[thelist] ecommerce setup which only entails downloading the product

[Sharon F. Malone]

Update:
My client has decided to outsource with NorthStar Solutions. They will handle ~everything including cust services~ for my client.
You just refer customers (via your web page) to their toll-free phone number, fax, and/or the secure Internet order form they set up for the client. NS says they man their phones with real live people. So there is no recorded message when someone calls in with an order.

When a customer purchases a product, they handle all the payment transaction issues on their end and then send you an e-mail message notifying you about the purchase. At your option, you can either have them fulfill the purchase, or fulfill it yourself. Twice a month you get a statement and royalty check from them reflecting all the sales they have taken on behalf of the client. Services are offered on an as-needed basis (if they don't take any purchases for you, you owe them nothing).

NS creates a customized online order form on their secure Internet site with just the client's products listed, form to print for offline purchases, processes the orders and sends the final email with download instructions to the buyer. They provide both a secure and standard link ('cause of firewall problems) and accept credit card orders both online and by phone, fax or snail mail. Also accept checks or money orders for orders sent by snail mail only.

Because my client is selling shareware, NS also provides shareware submission services to over 200 web sites that provide downloadable shareware including WinShareware.com and Download.com

Looks like a pretty thorough solution. Not sure how the pricing stacks up with other outsourced services. They charge 4% plus $2.50 for Internet orders and 4% plus $4.75 for non-Internet orders.

All handled through NorthStar Solutions - http://www.nstarsolutions.com

So what do you all think?

Sharon
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Sharon F. Malone
"web design and Internet writing services"
http://www.24caratdesign.com
sfmalo at 24caratdesign.com