T-minus 119 and counting...

What does T-minus mean anyway? Anybody know? I'm going to lose sleep over this, I can just tell.

Anyhow...

119 days and counting until we open and I'm like a kid staring up the chimney for Santa Claus. It's an excitement that's just too hard to contain. And why would I want to anyway?

Did you know that you can start your own website just by registering your domain name? Yeah, and then you just stare at a blank page and declare, "Yippee, look at me! I'm somebody!" Like Navin Johnson finding your name in the phone book, you will feel certain that things are going to start happening to you now (The Jerk for those of you who just got lost). Still, that isn't much is it? A blank page or a very convenient "This Website Coming Soon" message. I mean, you aren't a movie and who really cares that you are so technically advanced that you have a heartless, blank page on the web? Twelve-year old kids on Myspace have more of a set up. So, heart in your hand, you endeavor to improve your infantile presence. What now?

Well, you need a tech savvy person. I call mine the Webmaster, cause, I don't know, it makes me think of the Beastmaster and dramatically enhances his image, and in the end just makes me happy. If you happen to be that tech savvy person then you were likely never staring at a blank page and can simply plug your ears and say, "Lalalalala" until I finish. For the rest of you, Webmaster now in tow, your bookstore hanging by the thread of your ability to read, you need the following:

1. You need a company that handles domain hosting and email hosting. MAKE SURE you have email hosting that allows POP3 accounts (peace be with you if you know what that means). Otherwise you have to establish some random email account (oopsmeforgot@______.com, gmail or hotmail or some other) that then forwards to your company email (zach@wordsmithsbooks.com for example). This seems simple and indeed, on the surface it is, but if you value Outlook or are just not a very patient and understanding person, I highly recommend that you find a company that will host you and offer you multiple email addresses that route through the web address. Most of your local phone companies offer this. Also, check with wholesalers like Baker & Taylor, who are beginning to establish these services as well.
2. You need to pair up with a company that will create modules for selling and shopping, pull reviews and book info from reputable book services (Ingram, Amazon, to name just 2) and keep you linked to new releases, bestsellers, award winners and offer multiple options for FTP access, in store inventory displays and newsletter options. That just touches the surface, but is a good start. There is a endless number of potential candidates, but Booksite (http://www.booksite.com/) is very reputable and has great service to boot. It's best regardless to find a company (if you want to excel in internet sales) that will link up with Ingram or Baker & Taylor and utilize their database for available books that are instantly fulfilled and shipped to the customer. You can make lots of money without ever touching a book. You only need to keep the customer up to date with the progress of their sale and take their money.
3. You need patience. Lots and lots of patience. If you can't afford patience, then may I recommend that you invest what you can in coffee and oreos and just hold on tight.
4. You need internet based credit card processing capability. Most banks will link up with Verisign to accommodate this. I bought a wireless cc machine for outside events and am just gritting my teeth processing them manually until I can get Verisign up and running. It works but wireless machines are pricey, so tread carefully.
5. You will need a Tech Dictionary and complete focus when talking to your Webmaster or any tech help associated with the website. Techies aren't what you call sociable people by nature and prefer the love and warmth of a network server over your presence, so bear down and ask any question that sounds as blatantly moronic as possible. Eventually they will catch on and begin using real words.
6. Blog much? You do now.
7. Obsess over the internet, speed of connection, wireless capabilities, or how many people have visited your website? You will now.
8. Do you now or have you ever know somebody who talks endlessly about how late they were up blogging last night and rattles on about their schedule as if flipping through a navigational bar? Yeah, that's you now.
9. Don't dilly dally with Outlook. It's now your best friend. Learn it inside and out. Then go talk to your friends about it and remember how you felt before you opened your store about people who did exactly the same thing.
10. ipage is a godsend (http://www.ipage.ingrambook.com/). I like Baker & Taylor as a wholesaler, but their website is no match for the might and awe-inspiring beauty of Ingram's site. Also, become familiar with websites of other independent bookstores as they will guide you in more ways than you may believe.

I'll go on record to say that building a web presence would be far less difficult to endure if I had had a clue as to what to do. Maybe, if you're on that list of people looking to follow this path, it won't be as difficult. Providing I haven't gone Tron and become part of the computer, I'll be glad to help. Just send me an email (zach@wordsmithsbooks.com) and I'll do everything in my power to make you wish you'd never asked.

Until tomorrow, when we talk more about opening accounts and how your relationship with your fax machine will never be the same.

--zach