I am planning to start an e-commerce business. What's the best way to integrate my inventory, accounting and point-of-sale systems? Is it OK to do online backups or should I buy external hard drives? Is an online accounting system hosted by another company OK? Should I pay a company to design an e-commerce website or buy an off-the-shelf package and do it myself?
This is a great question faced by startups and veteran businesses alike. I'm going to break it up into pieces, beginning with the best way to integrate.
Because your business is already online, it’s best and simpler to work with a system that can provide as many components as possible integrated into one solution--systems such as InfusionSoft, NetSuite and Volusion. You might also consider systems such as Yahoo Stores or Amazon stores, which could meet your needs, as well. For a POS solution, Intuit’s QuickBooks Point of Sale or Microsoft’s Point of Sale should do the trick. As you consider an e-commerce solution, consider security, how easy the system is for customers to use, integration with marketing to customers (CRM, e-mail newsletter, etc), and the things you have already mentioned such as connections to your accounting system, which the solutions I’ve mentioned can do. This link might help.
Is it OK to do online backups or should I buy external hard drives?
Backing up online is a very good option. The data are available anytime you need and from anywhere. However, backing up to an external drive--especially an image of your computer--and having it nearby is also good. If something happens and you need the backup quickly, you can get it faster than having the backup company mail you the data or retrieving it online. Having both online backup and periodic on-site backup is probably the best option. If I had to choose one option, however, I would go for the online backup. It's less of a headache and very easy to do.
Is an online accounting system hosted by another company OK?
Online accounting hosted by another company is OK. But who is the company? Companies like Intuit or Microsoft will be around today, and unless the economy really gets bad, they will be around for the future. Having your data hosted by a startup, however, is not a good idea. Your accounting data is absolutely critical to your business. What you can do, however, if you decide to have the accounting system online, is ensure you get regular backups of the data so that in the event something happens, the data could be imported to a new accounting system such as QuickBooks.
Should I pay a company to design an e-commerce website or buy an off-the-shelf package and do it myself?
If you're serious about your website, you should have a professional web designer do the design for you. It’s a bit more expensive, but you’ll save time and have a much better website. I did my own website for years, before investing money for a professional web designer, and I'm glad I did.
About Ramon Ray
Ramon Ray is an author, speaker and editor of Smallbiztechnology.com, a site that helps small to medium-sized businesses use technology to grow through news, articles, discussion boards, resources, analysis and events.
Ramon has been using computers since 1986. He's the author of Technology Solutions for Growing Businesses, and has written thousands of technology articles and news items for Smallbiztechnology.com and other media. Through his writing he's helped thousands of small businesses use technology as a tool to grow.
Despite his vast experience, Ramon isn't "just" a technology writer. As a former small-business technology consultant, he has years of hands-on experience in building networks, installing software, upgrading computers and supporting the technology small businesses use on a daily basis.
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