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Ecommerce
Shopping Cart Tips - Online
Solutions
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FREE
REPORT:
How to Select the Best Ecommerce
Shopping Cart for
You!
An ecommerce shopping cart can
automate a multitude of tasks
which can otherwise take many
labor hours. Unfortunately, if
you do a search on Google, you'll
quickly discover that there are
literally millions of web
sites that either offer shopping
cart software or solutions
provider. But... how do you
choose what's best for
you?
In 1999, I purchased my first
ecommerce web site and was
seeking the best
shopping cart
solution.
After going through various
shopping carts software packages
and solution providers, I decided
to offer you some free tips and
to avoid the mistakes I made.
Properly executed, an online
shopping cart can greatly improve
your business revenue. If you
make it easy for the customer
while leveraging the cart's
features to efficiently operate
your business, then you've got a
winning combination. Below are 10
different points to consider when
looking for an ecommerce
shopping cart
solution.
1. Shopping Cart Software or
Turnkey Solution.
Your first decision is to locate
a shopping cart script with
features you're seeking. In this
case, you will need to have the
program installed and configured
to meet your needs. This
typically involves some
programming level skills.
Installing your own software may
be only for those brave enough to
tackle code since it can be
tedious.
On the other hand, a turnkey
shopping cart solution may be a
better bet because it usually
involves faster up-time and the
cart software resides on the
solution provider's server, so
there's no technical issues. The
key is to locate the best
shopping cart solution for the
money.
2. Using Shopping Cart
Features.
Most shopping carts offer a
series of cool features but these
don't do you any good if you're
not able to easily incorporate
them into your website.
Developers who who write shopping
cart software need to ensure they
have strong tutorials and
adequate support when needed.
There's nothing worst than buying
software only to discover that
getting technical support is a
hassle.
The
Best Shopping Cart Solution --
GUARANTEED!
No Programming • Up in
Minutes • Easy to Use
3.
Maintaining the Look and Feel of
Your Site.
One of the biggest challenges
facing those in ecommerce is
shopping cart abandonment. This
happens when a customer decides
not to buy what they have placed
into their cart. Studies have
shown that one reason of cart
abandonment is that the shopping
cart does not maintain the same
appearance or presentation. This
is especially true for those
merchants using "free shopping
cart" software. Make sure you are
able to keep the same look when a
visitor adds an item to your
shopping cart or when they're
ready to check out and pay.
4. Import and Export
Functions.
If your online business has
dozens or even hundreds of items
that need to be added to your
shopping cart database, you want
it to be easy as possible. Check
to see if the shopping cart
software allows you to import
data from your spreadsheet and
likewise, be able to export your
transactions into Quickbooks or
other compatible accounting
software.
5. Inventory Tracking.
Always a valuable shopping cart
feature, inventory tracking can
help save you time and
frustration. There's nothing
worst than selling a bunch of
products that you don't have in
stock. This ecommerce feature
alone can be a lifesaver for some
online businesses.
6. Credit Card Gateway
Compatibility.
Gateways or credit card
processors allow you to get
instant online approvals. The
biggest advantage of this service
is avoiding having to enter a
customer's information at a later
time. In order to do transactions
in real time, your online
shopping cart software will need
to be compatible with the gateway
you've decided to use. The most
common credit card processors or
gateway companies include
Authorize.net, PayPal, WorldPay
and about 80 others. If your
online shopping cart cannot
successfully connect with the
gateway, you will not be able to
get approval online in real
time.
7. Real Time Shipping
Rates.
Shipping costs can rage
significantly according to
distance, weight, package
dimensions and other factors.
Always select a shopping
cart
which offers real time shipping
rates from your carrier whether
it's UPS, USPS, FedEx or DHL.
This important shopping cart
feature can save you both time
and frustration by locating
accurate shipping rate
information by simply "tapping"
into the shipper's computers for
automated pricing.
8. Shopping Cart
Flexibility.
Different merchants have
different needs. For example,
lets say you have only one item,
a Buy Now purchase button can
help speed customers through the
transaction process in two
clicks. On the other hand,
allowing a visitor to casually
add items to the shopping cart as
they browse your store may be
another method of selling.
Finally, there may be some
merchants who need recurring
billing such as sites offering
monthly/annual memberships or
subscriptions. The key is to know
which features are compatible
with your sales
strategies.
9. Ability to Grow.
As your web site expands, your
ecommerce needs will change. Make
sure you're with an online
shopping cart company that will
be there for you along the way.
Maybe a shopping cart offers too
many features but eventually,
these could be valuable in
building your business.
10. Do Your Homework
Before Making a
Committment.
The last thing you want is to buy
an expensive shopping cart only
to have the company go out a
business a few months later.
Check to make sure a company has
some type of positive
track
record.
Check existing clients and see
what they have to say.
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