What level of ecommerce do you need

key decision points ​

E-commerce type comes down to several key areas:
1. The volume of search queries  you have to accommodate.  
Think of a site offering vacation destinations and the options available and then combinations of "queries". So the database which holds the information has to be both large and flexible to deal with your product catalogue and all the "query" options.
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2. Ability to take payments or automated integration.
E-commerce is about the ability to take payments. If you need automated interaction between your website (the "front-end") and the fulfilment process (the "back-end") then this is the world of E-business, and requires a more complex solution.
(Note. The fulfilment process covers: inventory; ordering; delivering.)

3. Expansion, currency and languages.
If you want to deal in high volumes, or nationally and internationally, then language, multiple tax rates, currencies and other critical points stated above will also influence your choice.

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Here is a short checklist which goes from basic essentials to more advanced considerations.

the basic checkpoints

1. Secure hosting
You must have a secure environment for any E-commerce activity, especially as you are taking personal customer details. The level of security varies as published prices from host companies indicate. But if you take card details then you need high level security.

2. Product catalogue.
You need to display your products by: image; price; description (usually a summary and detail). Be able to update easily, and identify inventory availability

3. Tax calculator
Sales Tax or VAT should be integrated so each product is properly priced. The tax rates for state and/or country of origin are essential.

4. Order and pay
You site will need to process orders and have payment capability through a recognised and secure card integrator.

5. Shopping cart/basket
As products are ordered, the user must see what is there to keep a tally of their purchases, quantities ordered, and total spend.

6. Delivery
Delivery charges, if applied, will at base level be standardised and need to appear on the shopping cart and completed order.

7. Payment integrator
Every E-commerce website needs to integrate with a payment processor such as PayPal, authorise.net, World Pay. Using payment integrators such as these means you do not hold any debit or credit card details. (Note: holding details depends on your business model.)

8. Back-end administration
You as the business owner need to have control of what is happening. So downloadable reports on orders received and order status are essential for you to manage the business.

9. Order acknowledgment
When you receive the completed order you should have an auto-responder which can confirm the order to the user. This is a courtesy. Also, it is a security check which helps prevent any misuse or fraudulent use of a card or identity.

10. User registration
Any user buying on the site will be required to register their personal details, primarily for order confirmation and invoicing.

11. Edit order
Your order process will need an edit option as customers normally make mistakes and need to re-do certain elements.

12. Purchase history
A history of purchases made is a very useful facility for users of your site, especially if they can download a report.

other aspects of e-commerce

Additional considerations to be aware of. You may need a higher level packaged application, or customised website to suit your business type.

1. Up-Sell and Cross-Sell
If you want to get more out of a site visitor then you need these capabilities. They are familiar to most users of sites especially those offering clothing or jewelry.

2. Multiple orders
If your business offers products for distribution then your order process needs to be capable of delivering to different locations.

3. Choice of payment
People appreciate the choice of cash or card. Additionally you may offer payment on terms of credit (pay in 30 days) for bigger clients or more frequent purchasers.

4. Pay deposits
Your business may require taking a deposit on larger orders. The value has to be calculated and stored so the final payment taken is net of the discount.

5. Promotion certificates
Gift certificates or vouchers will need a feature to issue and redeem.

6. Card details for repeat business
It makes sense to hold card details if your customers come back to you regularly, or as part of a contractual arrangement. Security (certification) will have to be tight. And you will need an appropriate database capability to hold the details.

7. A clear returns policy
Buyers have a statutory right to return products. There may also be some confusion with the order which requires the company to take the products delivered. A clear policy on how each case is handled is an imperative to gain the user's trust.