E-commerce platform?
- Thread starter benjamin_c
- Start date
There is no "best", different systems cater for different needs.
Never seen Tigercommerce. It's a hosted solution which means you're pretty tied in to what they give you. OSCommerce works, but is very outdated.
If you can provide a list of specific features you need it will help people offer better solutions
Never seen Tigercommerce. It's a hosted solution which means you're pretty tied in to what they give you. OSCommerce works, but is very outdated.
If you can provide a list of specific features you need it will help people offer better solutions
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As stated OScommerce hasn't moved on much for years.
I use Zencart which is open source- has a good support forum and lots of free plugins. It is very stable.
I also have a joomla/zencart site which also has a good support forum (rather the joomla side is good and the virtuemart less so). Again it is open source but there are fewer free plugins. Less stable
My latest toy is Magento- this is free but not open source and relatively new- it is not suited to use on most shared servers- forum is okish and most plugins are paid for- they do offer paid support. Seemingly stable thus far but feels fresh when compared to all the others
I use Zencart which is open source- has a good support forum and lots of free plugins. It is very stable.
I also have a joomla/zencart site which also has a good support forum (rather the joomla side is good and the virtuemart less so). Again it is open source but there are fewer free plugins. Less stable
My latest toy is Magento- this is free but not open source and relatively new- it is not suited to use on most shared servers- forum is okish and most plugins are paid for- they do offer paid support. Seemingly stable thus far but feels fresh when compared to all the others
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Hello Ben
If you want to get on with running the business rather than spending hours building a website and hassling with plugins, then we do a super straight-out-the-box offering. It can be a simple free theme like this, or else with some HTML and CSS knowledge you can turn it into one of these.
The Pearl cart system comes with complete back office processing, CRM and Accounting all in one package
If you want to get on with running the business rather than spending hours building a website and hassling with plugins, then we do a super straight-out-the-box offering. It can be a simple free theme like this, or else with some HTML and CSS knowledge you can turn it into one of these.
The Pearl cart system comes with complete back office processing, CRM and Accounting all in one package
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Hello Ben
If you want to get on with running the business rather than spending hours building a website and hassling with plugins, then we do a super straight-out-the-box offering. It can be a simple free theme like this, or else with some HTML and CSS knowledge you can turn it into one of these.
The Pearl cart system comes with complete back office processing, CRM and Accounting all in one package
Does this cart let buyers buy products without registration or logging in?
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C
Christiane
Never heard of them so had a peek, their admin demo has a '404 not found' page
As someone said, it really depends on the features that you want.
I looked at a few over the last couple of years but there's always an issue.... The last one I was interested in didn't allow for customers to buy without creating an account, which is about 50% of my customers. They come back but they don't want to create an account.
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Rob, no it doesn't. But we do have lots of people ask for it. We feel that it's one of those features that, although perhaps does increase sales volume a little bit, impacts against the business in a greater way due to lack of customer information and sales history, and it makes accounting a bit tricky with the way we have the system set up at the moment.
If you really need guest registration, Pearl is not for you. Our clients put a lot of effort into generating close relationships with their customers for longer term repeat custom, and therefore require a "contact" to be created in CRM as well as just a "sale" being created for the one-off order.
That said, if there's enough demand, we will add it. I would be very interested to see hard stats on the benefits of guest registration.
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Whatever you say, its a MUST have feature. People hate registering and you can loose sales, a lot of sales. Its all about fastest possible buying, not letting customer be destructed and changing his mind, being too lazy to register.
So many people dont understand this thing forcing customers to register.
So many people dont understand this thing forcing customers to register.
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Christiane
Totally agree. Half of my returning customers don't want to register. I even tried to entice a few of them by telling them they'll get a discount if they sign in, but no, not interested. Some people don't want to remember yet another password.
If I buy from a website for the first time, I'd want to try the service first and not being forced to sign in.
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Online shop must have BUY and ADD TO CART buttons next to product. If customer clicks on BUY, he must be taken to page where he can enter his details and click ORDER. End of story - no clicking silly questions and other buttons. DO NO LET customer away, if he clicked BUY button, you have to do everything to get him to click that ORDER button ASAP. Two click shopping.
If he clicks ADD TO CART, then he shouldnt be taken to shopping basket to distract him from buying some more products.
Thats just my opinion on online shopping.
If he clicks ADD TO CART, then he shouldnt be taken to shopping basket to distract him from buying some more products.
Thats just my opinion on online shopping.
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That's the intention if we do go down the route. Currently if a contact is in CRM, the next visit will prompt them to "log in", but they'd not registered! There's also the situation where you add a load of contacts after a trade show, for example, for follow-up in CRM, then one comes along to buy online.
