If you ask consumers, they'll tell you that you can buy just about anything online. But who sells those products? If you're interested in your own e-Commerce website, that person could be you. It doesn't necessarily take a lot of technological savvy to setup and run your online store, either. Of course, a few things can help get your store off the ground and into the black.

Choosing the Right Platform

Many solutions not only provide the platform that you'll use for your e-Commerce website, but they also provide domain names and hosting, so everything is taken care of by a single company. This is often the best option if you're just starting out or not familiar with coding. Ease of use is the main reason that people go with free e-Commerce website solutions like this. When your platform is all about e-Commerce, you know someone will always be able to answer your questions. You don't necessarily get this security when you go with a general host.

However, if you want complete control over your website, you might be better off paying for hosting and a domain name and installing a third-party script. Most hosts offer a domain name, which is often free, when you register. However, you can purchase the hosting service and domain name from separate companies and connect them. Many scripts exist for this purpose, but it's more labor intensive and isn't best if you're not technologically savvy. You could also use a blogging script with a plugin that turns your website into an e-Commerce site.

No matter which platform you choose, make sure that integrated payment processing is secure, so shoppers can trust you. Do you want customers to pay via credit card or PayPal? Do you want to accept physical checks or money order? Make sure to investigate your options before settling on a shopping cart.

A Fully Functional Website

Before releasing your website live online, make sure it functions correctly. Check for broken links or images and periodically perform this check after you release your website. Whenever you upgrade scripts or add new products is a good time to perform another check.

Furthermore, your navigation should be easy to find and uniform across the site. Breadcrumbs help customers know where they are in relation to other parts of the site, while categories and advanced sorting options make it easier for shoppers to find what they're looking for. Recommending products that are similar to or complement an item on a product page exposes shoppers to more of your products.

Getting Social with Your Shop

Marketing your online store is important. If shoppers don't know about you, how can they purchase your goods? Sign up for social networks such as Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. Completely fill out your profile, and engage with your fans in a personable way. If someone asks a question, answer it. You may find that shoppers use the Internet as a soapbox to voice complaints. You can use social media as a way to improve consumer relations.

One way to get more traffic to your website is by maintaining a blog. Not only can you talk about new products, but you can write guides or post infographics that help buyers figure out which product is best for them. If you're stuck for ideas, think about questions that customers frequently answer them and write about those topics on your blog.

You might be surprised by how much time it takes to setup and promote your e-Commerce website, but a good foundation allows your store to grow and become more profitable in the future.