Dynamic includes a shared SSL certificate with all shared prostores stores. SSL can also be obtained directly from an SSL provider. Bear in mind that SSL certificates are domain name and host name specific. A merchant will need a certificate for each domain name that he or she wants to secure with SSL. When applying for SSL, a specific web server certificate key will need to be generated and installed on the web server that hosts the web store. Most web hosts will apply for an SSL on behalf of a hosted merchant and inform the merchant when SSL has been issued and installed. A merchant that applies for SSL directly will need to forward the SSL information to the web host. Further information can be found at the following SSL authorities:

SSL protocol requires the installation of an SSL digital certificate on a web server that wants to establish secure server connection with a consumer's web browser. The digital certificate is necessary for authentication of the web server to the web browser. At the same time, SSL protocol encrypts consumer information that is transferred from web browser to web server using a unique session key. When the information is presented to the web server, an encryption process takes place in which the session key is matched with the public key installed on the web server. This process, successfully completed, authenticates the web server and the information is transferred securely. The entire process is seamless to the shopper. This process is continued as the transaction data is passed along to a payment processor, which then coordinates the transfer of monetary funds between the customer's credit card bank and the merchant's bank account.

Web sites hosted on web servers that are secured with a valid SSL certificate will display a security lock icon at the bottom of the web browser screen. The icon will change from the opened position to the locked position upon entering a secured area of the site. In addition, when a secure server connection is established between the user's web browser and the merchant's web server, the URL will display "https://" in its address. The "s" represents "secure." In an e-commerce web site without SSL, there will be no security lock icon, and the URL address will also not display the "s" after "http." The browser will sometimes even show a window screen alerting the shopper that he or she is entering and leaving a secure area, usually during the checkout process.

Every time an e-commerce transaction is conducted on the Internet, personal confidential data like credit card numbers or social security numbers are exchanged among the shopper, the merchant and the appropriate parties involved in the transaction process like a payment processor. This information is susceptible to interception by unauthorized third parties and malicious attacks by computer hackers. SSL protects against these risks. At the same time, it also authenticates or validates the ownership of a website and ensures that the submitted data is supplied to the rightful storefront owner and the appropriate parties involved in the purchase transaction. SSL is a critical requirement for conducting responsible, competitive e-commerce. Many savvy shoppers will not make purchases at web sites that lack the level of security expected from e-commerce sites today. In fact, merchants with SSL-enabled sites may likely witness an increase in business simply by providing consumers the peace of mind that their personal information and consumer data is safeguarded.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL), also known as secure order protection, secure certificate or digital certificate, is the most popular method for ensuring the secure transmission of credit card data and consumer information across an open network like the Internet. Developed by Netscape, SSL is a protocol for securely encrypting and transmitting electronic information between web servers across the Internet.

MerchantWorkz: www.merchantworkz.com
E-Commerce Guide (Internet.com): ecommerce.internet.com/solutions
MerchantSeek: www.merchantseek.com

While not everyone needs an Internet merchant account, there are many benefits to having one. First and foremost, an Internet merchant account will eliminate the need for you to process credit cards manually, saving you time and effort. In some cases, an Internet merchant account may offer you greater protection against credit card fraud than your offline credit card processing system. Check your merchant account Terms of Service agreement carefully. Finally, you can still use Storefront even if you choose not to accept credit cards. Storefront can accept many other means of payment, including checks and money orders. Storefront Plus even includes options for COD, certified checks, department orders and purchase orders.

Before choosing your merchant account, it's important to select a payment processor. ProStores is already integrated with a number of popular payment processors. Once you've selected the processor that's right for your business, you can then choose an associated merchant account provider.

Merchant accounts typically require costs for the processing software and for each transaction. Rates, account fees and transaction fees vary widely, and may include application, set-up and monthly fees, discount rate (percentage of each transaction, typically 2-3%), flat fee per transaction, and even chargeback fees in instances of consumer-disputed charges. Some of these charges are avoidable, so do your research carefully, evaluate all of your options and be cautious of hidden fees.

