E-commerce Essentials -- Shopping Solution for the Time Squeezed Ones!

E-commerce has proved the only option to sustain the time squeeze. The available tools of e-commerce have proved to be the best in making your store set up smooth sailing. A virtual business can also be very cheap and easy to operate, since you can actually sell an item and have it delivered to your customer, from the comfort of your home. This makes it easy to run multiple businesses as you don't need to meet customers face to face which can be time consuming and cumbersome.

For any trader, this is one of the easiest ways to start a business, as the requirements are minimal and readily available. All you need is a website and an online bank account. The regulations are minimal as compared to those of a physical business.


•Compatibility: Establishing an e-commerce enabled web site is a giant work that too without making major changes in the existing systems. You need to go for a product which is absolutely compatible with the existing hardware. Mostly commerce servers support operating systems, with UNIX and Windows NT being the most common, although some of the more mature products are available for UNIX only.


•Import data facility: When you have a large data base then you need to transfer this data to your web store’s data base. This is a basic necessity of a web site.



•Link to Legacy applications: You need to link your present inventory management and finance systems with your commerce server. This is the most challenging and necessary task as well.


•Virtual Shopping Carts: Shopping Carts are customer friendly; you can browse through a store adding or removing items. Then finally checking out and billing for the goods.


•Shipping and Sales Tax: It is good to include a note that international customers will have shipping costs notified to them by e-mail – customers want to know the total cost before placing their order. Select a solution that allows you to specify shipping costs with a great level of detail.


•Payment methods: You have to be ready to accept the payment in all possible manners to maximize your sales. Select such a solution that helps a wide range of electronic as well as older systems of payment.


•Construction Tools: e-commerce software solutions come with a number of standard store templates that can be readily customized, or include wizards in building the store.


•Promotion management: Once your store is built, you need to go for promotion. Changing the price and discounts or special offers should be able to do quickly.


•Reports in detail: Detailed reporting of Missing packages, customer activities are important. This system helps you to fine tune your store and to maximize the sale


•Administrations: Some e-commerce solutions allow this to be done via any Web browser and incorporate features such as the ability to point and click at a product in order to change properties such as pricing.


With a all the above discussed features E-commerce is flourishing like anything. You can save time, commuting and get the exact thing what you need sitting home!


Taking into consideration these essentials of an ecommerce business, any person who wishes to buy or sell goods or services online can become successful and reap benefits of the virtual market place.

About Author -
Jessica is working with leading Custom Ecommerce Solutions Sydney. she is passionate to share useful tips on Ecommerce Website Development, online store development and Shopping Cart Development.

Party Venues and Party Planning - Tips for Success

Whether it's in a private house or garden, a village field or at a famous and awe-inspiring landmark, a venue can make or break a party. Party venues don't have to be expensive, and if your house or home is suitable, that can make life much easier, but of course a large company, a corporate organisation, or someone simply with a bigger than average number of guests, will all need a proper party venue.

Venue hire is now big business. There are hundreds of thousands of party venues available for hire, and believe it or not, hiring a party venue doesn't have to be hugely expensive either – some, of course, can cost thousands, but others allow you to use their event space free of charge, as long as you use their own food and beverage suppliers. Others will allow you to use your own caterer, and have free use of the space, as long as a guaranteed amount is taken over the bar. The venue hire deal simply varies from place to place.

In London, popular event and party venues include the Natural History Museum and The Science Museum, Madame Tussauds or The London Aquarium, Guildhall, Two Temple and Chelsea Hospital - the list in endless.

More often than not, the larger party venues have their own events teams who do all the party planning for you. These party planning teams will often try to work with a list of preferred suppliers – the florists, caterers, DJs, bands, and lighting & production companies that they feel do the best job of creating parties and events in their spaces. They will worry about the invites for you, and the goody bags. And some of the best catering companies for example, such as The Recipe, Moving Venue, “rhubarb” and Alison Price are all experienced in working in London's biggest & best venues.

