Build your own eShop
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Ok, lets get the terminology thing done first:
As you use computers and the Internet more you will soon come to realise that if its possible to describe a single thing in a dozen ways or turn it into an acronym then it will happen!
Wikipedia, the Internet's best free resource for definitions and information uses several terms when describing eShops:
An online shop, e-shop, e-store, internet shop, webshop or online store evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a bricks-and-mortar retailer or in a shopping mall.
Definition reference: Wikipedia
With your own eShop, online shop or Web shops (the terminology is up to you!), creating your own online presence is now an essential part of any retailers plans, whether you are looking to expand an existing high street retail outlet or work from home to achieve a second income and better work-life balance.
At first glance it seems as though for each retail business on the UKs high streets there is a different solution to building your own eShop, and sifting through the choices can be somewhat perplexing.
If you are starting from scratch with plans to build your own eShop, its easier to narrow the choice of solutions down to the type of solution first. Once you have decided on the best type of eShop solution, the way forward becomes easier.
The Build-It-Yourself Approach
If you have some programming skills and feel up to the challenge of building your own eShop, there is nothing stopping you buying a cheap web address, getting some free web space and using development software like Microsoft's Visual Studio, or Dreamweaver to build your own eShop.
Alternatively if you want to try customising an existing eShop software to use with your own shop, you could try osCommerce, an open source free to use eShop system that you can download and customise to your liking. It requires some knowledge of the PHP programming language but if you have the skills it is a great way to build your own eShop.
The Web Design Company Approach
If money is not an issue then you can approach a professional web design company to build an eShop for you. We'd always recommend choosing a web design company either by a referral from a friend or colleague, or use a web design company that can provide you with several good examples of previous eShops they have built.
If you get your choice right, you could end up with an exceptional eShop of your own. Keep in mind that your eShop will need hosting somewhere, and any future changes might require further expenditure.
Note: It doesn't matter how glossy the web design company's web site looks, make sure that they display full contact details including telephone number and address - unless you can talk to them over the phone you might very well be dealing with a 12 year old working from their bedroom!
The Hosted Solution Approach
The 'third' way to building your own eShop is to go with a hosted solution. This is where a company create an eShop for you and take care of all the hosting and maintenance themselves, leaving you with more time to run your own eShop.
Typically a hosted eShop will be cheaper to purchase but will require an annual or monthly subscription to the hosting solution provider.
With Internet Retailer's Easy to use eShops, you can have your own hosted eShop built and ready to use from as little as £49.95. After your first monthly subscription payment of £29.95 you can have your eShop personalised with a look and style that suits you and your business, and at no extra cost.
Whichever solution type suits your needs the best, it is now easier than ever before to build your own eShop presence and start selling online.