System and method for creating and maintaining a web site

Abstract

A system and method for a web-based services architecture providing integrated modular building blocks for creating and maintaining a web site and related transaction processing to support electronic commerce and the sales of products and services using the web site. The transaction processing may include the handling of transactions and communications related to product and service sales and fulfillment involving customers, merchants and the web site owner. The services architecture may combine software front-end, back-end, and marketing tools to assist business owners to create or expand an Internet-based business. The services architecture also may provide a warehouse of predefined products that may be integrated into a merchant's existing online inventory.

1 . A method for creating a web site, the method comprising:
 selecting a web site template from a plurality of templates available on at least one server;   causing storing by the at least one server of one or more files corresponding to the template;   customizing the template by selecting from a plurality of customization options;   defining one or more web pages for the web site;   selecting one or more online commerce features for incorporation into one or more of the web pages; and   requesting publishing of the web site using the one or more files corresponding to the template.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 selecting the web site template comprises receiving a selection from a user of a local computer in communication with the at least one server; and   the one or more files are created at the at least one server.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more files are not sent to the local computer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising running a browser program on the local computer, and wherein selecting the web site template further comprises receiving a selection from the user of one or more options presented to the user by the browser program. 
     
     
         5 . A method for assembly of a web site for an online store of a user, the method comprising:
 providing the user with access during a user session to a warehouse of predefined products for selection by the user for use in the assembly of the web site, each of the predefined products to be provided by a respective predefined merchant other than the user, wherein the access includes displaying images for each of the products for online viewing by the user during assembly of the web site;   generating, by at least one server, one or more web site files for the online store that incorporate the selected predefined products and that are configured to handle transactions with customers of the online store; and   publishing the web site during the user session.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein providing the user with access comprises activating a user account using an activation code. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising storing the one or more web site files on the at least one server. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more web site files are generated substantially only using information accessed over a network by the at least one server. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the network is a local area network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more web site files are generated substantially only using information stored on the at least one server. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising uploading one or more user files to the at least one server for incorporation into the web site. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the uploading comprises transferring files using the http protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 causing display to the user of a live view of a prior published version of the web site; and   causing display to the user of a design view of the web site, the design view including the predefined products selected by the user, wherein the live and design views are accessible for viewing by the user in the user session.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving from the user a selection from two or more transaction models to define an active transaction model for operation of the online store. 
     
     
         15 . A method for assembly in a user session by a user of a web site for an online store, the method comprising:
 accessing a plurality of predefined products to select from for use in the assembly of the web site, each of the predefined products to be provided by a respective predefined merchant other than the user, wherein the access includes online viewing of images for each of the predefined products;   displaying a live view of a prior published version of the online store;   displaying a design view of the online store, the design view including the predefined products selected by the user, wherein the live and design views are accessible for viewing by the user in the same user session; and   requesting generation of one or more web site files by at least one server for the online store that incorporate the selected predefined products and that are configured to perform transactions with customers of the online store using a transaction model.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein viewing by the user in the same user session comprises viewing the live and design views in separate windows. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein viewing by the user in the same user session comprises side-by-side viewing of the live and design views. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising receiving from the user a selection of the transaction model from one of a plurality of transaction models presented to the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein accessing the plurality of predefined products further comprises displaying two or more of the plurality of predefined products on a single web page for selection by the user during assembly of the web site, and wherein the two or more products are each presented with a product price.