The essential areas to consider when building an e-commerce solution are:

The customer's perception

Style, visuals, navigation, content

• Is the site easy to use?
• Does it work?
• Can a customer end up in a "cul de sac" - expecting to see products but not finding them in the right size, right specification

Is it safe?

• Are their details held in a secure environment?
• Are credit card details held encrypted (as well as collected encrypted)
• Is security made clear to the visitor?

Can you Manage it?

The Catalogue

Your on line stock system - catalogues, product information, availability, delivery information

• How will you update it?
• Will it integrate with your stock control system?
• Will it draw customer information from your sales ledger?

The back office

Payment, order management and delivery, customer service, query tracking,

• Do you have to re-key orders into your business systems?
• Do you have to re-key prospect enquiries into your contact management or Customer relationship management system?
• For credit card payment is on line authorisation available?

Why are you doing this?

The Management

Measuring, planning and managing the on line store

• Why are we doing this?
• What will the initial investment requirement be?
• Who is going to maintain the system and how much will it cost?
• What reporting will be available from the store and/or my accounting system?

Whether you are selling goods or services to consumers or other businesses you would be wise to consider all of these areas.

To be successful you must find your customers, get them in to view your products or services, make it as easy and enjoyable and rewarding as possible for them to use it. And last, but not least, make sure that they pay for it and you deliver it.

If you are selling a service then you will be seeking to demonstrate that service, negotiate terms, timescales and delivery schedules. You may well wish to show them case studies and provide detailed information on why and how you are different.

In all cases you still need to consider the above ingredients, but the approach will vary.