Help with site to sell Ebook

glowgirl_2

Hi, I would like to set up a site to sell my ebook (s), I have very limited techie knowledge and wondered if there is a hosting site that specialise in this or if someone could give me some advice, I would like to have a site that you can read what the book is about, click to order and pay with paypal (I have a paypal account) and then the customer can instantly download the book, its pretty straightforward stuff but not for me as I really don't have a clueThanks in advance for any help.

Torby

problem you may have (after choosing a name for the domain) is driving people to the site to make the purchase, most of the other bits are easy, just have a look at some of the free web space providers, they usually have "site builders " as well...really the hard bit is going to be drive the traffic to the website....that takes time and money for search engine optimisation...have you thought of selling the book on Ebay? then all you need to do is email people the download link....just out of curiosity, whats the book about?

Awec

There are pre-written software packages out there that setup a digital download web store (where content is emailed as opposed to posted).

Trying to remember the name of them, but you could google around if you want.

glowgirl_2

Thanks Torby and Awec, can you still sell ebooks on ebay? I thought they had banned them, my books will be aimed at specific target groups, so I am not worried about traffic, basically instead of putting the books out there hoping people will find me I have chosen my customer base and written the books for them. The books are aimed at people with specific problems mainly around health and finance. I have free web hosting until October with this site http://www.ecowebhosting.co.uk/telltheworld with an advanced package so on your advice I have emailed them hoping they can guide me through, I feel a bit of an idiot because of my lack of techie knowledge so any more help would be great.

Its taken me a long time to finally focus on what I want to do online and after much research and help from lots of people on MSE I have finally made a decision and just want to get on with it and earn some cash:T

faevilangel

you have a few choices here

1... use a web design software with hosting package to build the site (eg. 123-reg.co.uk has one)
2... create yourself and customise how you want
3... pay someone to create it

disadvantages of above
1... its very basic and would look similar too others
2...will take a while to learn it all
3... can be expensive and a little hassle if wrong person chosen

advantages
1.. cheap and easy
2.. unique site and made to how you want
3.. same as 2 but would be quickly set up and you will get support

you need to think about stuff like how can they pay, and other financial information

if you want more info, i can give you some guidance, just pm me

p.s you will need to get traffic to be able to sell them so maybe have some seo done to get you into google

glowgirl_2

Ecowebhosting have just replied to my query and offered to set up the site for a fee but not until August, thats no good to me time wise and I would prefer not to hire someone for web design as I only want something basic anyway - any comments?

faevilangel

glowgirl wrote: »

Ecowebhosting have just replied to my query and offered to set up the site for a fee but not until August, thats no good to me time wise and I would prefer not to hire someone for web design as I only want something basic anyway - any comments?

there are plenty of free website makers about, but most require you to host your site with them, unless you learn the code, there isn't a lot you could do to do the website yourself

you could get a copy of dreamweaver or frontpage and use the drag and drop functions to create a perfect site but it means getting used to the programs and buying the software (dreamweaver is expensive)

Torby

have a look here...some nice designs and easy to use

http://www.webs.com/

glowgirl_2

Thanks for the replies and thank you faevilangel for your pm it was very helpful:)

glowgirl_2

I wonder if anyone could confirm that I would need to send my product(s) to a server, I have been reading up on setting up an automated digital site and from what I understand I would need to do this, if so is this a service provided by most hosting sites as part of your package, is there one that is especially recommended? I have learned a lot this afternoon (my head hurts;)) thanks to the suggestions above, I have also downloaded an ebook taking me through setting up paypal and understanding codes, I seem to be getting there but I am finding it a lot to take in, I guess something worthwhile was never going to be easy:)

faevilangel

glowgirl wrote: »

I wonder if anyone could confirm that I would need to send my product(s) to a server, I have been reading up on setting up an automated digital site and from what I understand I would need to do this, if so is this a service provided by most hosting sites as part of your package, is there one that is especially recommended? I have learned a lot this afternoon (my head hurts;)) thanks to the suggestions above, I have also downloaded an ebook taking me through setting up paypal and understanding codes, I seem to be getting there but I am finding it a lot to take in, I guess something worthwhile was never going to be easy:)

the best way to have a download is the way i told you in the pm, have a link to download from your server after payment is recieved and veriefied by paypal

to do this, you will need to have your files hosted on a server ... i don't know of any tools given with hosting accounts that allow you to create a download site but 123-reg sites allow you to create e-commerce sites for £8 per month