How to launch an online shop?

»Internet auctions or own shop?

Internet auctions give the possibility to run a shop with low fixed costs for complete beginners in the e-commerce activity. Sales within the popular Internet auction serve as a good starting point in the business activity for anyone who lacks courage and experience needed for the investment in own e-shop. In fact, many owners of the popular shops have started their e-business activity taking full advantage of Internet auctions. Running an e-shop should be treated as target activity, whereas Internet auctions as a mere training in e-sales.

»What is needed to open an e-shop?

The most important is to get acquainted with the Internet functioning and rules and regulations of e-commerce. From the technical site, the opening of an e-shop is connected with the choice of:

• reliable host services provider (i.e. virtual server on which your e-shop software will be installed);
• domain, i.e. the Internet address of your shop;
• specialist software that would support your shop;
• a company, that would be responsible for complex sales system implementation and its future development and service.

Moreover, if you want your shop to be attracted to customers, it should be given proper publicity. Therefore, it is advisable to:

• index and place it properly in the search engines;
• place the advertisement in popular portals and content-related websites.

A sensibly chosen coordinator, server, domain, software, positioning in search engine service as well as a good concept for sales are key to success of your shop in the foreseeable future.

»Is it advisable to have more than one address for an e-shop. Is it expensive?

An e-shop address (i.e. domain that makes the shop visible on the Internet) serves as an identification tool. Therefore, it should be associated with the given business and product line. The best addresses are those which are the easiest to remember.

It is possible to reach an e-shop via many addressees of independent index. Nowadays, Internet domains are rather cheap. Annual license fee accounts for as much as few dozen zlotys. However, it is quite difficult to buy attractive domain as the majority of the most popular addresses are booked in advance and their repurchase from the agent may turn out to be very expensive.

»What are the benefits of having more than one address?

As each Internet address can be individually indexed and advertised, having more than one address contributes to fact that the shop will be visited by more customers.

»What addresses are the best for an e-shop?

The best addresses are those comprising key words for the given business line. Please notice that, it is better to buy domain in the native language rather than that which could be understood only by some customers. Domains that explicitly identify the offered products are good advertisement for the product line itself.

»Dedicated e-shop or universal one?

Each implementation of an e-shop should be preceded by the analysis. Dedicated solutions are recommended for those who are convinced about the sales on the Internet, have strategic plans of system?s development and are open to publicity. If the abovementioned conditions are not met, then those e-commerce systems are recommended which are generally accessible and free of charge.

The design process of e-shops supported by EPRO takes place irrespective of the system?s functionality. E-shops based on the universal system serve their purpose in the same way as those to which the most individual, dedicated solutions have been applied.

»How to get acquainted with demo shop?

An important step in the process of software selection is trying out all possible systems in the form of demo shop. Although many producers boast about the intuitiveness and ergonomics, still it is recommended to verify systems on your own.

You can visit a demo eproSHOP under www.eproshop.com.pl. Here you can also find the information about the access to administrative panel supporting our e-shops.

What are the costs?

»How expensive is e-shop project?

The software costs of some thousand zlotys seem to be relatively low in comparison to the costs to be incurred for promotion and advertisements of professionally functioning e-shop.

»Do I have any costs options while buying eproSHOP software?

Completion of an intermediate e-shop takes for the team consisting of some specialists usually from three to six weeks of work. One should take into account the delays caused by external factors, long negotiations with contractors and lack of indispensable information.

It seems that some thousand zlotys is reasonable price for the complex system's implementation. If someone offers the service at significantly lower price, it is recommendable to ask about the extent of works as well as post-sale service.

One should remember that the software is the pillar supporting the whole shop on the Internet (similar to premises of traditional shop). Therefore, a reliable technical background is indispensable for reaching aims in complex business reality. Launching professional shop supported by free of charge applications is like the flight over the ocean without enough fuel. It seems to be doomed to failure.

The average net cost of dedicated software design, its implementation onto server and possible integration accounts for as much as 3000 EUR.

The biggest shops are the easiest.

»What other costs do I have to incur apart from eproSHOP software purchase?

Before launching an e-shop one should buy:

• virtual server (100 - 200 EUR net per year),
• domain (20 - 50 EUR net per year).

