Electronic malls

Electronic malls

Setting up a web site for buying and selling can be complicated and expensive, it is not for everyone. However some companies have been setting up electronic or vital or online malls. The shopping mall is a familiar and comfortable model for consumers and merchants and it is relatively straightforward to simulate using the World Wide Web. Mall operators allow individual merchants to rent space on the mall. The financial arrangements may vary but include some monthly charge, charge for storage space required and charge for each transaction. As part of the ability to sell products electronically, the online commercial environment should provide at least some of the following abilities:

· Automatically process transactions received through the Internet and send payment information to credit card authentication services also via the Internet.

· Automatically process responses from the credit card authentication service.

· Get digital signatures or other proof of approval of the order from the customer

· Generate necessary transaction tracking information, including electronic receipts, customer statements and internal documentation of orders.

· For non electronic material. Have a link to the delivery company for delivery status between the vendor and the customer.

· Be able to handle occasional telephone or fax transactions as well as online transactions.