There is no need to panic if Web 2.0 expectations, along with the other "how to" etailing logistics, are making you second guess your plans to build a virtual store. There is good news! There are reasonably priced ways for you to outsource (purchase) most of the technical components of your etail business. Companies that offer these services offer a wide range of products, so first you need to make a few decisions about what you want. Focus on the clientele you want to attract and what you know about them. Then, search the web for competing sites that offer a similar product or service.

Click here to open and print a Site Questionnaire. Then click on the "Learn and Interact" icon to conduct a search for etail sites that provide an example of what you hope to create. Be very specific with your search keywords. Keywords are part of what enables customers to find your site. Having trouble finding good examples of competitor sites? Check SEMRush - there you can find a list of top competitors, as well as which keywords they are using.

Have you got a little clearer vision of what you would like to see in your etail site?  The decisions continue... Will you use a template-type of etail site? Will you outsource the development and details? Will you do it yourself? Begin answering those questions as we move through the three main options to consider when designing your etail site.