eSellerCart Overview
eSellerCart is a powerful tool for commerce-enabling a new or existing Web site. It does NOT provide a Web site in and of itself but rather it plugs into your hosted Web site. You maintain complete control over the look and feel of your Web site at all times. The Catalog Manager will step you through the creation of your catalog of products and help you organize them by pages of like products; navy blue pumps on the shoe page, Limited Edition Monopoly on the board game page and decaffeinated Costa Rican coffee on the hot beverages page.

The eCommerce Manager steps you through transaction preferences including order value, order notification, tax settings, shipping preferences and more. ESellerCart then builds a custom cart just for you. The cart remains on our secure servers, protecting you and your customers.

When your catalog is complete the eSellerCart HTML Generator will produce the HTML code for each product and the specific attributes you’ve assigned. You just copy and paste into your Web site.

Shoppers purchase right from your site and are transported to our secure server environment where their credit card and billing information is captured and securely stored. You log in, process the order via our gateway and transaction processing system and ship the product.

What do I need to commerce-enable my site?
The check list here will give you a good sense of what you will need to build a successful e-commerce Web site.

• Secure A Domain Name
  You will need a domain name for your Web site. Most common domain names end in .com, .net., and .org but .biz, .info and .name are now available. If you do not have a domain name, you can purchase a domain name at http://www.ehost.com.
• Secure a Hosting and Domain Name e-mail Account
  With eSellerCart; you have complete control over the look and feel of your Web site. You will need a hosting account--go to http://www.ehost.com if you don’t already have a hosting account. You will build your site and publish it with your hosting company. Then add the HTML generated by the eSellerCart HTML Generator tool into the appropriate sections of your site. Make sure your hosting account allows you to send and receive e-mail under your domain name. If not, get a separate account.
• Secure a Compatible Merchant Account
  If you do not already have a merchant account that supports online transactions you will need to get one. We recommend eSellerCart Credit Card Services accounts because is fully integrated into the eSellerCart eCommerce Manager. If you have an existing merchant account you will need to verify that it is compatible with one of our payment gateways: eSellerCart Credit Card Services has it’s own integrated gateway. Other gateways supported are: AuthorizeNet 3.0, IntelliPay, and LinkPoint.
• Gather Your Product Images and Descriptions
  Before you start building your store, have the product images and descriptions ready to go. For images you’ll want to have a high-resolution digital photo. Click here to learn more about digital images. You’ll also want to have strong sales copy for your product descriptions. Consider highlighting complimentary products within the product description to enhance your revenue per order. For example: sell BBQ utensils and sauce with your BBQ grills.
• Know your Shipping Costs
  As you build your catalog you’ll be prompted for the shipping weights of each product. If you plan to use automated shipping calculations, you’ll need to know how much a product weighs once it’s wrapped and ready to ship. If you want to add a handling fee, you’ll need to know how much the shipping packaging costs too. You can always get started with the Merchant Calculated Shipping setting that lets you add the shipping costs once you’ve shipped the product.
• Know Your State’s Laws on Collecting Sales Tax
  Some states charge sales tax and some do not. You’ll want to check with your tax accountant or your state tax board for accurate, up-to-date information for your state.
• Build Your Marketing Plan
  You’ll make better copy and business decisions if your marketing plan is in place before you build your catalog. You’ll want to create custom messaging for your e-mail confirmation or provide customers with the option of direct sending gift orders. Don’t forget to add a cross-sell message (like BBQ sauce and grills) and communicate specials and promotions.

Do I need a domain name?
Yes. You will need a domain name. Sometimes called a Top Level Domain, you’ll need to own or have permission to use, a domain name. You will need to park your domain with your hosting company so that your Web site can be reached when a customer types in your domain name. To order your domain from us, click here . Your domain name will automatically be set up on our name servers for convenient access.

Do I need a hosting account?
Yes. You will need a hosting account. The eSellerCart is designed as add-on products to commerce enable your Web site. If you have a hosting account, you can add the eSellerCart generated HTML into your site. If you don’t have a Web site, we recommend that you can purchase one from our partner, ehost.com. You’ll be able to login and manage your hosting account, your domain name and your eSellerCart settings from the same login.

