Online Store Builder: How to Start an Online Store

Because sites like eBay, Amazon and Etsy have made it fun for average people to sell online, other companies have jumped onboard offering multiple solutions to help entrepreneurs expand on their online selling abilities. Hosting, shopping carts, templates, online store software and other ecommerce solutions have simplified the task of building an online store to where even a novice can succeed.

Not only do online store builders create your internet store, but they help you run it on a daily basis. Many of the online automated systems are designed to save you time and money. In fact, a single person can run an entire store without hiring extra staff. Some of the tasks that have become automated include accepting credit card payments, compiling customer traffic reports, making coupons, etc.

If you are new to ecommerce, look for an online store builder which has everything you need in one program. You will waste less time and spend less money. For example a complete program generally includes a space to host your website, professional design templates that you can use and customize to create your layout, a domain name (www), merchant accounts and an ecommerce platform, which makes it easy to list and manage several items for sale.

Note: An online store can carry physical products, but you can also list services in your store that shoppers can buy. For example, a spa selling massage packages, a life coach selling coaching sessions, etc.. Giving customers multiple ways to purchase from you can help to increase business revenue.

Shopify.com is a complete online store builder. Internet entrepreneurs have already opened over 10,000 online stores through them because of their low price and ease of use. See what else you get:

• An iPhone app, that lets you can run your store from your phone
• Statistics reports, that let you see where your customers are coming from
• A support function on your site, so your customers always feel they are taken care of
• Promotion tool that lets you create coupons and other incentives for customers to buy

Select from five online store options, which start as low as $29 a month. Some companies charge this price for hosting by itself, (not including a merchant account or domain name). With Shopify, users get all of this for one low price. Test Drive Shopify's Online Store Builder 

Another popular ecommerce website provider is BigCommerce.com. You can try it out for free. Not only can you use this platform to easily sell online - but you can sell on eBay, Facebook, iPhone and even email. For all of the high-tech features and options they offer, this online store solution is surprisingly affordable and easy to use.