There are several options for creating an online shop for Business to Customer (B2C) e-commerce.

Use an existing platform

Some web based retail solutions, such as eBay and Amazon, allow small businesses to create their own online shops by piggybacking on their technology.

e-Commerce Hosting Solutions

Many web hosting providers offer their own e-commerce solutions for an extra monthly fee.

e-Commerce Software

There are several commercial packages that can generate an online shop which can then be hosted on a web server.

Bespoke solutions

For large businesses or unique situations, a bespoke solution may be more applicable, allowing greater flexibility.

Payment systems

Systems such as PayPal and WorldPay allow smaller online business to accept credit cards by processing the transactions between the customer’s and supplier’s accounts.

Affiliate Schemes

These are effective ways of advertising your site by offering cash to webmasters who direct visitors to you.