Do I need an e-mail account?
Yes. You will need an e-mail account. Most likely, your hosting account provider has included an e-mail account for your domain name when you registered for their hosting service. If not, click here to get domain-based e-mail. You’ll need an e-mail address to receive order notifications and to communicate with your customers. We recommend that you do NOT use a free web-based e-mail account. A domain-based e-mail account, such as you@yourdomainc.om, provides greater credibility with your customers.

Do I need to know HTML?
Not necessarily. You will not need to know HTML in order to use eSellerCart to commerce enable your existing Web site although we believe the process will be easier for you if you have some knowledge of how a Web site works. The more advanced your knowledge of HTML the more you can customize the look and feel of your site.

The Catalog, Commerce, Cart and Order managers all use a forms-based wizard to set your preferences and generate the product HTML you will copy and paste on your Web site.

However, you will mostly likely need to know HTML to build your Web site. If your hosting company supports it, you can use an HTML editor like Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia’s DreamWeaver to generate the HTML for your Web site.

Our customer service team does not provide HTML support.

Do I need a Merchant Account?
Yes. You will need a merchant account in order to process credit cards online. The eSellerCart Credit Card Services account is fully integrated into the process complete with an online application and integrated payment gateways. Click here to learn more about the eSellerCart Credit Card Services account.

If you already have a merchant account, you will need to verify that it is compatible with our integrated gateways. Click here for a list of supported gateways.

Do I need a security certificate for my site?
eSellerCart provides a secure environment for taking credit cards and other personal information. You will not need a security certificate for the order forms for the products you are selling from eSellerCart. If you need to collect secure information outside the specific products and the eSellerCart check out process, you will need a security certificate for those parts of your Web site.

Do I need to display a privacy policy?
Privacy is a real concern to Internet shoppers. While it is not necessary to display a privacy policy, we strongly recommend that you do. You can view a sample privacy policy at the Better Business Bureau Web site. The site is rich with information on the privacy concerns of Internet customers and businesses.
Click here to learn more:

eSellerCart Account Administration

• Where do I login to my account?
  You log in to your account from at http://www.ehost.com. Or you can click here to access your Account Administration site. You will need your user name and password to gain access. This information can be found in the original confirmation e-mail sent to you when you registered. Once you are in the Administration Site, click on the Link for Web Site Tools in the left had navigation box. This will drop down a menu for eSellerCart Admin. Click this link.
• How do I administer my account?
  Once you log into your account you can update your account information including contact information and preferences. We recommend you keep your e-mail address and other contact information current as we often send service announcement regarding upgrades, new features and scheduled maintenance time.
• How do I change my password?
  Log in to your account from http://www.ehost.com. You will need your username and password. You can find these in the original confirmation e-mail sent to you when you registered. If you have lost your password, the site provides a help mechanism at the point of log in.
• I can’t remember my password.
  Go to http://www.ehost.com and click the Forgot Password link on the left side of the screen. It is highlighted in yellow. Or you can click here. Your password information will be send to the e-mail address on file. You will need to input your domain name or account name to activate the forgot-password tool.
• How do I update my billing and contact information?
  Log in to your account at http://www.ehost.com and access your Account Administration site. You will see a link on the left hand side of the page for Account Tools. Click that link. You will see a drop down menu with the link Change Password. Click that link and follow the instructions.
• What are the terms and services of my account?
  Click here to see the most current terms and services for your account.

eSellerCart Catalog Administration

• What is a Catalog? What is a Page?
  eSellerCart uses the terms Catalog and Page to refer to the organizational structure you create to manage your product offering. The term Catalog refers to the entire book of Pages you create. Each Page represents the collection of products you have grouped together under a single organizational header. You can add or remove Pages from your Catalog as you need to. You can add or remove Products from Pages as you need.

  Example:

  You sell women’s fashions. Your Catalog then is made up of Pages for each product group. Let’s say your pages are: Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Accessories, Shoes. Each Page can have as few as one product or as many as you need to maintain the organization of your Catalog. In this example, your Catalog will have five (5) Pages.

• How do I add or delete a product?
  After you log into your account, go to the Catalog Manager. To add a product, click on the link titled Add Product that is found on the administration boxes for each Page. To remove a product, simply click on the Trash Can icon associated with the product you wish to remove. Once you have removed a product, you cannot restore it. You would need to add it back into your Catalog as a new product.
• How do I edit images for my products?
  From the Catalog Manager, click on the Pencil icon for the product you want to edit. This will generate a table with the option to upload, edit or remove images. The systematic instructions are under the (?) icon.
• Why can’t I upload an image?
  First, verify that the image you are attempting to upload is in a JPEG or GIF format. eSellerCart does not support other forms of images. You will also want to verify that the path you have specified is correct and that the image is properly named with a .jpg or .gif extension. For more information on images, click on the Help icon for the image upload function.

  Note: If you have already uploaded an image for a specific product, you will need to remove the existing image before you can upload the replacement image.

  If you are still having trouble uploading an image, contact customer support at support@networkcommerce.com . You will want to describe the problem in as much detail as possible. Please include your name, best e-mail address for reaching you and the account name so that we can quickly and easily help you.

• How do I show a product with multiple colors or attributes?
  Log in to you Account Administration Center. Click on the Catalog Manager Tab. From there, click on the Pencil Icon (also referred to as the Edit Icon) for the product you wish to assign multiple colors and attributes. The Product Detail page will give you a field at the bottom of the page called Ordering Options. Click on the Help Icon for this field and you will be given detailed instructions, including sample code, for creating the drop down menus you need for assigning variables such as size and color to a product. You will save the changes and then regenerate the HTML for that product if you are adding the attributes, or variants, to an existing product. You can also assign personalization attributes using the Ordering Option field as well.
• Can I set special pricing?
  Go to the Catalog Manager. Click on the Pencil Icon (Edit Icon) for the product you want to put on special. Scroll down until you see the box called “On Special” Check this box and enter the special price in the box below. You will need to save the changes and then regenerate and post new HTML for that product. When you want to take the item off special, simply uncheck the On Special box, save the change and regenerate the HTML. The original price will be restored.
• What do I do with the Generated HTML for each product? How often do I need to use the Generate HTML function?
  You can generate HTML for each product, each Page or for the entire Catalog. This HTML will incorporate your product settings and interface with the web-based cart function of the store to provide secure order processing and check out on your site.

  Copy and paste this file into your Web site host files, upload and publish. You can also edit this HTML to suit your exact needs. If you make a mistake, simply regenerate the HTML and begin again.

  You will not need to regenerate HTML for your catalog unless you edit the Product Details for one or more products. If you have selected the Generate Catalog Option, you can either regenerate the entire HTML Catalog to update one product, or simply choose the product you have just edited and regenerate it.

eSellerCart e-Commerce Administration

• I already have a merchant account. Do I need to get another one?
  If you already have a merchant account, you will need to verify that it is compatible with our integrated gateways. Click here for a list of supported gateways.

  If your account is not supported, we recommend the eSellerCart Credit Card Services account that is fully integrated into the process complete with online application and integrated payment gateways. Click here to learn more about the eSellerCart Credit Card Services account.

• Do I need to charge sales tax?
  Each state and each country set specific guidelines for assessing sales tax on goods and services sold online. We recommend that you check with your state and local tax authorities or your tax accountant to determine if you need to charge sales tax.
• The sales tax is not calculating correctly. Why?
  Automatic Tax calculation is only available for orders that originate and are sent within the US. Tax for international merchants/customers will always appear as pending.

  To check the Tax Settings, access the wizard by first clicking on the Commerce Manager. Then click on the Tax Settings tool. Verify the following steps:

  1. Specify which states to tax.

  2. Enter the city, state, and zip code for your tax district.

  3. Decide whether to apply tax to shipping costs. If you let the eSellerCart database decide, it will calculate it based on whether your district charges tax on shipping.

  4. Select or de-select automatic tax calculation. Leave it blank and tax will always appear as pending.

  Note: This is not the way to disable tax calculation. If you don’t charge sales tax, you must mark the item as not taxable in the product details.

