Finding an ecommerce solution for your internet-based business
can be a complicated process because there are so many different
options. In order to set up an automated ordering system, which
is crucial by the way, you simply have to have an ecommerce
solution that enables visitors to your website to make a purchase
and pay for it without unnecessary hassles. If your ecommerce
solution is too complex or does not provide website visitors with
a variety of ways to make a payment, you will undoubtedly lose
sales. Another important aspect of an ecommerce solution is
security. Your customers must feel that it is safe and secure to
place an order online because otherwise, their personal
information and financial information could be jeopardized.If you plan to operate a successful ecommerce website, you simply
must have an ecommerce solution that enables you to accept credit
cards. Statistics repeatedly show that the ability to accept
credit cards increases sales. Once upon a time consumers were
timid about placing orders online using a credit card; however,
with improvement to ecommerce solutions including the
availability of encrypted SSL (Secure Socket Layer) which
provides security for web-based transactions, the fears of having
credit card information intercepted in transit have been
eliminated. An ecommerce solution should feature a secure server
which uses encryption to keep your customers’ personal
information and credit card numbers safe and secure so they don’t
have to be concerned about being subjected to fraud.There are a few basic ecommerce solution options for accepting
credit cards online. You can open a merchant account through your
bank, use an internet-based broker, use a fulfillment house to
process your orders, or use a third party merchant account
provider. Things to consider when choosing an ecommerce solution
for your merchant account are the monthly fees, the discount rate
(the percent you are charged per transaction), the ease and speed
of processing, and the method for accessing your money.You also should consider the types of cards your ecommerce
solution allows you to accept through your merchant account. The
major credit cards that you should accept include MasterCard,
Visa, American Express, and Discover. Since ecommerce enables you
to sell your products or services worldwide, an ecommerce
solution that empowers you to accept credit cards internationally
and in different currencies can also be important.Next to accepting credit cards through your ecommerce solution,
you may want to consider offering other payment options. Some
options to consider include the acceptance of PayPal payments,
debit cards, online checks, and digital cash. Of course, for
those who are still leery about ordering online, a toll free
phone number and a form for fax or mail orders should be provided
as an alternative to ordering online. At any rate, your ecommerce
solution should provide plenty of options to meet the unique
needs of every customer who may want to buy from your company and
the ecommerce solution should make the customers feel that
placing an order with you is completely free from risk.So, what is the best ecommerce solution for you? That is up to
you to decide. The features to compare before selecting an
ecommerce solution include:1. Security2. Cost3. Speed of processing4. Variety of options for the consumer5. Ability to access your moneyWhen you choose an ecommerce solution compare these features.
Keep in mind that your ecommerce solution simply must give your
customers a sense of security so they will have confidence when
placing an online order with your company. Also remember that
even though there are costs associated with accepting credit
cards, the increase in sales that your company experiences when
adding an ecommerce solution for accepting credit cards is well
worth the expense.
Choosing the Best eCommerce Solution
What Are The Greatest Changes In Shopping In Your Lifetime
What are the greatest changes in shopping in your lifetime? So asked my 9 year old grandson.
As I thought of the question the local Green Grocer came to mind. Because that is what the greatest change in shopping in my lifetime is.
That was the first place to start with the question of what are the greatest changes in shopping in your lifetime.
Our local green grocer was the most important change in shopping in my lifetime. Beside him was our butcher, a hairdresser and a chemist.
Looking back, we were well catered for as we had quite a few in our suburb. And yes, the greatest changes in shopping in my lifetime were with the small family owned businesses.
Entertainment While Shopping Has Changed
Buying butter was an entertainment in itself.
My sister and I often had to go to a favourite family grocer close by. We were always polite as we asked for a pound or two of butter and other small items.
Out came a big block of wet butter wrapped in grease-proof paper. Brought from the back of the shop, placed on a huge counter top and included two grooved pates.
That was a big change in our shopping in my lifetime… you don’t come across butter bashing nowadays.
Our old friendly Mr. Mahon with the moustache, would cut a square of butter. Lift it to another piece of greaseproof paper with his pates. On it went to the weighing scales, a bit sliced off or added here and there.
Our old grocer would then bash it with gusto, turning it over and over. Upside down and sideways it went, so that it had grooves from the pates, splashes going everywhere, including our faces.
My sister and I thought this was great fun and it always cracked us up. We loved it, as we loved Mahon’s, on the corner, our very favourite grocery shop.
Grocery Shopping
Further afield, we often had to go to another of my mother’s favourite, not so local, green grocer’s. Mr. McKessie, ( spelt phonetically) would take our list, gather the groceries and put them all in a big cardboard box.
And because we were good customers he always delivered them to our house free of charge. But he wasn’t nearly as much fun as old Mr. Mahon. Even so, he was a nice man.