Sometimes party planning calls for a really unusual party venue, and of course London party venues are just ideal for this as their scope is so enormous. How about a luxury super-yacht cruising the Thames for a beauty product launch, or for a Halloween party why not try the London Dungeons?

As for the process of finding the perfect party venue, the Internet has made that much easier. There are now a variety of event-led venue-hiring websites and organizations such as London Launch, which allow you to browse through all the party venues located in a city - just don't forget the golden rules of party planning, when you DO find your party venue:

• Always check the party venue's date availability and time slot – some venues might want you out by 10pm when you want to party all night long!

• Always budget in as much detail as you can – food, linen, entertainment, there is a lot to cover!

• Don't forget that beyond the venue, food and staff, you need to decorate too. So many people forget the flowers until the last minute.

• And what happens if you have to cancel your party? Always check the terms and conditions of your party venue and your party planning suppliers

• Think hard about your menu and your drink, well fed guests are happy guests

Wherever you are looking to hold your party or event, and whatever that event might be - product launch, wedding or corporate gala dinner - once you've found the perfect party venue and embarked on your party planning, well you are more than halfway there. All you have left to do is enjoy yourself!

How to Ensure your Wedding Reception is Perfect in Every Way

A wedding reception – quite possibly the most important party of your life, full of your nearest and dearest, and the only day at which you are truly king and queen for the day!

But planning wedding receptions takes a great deal more time and energy than the service, the dress, or the speech for that matter. A wedding reception is a real reflection of you – do you want something low key and relaxed? Or do you want a formal banquet in a castle with a seven-course meal and rivers of vintage champagne? There are so many choices and options that, at times, it can be utterly bewildering.

So, when choosing a wedding reception caterer – such as Absolute Taste or Alison Price - it is very important to establish a few things straight away. Can they work within your budget? Can they travel to where you want them to be? And would they be able to provide all the drinks too, and research possible venues?

Because it’s not just about the food of course – these companies can help you think about decoration, lighting, linen, staff uniform, candles and table centrepieces, food styling, flowers, and even entertainment. If your wedding reception caterer suggests other suppliers along these lines, it is a good tip to ask for testimonials that might give you a steer on whether they really know what they are doing. If all the other brides were happy, there’s a good chance you will be too!

Wedding reception caterers can vary hugely in price and in product. Low key, casual and less formal weddings may benefit from smaller, more relaxed (and likely cheaper) wedding caterers. But if budget is no issue, then nothing is impossible, and you can find companies who will provide ice bars laden with the finest caviar and the most superb cocktail barman serving martinis to your guests until the early hours.

Often the best wedding caterers also work in conjunction with wedding planners – companies that specialise in planning every last detail of the big day. These planners may hire the caterer for you, but only after you have had huge input and maybe even visited two or three caterers to get a feel for their individual style and service. Linda Cooper weddings for example work with a number of high-end wedding reception caterers such as “rhubarb” food design.

The main thing about wedding caterers is getting them to work well for you – don’t feel you cant ask for a bespoke menu for example. If the company’s menus don’t offer what you are looking for, always ask if they can create one just for you. Any good kitchen and event team should be able to tailor what they do to your exact requirements, and if they don’t – look elsewhere!
As far as the chosen menu is concerned, if the produce is excellently sourced and superbly cooked, even sausages and mash can be perfect for a wedding meal. As a rule, try to stick with what is seasonal. Popular choices still tend to be chicken, lamb, beef and salmon. They're generally well liked and, if the wedding reception caterers are any good, they don't have to be boring either.

And if the budget isn’t quite tallying up, then good wedding caterers should be able to suggest great ideas and clever ways of doing things within your budget. If you want to save money, consider serving substantial canapés or bowl food instead of a starter, or a very luxurious chocolate wedding cake as your pudding. What about a tower of initialled fairy cakes as your wedding cake – not only are they a stunning wedding centerpiece, but they solve the problem of wedding favours for guests too!

