What do I need to setup an Ecommerce Web site?

To set up an ecommerce website you'll need 6 things.

1. You need a web hosting account.
All hosting plans at Argon Hosting will let you run an ecommerce-style web site.

2. SSL Certificate. You can run a regular server and pass the transaction data off (via a 3rd Party Processor like PayPal) or run a secure server and process the data locally (Using an SSL Certificate and Payment Gateway - see below). You can also order your SSL Certificate directly from Argon Hosting and your order includes installation at no extra charge. If you did not order your SSL Certificate at the time you signed up with Argon Hosting, please create a support ticket with your request and one of our Sales Agents will assist you immediately.

3. Dedicated IP address (optional)If you decide to run a web site with your own SSL Certificate, you will need a dedicated IP address to go with your web hosting package. SSL Certificates require their own IP address. If you did not order your IP address at the time you signed up with Argon Hosting, please create a support ticket with your request and one of our Sales Agents will assist you immediately.

4. Shopping Cart
You'll need a shopping cart. Argon offers two shopping cart options via automatic installation in the "Application Vault" section of your control panel on the domain level. A full shopping cart option with "OS Commerce" and a scaled down cart with " WebShopmanager ".

• OS Commerce - osCommerce is an online shop e-commerce solution. Its feature packed out-of-the-box installation allows store owners to setup, run and maintain their online stores with minimum effort.
• WebShopmanager - The Web Shop Manager allows you to manage a fully functional online store from a centralized web-based administration system.

5. Payment Gateway
You'll need a payment gateway. This is the service that actually processes the credit cards and online checks. The payment gateway has to be compatible with the shopping cart. Argon Hosting offers a complete merchant account option that will plug right into the OS Commerce cart option that you can install via the "Application Vault" section of your control panel on the domain level. the Merchant Account(see below) will include the Authorize.net gateway unless you specify a different gateway. To start the application process for your own Payment Gateway and Merchant Account, point or click to http://merchant.argonstudios.com.

6. Merchant AccountYou'll need a merchant credit account. This comes with your Merchant Account through e-Online data. To start the application process for your own Payment Gateway and Merchant Account, point or click to http://merchant.argonstudios.com.

CHECK LIST:
1. ___ Web Hosting Plan
2. ___ SSL Certificate (only if you plan on running your own secure server locally)
3. ___ Dedicated IP address (only if you are planning on using your own SSL Certificate)
4. ___ Shopping Cart
5. ___ Payment Gateway
6. ___ Merchant Account

Good luck and please let us know if we can help setup your new online store.