Online sales means sales of goods and services by businesses or individuals through their own e-commerce sites or marketplace platforms. 

Is It Obligatory To Set Up An E-Commerce Site To Sell Online?

There is no obligation to set up an e-commerce site to make online sales. It is possible to make sales from online marketplaces such as Trendyol, n11, Hepsiburada, GittiGidiyor. However, when selling on these marketplaces, a certain amount of commission should be paid per category or product you sell. 

In today’s conditions, it will be advantageous to establish your own site in order to compete, reach the target audience, create brand awareness and earn more income. Also, in order to create a brand image, it is absolutely necessary to have an e-commerce site.  

What Are Documents Required to Set-up an E-Commerce Site?

A sole proprietorship or limited liability company can be established to set up an e-commerce website. Different documents are required to establish these companies.

The required documents and information to set-up an e-commerce website are as follows:

• MERSIS number for natural or legal persons
• Taxpayer identification number
• Turkish Identity number for tradesmen and craftsmen
• Photos of founder(s)
• Electronic Commerce Information System (ETBIS) registration
• The title of the business
• The sector in which the company is operating, the type of product and service
• Commerce type (B2B and B2C etc.)
• KEP address
• Agreement notification of the payment intermediary institution
• Agreement notification of the shipment company
• Agreement notification of the infrastructure provider
• Foreign bank information for international financial transactions
• The location of the database

Things You Should Know for Setting Up an E-Commerce Web Site

• ETBIS registration is mandatory to setup an e-commerce website. It is sufficient for the company to be a sole proprietorship for ETBIS registration.
• There are also required documents for ETBIS registration.
• Chamber of Commerce registration is required to obtain a MERSIS number.
• It is more advantageous in the short term to start online sales through companies that provide corporate e-commerce software services for natural or legal persons who desire to establish an e-commerce site for the first time.
• Custom e-commerce site software prices can cost over 10,000 USD.
• During the official establishment procedures for the e-commerce company; tax office, chamber of commerce, social security institution registrations are automatically made.
• Following the official establishment of the e-commerce site, a tax certificate is provided. Then, a business and operating license must be obtained from the municipality of the region where the company is located.

Is e-commerce legal?

Through perception management, selling products on the Internet and E-Commerce are tried to be portrayed as unsafe practices, but in fact, they are as reliable and legal as retail trade.

What are the Platforms You Could Use For Online Sales?

Online market places

E-commerce websites

Social media

To set up an online store, you need to provide specific tools and information. Here are the steps you need to complete when starting your eCommerce enterprise:

Choose your e-Commerce Platform

The platform on which you will build your business and the e-commerce features provided by this platform are a sign that your business runs smoothly. Below you can find some of the factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform:

• The trading tools it offers,
• pricing packages,
• design abilities and mobile outlook optimization

Payment Methods Used For Online Sales Affairs

There are many methods businesses can use to collect their payments:

• Wire Transfer and EFT
• Payment via credit card and bank card
• Paying at the door
• Mobile payment

Which Are The Payment Methods Preferred By E-Commerce Sites?

E-commerce sites use a virtual POS application to receive payments by credit cards. You can make an application to the banks for this service or work directly with service providers that focus on this area and support various other alternative payment systems such as the digital wallets. The e-commerce payment systems that online sales companies can choose from, are:

• iPara
• PayU
• Paymec
• BKM Express
• iyzico

Legal texts that should be included on the e-commerce site

In accordance with the Law on the Protection of the Consumer, websites that sell goods or services over the internet are required to include certain legal texts on their websites. The details of these legal texts are regulated by the Distance Contract Regulation. These texts are:

• Distance Sales Contract 
• Preliminary Information Form

These texts must be approved by the buyer during the sale process of the products or services from the e-commerce site. Apart from these, other legal texts that are used and or recommended to be used, are as follows:

• Membership Agreement
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy