Simple business........

[willmace]

I'm setting up a business selling drapes and the only variation between them would be the colour. There is only going to be 12 products all together and i can't see this increasing. So far i'm in contact with the wholesaler and would like to have an internet business set soon.

Can some one explain the simple steps i need to follow for instance:
1) Buy a domain,
2) Design the website........ who to regester with??

And does anyone know where i can buy a cheap template ready to sell with paypal ect?? does this exist

[DuaneJackson]

If you are looking at doing it on the cheap, then do a search for OSC (Open Source Commerce) or Zen Cart.

If you want to invest a couple of quid (which IMO is a better route) to have a more professional look and easier to manage and mantain web store, take a look at Open Mind Commerce. Go via our page (http://www.kashflow.co.uk/omc.asp) and you'll get a discount.

[willmace]

Thanks i'll have a look now

[DuaneJackson]

You should have a written plan of how you are going to start and run the business. This would then tell you what you need to be doing.

So you need to know how you're going to market your business to get customers.

If online, then you need to learn about adwords (or pay have the budget to pay someone else to do it). If offline then you need desings for flyers, printing quotes etc.

Yes, you'll need to register a domain. If you're not going for the cheap route in getting your site set up, then the company selling you a site/ecommerce software will be more than happy to help you out with this.

[willmace]

Is there a way for buying ready made templates that includes a domain name as my set up is going to be so simple...
All that is required is 12 pictures of the different products all with prices and then a system that allows people to pay through paypal...

Or would you say zen cart is easy to use if i bought a seperate domain??

Im basically looking for the cheapest and easiest way?

[DuaneJackson]

Try http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ready+made+templates+that+includes+a+doma in+name+