A merchant account is an agreement with a merchant account provider, sometimes called a merchant service provider, required to conduct credit card-based transactions. With a merchant account, the merchant agrees to honor certain obligations and the merchant account provider agrees to coordinate the transfer of monetary funds through the financial process. Merchant accounts can be obtained from merchant account providers like banks, financial institutions, processing gateways or from independent service organizations. There are several types of merchant accounts, those for use in "brick & mortar" retail establishments, those for use in mail and phone order businesses, and those for use with Internet storefronts. The terms and fees vary widely, both among and within the types. Generally speaking, the fees grow larger in accordance with the perceived level of fraud risk - in other words, your bank may charge less for a retail POS merchant account, where shoppers present their credit cards to you in person, vs. an Internet merchant account, where you have no personal interaction with the shopper.

E-Commerce Guide (Internet.com)
MerchantWorkz

ProStores is fully integrated with the following popular payment gateways. This means that no additional software is required for the merchant to install. In fact, some of them incorporate online merchant account applications directly into their solution.

Plus many more!

Payment processing is the electronic means of exchanging information in a credit card transaction between the shopper at the storefront, the merchant's payment processor and the merchant's financial institution. A payment processor, often called a payment gateway, allows for real-time transactions to be conducted online.

ProStores Professional Plus has a variety of innovative modules to facilitate all aspects of production, online ordering, and customer management. *These modules are only available for Pro stores and can be added at any time.
Customer Plus:
Merchants assign customers to different "buyer groups" and then provide custom pricing based on their assignment. The module also allows the creation of "frequent buyer" clubs, and gives discounts based on a percent off the sales price or percent above cost. This is invaluable when a merchant sells to distributors, dealers, and consumers, and in essence allows for special sales and pre-defined pricing.
Supplier Connect:
View pending orders by supplier, even if the order spans multiple suppliers. Notify suppliers or your fulfillment house of orders electronically by Email, EDI or fax. Separate partial orders for special handling based on shipping confirmation!
Sales Manager: Create your own affiliate program. Gather sales leads by product. Define and track sales managers, sales people and affiliates. View your sales activity by month, quarter or year. Automatically assign each lead to a salesperson, or different customers to specific salespeople. This is ideal for merchants with large sales forces or affiliate programs.

Starter Edition

• Shopping cart and web pages for corporate information
• Administration console displaying real-time activity
• Real-time, secure credit card and electronic check processing
• Integrated UPS®, FedEx® and Canada Post shipping
• Sign-up, post and manage auctions on eBay®

Standard Edition

• Sophisticated catalog, shopping cart and search engine
• Powerful design tools to fully customize your store's look and feel
• Integrated with QuickBooks®
• Advanced reporting capabilities
• Submit products to multiple marketplaces including Shopping.com, BizRate and Froogle

Professional Edition

• Sell products, services, subscriptions and memberships
• Electronic product fulfillment
• Sophisticated inventory management
• Extensive merchandising options

Professional Plus Edition

• Automate your supply chain
• Create a virtual inventory system
• Create customer groups
• Offer wholesale pricing
• Create an affiliate program
• Assign online activity to your sales force

Available in Starter, Standard, Professional, and Professional Plus Edition versions, ProStores can grow as your online business grows. Starter Edition offers the power of the ProStores e-commerce platform in a streamlined, easy-to-use package. If you'd like to give e-commerce a try without making a major investment of time or resources, Starter Edition is the ideal choice. When you are ready to do more with your online store, you can upgrade seamlessly and instantaneously with the click of a button. The upgrade process is quick, seamless and always builds on your previous work.

E-commerce presents the most significant growth opportunity for a wide range of U.S. small businesses. According to Forrester Research, Inc., e-commerce sales will increase at a steady 19 percent year-over-year rate, rising to $229 billion in 2008 from an estimated $95.7 billion in 2003. By 2008, online retail sales will account for 10 percent of total U.S. retail sales. In today's world, you need to sell online in order to stay competitive. Unfortunately, many e-commerce solutions are highly complex and expensive to set up. And if your storefront isn't sophisticated, it is difficult to attract and keep customers. ProStores is easy and provides customers with all the features they've come to expect from web stores.