Shopping Cart Website Start-Up Checklist

Below is a simple checklist that one should review prior to proceeding with an online website store. These are merely suggestions, we are certain entire books have been written on any single item and you should completely research each item.

• What are you going to sell?
• Price is the single item that can make or break your success.  Can you make money? What will you make at a 20% markup versus a 25% (versus whatever mark up)? Create a performa spreadsheet.  This will reflect different scenarios for income from the business.  It should reflect all expenses and margins.
• Pick a name for the Business and Website (search internet, domain site, state records)
• Check out the web sites of the competition. Check out to see what appeals to you, what you like/dislike types of products, #of products, shipping issues, set up, etc.
• Research tax situation with Accountant. Check into local sales taxes issues with internet sales.
• Set up Company; either LLC, Corporation, Chapter “S” Corporation, Partnership.
• Get Federal TIN
• Get State TIN
• Register with State; get reseller certificate
• Set up Bank account
• Which credit cards are you going to take?  For credit card processing set up Merchant account (PayPal, Authorize.net)
• Research Shipping options; decide on USPS, UPS, Fedx or DHL or combo
• Register with wholesaler as reseller
• Order boxes and envelopes, the Post Office offers free materials for “Priority Mail” items.
• Buy boxes for Fedx, UPS, DHL shipping
• Buy tape, labels
• Establish shipping and return policy.