CHAPTER 6

• E-BUSINESS:

  ·       A Web site and e-mail capability through which customers can place an order, request a quote, or make a reservation.
• 3 Options for Storefront:

  • Application Service Provider Method
  • Purchase Storefront Development Software
  • Program & Develop your Own Storefront
• ASP

  Application Service Provider
• Options for Storefront: Application Service Provider

  ·       Cheaper option than purchasing own storefront software. It owns the storefront software & operates its own e-commerce server. It licenses the use of its software & e-commerce hosting services to clients that desire to sell products & services online.
• Options for Storefront: Application Service Provider

  ·       Software is hosted on ASP’s server, clients pay ASP to use its software & server.
• Options for Storefront: Storefront Software Packages

  ·       Requires more technical knowledge of computers. Needs internet service provider to host an electronic storefront. Installed in the same server as site.
• Options for Storefront: Program & Develop Your Own Storefront

  ·       Requires in-depth technical knowledge & programming capabilities.
• Options of Storefront: Program & Develop Your Own Storefront

  ·       It us used for broad product lines, complex systems with diff. prices for diff. customer. volume discount levels.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES

  ·       Features depend on the storefront option chosen
• (13) Storefront Features:

  • Shopping Cart
  • Purchases Notification
  • Inventory Management Integration
  • Client Database Management
  • Integrated Mail List
  • Searchable Product Database
  • Thumbnail Image Capability
  • Customer e-mail Notification
  • Unlimited Autoresponders
  • Shipping & Delivery Options
  • Coupons, Discounts, & Special Offers
  • Technical Support
  • Affiliate Programs
• Storefront Features: SHOPPING CART

  ·       Operates like a shopping cart. Customer can add/subtract items from their shopping cart. Great feature, shouldn’t be overlooked.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: PURCHASES NOTIFICATION

  ·       Enables merchant to be notified via e-mail every purchase made on web site.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: INVENTORY MANAGEMENT INTEGRATION

  ·       Integration of back-end to storefront. Allows inventory tracking.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: CLIENT DATABASE MANAGEMENT

  ·       Used to track site users and to make customized mailing list.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: INTEGRATED MAIL LIST

  ·       Ensures mail has chance of getting through the intended recipients
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: SEARCHABLE PRODUCT DATABASE

  ·       Enables a consumer to visit your site and search through your database of product listings. Necessary for shops with wide selections.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: THUMBNAIL IMAGE CAPABILITY

  ·       Enables small thumbnail images to be places next to listings
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: CUSTOMER E-MAIL NOTIFICATION

  ·       Automatically enables one to send e-mail directly after purchasing on your web.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: UNLIMITED AUTORESPONDERS

  ·       Customized e-mail notification with added features. Powerful internet marketing.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: SHIPPING & DELIVERY OPTIONS

  ·       Offering different shipment options to clients. Through variety of shipping & delivery options you can up-sell, utilizing different price points for different delivery periods.
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

  ·       Ensure service provider has excellent customer support
• STOREFRONT FEATURES: AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

  ·       Sends traffic your way (to your site), and you pay them only for paid customers.
• E-Business Levels:

  • E-business Level 1: Interactive Order Taking
  • E-business Level 2: Taking Electronic Payment
  • E-business Level 3: Storefront Selection & Payment Automation
  • E-business Level 4: Total Integration
• E-Business Level 1- Interactive Order Taking

  ·       Introductory level is the most basic form of conducting e-business. The ability to take orders/reservations through e-mail/online form on your Web site
• E-BUSINESS LEVEL 2- Taking Electronic Payment

  ·       Ability to accept payment for good & services online. Appropriate if you are selling products/services with a fixed price and inventory is not an issue.
• E-BUSINESS LEVEL 3- Storefront Selection & Payment Automation

  ·       Takes previous level (LEVEL 2) of e-business up a notch. Key is that inventory does not pose much of a problem in day-to-day operations. This e-business solution encompasses the use of an online stand-alone storefront, but the back end is not integrated with other systems in the business.
• E-BUSINESS LEVEL 4- Total Integration

  ·       Integration of your online business with all or some of your back-end systems. Enables business to operate like a well-oiled machine. Final and MOST COMPLEX level of e-business. Encompasses all the details of the previous e-business levels and much more.