It’s amazing how many people invest in e-commerce websites without a basic understanding of how the Internet or e-commerce works. Your website is an investment and in order to get the highest ROI you need to understand some basic principles.

Allow this analogy. Your automobile is a major purchase. Before making that purchase you research the model and make, the dealer, and any variables of purchase you deem important (i.e. mpg, power features, gps). Although you know the basic driving knowledge that allows you to leave the lot, there is a small learning curve where you often have to refer to your manual to understand the specifics of your particular model. How do you set the time? How does the radio work? What does that blinking light signify? Some people will know how to change the oil; others will go to a service provider for that. However, all know that the oil needs to be changed if the engine is to continue working.

Now, I’m not in anyway suggesting that you have to know every detail of how your car is put together or you need to visit the factory and interrogate the workers. Nevertheless, let’s admit that there is a long time familiarity of cars and maintenance upon which drivers rely.

What’s more, when you leave the lot you realize that your car has begun depreciating. You also know that to get maximum performance you’re going to have to make further fiduciary commitments like insurance, gas and regularly scheduled maintenance.

You’re willing to make this investment in time and money. In return, you receive a vehicle that will take you from point A to point B, safely and securely.

 Your e-commerce website is likewise an investment. However, unlike a vehicle you’re expecting this investment to appreciate while also keeping your data safe and secure. Yet, somehow, people work under the assumption that they simply have to have an Internet-based idea and pay a web design and development team to create it and the money pours in.

It simply doesn’t work that way. An e-commerce website is an investment that also requires a basic understanding. Realize that automobiles have been around for over a hundred years, while the Internet is relatively new. Therefore, the body of knowledge available to your is vastly decreased. Too often, clients approach their websites as they believe their dream user will with no consideration of actually delivery or understanding of web conventions.

Often what a client believes to be unique and innovative is simply imitative or not appropriate to how we know the Internet and users interact. They are making decisions based upon a very small working knowledge of the Internet. But, before you research your web team you should research your actual product. It’s important to understand current industry standards and conventions.

It’s equally important that you research your web team and determine if they have the experience to guide you though the web development process. You should choose a web development company upon your Internet industry criteria.

It’s also essential that you understand the web is a medium of compromise. Because technology has advanced so quickly, it’s often difficult to differentiate between different user based interactions. Too often, clients approach us with an outline better suited to the controlled environment of a video game then a website. Websites are incredibly flexible. This inherent flexibility includes the ability to work on multiple platforms and allows users to set certain criteria. Therefore, if you have an extremely focused idea of user experience, dismiss it. Your website will work they way it’s supposed to that it is based on user needs and desires.

While there are some web-based technologies that better control user experience the compromise is that your site becomes more restrictive and generally less appealing. When it comes to creating a profit driven e-commerce website, the user is always right. Therefore, your research should also include how users actually interact with websites. Of course, your web development team is critical in refining this aspect; however, be prepared to present specific URLs whose functionality is similar to what you are seeking to implement.

Likewise, security is an important feature of e-commerce websites. While your web team will help you understand and implement security features, it’s important to have a basic working knowledge of security concerns and features as ultimately you’re responsible for this information.

You also need to consider payment. While this is a consideration of security, it is a separate issue. Before development can begin, you will need to know how you will accept payment. While your web site team can guide in selecting a third party merchant provider you will be paying the fees and terms associated with credit card acceptance; therefore, it certainly behooves you to research for the best terms.

Shipping is another consideration that you need to research. How will you actually deliver real goods and services? Each of the major postal systems has their own on-site criteria that have to be included during development. Therefore, it’s helpful if you have done the research and made the decision before development.

Now many think all these things are "Why I hired your web development team. I don’t know. I’m trusting you do." To which, we respond while we have the experience to help guide you many other web companies do not. If you don’t know what you need, how can you choose an appropriate web development firm?

Having a basic grasp of your product, your industry and your required functionality before looking for a development team is essential in choosing the right website team. What’s more, having done the research and knowing some basic answers allows development to proceed at a much quicker pace.

Ultimately, this is your investment. It is your business. It is your responsibility.

Related Article: Web Site Maintenance – A Necessary Ingredient for Success