  5. Remember to check the 'Taxable' box in your Product Details page, found in the Catalog Manager. If you alter the status of this box, you will need to regenerate and post new HTML for that product. Reminder: eSellerCart updates tax tables monthly based on information provided by FTA and state governments. If your local tax district revises its rates before FM updates its tax tables, you can enter the city and zip code of another district as a temporary work around. The tax location settings do not affect the shipping cost calculations.

• The shipping charges are not calculating correctly. Why?
  First, verify the Shipping Settings by clicking into the e-commerce Manager and accessing the Shipping Settings tool. You will want to review all five (5) steps. Reset/correct any settings that need to be adjusted.

Then access the Product Detail for the specific product(s) affected. You can find the Product Detail by clicking into the Catalog Manager and clicking on the Pencil Icon (Edit Icon) for the specific product(s) you need to check. Make sure you have entered the product weight, including packaging, and the Gross Shipping cost. If you alter these fields you will need to save the changes and regenerate the HTML for the product(s) you have edited.

• How do I accept Credit Cards?
  To accept credit cards online you will need an internet-compatible Merchant Account that is also compatible with one of the payment gateways supported by eSellerCart. If you do not have a merchant account, we recommend applying for an eSellerCart Credit Card Services account as this is a fully integrated system with eSellerCart. You can get more information about merchant accounts behind the Help Icon for Merchant Accounts in the e-commerce Manager section of eSellerCart.

Frequently Asked Questions about eSellerCart Credit Card Services

• How much does eSellerCart Credit Card Services cost?
  Aside from the low monthly fee of $25, the cost of this service is minimal. There are no application fees, no upfront deposits, and no minimum monthly volumes to maintain. A discount rate of 2.60% and a transaction fee of $0.35 apply to each transaction. A rolling reserve of 5% will also apply.

  Take, for example, a case where the discount rate was 2.60%, the transaction fee was $0.35, and the rolling reserve – held for 180 days to offset the cost of charge backs – was 5%. On a $100 sale, you would pay $2.60 for the discount rate, $0.35 for the transaction fee, and $5.00 for the rolling reserve. You will receive $92.05 within 2 weeks of the sale and a further $5.00 180 days after the sale.

• How am I paid?
  By providing your payment information, you permit funds owing from your merchant account to be automatically deposited, by electronic funds transfer, into the bank account that you specify. There is no charge for EFT.
• When am I paid?
  Payment is issued every two weeks on the anniversary date of your first transaction.
• Can I use my existing merchant account with this service?
  No. eSellerCart Credit Card Services is an integrated merchant account service. In addition to the processing of transactions, FreeMerchant Credit Card Services tracks transaction information to allow FreeMerchant Credit Card Services to automatically record credit card payments and credit card expenses.
• What is a discount rate?
  Credit cards typically charge a percentage of the sale for use and this amount is referred to as a discount rate. The rate paid by the merchant may vary depending on the monthly sales volume, the average sale size, and whether a transaction is processed manually or electronically.

  eSellerCart Credit Card Services provides a discount rate of 2.6% for all merchants. This is one of the lowest rates available for manual transaction processing (no swipe terminal). In addition, there are no application fees and no minimum monthly volume requirements.

• What is a transaction fee?
  The transaction processor to cover the costs of receiving and processing the transaction applies a transaction fee. While a discount rate is a contribution for the convenience of accepting credit card payments, a transaction fee pays for the use of the infrastructure to receive payment information, request authorization from the customer's bank, transmit the authorization information to the merchant, and to facilitate payment of the merchant.
• What is a rolling reserve?
  Many banks require a non-interest-bearing deposit equal to one or 2 times the average estimated monthly credit card sales by a merchant. This can pose a substantial barrier to accepting credit cards for some merchants. The purpose of this deposit is to cover any purchase refused by a customer and for which the customer's credit card issuer refuses to pay (a charge back).

