small advertising budget, say $50 or something a month and buy ads in places like buysellads.com . do search engine submission through free tools or something like IBP (internet business promoter).

check your competitors' offerings and check industry standards and define proper price.

and when store is working well enough, quit your day job.

ha, also get a new cheap cell phone (the most cheapo), get a new, cheap number from a reliable provider, and use it for your online biz. activate voicemail or whatnot for that message or get a skype in number and redirect it to your cellular or something. dont use your current phones for your online biz.

For web development, there are plenty of options such as magento, oscommerce etc. you can go with anyone of ur choice.

Get a Toll free number, live chat software for site and ofcourse SEO services. Since you have a long business plan, for the legal stuff and payment it would be better to hire a Accountant and a Lawyer.

Best Luck for your business!!!