Entry level E-Commerce ( a static site with a payment Option)

E-commerce is a universal term but what's problematic is that e-commerce comes in two basic flavors, each with it's own nuances, liabilities, abilities, and costs.

It comes down to two kinds of scope for E-commerce sites:

  1. entry level (static web page with external payment processing like paypal)
  2. full fledged e-commerce (interactive, shopping cart, management, database, secure payment, high volume sales)

Security and database management are the two many issues that determine whether the site can be a static site with a single product linked to a secure method of payment like paypal, or if the site will be more extensive.

By this I mean count on a deep budget if you NEED a payment gateway (that's the interface between the shopping cart and payment processing), a system for tracking inventory, orders and sales, and security (which can not be overemphasized).

Note: Full Fledged E-Commerce site budgets range enormously, based on reputation and perceived quality of services, and scale of the project.

E-Commerce

Here are a few links that dig deeper.

  1. Entry Level: static web page (order form) Payment methods:
    1. Paypal Instructions
    2. Google Instructions
    3. Amazon Instructions
  2. Full Fledged e-commerce / Basic things you should know:
    1. E-commerce - quickguide
    2. Management Help