With new ecommerce platforms emerging all the time; from BigCommerce to ProStores there is a wealth of information to digest about different software available. Whether you’re an online retailer considering a migration, or a new business considering the options making a decision can be challenging.
What are they key features and what is the difference between the platforms?
In this blog, we explore some of the key features to consider before committing to a platform and compare six features of five ecommerce software platforms.
What features matter?
The best eCommerce solution offers tools that provide assistance with hosting, website design and eCommerce SEO integration. In addition, a wealth of online storage space and bandwidth is important.
HTML v. Custom Templates
If your HTML experience is limited, eCommerce software solutions are available that offer a wide range of website design templates and customisation tools to tailor the design of your website to your business.
Volume of Products Permitted
Be careful to look for an eCommerce solution that offers plenty of inventory space, as quite a few applications do have a cap on the number of products and categories available. Look for software that allows you to sell both physical and downloadable goods. Check whether the product allows you to create a wide variety of custom reports.
Payment & Shopping Cart
PayPal, eChecks and credit cards are just a few of the popular types of online payments and it’s important that you choose eCommerce software that not only offers a wide variety of payment options to satisfy your customers, but also contains a shopping cart.
Site security
Does the platform provided applications that offer fraud and Secure Socket Layer protection? Other security features include requiring customers to enter the CVV2 code from the back of their credit cards. Also, look for password protection before entering administration panels or other business-related information. Strong security options are vital when you’re dealing with numerous online payments.
Customer Loyalty tools
Popular marketing tools to look for include coupons, gift-wrap capabilities, daily deals and loyalty programs. Also, affiliate programs and strong social networking tools are advantages that many of the best eCommerce solutions boast.
Help Facilities
The best manufacturers provide several options for reaching a customer representative, such as telephone, email and live chat. The manufacturer should also provide a variety of additional resources, such as extensive FAQs, user guides, a knowledgebase and even a support forum.*
*https://ecommerce-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
5 Vital statistics
Volusion | Shopify | Shopping Cart Elite | Big Commerce | ProStores | |
Storage Space | 2GB | 5GB | 3GB | 300MB | 5GB |
Bandwidth | 15GB | Unlimited | 25GB | Unlimited | 50GB |
Website Design Templates | 341 | 115+ | 1+ custom | 96 | 150+ |
Max. Number of Products | 5000 | 2500 | Unlimited | 500 | 5000 |
Year of software launch | 1999 | 2006 | 2007 | 2009 | 2009 |
There are many other established Ecommerce platforms, such as Sellerdeck (formerly Actinic) and Magento and it is worth spending some time considering optimum features before making an investment.
Useful Video Links
https://www.actinic.co.uk/#!OxatisVideo/0/
https://www.magentocommerce.com/media/videos/
https://www.youtube.com/volusion
https://www.youtube.com/user/shopify
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