Outlined below are the basic fees for setting up an eCommerce store:
- Acquiring a Domain Name: Spark Pay online stores can get a name for you and hold it for five years. We will host the DNS and such for a $125 flat fee. A five year commitment gives your domain credibility with search engines; this is good for your ranking. You can also get your own domain or transfer one you already own with no fees from us.
- Choosing a hosting and services package plan: Pick your plan for Spark Pay online stores based on your number of products, estimated sales, and traffic estimates. Click Here for pricing information.
- Security Certificate (SSL) - Optional: You have two options here. Spark Pay online stores offers you a free shared SSL certificate. If you would like a private SSL, you can buy one and we will install it for $75. Spark Pay online stores can buy you a GeoTrust TrueBusinessID and install it for $299. This fee goes to GeoTrust to buy your SSL, we just take care of the paperwork.
- Payment Gateways(Fees Vary)- If you would like to process credit cards there are many options (see the links below):
- Authorize.net Gateway (payment gateway) typically charges $10-20 a month.
- Paypal and Google Checkout are services you can use to accept payments. They have typically have transaction fees with no monthly minimum fees.
- Paypal also has merchant services for somewhere around a flat 3% fee. This integrates with your site just like a credit card.
- Merchant Accounts (Fees Vary) - Merchant banks usually charge a percentage per sale. Averaging around 2-3%, and some may charge a monthly minimum.
There are other things that may incur a fee, but they are based on your specific needs. This is pretty much all you need to make some broad plans on starting your ecommerce site.