The problem presented was that the company had no experience in setting up an online store, hence the idea of a thesis. The thesis is about the establishment of an online store for the soon-to-be-established company URC.
Thesis Objectives
Thesis Topic and Scope
Segments of research done have benefited the author to understand how domains are managed and how to build certain elements of the web store. "The Internet provides easy, quick access to important information." (Allen 2001, 22). A new survey reported by the Financial Times states that "The recession has prompted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase their online presence as they seek to cut operating costs and use marketing budgets more efficiently." The cost of outsourcing a design is expensive, but building it yourself is not.
International Aspect
Project Stages
Action Plan
The form allows the builder to enter the most relevant and specific details into the form and allows a clearer picture of what is needed for the design process. In addition, a theoretical frame of reference is required to understand the concepts behind the store.
Digital Economy and E-Commerce
E-Business Models
There are different types of revenue models, but for the URC webshop the author uses the Sales model and the Advertising cost model. Advertising fees are a useful source of income for the web store as the URC web store would generate revenue by allowing other businesses to advertise on the web store.
E-Feedback and Social Media
Web Design Strategies
Allen says that “companies that add technology to their processes are achieving quantum leaps in productivity, leaps that competitors struggle to achieve. A customer may request a product or service that the store does not offer, and a feature or features that can meet a custom need will add value to the customer. Joel says, “When it comes to design advice, your overall goal is always to provide an easy and clear experience for your customers to interact with you.
The main design aspect for any designer is to keep the web store simple and professional, but again this varies on the target market.
Technology Strategy
One of the main technologies that will be implemented in the URC web store is the use of digital newsletters to promote the store, business and products. This service will be implemented to stay in touch, keep informed and encourage purchases from target customers. One of the most popular ways for online stores to achieve this is to publish their newsletter, which.
Virtual Organisation
Marketing to the needs and wants of the target market by offering valuable products enhances the image of the enterprise and ultimately creates brand loyalty.
Online Payment Methods
PayPal Addendum
PayPal is a commonly used payment method for online purchases, but for those readers who don't know what PayPal is, a brief introduction about PayPal is included.
Logistics
The main goal was to design a functional, basic webshop model to present to VGK. If there were more members designing the web store, each would have their own set of goals. VGK must provide the information and the requirements of the web store and the builder must design the store according to the requirements.
VGK would like to increase in home experience and felt that this project would be beneficial to the company as it would show new hires what kind of web store they need and look for. This need also comes at a later time of store operation as the need arises to maintain the web store. If the company does not learn from the experience, the maintenance will be difficult and may lead to the termination of the webshop.
More training is required, but if a basic model web store was created, then simply maintaining it and managing the content from the store would not be too much of a problem and would be more cost effective.
Creating the Web Store Introduction
Objectives must be set early in the planning stage and these objectives must be implemented. If internal staff are responsible for the webshop, further development and content management will go much faster. A third option is to use online website builders like what was used with the VGK web store.
Once the online store is designed, it is necessary to implement domain redirection to the DNS address that was provided. There are two options for use; point the domain to the specified address or upload the online store files to the domain. Finishing touches Once the steps are complete, visit the online store and make a purchase to ensure.
Second a wireframe of the online store was created and later filled in with details and finally the store was finalized.
Creating the Web Store
Start with a blank page or a template
Get friends and family who can ghost buy to ensure the store functions as it should. With the above matrix in mind, it must be stated that this was the method that the author thought was the most logical way to progress. The figure above is the first page of the webshop created after editing.
If the customer wants to make a purchase, they simply click on the 'Add to Cart' button. As this checkout is designed for PayPal, a click on 'checkout' will redirect the customer to PayPal's website, where the customer fills in their information and the order is placed. If the customer does not have a PayPal account, they can create the account on the main page of the website.
Please note that this is an example webshop; not all features are available and the overall web store is limited.
Redirecting to the domain
Once selected, a new window will open showing a username and password that can access the settings of the domain. If unsure about this contact the domain provider and request them to make the necessary changes. If you use an intermediary such as www.wix.com, www.wix.com can send an email to the domain provider with all the settings needed to designate the domain.
Note that this screenshot has been censored so as not to compromise the security of the domain. In this field, enter the www.wix.com site address provided by www.wix.com when the site was published. The changes will not be applied immediately, but after an hour the settings should be applied.
Finishing Touches
While this is expensive, visibility increases drastically and payment only occurs when the link to the online store is resolved. This is a functional tool because email accounts can be created where reviews can be received from store customers. At the current stage, the online store is in its most basic form and only supports PayPal payments.
Since the webshop is mainly aimed at Finnish consumers, the language needs to be changed. Amazon.com has an online store localized in most languages and countries, but customers can still make purchases in English from their main store. During the start-up phase of the webshop, feedback and visibility are the most important aspects of the store.
Customer feedback is important because in-store improvements can be applied according to customers' wants and needs.
Feedback from Web Store
Customers of local online stores do not pay with PayPal, so payment services must include localized payment methods. Localize content and products instead of having a store version and use a geocentric approach. Implementing feedback and communicating customer benefits earns customer trust, support, and above all, loyalty.
Using social media as an advertising tool is more convenient and cheaper for internet startups. According to the sample above, the overall site was nice and simple, however it was expected that there is still work to be done on the webshop. The feedback given will greatly influence the overall outcome of the final design and features of the store.
Further Development
However the customer can contact the business and ask for advice on what type of components they should buy and what was best for the customer. Feedback is essential to the store's survival, and the company wanted users to understand that their input to the store means better quality products, services, and overall product portfolio. The company wants its customers to tell what is wrong or what can be improved so that the company can make these improvements to better suit the customer.
Being a virtual organization also means that the business must keep technology at a high level to ensure that the flow of information is efficient and that all services are delivered at the fastest pace. It is essential to provide the customer with peace of mind because if a user feels comfortable with the store, they will make repeat purchases and use word of mouth to promote the business. The sharing of information was also crucial as the business made clear what it required and how it was required.
The online store is built on demand and is a basic template that can be used to sell to customers.
Future Topics from the Thesis
URC stated that the target market was middle income earners who had some knowledge of computer components. Virtual businesses benefit from having access to more resources and can grow at a sustainable pace. They have the advantage that they are born global at the start, so they reach more customers at the start than a traditional store.
Security plays a colossal role in virtual stores as customers are always concerned that their information may be stolen or misused. The technology used was the latest Adobe Flash player and the technology behind the wix.com site.
URC
