A METHOD OF EXECUTING AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SALE FROM AN AFFILIATE WEB SITE WITH A VENDOR THROUGH A HUB SERVER IN ONE STEP WITHOUT REENTERING SHIPPING AND PAYMENT INFORMATION

摘要

A central hub server stands between a number of affiliate web sites and a number of vendor web sites to execute sales of vendor products featured on the affiliate web sites. Affiliate sites sign-up with the hub server and select products offered by vendors. The affiliate sites feature selected vendor products on their web sites. A buyer that browses an affiliate web site causes identifiers of the buyer, the affiliate site, and the product to be sent to the hub server. The hub server searches a database to find a picture of the product, its current price and the buyer's previously stored credit information and shipping address. The hub server returns a form to the user visiting the affiliate site, including a picture of the product, its price and a submit icon superimposed on the picture. If the buyer clicks on the submit icon, the purchase information is returned to the hub server. The buyer's credit card is debited with the purchase price and the vendor site is credited with the sale less commissions credited to the affiliate site and the hub. The form submitted to the vendor site includes all information necessary to make the purchase: product code, price, hub affiliate ID, and buyer shipping and billing information. The vendor site processes the sale and ships the product to the buyer's address.