Opening Your Online Boutique - How To Get Started

The email that I get more than any other starts out something like this...


I SURE CAN!! I love this part of what I do. I couldn't even begin to count the number of people whom, over the years, I have helped evolve from "clueless but determined" to "savvy and successful". Each time I get something like the following...


If you're feeling sort of like the former and would like to become the latter, you're in the right place. It's a learning process, and no one becomes an expert overnight; however, I am telling you that if you can create and send an email, you can run an online store!

Here are some practical first steps and FAQs to give you a head start.

I want to get started with your website services... what do I do first???
Whether you're buying a budget template or a custom designed site, your first steps are the same.

1 - You need a domain name. This is your www.yoursite.com; it's where your site exists on the Web. Also known as a URL or website address.

Many website hosts will provide free or discounted domain registration, so I recommend that you first check www.godaddy.com to see if your chosen domain is available.

If so, check out the web hosts (below) and choose your favorite.

If they offer domain registration, use it! If not, buy your domain through www.godaddy.com.

2 - You need website hosting. This is the control panel of your website, where you control everything from how the site looks, to the text that appears on each page, to the products you sell.

I work with many approved hosting companies. Each is already integrated with a shopping cart system, so it's all-inclusive, making your job much easier! All you need to do is choose from one of the following - the pricing and features vary slightly on some so be sure to read thoroughly to choose your best match.

WAHMShoppes, Merchant Moms, Shoppe Pro, Easy Boutique Builder, Eco Chic Hosting, Designer 218, Create A Shoppe Plus, Mia Shops, DIY Shoppe Designer, PappaShop, Web Shoppe Pro, Little Fish

If you want to use a host that isn't listed above, it's possible I can work with it, but you will need to check with me before you sign up to make sure!

3 - You need a design service. Decide what works for you and your business needs. A premade template, or a truly unique and custom estore or a custom informational site?

You'll probably have questions about the services I offer. I never mind answering questions, so fire away! Email me at info@boutiquegraphics.com and I promise to answer!


Q -- I know I want to have an online store, and I need a website host, but what about a shopping cart? Where do I get that, and how do I choose?
Your host (if from my approved list) will be integrated either with its own shopping cart system and/or with the free Mals e-cart. You don't need to buy or sign up for any shopping cart software!!

Q -- Once my store is set up, how will I get the money when people buy from me? Can I take PayPal? What about credit cards?
Once you have (or I have) configured your host's shopping cart system, you are ready to take in money. All of the hosts I use can accept PayPal. You do not need anything but a basic PayPal business account! Don't sign up for Payments Pro or anything else as you will not need the service.
When customers check out and choose PayPal as their payment method, they will automatically be taken through the PayPal process and the money goes straight into your account.

If you want to accept credit cards, no problem. All of the cart systems offer the optional capability of collecting customers' card info. Once the customer pays, their card info goes into the secure storage area of your cart. From there you log in, pull up their card info, and enter it into a payment processor or into a physical card terminal. My recommendation (which I use personally) is PayPal Virtual Terminal. It is around $30 per month, plus a small per-transaction fee. When you input the card info into VT, you get an immediate confirmation or denial of the card, and if approved the money goes immediately into your PayPal account.

If you have specific questions about collecting payments a certain way, feel free to ask!

Q -- I already bought my domain name with godaddy.com - do I need to cancel it and get it through my new host??
No! If you've already bought your domain, no problem! Just sign up with the host you chose and they will send you instructions to update your godaddy.com account to "match" theirs.

Q -- I already have a domain name and web hosting, but it's not through any of your approved hosts. Can I still use your templates or web design service?
Maybe! There are some other hosts I can work with - I add new ones occasionally and new ones are always popping up - so please ask! If not, my templates can be modified to work with any web host, however you'll need some HTML knowledge to make it happen so this may not be the best option for everyone.