Shopping habits are rapidly changing today, and the rise of commerce in the digital world is becoming an inevitable reality. The first place we turn to meet our needs is now websites and shopping apps. Not only do we browse products, but we also easily complete our purchases through digital platforms. Based on this trend, it’s safe to say that e-commerce habits are evolving, and online shopping has become an indispensable part of our lives.
This transformation is making e-commerce a rapidly expanding business field and indicates that its future growth is inevitable. The growing e-commerce market continues to attract those involved in traditional commerce as well as entrepreneurs looking to start a new business. Since e-commerce is a relatively new field, questions like “How do you start e-commerce?” and “How is e-commerce done?” frequently come up.
In this blog post, we have listed the steps you need to take when setting up an e-commerce website, which is one of the essential steps to starting e-commerce. Whether you’re thinking about taking your business into the digital world or wanting to start an online business from scratch, our goal is to help you embark on a successful e-commerce journey with the right information. We invite you to step into the exciting world of e-commerce!
Requirements Before Setting Up an E-Commerce Website
Before stepping into the world of e-commerce, there are some important requirements to ensure you set up a successful e-commerce site and begin commercial activities by taking the right steps. ETBİS registration is a mandatory step after setting up your e-commerce site, and being a sole proprietorship is sufficient for this registration. You will also need to prepare the necessary documents for this registration. Similarly, to obtain a MERSİS number, you will need to register with the Chamber of Commerce.
If you are setting up an e-commerce site for the first time and want to manage the process more efficiently, it may be more suitable for you to start online sales through companies that provide corporate e-commerce infrastructure services. These companies offer various e-commerce packages tailored to your needs and handle the official registration procedures on your behalf.
Official procedures such as registrations with the tax office, chamber of commerce, and social security institution are automatically completed for your e-commerce business, and after obtaining your tax certificate, you can apply to the municipality for a business opening and operating license. By following these steps correctly, you can successfully complete the process of setting up an e-commerce site and quickly start your commercial activities.
Documents Required to Set Up an E-Commerce Website
The documents required to set up an e-commerce website vary depending on the type of company and the setup process. If company formation is necessary, the documents requested by official institutions should be prepared according to the type of company. After the company is established, there are additional documents and information that will ensure the smooth operation of e-commerce activities.
In general, to legally set up an e-commerce site and start selling, there are two different models: as a sole proprietorship or as a capital company. The establishment of a sole proprietorship is simpler and faster compared to capital companies, but the liability of the partners is unlimited. In capital companies, however, the liability of the partners is limited to the capital they contribute.
- Documents required for a sole proprietorship: KEP address, copy of ID, proof of residence, signature declaration or circular.
- Documents required for a capital company (limited company): Lease agreement, shareholding ratios, designated company representative, company articles of association, determined capital, proof of residence, copy of ID.
- Documents required for a joint-stock company: Lease agreement, shareholding ratios, designated company representative, company articles of association, capital amount, proof of residence, copy of ID, 1/4 capital bank blocking letter.
These documents required to set up an e-commerce website may vary depending on the type and size of the company. Properly organizing the necessary documents is crucial for the business to operate legally. Once the documents and procedures are completed correctly, the business can officially start its operations and offer customers a safe and reliable shopping experience.
Businesses setting up an e-commerce site should also make various service agreements to ensure security and customer satisfaction. Agreements made with infrastructure providers play a critical role in strengthening the technical foundation of the e-commerce site and minimizing issues. Similarly, agreements with shipping companies and payment intermediary institutions are important for enhancing customer satisfaction and ensuring that transactions are carried out securely.
The documents required for setting up an e-commerce site and the agreements made are of great importance for the reliability and success of the business. For this reason, business owners must complete the procedures with the correct and complete documents and take the necessary precautions to provide customers with a reliable shopping experience. Considering that e-commerce is a rapidly growing and highly competitive sector, with the right documents and agreements, business owners can establish a successful e-commerce operation.
Is a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure necessary when setting up an e-commerce website?
Choosing the right e-commerce infrastructure is crucial for success and generating income in the e-commerce world. Free platforms may seem cost-effective at first, but they can hinder business growth in the long run. Therefore, it is important to select an infrastructure that is customizable and technically adequate to meet your needs. Having custom software developed for companies can be a disadvantage in terms of cost and time. Lengthy software processes can cause delays in business plans.
Ready-made e-commerce infrastructures are designed to meet the needs of businesses at different levels. They provide the opportunity to create a desired e-commerce site with various design alternatives without requiring technical knowledge or skills. Additionally, these infrastructures include many features, from customer service tools to marketing integrations. One of the key advantages of ready-made e-commerce packages is the ability to keep costs under control and upgrade the infrastructure as the business grows.
Choosing the right e-commerce technology and infrastructure when setting up an e-commerce site will help the business establish a successful and efficient presence in the digital world. Considering criteria such as flexible usage, security measures, mobile compatibility, easy integration with marketing tools, customer service features, available payment methods, and pricing will enable the business to step into a successful future in the e-commerce world.