Additionaly, at one’s own discretion:

• positioning in search engine service (from 100 EUR per month),
• on-line advertisement (from a few hundred to a dozen or so thousand EUR per month).

On purchasing software by EPRO, there are no hidden costs. We do not charge any fixed fees.

»Do I have to pay commission for the number of items in the shop or for the sold items?

There are no hidden costs of software created by EPRO. We do not charge any fixed fees related to the software use.

• No subscription fees.
• No commission.
• No limits to the size of the offer.

»Can I lease EPRO e-shop software?

We design dedicated e-commerce systems according to the needs of the client. We are not in favour of template solutions universal for each branch. That is why we do not lease software.

Leased e-shops have many limits as to the number of offered items, the number of displays and functionalities.

The abovementioned facts indicate that the software leasing does not have to be more beneficial than its purchase.

How to create an online shop?

»What should I do to launch an e-shop supported by EPRO?

Decision about cooperation with EPRO is related to signing the agreement for software design as well as license agreement. As an attachment to software design agreement we enclose previously prepared together with client specification of software design.

»How does the process of software design look? Can I participate in it?

After preparing specification of the given project and going through all accompanying formalities, the course of software design is as follows:

• preparing one or two graphic projects ? 7 working days,
• the choice of the target projects (making corrections to the project) - 7 working days,
• software design according to the previously established specification ( minimum 14 working days depending on the functional advancement of the designed system),
• software tests by client,
• implementation onto client?s target server.

»Do I have to pay for everything in advance or can I pay in installments?

We do not sell on hire purchase, however, software design proceeds in some payment-related steps:

• First instalment ? on the signing the agreement for software desig,
• Second instalment ? before software testing,
• Third instalment ? before implementation onto the target server of the client.

»How long does it take to prepare dedicated eproSHOP software design?

The process of software design is usually completed within 21 working days depending on the advancement of the system. The design process takes place in two stages: image creation and visual and functional shop design together with implementation.

»When do I have to pay for the dedicated eproSHOP software design?

In case of the advanced projects, their costs may be spread out in some installments. The last payment should be made after system testing (testing by client, making possible corrections and suggestions).

»Do I have the influence on the e-shop design?

Yes. We carry out the graphic projects taking into account guidelines of the client who accepts the final image of the shop. Graphic projects are modified till getting complete satisfaction by the client.

How to improve my online shop?

»What should I do when my shop does not work properly and I can not identify the cause?

When the system does not work properly in the administrative panel or at the customer?s site, please inform EPRO about this fact. Our specialists are to help you in so called ?emergency situations? 24/7. Please use alarm phone you can find in the client menu.

»What should I do to start selling?

We do not have universal recipe for sales. However, we can give you some tips:

• place your shop,
• choose aimed customers and identify their preferences,
• advertise effectively, namely there, where you can meet your customer,
• check if your aimed recipient is fond of your offer in the shop,
• examine the competition,
• apply reasonable prices,
• take care of the quality of customer service,
• build your brand on the Internet,
• apply paid advertisement, in case you are ready for it.

»I would like to invest in advertising. Will an e-shop withstand high frequency of visits?

Each sales system by EPRO, is created taking into account sales plans of the client. We guarantee efficient system work during even very intensive advertising campaign.

»I received an interesting hosting offer. Is it recommended to transfer shop onto different server?

In the field of hosting services we recommend our trustworthy partners. The server may be changed because of more tempting prices, however one should bear in mind that the offer is not always compatible with the quality of offered services.

We recommend the partner not only because of good offer, but also proven quality of services and reliability of servers. In case of failure, the change of server will cause more losses than profits (both financial and marketing related).

System development

»Can I count on your help and advice after completion the works on my e-shop?

Our cooperation does not end after completing the project and its implementation. With the pleasure we accept single freelancing as well as we will offer you guarantee and post-guarantee service.

»Is there a possibility to develop an e-shop software in the future?

Yes. eproSHOP system is our own solution that we can always develop in the given direction.

»Is there a possiblility to integrate a running e-shop with the shopping mall and systems of payment?

As eproSHOP is our own solution, its integration with any external system is always feasible.