E-commerce Development

For people who are thinking of going into business for themselves, an e-commerce business is a logical decision for both part-time and full-time endeavors.

However, designing your own Web site, along with adding the payment tools and security software, is a tough task for people who do not hold a degree in computer science. Web development firms are available to help those who do not know how to build their e-commerce Web site on their own.

Santa Cruz Web Design is one company intended to help with Web design. Founded in 1997 by CEO David Wear, Santa Cruz Web Design's e-commerce clients include a jeweler, a cookie company, a chocolatier, a cat furniture store and a molecular device store. Among the services that Santa Cruz provides include planning and management of the site, interface, banner ad, navigation design, user testing and graphic design.

Santa Cruz works with both HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and XHTML (eXtensible Markup Language, also known as XML). It partners with iKorb, Got.net, VeriSign, Thawte and Network Solutions.

After the customer's Web site is launched, Santa Cruz provides Web maintenance and periodic content updates so improvements can continually be made. Santa Cruz Web Design provides contact information for prospective clients who want additional information about creating their own Web site.

Another Web site aiding in e-commerce development is Buyerzone.com. After administering an online quote request, Buyerzone can help companies struggling to establish their names in e-commerce. According to USA Today, Buyerzone, founded in 1992, has one million users, 7,000 active sellers and 50,000 quote requests per month.

For e-commerce novices who want to read up on using the Internet as a marketplace, VeriSign, which can be considered the most recognized name in online payment, provides a primer for e-commerce rookies to brush up on their knowledge before starting the Web development process.

One tool VeriSign provides is information about Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. According to VeriSign, SSL "secures your Web site by encrypting information and providing authentication."

VeriSign says SSL is necessary for online ordering and credit card payment, logging onto an extranet or intranet site to access confidential information, and to process information such as identification numbers dates of birth, addresses or license numbers. According to VeriSign, 93 percent of Fortune 500 companies and the world's 40 largest banks trust VeriSign for their Internet security needs.

A well designed and structurally secure Web site can result in a profitable entrepreneurial business. Having the knowledge, tools and the right technical assistance can make the dream of a successful e-commerce business a reality.


Sources:
Santa Cruz Web Design. David Wear-Chief Executive Officer. Copyright 2003. Santa Cruz Web Design. October 2, 2006. http://www.santacruzwebdesign.com/
Graham, Ian. "Introduction to HTML." University of Toronto. January 5, 1998. Copyright 1998. Ian Graham. October 2, 2006. http://www.utoronto.ca/webdocs/HTMLdocs/NewHTML/ht ml_intro.html
Graham, Ian. "What is XHTML?" University of Toronto. January 31, 2000. Copyright 1998. Ian Graham. October 2, 2006. http://www.utoronto.ca/webdocs/HTMLdocs/NewHTML/xh tml.html
BuyerZone.com. "Compare E-Commerce Web Design Price Quotes." Copyright 2006. BuyerZone.com, Inc. October 2, 2006. http://www.buyerzone.com/internet/ecommerce/qz_que stions_724c.jhtml?_requestid=403342
VeriSign. "Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): How It Works." Copyright 2006. VeriSign, Inc. October 2, 2006.
http://www.verisign.com/ssl/ssl-information-cent er/how-ssl-security-works/index.html