Online Stores - Shopping Carts
What's needed to make one work?
Most companies will only tell you about step one below and then spring the rest on you later. Basically, there are four aspects to launching a store and we like to make sure you are aware of them all:
1. Cart software- We like to use OS Commerce or Zen Cart, but have used other Aps too- These are full CMS systems, allowing your staff to manage inventory, specials etc. Cost of installing and customizing layout to brand/match rest of website is from $650 - $2.200.
2. Cart setup and product loading- This means setting up shipping, taxes and loading inventory: Can be all or part done by your staff or we can do it for you. 90% of our clients have at least start this part. Price varies depending on tax/shipping complexity and amount of inventory and product preparations (photos ready, etc), etc. Price negotiable.
3. Online connection and launch of the store- Requires an annual SSL Cert for security, a gateway account and a merchant account. The merchant and gateway accounts are purchased by the client. Your staff can set this all up too, but most clients have us hook all this up. We have a partnership with a merchant company in Burlingame called MSNI who offer these products at a great price. We use them ourselves. Online application is here: http://www.ko-websites.com/merchant_acount.php Fees run from $35-$75/Mo. depending if you need international transaction. Cost to have KO hook all this up and manage the transition is about negotiable. MSNI clients get a 50% discount.
4. Lastly, there is hosting the store and maintain security updates. We add a Fee/Per year to our regular hosting fee. This gives you the extra space for inventory/products on the server and we take care of security updates that come out about two times a year to keep your cart safe. We also provide continued phone support for 'how do I's...' for our hosting clients.
Naturally, we would put a package price together once we understand your needs better.
Learn more about our online merchant account solutions and programs by calling us at 510-276-9902 or toll FREE at 1-866-797-KOKO, or contact us via our online contact form — or better yet get started now by filling out our Online Merchant Application here.