Introduction to the guides

Introduction to the guides These introductory guides offer a comprehensive overview of all the issues you have to consider when taking your business online.

• Going on-line for the first time is not as daunting and perilous an undertaking as most people think. This guide looks at the basic requirements necessary in becoming an on-line business.

• The Introduction to eBusiness looks at what we mean by eBusiness while asking what are the specific challenges facing Irish businesses.

• An Internet Strategy is pivotal to the development of a successful online business and encourages you to confront the reasons why you need to go online. The Developing an Internet Strategy guide goes through the issues that you have to consider step by step.

• Having developed your Internet strategy, you are now ready to build your website. The guide to Building a Website defines the technology used on websites while also showing how to establish a relationship with a developer.

• There is no point in having a website if no one knows about it. The Marketing your Website guide looks at the combination of online and offline strategies that a company can pursue to ensure that they capture the attention of their target audience.

• Many people feel uneasy about buying goods and services via the Internet. Encryption technology, which renders data secure by turning it into an unreadable cipher, is fundamental to the development of eBusiness. The Security guide explains the technology behind encryption.

• eBusiness is subject to the same standards of law as conventional trade. The Legal Issues guide considers the implications of putting the business online.

• Fulfilment and Logistics are the biggest challenge that an online business will have to confront. Making sure that your customers get their purchases on time at a reasonable cost is vital to the success of your online business. The Logistics and Order Fulfilment guide looks at the logistics ramifications of trading online.