Overall, the best wedding reception caterers are those who specialise in making a dream day a total reality, while you just sit back and enjoy yourself. Find one of those, and you’re almost there…

Hiring the Perfect London Party Venue

Venue hire in London (and countrywide in fact) is big business. There are literally thousands of spaces available for hire in our capital city, from vaulted ballrooms in royal palaces, to small intimate restaurants or private dining rooms.

There is certainly no doubt that one of the most crucial ingredients for a really good party is the venue. The venue can create a cosy candlelit ambience for a dinner for eight, or jawdropping wow factor for a celebrity studded charity gala. Whether in a private house or garden in one of London’s swankiest squares, or at a famous and awe-inspiring London landmark, a party venue can make or break a party.

Believe it or not, hiring a London party venue doesn’t have to be hugely expensive either – some, of course, can cost thousands, but others allow you to use their event space free of charge, as long as you use their own food and beverage suppliers. Others will allow you to use your own caterer, and have free use of the space, as long as a guaranteed amount is taken over the bar. The venue hire deal simply varies from place to place.

Museums and monuments often make great venues, and of course lots of London tourist attractions can double up as great venues too. Popular London party venues include the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, as well as Madame Tussauds or The London Aquarium.

More often than not, these larger party venues have their own events teams, staff whose sole job is to sell and market the venue’s hire to the events industry. These events teams will often try to work with a list of preferred suppliers – the florists, party planners, caterers,

DJs, bands, and lighting & production companies that they feel do the best job of creating parties and events in their spaces. Some of the best catering companies for example, such as The Recipe, Moving Venue and Alison Price are all experienced in working in the biggest and best London party venues.

Sometimes an event calls for a really unusual venue hire, and of course London party venues are just ideal for this as the scope is so enormous. How about a luxury super-yacht cruising the Thames for a beauty product launch, or for a Halloween party why not try the London dungeons? You can even hire a pod on the London Eye for a wedding if you like! Again, good event caterers such as Rocket or “rhubarb” (the official caterers on the Silver Fleet and at the London Eye) can bring their skills to each and every one of these venues.

As for the process of finding the perfect venue, the Internet has made that much easier. There are now a variety of event-led venue-hiring websites and organisations, which allow you to browse through all the venues located in a city - just don’t forget the golden rules of venue hire when you are finding one:

Always check the date availability and time slot – some venues might want you out by 10pm when you want to party all night long!

Always check the cost breakdown in full - will you have to pay for lighting costs for example on the night?

Establish what you are tied to – do you have to use certain suppliers for food, staff and drink or are you free to choose your own?

Will the venue be decorated for you? And if not, are you allowed to decorate yourself?

And what happens if you have to cancel – always check the terms and conditions!

Once you have chosen your party venue and ticked all these boxes, you’re practically ready to send out the invites!

Finding the Right Place to Party - London Party Venues & Venue Hire

One of the most crucial ingredients for a really good party is the venue.
Whether the party is in a private house or garden, on a sun soaked French beach, or at a famous and awe-inspiring London landmark, a venue can make or break a party.

(London party venues the roundhouse)

Hiring a party venue, if you don’t have a suitable house or home, doesn’t have to be expensive – some venues even allow you to use their space free of charge, as long as you use their own caterers and bar suppliers for the party itself. But of course a large business or company, a corporate organisation, or someone simply with a bigger than average number of guests, will all need a proper party venue.

Lots of party venues have other uses. Museums and monuments often make great venues, and of course lots of London tourist attractions double up as great London party venues too, with their own events teams and so on. Popular London party venues include the Natural History Museum and The Science Museum, Madame Tussauds or The London Aquarium, Guildhall, The Roundhouse, The Design Museum or The Saatchi Gallery, in fact the list of London party venues is endless.

These party venues often work with a list of preferred suppliers – the florists, party planners, caterers, DJs, bands, and lighting & production companies that they feel do the best job of creating parties in their spaces. Some of the best catering companies for example, such as The Recipe, Eclare and Urban Caprice are all experienced in working in London’s biggest and best venues.

