Whether you are creating a brick and mortar store or an online business, the website is your virtual storefront, your online salesperson and the first interaction a potential customer might have with your company.

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Amazon has expanded from books to consumer electronics, to cars and mobile phones. eBay started auctioning knick-knacks found in attics, but is now increasingly a virtual storefront for small dealers selling goods of all sorts.

ECONOMIST: We have lift-off | The