Is it a good idea to run a cart at an ip address rather than a domain

[derekwong28]

Hi, I want to run 3 shops using the same cart and database. I am think of using an ip address in lieu of a domain name for the cart address. So that when the customer will see 123.456.789

The advantages would be that we would be less susceptible to downtime due to DNS errors. Also customers, would not obviously see being transferred from one domain to another.

I wonder what you think about this?

[jweighell]

It might be alright from your average customer's point-of-view, but I personally would look on it as being a bit dodgy to see that!

[Essex_boy]

Ive never had a customer complain or ask any question about being transfered from a domain to another. I can read it so it doesnt bother me.

However, when I see an IP address I get windy - Cant read it where am I - why are they hiding.

Silly I know but thats the way I feel.

[lorax]

I believe in earning the customer's trust and will do everything I can to help them feel safe in doing business with me. Therefore I would keep the DN as I don't want them to suddenly notice that the DN they thought they were at had dissapeared. It's a bit disconcerting to me to see the DN convert to an IP (or worse - a seperate DN) and I've been in the biz a number of years. Imagine what it's like for someone who's a novice or newbie surfer/buyer.

[DannySmith]

It is not a good idea to run a shopping cart area from an IP address.

Online trading (and all trading) is about trust, and confidence. You have to do everything possible to increase confidence and reduce the number of question marks in the customers' minds.

This applies even at the level of the smallest detail, such as what appears in the browser bar.

Be a great online marketer and give the customer no reasons at all NOT to buy.

[lorax]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld DannySmith!

[minnapple]

From what I understand, if you are going to have a security certificate installed you will need to have the cart under domain name.

Thats the route I took for my custom storebuilder/cart.
You can brand the cart that way also.

Minnapple

[kyr01]

I wouldn't like that, as a customer. Just tell me that the order will be processed using a different server and I *may* trust you. But a simple line of numbers instead of a readable address may be enough to turn a customer down, in many cases.

[derekwong28]

Thanks for your opinions. I am not going to run off an ip address. One reason is that an ip addres is linked to a webhost that may change, whereas a domain name will not change. However, I will still need to run off a different domain from a central database in order to track inventory.

Derek

[pbreit]

You could also consider setting up cart.site1.com, cart.site2.com, etc. all pointing to same IP.

I would advise against running the cart from a numbered IP. Looks very much like fraud.

[HughMungus]

It might be alright from your average customer's point-of-view, but I personally would look on it as being a bit dodgy to see that!

Me, too. Fishy.

[hanuman]

I would not buy as well. I might even take the time to check the ip. but definitely would not submit any secure information. Remember - Our job as ecommercers is to reduce our customers anxieties and not adding to it.