(Party venues silver fleet)

And now, as Summer draws to a close and people turn their thoughts to the Christmas party season, party venues with scope for real seasonal creativity start to appeal – places with that little something special for the festive season, or venues that are just plain extraordinary. The Silver Fleet in London for example is a fleet of luxury vessels available for hire for Christmas parties – your guests are offered impressive panoramic river views, superb food by one of the UK’s top caterers - “rhubarb” food design – and some perfect Christmas party memories.

As for the process of finding the perfect venue, the Internet has made that much easier. There are now a variety of event-led venue hire websites and organisations, which allow you to browse through all the venues located in a city.

Of course, as times have been hard financially for some companies, some are looking into cheaper party venues this year, or even ‘in-office’ events, with a bit more time and money spent on creative decoration of the less exciting space. Stunning flowers and candles, evergreen table decorations, swags of mistletoe and gorgeous twinkling lighting, can turn even the most uninspiring corporate boardroom into a winter wonderland. And don’t think the colour scheme has to be restricted to traditional reds and greens either. Colour co-ordinating your Christmas table or venue is easy for those companies experienced in this kind of thing - how about white and hot pink, or black and purple? The better event production companies and in house design and décor departments can wave their magic Christmas wand over anything!

Certainly finding the right party venue, be it in London or elsewhere, takes you more than half way to having the perfect Christmas party – just don’t forget the Christmas tree and mince pies!

- By Sara Allom

View Source: Rhubarb Food Design – London party venues

Ensuring the Wedding Reception of Your Dreams!

A wedding reception – quite possibly the most important party of your life, and certainly one you want to get absolutely right! With all your nearest and dearest there, you need to know that every single guest has the best time possible, not just you and your bride or groom.

A wedding reception takes a great deal of thought because it is a real reflection of you – do you want something low key and relaxed for example, with hay bales to sit on and a hog roast to eat? Or do you want a formal banquet with a five course meal and twinkling chandeliers hanging from a designer marquee? Whatever you are trying to achieve with your wedding reception, it helps to get be absolutely sure what your vision is first.

When it comes to food at wedding reception - there are a thousand ways to do it – whether its fish and chips followed by an ice cream van, or a Bollywood themed Indian buffet, great food means happy guests, and an even more memorable day. Paying a caterer for the wedding reception is the answer for many couples. And there are a huge number of catering companies specialising in wedding receptions in the UK – companies who perhaps do corporate and private parties too, but who, overall, make wedding reception business their business.

With a wedding reception caterer – such as Alison Price or “rhubarb” food design - it is very important to focus on the menu very early on. Get your caterer to suggest ideas. Talk about what suits you as a couple, and get advice on what is right for the venue, the overall occasion and for your guests. And don’t forget your wedding cake either – a wedding reception isn’t a wedding reception without a stunning cake!

The cost of your wedding reception food can vary hugely. Low key, casual and less formal weddings may benefit from smaller, more relaxed catering companies. But if budget is no issue, then the world is your oyster and you can find catering companies who will provide anything and everything.

But its not just about the food either of course – you also have to think about wedding receptions decoration, lighting, linen, staff uniform,

candles and table centrepieces, food styling, flowers, and of course what about entertainment and dancing, photography and videography? With each and every supplier always look for testimonials that might give you a steer on whether they really know what they are doing, and certainly give these testimonials some thought before you ask someone to play a part in your big day.

Of course there is always the option of using a wedding planner - a person or company who will plan your entire wedding day and wedding reception down to the teeniest tiniest detail. Companies like Linda Cooper and Absolute Perfection do every single wedding-related job so that you don’t have to – meaning you can really relax on the big day, safe in the knowledge that a whole team with all the relevant skills and experience will be responsible for getting it right. That way, all you have to worry about is the speech!

- Author Sara Allom

View Source: Rhubarb Food Design – Party Planning & Wedding Receptions

Ten Top Tips for Perfect Party Planning

Planning for a small gathering or a house party is something everyone can do quite easily. However, not everyone can organise, or has the spare time and can put in the concerted effort to organise, a big bash such as a wedding or charity ball.

