Frequently Asked Questions

With X-Cart or WordPress subscriptions — Yes. In fact, there's no "software" in the traditional sense to install or download. When you subscribe, you receive a unique password protected URL. Access it from your browser - anywhere, anytime - and you're on your way!

The shopping cart technology that we use is proprietary and works only on our servers. QCommerce's Servers are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When you purchase your hosting or e-commerce package a store will be "subscribed" for you on our server, where the flow of data and activity will be monitored by our web technicians to ensure that your site is accessible by your customers and by you at all times. Monthly maintenance fees began on the day your site goes live.

Each month your fee will be charged to your credit card. If you ever remove your web site from our server, then the hosting and maintenance fee will no longer apply. You only pay the fee as long as your site is on our server.

Most businesses prefer their own name - www.nameofstore.com - if it is available. Try to choose something that accurately describes what you do, will be memorable to your customers, and isn't too long. Sites with domain names that are too long can easily be misspelled and that's missed traffic for you.

Yes! In fact, it is included in the set-up fee. We are directly connected with Tucows, the largest Internet registry firm, and can secure your domain name for you in real-time. Typically our fee for this service is $25.00 per year, but your first year is on us.

Yes! You will need to contact your registrar and have them change the name servers. Contact us for the most recent server information.

You will need to transfer your domain to us, which we will do for $19.95. This fee includes your first years registration fee. Simply contact our customer support team with the domain name you would like to transfer and we will take care of the rest.

Yes. When we register your domain it will automatically default to point to our servers. Just let us know where your host is and we'll set it up for you.

A merchant account is a bank account that enables your business to accept payment by credit card. Credit card payments can only be processed through a merchant account. A merchant account is necessary to be able to accept credit cards. Merchant account providers charge a fee for their services over and above the fees that are charged for the e-commerce hosting package you select with us.

A Payment gateway is like an encrypted channel that passes the transaction securely from your customer's computer to the financial institutions to capture the authorization and approval. It links your buy page (i.e., the page on your web site where your customers enter their credit card information) to the credit card associations and to your merchant account. When the transaction is done, information is sent back through the payment gateway to complete the order and provide you with verification. It is also a key for the secure transfer of funds from your customer's credit card to your merchant account.

PCI DDS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which is a worldwide information security standard assembled by the major credit card vendors.

Broken down it is basically requiring the following to be PCI Compliant; Build & maintain a secure network, protect cardholder data, maintain a vulnerability management program, implement strong access control measures, reguraly monitor and test networks and maintain information security policy.

You will need a merchant account to accept credit cards. However you can do without a payment gateway. If you do not have a real-time gateway, our e-solutions allow you to download your orders manually and process them through your merchant account.

We do recommend you use a Payment Gateway. With a Payment Gateway you are able to utilize the most recent version of X-Cart 4 and allows you to upgrade to future X-Cart versions. You will be PCI Complaint. There is less opportunity for fraudulent activity, keeping you and your clientele safe.

X-Cart 4 is compitable with the following:

PayPal Choices (USA & Canada):
PayPal Standard
PayPal Payment Advanced
PayPal Express Checkout
PayFlow - Link

Alternative Choices
Available in the USA & Canada
CyberSource - CyberSource Secure Acceptance Web/Mobile
First Data Global Gateway - Connect 2.0
NetBanx (USA & Canada)

Avialable in the USA Only
2Checkout
AuthorizeNet - AIM
AuthorizeNet - SIM
GoEmerchant, LLC - EZ Payment Gateway Standard Form
PlugnPay - Smart Screen method

Available in Canada Only
Elavon, Inc. - InternetSecure (Canada Only)
PSiGate - Web Based (Canada Only)

If you are looking into using another cart we will need to verify what is compatible with that cart.

The strategy to search engine results today is high quality content with useful information that speaks to your target audience. When you have relevant information on your website the more likely you are going to utilize key words or phrases people are going to use when searching sites like yours.

Keep your website updated. New information helps with the ranking of your website.

Have a unique title and description for every page. The title should be between 55-75 characters and the description 125-160 characters.

Find relevant sites to link to yours.

Be sure your web site address is on your business cards, letterhead, invoices, flyers, advertising and posters. Don't forget about any giveaway items you already use, like cups, pens and so forth. If you keep manufacturers' product brochures in your store, add a sticker with your store name and web site address.

Add your address to your store sign if you can. And/or put posters up in the window with the address prominently displayed.

If you have a truck or other vehicle, put the web site address in a prominent place.

If you provide bags to customers, make sure your web site address is on the bag.

Put out a take-one flyer on display in your store that announces your new web site.

If you provide a recorded message to callers while on hold or when the store is closed, make sure your new web site address is mentioned in the announcement.

Consider sending direct mail to your customers that announces your new web site.

All requests for terminating your account must be made in writing, with your signature present. This is to protect both you and us from anyone taking action on your account without proof of consent. You can fax a deactivation letter to 800-581-3648, or mail it to:

In the USA
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 101-123
Seattle, WA 98104

In Canada
#3 - 7003 30 Street S.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2c 1N6

Without written notification, your account will continue to be billed and you will be responsible for all charges on the account.

QCommerce will set up URL re-directs for a one-time fee of $30 for a six month period of time. If you own your own domain name, you simply have to change your name servers to point to your new host.