First and foremost is a Product Catalog that presents the items you are selling. The construction of this catalog involves writing descriptions and probably taking photos and maybe drawing sketches or artists depictions of the products. It can be linked to the existing web site, integrated with it, or standalone. The web site might also include online Inventory System integration so that it supports quick shipping options. This feature can also be integrated but hidden from the public. The strategy for a retail business is significantly different than a manufacturer or distributor type of commerce. Obviously, there is an Ordering System often referred to as a shopping cart. Then there is the actual Purchasing System. If online, this can be linked to existing customer accounts or use credit card purchasing. The actual purchase, and sometimes the entire process, is protected in a secure environment that is usually facilitated by Secure Sockets Layer. The purchasing can also be linked to Shipping Systems that weigh and price the shipping cost and even UPS, FEDEX, etc. modules that allow after-sale package tracking. The Credit Card purchase can result in e-mail with the purchase information to be manually entered into the merchant's credit card link or it can be linked directly into a Banking System for automatically clearing and transferring the funds to complete the entire transaction. - Updated: December 24, 2002
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