  To overcome the barrier of a large cash deposit, eSellerCart Credit Card Services includes a rolling reserve. This reserve, equal to 5% of each purchase, is held for 180 days after the sale. If a purchase is charged back by the customer's credit card issuer, the charge back will be deducted from the rolling reserve. At the end of 180 days from the purchase, any amount remaining in the reserve from the purchase will be paid to the merchant.

• What is a charge back?
  A charge back is a reversal of a sales transaction by the customer's credit card issuer. Charge backs most often occur when a cardholder disputes a transaction and you, the merchant, cannot provide adequate proof that the transaction made to a cardholder's account is valid. A charge back can also result from processing errors, authorization issues, and/or any other transaction irregularities.

  eSellerCart Credit Card Services employs a team of charge back analysts to review charge back notifications and to dispute the charge back where evidence exists that the customer received the goods or service.

  When a purchase is charged back to the merchant, a $5.00 fee and any fees charged by the customer's credit card issuer would be deducted from your account in addition to the value of the sale.

• How can I prevent charge backs?
  It may not be possible to prevent all charge backs. However, eSellerCart Credit Card Services has attempted to reduce the number of charge backs. First, the merchant's business name will appear on the customer's credit card statement. This reduces the risk of a customer not remembering the purchase. Second, we employ a team of charge back analysts to review charge back notifications and dispute a proposed charge back where evidence exists.

  As a merchant, you can help by ensuring that the name you register for the service is the name under which your business operates. You can also help by having your customers sign a sales receipt if they provide their credit card to you in person. Finally, if you are shipping goods, be sure to use a shipper that provides confirmation of delivery. A signed sales receipt or a confirmation of delivery will assist our charge back analysts in disputing proposed charge backs.

• How do I void a transaction after it has been processed?
  You can void a credit card payment up until 12:00 midnight (Eastern time) on the day you process the transaction. After that time, the transaction has been settled and can't be voided. To reverse a credit card payment after the settlement period, you must issue a credit to the customer.
• How do online payments get into my bank account?
  By providing your bank account number and bank routing number, in the "Payment Information" section of the application, you permit funds owing from your merchant account to be automatically deposited, by electronic funds transfer, into the bank account that you specify. There is no charge for EFT. Refer to the "Payment Information" section of the application details.
• I have an account with eSellerCart Credit Card Services, however, several of my transactions have been declined - why?
  When using eSellerCart Credit Card Services, you must make sure that the address is correct. Transactions with U.S. addresses may be declined if the address provided by your customer does not match the cardholder address registered by the bank.

eSellerCart Order Management Administration

• How do I know I have an order?
  When you log into your Administration Site, click on the Order Manager tab. You will see the status of all orders in your Cart, including the status of New, Approved or Shipped.

  You can also set order notification to send you an e-mail whenever a new order is placed. To set this functionality, log in to your Account Administration Site and go to the eCommerce Manager. Click on the Transaction Settings link. Step 5 lets you set the order notification method that includes sending an e-mail to the address you specify.

• Can I set a minimum dollar amount?
  Yes. Using the eCommerce Manager, click on the Transaction Settings link. Step 3 lets you set the minimum order amount. Shoppers on your site will not see a check out button until the dollar value of the items they have added to in their cart meets or exceeds the minimum dollar amount set by you. You can change this dollar amount at any time without having to regenerate HTML.
• How do I delete an invoice?
  Using the Order Manager, click on the Delete Icon (Trash Can Icon) for the invoice you wish to delete. Note: Once you have deleted an invoice you can not restore it to the system. If you want to delete invoices for valid orders, we recommend that you print a hard copy of the invoice for your records to address any customer services issues that may arise later.
• Can I modify an order?
  Yes. Using the Order Manager, simply click on the Pencil Icon (Edit Icon) of the invoice you want to edit. You will be given the option of editing the invoice in the following ways: Add additional products, change the quantity ordered, change price of the item ordered – for instance to give a volume discount, adjust the shipping and tax charges.

ESellerCart Builder Administration For products and services to save time and money while you run, grow, and promote your business…click here.

Customer Support Hours and phone number
If your questions did not get answer above please give us a call at
206-903-4111 from the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 pm Pacific Coast Time, Monday thru Friday.