E-Commerce FAQs

  1. What is e-commerce?
  2. What do I need to create my own online ordering system?
  3. Can I use my “point-of-sale” merchant account for this?
  4. Are there any set up fees?
  5. What are my actual costs for each sale?
  6. Do I need good credit to get a merchant account?
  7. How long does it take money to reach my bank after a sale?
  8. To get started, what do I need to do?
  9. How long does it take to set up an online store?
  1. What is e-commerce?
    This is simply a word made from the term “electronic commerce”. It refers to any purchase done over the Internet where the buyer makes a purchase on a web site and the transaction is completed electronically. The product is then either shipped to the buyer, or downloaded immediately from the web site.
  2. What do I need to create my own online ordering system?
    You will need the following:
    a. Web site displaying products for sale
    b. Shopping Cart Software
    c. Internet Merchant Account
    d. Secure Certificate (this encrypts data before sending across the web)
    e. Domain name and web hosting to make web site available online
  3. Can I use my “point-of-sale” merchant account for this?
    No. The Internet requires special procedures in order to function, and thus a special Internet Merchant Account is needed.
  4. Are there any set up fees?
    No, there are no set up fees for Merchant Accounts with Profit Gate. Some banks do, however, charge set up fees of up to $500 or more for an Internet Merchant Account.
  5. What are my actual costs for each sale?
    You should figure about 3% plus $0.35 per transaction for an automated online ordering system. (There are also some small fees totaling about $20 per month.)
  6. Do I need good credit to get a merchant account?
    Not really. With average to good credit, you can get a Merchant Account anywhere. Profit Gate can get you an Internet Merchant Account, even if you have poor credit.
  7. How long does it take money to reach my bank after a sale?
    Generally, it takes from 3 to 5 days.
  8. To get started, what do I need to do?
    You will need to hire Profit Gate, or any trained, e-commerce experienced web programmer, to be in charge of setting all this up. It will require some of your time to guide the process. The more products involved, the more of your own time will be required. You will also need to fill out a form to apply for the Internet Merchant Account.
  9. How long does it take to set up an online store?
    To build the web site, install the shopping cart software, set up the Merchant Account, install a secure certificate, perform tests, and debug any problems – plan on about 4 to 6 week minimum. Then, there is the inputting of your product information and photos. This takes a few minutes per product.