FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How long will it take to get my ecommerce software package set up?

A: We will provide you with a temporary test site straightaway for you to use to familarise yourself with and start entering content. Once you have agreed and signed-off a final design with us, most sites can go live within seven working days using your chosen domain name, subject to you inputing product content.

Q:  What happens if your shopping cart hosting breaks down?

A:  Our servers are always backed up daily. In the unlikely event of a server failure we aim to get you up and ruining again within 12 hours (normally it is only a minor gliche and you are back one line within minutes!) but our aim is for 99.9% uptime - any server maintenance will be notified to you 28 days in advance

Q:  How do I pay for my online shopping cart software Site?

A:  Monthly by Standing Order, one month in Advance. If you use more than the agreed bandwidth we will bill you any additional charge monthly in arrears by invoice.

Q:  What will I need to have ready to start ecommerce shopping cart software site?

A:  You will need to collate the text, images, prices, product codes etc. you are going to use for the site and plan your e commerce navigation - we will be happy to advise. Think also about your web marketing! We do run one day courses if your are interested.

Q:  Do I need to have my own e-commerce SSL (Secure Socket Layer for secure encrypted data transfers)?

A:   Smartsells provides you with a 128 bit SSL usually an annual charge of £185 per year plus VAT for your new sites encryption. This is also covered if you use a payment provider

Q:  How will my new site take payment online?

A:   Smartsells shopping cart software will bolt straight into your existing 3rd party online merchant providers. Examples HSBC, Protx, SecPay etc. If you do not have a 3rd party merchant provider, once you have started your Smartsells account we will guide you through the simple process of getting one set-up. Or you can have an SSL Key that will allow you to safely transmit Credit card details over the web for you to process on a PDQ machine. Cost of an SSL Certificate is £145 per year.

Q:  What if I do not have a Domain Name yet?

A:   You can start setting your new site up on the free hidden domain provided with SmartSells hosting. We will be happy to help you choose a meaningful domain and also make suggestions should you wish, we recommend using 123-reg.com - Domains names should be memorable and easy to spell. 123-reg.co.uk.

Q:  What if I have an existing online shopping site (such as Actinic) and will need to transfer my domain?

A:   You can start setting your new site up on the free hidden domain provided with Smartells. Once you are ready to go live we will happily put in the domain transfer request for you to point to our servers (there may be a small cost from your existing provider). We will then prepare all your email addresses for you so you do not lose any mail during the swap. All you have to do is ask your existing hosts to release the DNS Tags when our request comes in. The process should only take a few hours from release and your customers will simply see your old site until the transfer is complete. If you use a .com it can take a little longer but most sites are fully working with 48 hours. We choose the quietest time to put this into action!

Q:  I have not got photos of my products

A:   we can either work with you to produce high-class photos on site usually around £149 per 50 photos. plus basic travelling cost OR we can advise you on the best way of undertaking this and the tools you will require. If required, once you have taken your photos we can enhance them professionally with photoshop for stunning results for an agreed fee.

(We recommend Cube Light Kits for product photography as it allows you to limit shadows in the images)

Q:  Will anyone help me get started setting up my ecommerce solultion.

A:   We have both on line tutorials that you can access at your leisure and downloadable video lessons on web marketing. We offer full support and training to every customer. This includes every aspect of your site. Your setup fee of £500 goes towards producing webdesign to fit your site requirements (within our standard template frame work)

Q:  Do I just write descriptions of my products

A:  You will need meaningful product descriptions (See webmarketing) but also content such as About Us, FAQs and information pages on how to use a product etc. Again the Smart team will be happy to help.
We supply a 178 page PDF on web optimising , but will be happy to quote you for witting 'web friendly' copy.