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16 Jan 2001, France
Dear Dr. Ecommerce:
I would like to create a commercial activity on the Internet. Could you tell me the basic things to know about the creation of this kind of commerce?
NuNu
Dear NuNu:
You need to know
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the basics of running a business, including such boring but critical issues as cashflow, bookkeeping, basic business law, pricing, etc.
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about the special aspects of your business and product. For example, if you are selling cameras, you need to understand cameras, the camera market, what kind of cameras will suit what kind of customers (a professional photographer will have very different needs to a someone who wants to take snapshots on family holidays), etc.
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how to source your products if you are selling a product. To stick with the camera example, you need to be able to buy cameras wholesale to sell retail.
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the basics of on-line selling, marketing and transactions. Developing a web site is not enough. You need to promote the web site so prospective customers can find it. If you are selling numerous products, you need some kind of 'shopping cart' system that allows customers to collect items from your on-line catalogue and pay for them.
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how to distribute your products (if you are selling products)
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legal aspects of selling your products
There are so many kinds of commercial activities on the Internet, that there is no one way to do all of them on the net. It really depends on what you want to do. And, the most important thing, is to understand your commercial activity. After all, that is what you are selling
Good luck,
Dr. Ecommerce