E-Commerce is the name given to business and commercial transactions conducted through the Internet. This is therefore a wide-ranging field incorporating online auctions and shops such as eBay or Amazon, goods trading and the exchange of information and services between businesses.

Creating a successful online store can be a daunting prospect at first, so if you are unaware of e-commerce principles, its purpose and its advantages it’s worth doing your research to understand the basics so that you can adjust your business plan accordingly and ensure your ecommerce venture is as effective as possible. With a combination of high quality e-commerce infrastructure and efficient use of Sage accounting, you’ll be well placed to succeed in your venture.

Luckily there is a wealth of information available in the subject, with a number of online resources and textbooks available that would complement a more structured distance-learning course. Combining one or two learning methods means you’ll stay engaged with the topic and learn more as a result, and within a short space of time you will possess a certificate in ecommerce and all the skills necessary to thrive in the industry.

Most potential customers naturally regard online security as a high priority factor when using their financial details. In fact according to a Verisign survey, 64% of people have abandoned a shopping cart or basket because they didn’t get a sense of security and trust from a site when asked for payment information.

Customers will generally look for a few important features on a site before entrusting it with their personal details. The site must be SSL encrypted and have a valid certificate signed by a trusted provider such as Verisign. SSL encryption comes in two types: 40 and 128 bit encryption. 40 bit encryption is less secure and has been hacked in the past, so 128 bit encryption should be regarded as the only viable option.

Certificates can be self-signed but this is far less likely to put a customer at ease regarding security, which is the main reason for certification in the first place. The SSL certificate system exists to help promote the security and integrity of e-commerce for everyone, leaving you to focus on the services or products your site is selling.