All Things Fresh
So there were very many common services such as home deliveries like:
• Farm eggs
• Fresh vegetables
• Cow’s milk
• Freshly baked bread
• Coal for our open fires
Delivery Services
A man used to come to our house a couple of times a week with farm fresh eggs.
Another used to come every day with fresh vegetables, although my father loved growing his own.
Our milk, topped with beautiful cream, was delivered to our doorstep every single morning.
Unbelievably, come think of it now, our bread came to us in a huge van driven by our “bread-man” named Jerry who became a family friend.
My parents always invited Jerry and his wife to their parties, and there were many during the summer months. Kids and adults all thoroughly enjoyed these times. Alcohol was never included, my parents were teetotallers. Lemonade was a treat, with home made sandwiches and cakes.
The coal-man was another who delivered bags of coal for our open fires. I can still see his sooty face under his tweed cap but I can’t remember his name. We knew them all by name but most of them escape me now.
Mr. Higgins, a service man from the Hoover Company always came to our house to replace our old vacuum cleaner with an updated model.
Our insurance company even sent a man to collect the weekly premium.
People then only paid for their shopping with cash. This in itself has been a huge change in shopping in my lifetime.
In some department stores there was a system whereby the money from the cash registers was transported in a small cylinder on a moving wire track to the central office.
Some Of The Bigger Changes
Some of the bigger changes in shopping were the opening of supermarkets.
• Supermarkets replaced many individual smaller grocery shops. Cash and bank cheques have given way to credit and key cards.
• Internet shopping… the latest trend, but in many minds, doing more harm, to book shops.
• Not many written shopping lists, because mobile phones have taken over.
On a more optimistic note, I hear that book shops are popular again after a decline.
Personal Service Has Most Definitely Changed
So, no one really has to leave home, to purchase almost anything, technology makes it so easy to do online.
And we have a much bigger range of products now, to choose from, and credit cards have given us the greatest ease of payment.
We have longer shopping hours, and weekend shopping. But we have lost the personal service that we oldies had taken for granted and also appreciated.
Because of their frenetic lifestyles, I have heard people say they find shopping very stressful, that is grocery shopping. I’m sure it is when you have to dash home and cook dinner after a days work. I often think there has to be a better, less stressful way.
My mother had the best of both worlds, in the services she had at her disposal. With a full time job looking after 9 people, 7 children plus her and my dad, she was very lucky. Lucky too that she did not have 2 jobs.
Mother and Baby Skin Care Methods That Work
Beautiful skin is important for every person, because it is what people see when they look at you. Skin care for women is different than that of men and children. In women, their skin care applies differently at different stages in their life. Babies on the other hand have a delicate skin and they require special attention. Baby skin care is the most important part of its entire health. Their skin is gentle and must be well taken care of. Thus, understanding mother and baby skin care methods that work is important in ensuring beautiful skin for both mother and child.Baby’s Skin Care MethodsThere are various baby skin products on the market. These products are special and take good care of baby skin. Baby skin is delicate and so baby clothes must be laundered in special detergent to prevent skin irritation. Care should also be given to the baby’s head, as it is very delicate. Make use of baby shampoo when giving the baby a bath. Natural baby products are the best since they contain no harsh chemicals. Do not expose the baby’s skin to the noon sun as it will burn the baby. However, the morning sun is a good supplement for vitamin D.Mother’s Skin Care MethodsIn order for the mother to have great skin, she must ensure that she limits her salt intake so that she does not suffer water retention. This will lead to her skin becoming bloated. The mother must avoid skin irritations, ingrown hairs and cuts. It is recommended that mothers take a lot of water, at least 8cups a day. Exercise is also recommended if you want to have that beautiful skin. The exercise must be kept regular, so as to tone your skin.Moisturizing the skin is a must. Please make it a habit to moisturize your skin often. Dry skin tends to get sun burnt easily, so moisturize the skin as often as you can. You can also buy moisturizing towels; they are easy to carry and very convenient.Mothers should cleanse their face regularly, especially in the morning and at night before going to bed. If you have oily skin then soap is good for you. There are various moisturizers and cleansers depending on one’s skin type.Gentle exfoliating once a week is also important for mothers.Benefits of the Skin Care Methods- With a good skin care regiment both the mother and baby will have smooth skin that is soft and supple.- Good skin care ensures mother and baby have glowing, radiant skin.- Skin care gives mother and baby firm skin.- Moisturizing prevents sunburn from the UV rays of the sun and replenishes skin.- Cleansing opens up the skin pores and that aids in eliminating skin wastes.- Promotes healthy looking skin.- Scrubbing helps in the exfoliation which gets rid of dead skin cells.It is imperative for the mother to invest in good skin products for herself and the baby. There are many skin care products available on the market with a range of prices. However, it is recommended to invest in good natural products for the baby.