SSL is one of the most widely used tools for website security.  Short for Secure Sockets Layer, SSL is a protocol that protects transactions between the buyer and seller with a cryptographic technology known as encryption.  Anyone who sells products or services online is required to implement SSL or higher for security.  This is why you see online services such as PayPal and various e-commerce sites with security seals representing that they are protected by SSL encryption.

Shared vs. Private

Most e-commerce hosting companies provide their customers with shared SSL certificates.  This basically means that a company purchases their own private SSL certificate, and shares it with all customers residing on its server.  While this does not mean that your site is lacking in security, it can be make potential customers very suspicious.  When someone visits your site and checks for an SSL certificate, they will see that the certificate is owned by the web hosting company.  This could either cause the visitor to question your credibility, or conclude that your site has been compromised by a hacker.  You have to keep in mind that many consumers have no idea about web hosting, what company provides you with service, or the difference between shared and private SSL.

Although a private SSL certificate isn’t exactly cheap, it can be very advantageous for your online store and web presence.  Once you purchase it from a CA (Certificate Authority), the certificate is yours and yours alone.  Now when potential customers visit your site, they will see that you own the certificate, giving them reassurance and the confidence they need to feel safe when shopping on your site.  There are fewer questions about whether your website is secure and no questions about who owns the certificate.  And because it requires a dedicated IP address, you can ensure that you do not endure penalties as a result of sharing a server with spammers that cause trouble for the shared IP.

Summary

Almost all web hosting companies that specialize in e-commerce solutions offer support for private SSL certificates.  As we mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with the shared variety, but having your own certificate can work wonders for your credibility.  It could be considered a small investment that shows your audience that you are a serious business owner who can be depended on.  Rewards for this investment could be customer loyalty and long-term profits.

Easy Item and Category Management

It is important to know that e-commerce systems range from simple shopping carts to fully integrated solutions that can help you build an entire website.  While the functionality you require all depends on individual needs, features like image resizing, comprehensive listings and the ability to copy those listings to multiple categories will make it much easier to get your storefront up and running.  Another useful capability comes from integration features that allow you to import product listings from an existing store into your new setup.  For example, you have some programs that let you import product listings from your current store, a spreadsheet or the location of your choosing.

Extensive Customization

The last thing you want is an online storefront that looks just like what everyone else has.  This is when an e-commerce software package that offers customization comes in handy.  There are some applications that allow to customize your store through a variety of pre-designed templates.  Others allow you to use development technologies such as HTML, CSS and PHP to change the look and feel of your store.  These programs generally require that you have a certain level of technical skills in order to make the modifications.  In either scenario, an e-commerce solution that enables customization can help to ensure you have an online store that is uniquely your own.

Integrated Shipping Calculators

The ideal e-commerce software will not only calculate your order totals, but also accurately calculate the shipping and handling charges associated with those orders.  To ensure flexibility, you may want to opt for something that gives you multiple ways to determine shipping.  For example, you may choose to charge for shipping based on the total of the order, or do so based on the weight of the item.  Another consideration that deserves attention is making commonly used shipping channels such as UPS, USPS and FedEx available to your customers.

Not all e-commerce software is created equal.  Then again, neither is every storefront.  Online stores differ greatly and so do the individual requirements of the merchants who maintain them.  Regardless of how feature-rich and powerful it may be, there is no single program that makes the perfect solution for everyone.  It is all about accessing your needs and understanding what it takes for your business to be successful.  One of the best approaches you can take is evaluating a few products, determining their value, and then selecting one that best suits your requirements.

What is Microsoft Dynamics RMS?

Microsoft Dynamics RMS is a software product that provides a robust, yet intuitive interface for administering all the business related needs of an online retailer.  It allows you to manage everything from point-of-sale systems to the centralized controlling of the multiple storefronts that make up your business.  Offering a built-in web integration tool, the software can easily be integrated with e-commerce shopping carts scripted in ASP.  When coupled with such a shopping cart, the extensive features of Microsoft Dynamics RMS allows you to leverage real-time data from your retail system to ensure that your customers are always up to date with the most recent products and services.

Designing Your Storefront

The design of your store is critical when integrating a shopping cart with your retail management solution.  You may want to start out with a simple design and then make gradual upgrades as the demands of you and your customers increase.  Furthermore, take careful consideration to the overall presentation of your store and how it might appeal to potential customers.  For example, if you sell teens apparel or ring tones, you may want to choose a fun design targeting younger customers.  If you specialize in services and solutions geared towards IT professionals, it would probably be best to do away with all the flair and opt for something more professional.  Whatever you decide, find yourself an e-commerce system that can deliver the extensive customization options you need to support various types of stores.

After getting your shopping cart and all the associated features together, it is time to integrate your store with the Microsoft Dynamics RMS software by using the integrator tool.  Once this process has been completed, the data from your retail management system will be automatically synchronized with your online store.  From here, you can access the administrative panel of your shopping cart and then make whatever changes that need to be made in regard to products, services or features.

Market Your Store

Just having a beautiful online store integrated with a dynamic retail management system will not make you an instant success.  In order to attract new customers, you will have to take a proactive approach and promote your store as you would any other business orientated site.  Therefore, you need to make sure your shopping cart offers search engine-friendly features that help you make the most of your keywords, URLs and meta tags.  Microsoft Dynamics RMS can provide the streamlined management facility you need to make an impact, but it is up to you to make your online store a success.