Ten Things to look for while choosing a shopping cart platform
Ten Things to look for while choosing a shopping cart platform
A shopping cart is a software program that enables ecommerce transactions. A well designed and programmed shopping cart enables the store owner to manage inventory, upload products and process orders. Similarly customers can select items, make payment and choose shipping facility.
Shopping carts are important to the success of an online business. Some of the qualities that are prized in shopping cart programs are their flexibility, the features on offer, ease of use and of course the technical support provided.
Shopping cart features that add value to Ecommerce websites
Payment processing: One of the most important functionality in Ecommerce websites. A shopping cart should have a secure and smooth credit card processing feature with options to utilize check, payment gateways like PayPal or any other mode of payment suitable to one's business.
Website design: The shopping cart layout should be intuitive and easy to navigate. If visitors find what they are looking for at a glance, the more are the chances to convert visitors into customers. Judicious use of images, hyperlinks, menu bars and search option makes for a user friendly site.
Ecommerce store theme design: On the Web, a storefront is a faceless entity and needs to have an appealing theme. A shopping cart with creative templates adds to the look and feel of the website's store front.
Inventory Management: A crucial aspect of successful ecommerce websites is keeping a track of inventory. A shopping cart with facility for generating inventory reports at regular intervals enable the store owner to manage sudden spikes in demand.
Shipping facility: No shopping cart is complete without a shipping option which lets customers calculate the shipping costs and choose a carrier. Shipping tools enable the store owner to pre set shipping costs according to certain parameters. Integration with reputed carriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL and USPS provide convenience to the customer.
Sales and Use tax calculators: To make the pricing process more transparent shopping carts today come with a tax calculator that lets store owners and customers know the tax charges for any online purchase beforehand. The tax calculator is a useful tool as most states require the online retailer to collect taxes for ecommerce transactions.
Customer centric functionality: Shopping carts that provide customers with records of past transaction as well as preferences help in increasing customer loyalty. Also suggestions of different product or service combinations go a long way in helping customers make decisions.
Online marketing: A good shopping cart also provides useful marketing options. One can create promotion campaigns utilizing features like gift coupon code and special discount offerings. One can also track performances of various campaigns with sales reports and on-site traffic analysis. Shopping carts integrated with social networking options like bookmarking sites, blogs, online forums and messaging boards serve as a powerful tool to get the word around.
Security and confidentiality: An Ecommerce website that addresses concerns about online transactions safety and protection of personal data will invariably have more customers. Shopping cart programs that offer security measures like encryption of sensitive information, make use of reputed credit card processing services and enable customers to browse the site without having to download cookies are the best option.
Help and support: A shopping cart should come with a how-to-use guide and FAQs page. The software company should also provide technical help by way of telephone and email. An easy to use shopping cart with prompt support makes for a happy user.
An effective shopping cart is a combination of the software developed by the company and the skill of the programmer involved.
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