making own website..

[mike1990]

I don't think this is going to end well. Setting up a trading website is exactly the same as setting up a business except you have the added complexities of building a working and secure site that looks professional enough for me to be willing to slam in my card details. Your best bet would be to simply create an Ebay shop, get into the swing of things and then go from there. You will soon know if the business is going to work etc. and it gives you an instant global audience for your product, you can even stick a web address on each listing when you set up your site with a '10% non-ebay discount' when bought through your site.

Wise words

Also, creating a website isn't as easy as click and drag. If you go the do it yourself way, you'll need to design and program the website then test it using a security linux distribution, or by hand then fix the flaws.

Not to mention getting SSL certificate if planning on taking payment on your website. My advice would be exactly like Sam's, ebay shop see how the business plans out net profit/gross profit etc then decide on your next move.

[navmk4gti]

I already have been ebay since 07 and i am fed up of there fees to be honest thats why i was looking at setting up a website

In regards to making the website i am more then capable of doing it and will have help from my brother he has his own website building company so he will be doing most of the designing to make it proffesional and catchy.

Creating the website is least of the issue. Just was question about cost involved , hosting etc. Got some good info here will do some more digging. Website is being made while we speak so will see how it goes. If it falls through will just stick with ebay

[jv]

Sounds like your brother is the expert to ask - he would know all about hosting costs

[navmk4gti]

Hes new to que media so not all with hosting costs etc he just makes the sites. Hes partner came out with some crazy prices when asked  him thats why thought best to ask as i know few guys in here recently opened there own sites 

[Sam]

Hes new to que media so not all with hosting costs etc he just makes the sites. Hes partner came out with some crazy prices when asked  him thats why thought best to ask as i know few guys in here recently opened there own sites 

Does your brother have a web design business or just a hookie copy of indesign?

I'm going to make this as easy as possible for you...

Register your company at http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/ (an accountant will do this for around £40)

Make your site on this (if deals with all the payment methods and security etc. and is easy to make look nice) http://www.shopify.co.uk/  (£20 per month plus 2% fee on all sales)

Buy your own domain at 123reg.com (£10 a year, but this will go up year on year)

Set up a server space using clook.net (£10-£15 per month depending on requirements)

redirect from your domain to your shopify from your server space site using clook and set up your emails and redirects to gmail or what not. (free)

Ensure your books start date correlates with when you tell companies house you started trading. (free or get a basic accounting excel template online)

Launch your site

Do self assesment returns on time and accurately or face fines. (£100 fine or the price of a stamp)

 

[mike1990]

Just to add, to log all sales on website.. you can use php and mysql to create a database of accounts or you could use excel or a database program on your computer to do offline accounts

[navmk4gti]

Thanks for info guys. Will get back if i get stuck through it all

[MK3GTI_16Valve]

thats good advice in fairness