You will find that, just like a car, there are a number of components that you need to make your website work:

• The main hub of your website will be the eCommerce software you use - in a sense this is the engine;
• Around this engine you will need content and design much like a car has a body, interior, wheels and paintwork;
• So people can use your site, you will need hosting space (a road);
• To fuel your business you will need to have revenue generating power - you will need a third party payment gateway (petrol);
• If a car needs road tax, then you can bet that goods on a website will normally be liable for tax too, in the form of VAT;
• Lastly, when you buy a car you need it delivered to your door – fulfilment.

The diagram below clearly shows the various components of an eCommerce site:

 
Let’s quickly outline what each of these components involves...