It is in organising these kinds of events that party planning companies can come in to their own. Not only do these party planners ease the administrative burden of the host or hostess in the run up to the event, but they can absolutely take responsibility for the smooth running of every last detail on the night too. Invaluable if you want to enjoy the event yourself!



So, how do you find the perfect party planner? Let's take a look at our list of ten tips to consider when looking for the right party planning company:

1. Type of party planning

Identify what type of party planning is needed. Make a list of the various jobs and responsibilities you want people to look after. Talk with the party planning companies and find out which services they can provide for you. Some party planning companies just offer consultancy for example, or ideas. Then there are others who offer a full service and do all the preparations for the party too. Make sure what you need is clear from the very outset.

2. Budget

Be absolutely sure what you want to spend and on what! If you want to blow the budget on getting your event planned to perfection, but you want the food to be a fish and chip van, then make sure your party planner knows where to apportion your spend!

3. References

Always request references or a list of the company's previous clients and their contact details. Contact them and ask for relevant feedback. If the party planning company refuses to give you references, don't waste any more time and move on to the next company on your list.

4. Arrange a meeting with the party planner

Once you have chosen a party planner who can provide the services that you are looking for, in budget, and with recommendations, meet with the prospective planner. Make sure you get on – you may be speaking to each other ten or 15 times a day in the weeks to come so you need to get on!



5. List of services

Make sure your party planner sets up a list of services that you will need and get them to get to grips with the terms and conditions of all of them. Are they planning on using a caterer that needs to be paid 90% up front for example? Find out what payment schedule the planner has and of course find out what happens if you (or your guests) aren't satisfied.

6. Value for money?

If your goal is to get the best value for money from your party planning company, then always avoid planners, which have to contract certain establishments or vendors for the party's needs. Often it can be a bit like paying the planner twice.

7. Leadership

Always check that the party planner assigned to your event has enough leadership ability and is competent enough to coordinate the event itself. It may be a huge team of hundreds of staff on the night - can they run things how you want them to be run?

8. Food tasting

Make sure your party planner lets you taste the food! Whilst they can book the caterers and order the wine, you need to make sure you like what is being provided. Good catering companies like Alison Price, Moving Venue Penni Black and "rhubarb", should invite you for a client tasting. Remember it's your party not the planners!


9. Communication

Always encourage first class communication with your planner at all times. If you haven't worked with them before they may not make quite the decisions you would. If on the other hand you know they will make every detail as you would like it, then you can just sit back and plan your outfit.


10. Pick the right party planner

And finally, just remember that planning for an event is as important as the event itself. While hiring a professional party planner might be a wise step to make the gathering flow smoothly, it is important that the client also maximizes his money's worth by selecting one that best suits his needs and specifications. In short make sure you pick the right party planner for you.


- Author Sara Allom

View Source: Rhubarb Food Design - event caterers

Party Venues in London and Further Afield

What makes a party? The guests certainly, the food and drinks undoubtedly, the weather (sometimes)…however, perhaps one of the most crucial ingredients for a really good party is the venue.

Whether it's in a private house or garden, a village field or at a famous and awe-inspiring landmark, a venue can make or break a party. Party venues don't have to be expensive, and if your house or home is suitable, that can make life much easier, but of course a large company, a corporate organisation, or someone simply with a bigger than average number of guests, will all need a proper venue.


Lots of party venues have other uses – a church or town hall, a public garden or country house. Museums and monuments often make great venues, and of course lots of London attractions double up as great party venues too, with their own events teams and lists of preferred suppliers.

Popular London party venues include the Natural History Museum and The Science Museum, Madame Tussauds or The London Aquarium, Guildhall, Two Temple and Chelsea Hospital - the list is endless.

These venues often work with a list of preferred suppliers – the florists, party planners, caterers, DJs, bands and lighting & production companies that they feel do the best job of creating parties in their party venues. Some of the best catering companies for example, such as Rocket, Alison Price and Create are all experienced in working at the country's biggest and best venues. In fact they are pretty adept at turning any location at all into the perfect party!

