You may be wondering how can we convert an existing retail store so that it can conduct sales on the internet.   We take a small but powerful computer and install readily available software on it and connect it to a DSL internet connection via an inexpensive router/firewall.    Lets start with what a DSL line is. DSL stands for Digital Subsrcriber Line and it is an internet connection that lets your store connect directly through existing telephone lines. DSL is generally available if your store is within three miles of the nearest telephone switching hub.  If you contact us, we can help you verify that it is available in your area.  The speed that you connect to the internet (your bandwidth) will vary depending on the distance from the switching hub. Typically you can get 768K of bandwidth (the speed at which you transfer information). We have seen web sites that have sold over one million dollars using  500K of bandwidth.  Typically, the cost for a DSL connection for a dedicated website is about $195 dollars a month.  The cost of DSL line is far less than obtaining a an equivalent connection from a Secure Site provider.  Our servers come configured with the Linux operating system and use Apache Web server software.  All of the software that we provide is open source  and it  licensed under GNU open source licensing agreement. What does that mean to you?  It means that the software is really free, what you are paying us for is putting all of the software together in a nice neat package and making it work. It is no easy task. Furthermore, you do not have to rely on us for updates  and modifications (unless you want to purchase a support plan) because there are literally thousands of independent developers that are quite familiar with your  web server and operating system software. In fact the last account that we heard is that Apache web server accounted for about 35% of all web servers! Another feature is that Linux is far less prone to virus attacks than other operating systems. What is the chronology of the process?   First we verify that your store location can obtain a DSL connection at a reasonable cost.  Then we decide on what equipment that you will need other than the computer and router. i.e. printer, monitor. We then decide if you want some help with graphics of your store. i.e. ad banners.   We decide on how many products that you want on your initial system and whether or not you want us to preload them into your database. We then decide whether or not you want to purchase support (initial  support is free until your we agree that your system is up and running). When these issues are settled we can give you a firm price. Once you agree, we will build your system which includes  obtaining  and installing a  Secure Sockets Certificate  so that your customers credit card transactions are protected by the state of art encryption techniques.  We will also help you decide on a credit card clearing house and help you obtain the necessary Merchant ID.  There are some incidental fees that you will be responsible for. i.e. you want to register a domain name. Once your DSL line has been installed and your system is configured we will ship the completed web server to your site. The installation is literally plugging it in and running one wire to the DSL modem.  We will talk you through the whole process. Once your system comes up, we will hook in remotely and set some passwords for you and verify that the system is functioning properly. That's it, you are now open for business. What about training? We have online training right on your server. We will show you how to access it. What about service? Your computer comes with a factory warranty and for an additional fee we can burn a master copy of your configuration so that you can be up and running quickly in case of a catastrophic failure. Our system allows you to make regular backups of the database so that as long as your hard drive doesn't fail we will be able to retain any information in the event that you require a new system. i.e. what happens if your computer fails completely.  We strongly  recommend that you purchase our remote service and support plan.