Forum Moderators: buckworks

Message Too Old, No Replies

What are the most important features in a shopping cart?

         

apsunick

3:56 pm on Sep 9, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Can you guys list the most important features for the average store? What do you guys look for? ie..slick admin control panel, etc.

All thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

DaveN

2:39 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Flexibility, from the merchants point of veiw and easy to use from the customers point of view.

DaveN

apsunick

4:46 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Flexibility?

What do you mean by that? Are you talking about the ability add any new custom features that a cart currently doesn't have? Or are you talking about design?

Thanks!

DaveN

4:56 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



new custom features.

the ability to and Aff. or custom builds

DaveN

vincevincevince

5:17 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Firstly - Support - ability to get the system tailored for my precise requirements quickly and economically before installation.
Secondly - Price - it's got to be low enough to warrant not writing my own, and that's normally low.

graywolf

5:18 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



If it doesn't perform in the way the CUSTOMER expects, you will have problems. If your customers are less technically savvy keep away from the bells and whistles, KISS Keep it simple stupid.

apsunick

7:51 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



What is a fair price for an off-the-shelf solution? $1000.....$500?

I dont want a free solution since there is no support.

DaveN

7:52 pm on Sep 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



try get bespoke, if you can. long term you can't beat it

dave

ebizpro

8:12 pm on Sep 11, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



The most important features in a shopping cart are those that minimize shopping cart abandonment and capture more online sales.

If the cart doesn't do that, no amount of other "bells and whistles" do any good. Period.

Hawkgirl

3:43 pm on Sep 12, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



A couple of months back we made a nice list of things not to do ... it was a pretty good thread.

[webmasterworld.com...]

andy_boyd

5:25 pm on Sep 12, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



A good one is to emphasize security, which tends to allay fears. Also, it may be an idea to let the customer know what stage they are at in the order process. Plain and simple works best, nothing flashy or even slightly hard to understand or they just walk away.

ambassador

11:06 pm on Sep 13, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



-------
Sep 13, 2003

I need a buy-it-once (not monthly payments), search-engine-friendly (static HTML/CSS product pages, etc.) shopping cart solution by Thursday (Sep 18, 2003) that behaves as described below.

When a "customer" directs their browser to the client's home page (index.html), the "customer" is presented with several main business categories from which he may select items to purchase. These main business categories are represented on the home page via simple HTML links.

Upon selecting some of these main business categories, the "customer" is immediately prompted for their unique username and password. If the "customer" enters a valid username and password combination for that particular main business category, then that "customer" is presented with the first of many product pages associated with that particular main business category. You can see an example format of the product pages via the link:
[helpfulproducts.info...]
(note the links to the example SUBcategories on the left). The "customer" is then able to submit an order for any or all of the items in that particular main business category. The "customer" shall not be able to enter or see product pages for any other main business category unless their unique username and password combinnation is also authorized on other business categories. The client will provide each "customer" of this type, via regular mail or other means, a unique username and password combination that the client will log into the shopping cart administration screens of the shopping cart software.

Other main business categories listed on the client's home page (index.html) do not require a login procedure until the "customer" has already shopped and "filled" the shopping cart via the associated product pages.

All visual features of the shopping cart software (i.e., all visual aspects of the shopping cart that a "customer" can see) must be customizable by the client with knowledge of only HTML and CSS - absolutely no other languages.

The shopping cart access needs to allow, for example:

* customer A to see all subcategories (e.g., sandwiches, frozen items, etc. as shown on the example product page) of ONLY the specified main categories accessible by customer A (e.g., "main category 1" as will appear on the "index.html" page)

* customer B to see all subcategories (e.g., sandwiches, frozen items, etc. as shown on the example product page) of ONLY the specified main categories accessible by customer B (e.g., "main category 1" and "main category 2," etc. as will appear on the "index.html" page)

Both off-the-shelf and REPUTABLE custom solutions will be considered. The shopping cart solution can be purchased immediately by credit card or other acceptable means.

Only solutions that can provide references (names and phone numbers) will be considered. The intent is to purchase a shopping cart solution this week and have it online by Sep 20, 2003.
-------

davemarks

11:30 am on Sep 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



6 days?

Whats your budget?

Macro

11:40 am on Sep 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



ambassador, excellent points.

If you want to sell to the UK/Europe do also check that the software can take "issue numbers" on debit cards, "valid from dates" etc. Most programs fall down in this respect.

And it's gotta be on YOUR server, not the software manufacturer's server. If it's asp based etc you want the full source code.

On my site I would like the ability to save quotes, use specially issued "voucher" numbers for discounts, and handling of shipping/tracking and returns.

ambassador

9:15 pm on Sep 14, 2003 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Thank you "Macro." The immediate need (the one that will go online Sep 20) does not require European transactions. However, another client currently in the works does indeed need to do business with the USA, Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Your counsel is appreciated - thank you.

Regarding the budget "Davemarks," all offers meeting the specified criteria and time schedule are being considered. Due to the urgency of the matter, a final decision needs to be made within the next two or three days after the references have been contacted. Many shopping cart solutions claim that they can be installed, loaded with the first hundred or so items, and presented operational - all within two days. You and other experienced e-commerce developers are encouraged to reply with cost, support and reference details via "sticky mail." Thank you for asking.