During Summer, you may be looking for a party venue with outside space, and there are plenty of extraordinary places to choose from. The Silver Fleet in London for example is a fleet of luxury vessels available for hire for a party – a party that then cruises the River Thames! Your guests are offered impressive panoramic river views, superb food by one of the UK's top caterers - "rhubarb" food design – and some perfect party memories.


If you prefer a land-based venue in London, you could also consider The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. This venue is situated in the old Duke of York's Barracks and couldn't be a better space for West London events.

As for the process of finding a perfect venue, the Internet has made that much easier. There are now a variety of event-led venue-hiring websites and organisations, which allow you to browse through all the venues located in a city. And good catering companies will also help you find the perfect venue when you have your date in mind.

Companies such as London Launch can help you find London party venues, in fact they split up their venue searches into useful sub sections such as hotels, restaurants and bars, away day venues, marquee venues, and boats, yachts and moving venues –don't forget you can party on an old routemaster bus too! All making the job of finding a party venue much easier.

Wherever you are looking to hold your party or event, and whatever that event might be - product launch, wedding or corporate gala dinner - once you've found the perfect party venue you are halfway there.

- Author Sara Allom

View Source: Rhubarb Food Design – London Party Venues

Using the Best Corporate Events Caterers for Maximum Business Impact

There are hundreds of corporate events caterers in the UK, and a huge variety of services offered by them. Some event caterers may just supply fresh sandwiches, salads and cakes for lunches in the office or at offsite meetings. Other companies specialise in director’s lunches, in offices or headquarters. And even more high end corporate caterers design and deliver every aspect of glamorous canapé receptions, lavish five course banquets, and cool corporate garden parties, all aimed at wowing clients and colleagues alike.

The best corporate event caterers can of course deliver everything from one end of the spectrum to the other – a delicious freshly toasted sandwich for a clients’ driver and personal assistant? Not a problem. Stunning seafood ice bars in designer marquees or remote French chateaus? Easily done. The finest vintage champagnes, the most incredible caviars, the freshest oysters and the rarest cuts of Kobe beef? All possible if your corporate organisation can afford it!

Corporate events (and indeed corporate events budgets) are now absolutely crucial to the world’s big corporate hitters, and as the industry gets more and more competitive, the companies that really wow their clients are the ones that stand out from the pack.

The very best corporate event catering companies – such as The Admirable Crichton, Alison Price, deWintons and “rhubarb” – can make every corporate event a real theatrical production, with the best glasses and china, the most professional uniformed and corporate logo-ed staff, and of course the best, freshest and most seasonal food, served in the most stunning ways. If you work in events for a big corporate company, and if your corporate events budget fits the bill, then using this kind of event catering company means you can be sure your business strikes exactly the right notes. If you want perfectionism and professionalism, if you want to impress with attention to every little detail, if you want your corporate event catering to reflect and mirror your company’s business image and reputation, then this is the way to go!

Of course if your event catering ensures maximum impact for your company, then every single one of your guests leaves your event feeling that they have been looked after in the very best of ways. Not only will they have eaten the most fabulous food and sampled the finest wines, but most importantly they will have been impressed. A memorable corporate event like this, with superb catering, can simply make or break the biggest international business deals.

Event catering companies such as Food Show, “rhubarb” and Alison Price have catered for numerous events for some of the UK’s biggest corporate hitters, such as HSBC, Barclays Capital, De Beers, KPMG, Royal Bank of Scotland, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Deutsche Bank, Sotheby’s, Citibank and Rolls Royce. And events for these kinds of companies can take place in some of the most amazing venues such as The Royal Courts of Justice, The Natural History Museum or The Design Museum. And of course with the best corporate caterers being accredited and recommended at certain venues, there is always fierce competition for the best corporate jobs. The companies that win are those with the very best product, the very best service and the most impeccable reputation – just like the corporate companies that win in business too!

- Author Sara Allom

View Source: Rhubarb Food Design – Corporate Events