"one page to enter customer details with the option to add a password to register" - that's the key. The only difference between "guest" and "standard" checkout for a new user would be a password field and probably some variation to the language used on screen. A guest user still has to enter all the same address and delivery information as a registering user.
It will come, but our clients site certainly don't seem to be missing any trade as a result of it not being there. A number of clients have come over from other ecommerce engines (EKMpowershop for example), lost the ability to guest sell, and yet increased revenue substantially.
Would need hard evidence of it being beneficial for it to come in to Pearl soon. Does anyone have any references? (ie stats)
And yes, we've nearly finished our 1-page AJAX checkout process.
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- Original Poster
- #18
i agree with the people who said it's important to give the customer an option to register if they wish to but not force it upon them. it could also reduce the number of impluse buys for low value items. i do like the look of the pearl system but the fact that it isnt able to allow customers "2 click buying" is a put off tbh.
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- Original Poster
- #20
sorry i didn't actually know what checkout drop-offs where
thanks for informing me though, i had a little google and found a usfull slideshow on it http://www.slideshare.net/getelastic/checkout-report-webinar-by-elastic-path-and-netconcepts :redface:
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Totally agree and have ALWAYS maintained that no-one should have to register to purchase - delivery address is given at the time of order, along with email address etc and all you have to do to collect that data is include in your T&C's that their email address will be added to a databse so that they receive offers etc - which of course they can opt out of at any time.
I am having a new website/shopping solution written which will allow my customers to purchase as normal without registering - if they want to register however they will then earn loyalty points which can be used against future purchases - returning customer don't mind registering if there is a benefit to them, however a NEW customer wants to try the service without jumping through hoops - I won't shop online if I have to register with the website until I have used them, am happy with them and of course if there is a benefit to me for doing so!
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sorry i didn't actually know what checkout drop-offs where
I was talking to Pearl, but no problem
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Having to register before placing an order is one issue among many along the checkout decision-funnelling, but if you are implying that forcing potential customers to register before completing an order is beneficial to checkout conversion rates then you perhaps have a better understanding of software rather than Ecommerce.
Only large trusted brands or pure niche players who both expect repeat custom due to market share or rarity of product can get away with pre-ordering registration without it impacting on conversion rates.
Its like putting another door in the way of someone trying to leave a house with the item they've picked up... the open window without the item becomes an easier solution for them
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CaffeineFrenzy
I'm on Tiger Commerce, and currently looking for other options. It will be great in some circumstances, but if you want to use it for the eBay channel it is listed as offering, I'd be surprised if you find you're happy with the functionality. Other than that, sign up for a trial and take a really good look at whether or not the delivery options work for you, they're proving problematic for a number of us, but in fairness work fine for others.
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- Original Poster
- #26
i doubt i will be going down the ebay channel tbh, i've just taken a look at your tiger shop "[FONT=verdana,geneva,lucida,arial]CaffeineFrenzy[/FONT]" and i really like the layout did you design the layout and graphics your self or did you get somone else to do it for you? what are your reasons for wanting to leave tiger? when you say delivery options what do you mean?
did you design the layout and graphics your self or did you get somone else to do it for you? what are your reasons for wanting to leave tiger? when you say delivery options what do you mean?
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CaffeineFrenzy
I initially took an entry-level design option from Tiger, some of which remains. Mark at Eagle Imagery (I'd link if I could) recently designed the new logo, and I'm now trying to integrate those colours more fully into the site.
The layout is default Tiger - the shop can have 3 different layouts: 1, 2 or 3 columns. Most of the shops I've seen are using 3, I have seen a couple with 2. Within the layout, the "boxes" you see in the left and right columns in my store can be added/removed, moved around etc., and there are a few I'm not using.
Delivery options do not allow you to set Free UK delivery at stock item level and charge postage for delivery outside the UK - not an issue if you don't want this functionality. You can set Free Delivery at item level, but the item is then Free Delivery worldwide (or to those countries you've enabled). So if you want to set Free Delivery on some of my items in the UK, but charge to ship them to Europe, you can't.
You can set up a Free UK delivery option that the customer has to select at checkout (effectively making all stock Free Delivery), but then can't offer Free delivery on only specified items/ranges. So then you have Free Delivery to the UK, charged delivery to Europe for example. Also, if you implement it this way you'll have to mark up every individual product page yourself if you want "free delivery" noted on the page and not just at Checkout.
Since you can't specify which delivery services can be used at stock item level, if you have a high ticket item you only want to dispatch under a signed-for method, you can't prevent the customer selecting 2nd Class postage if you've added that service for use with other items.
There are a few other things that have been stacking up for me, and I think perhaps I've just gotten to the stage where I want more control. I've just discovered that 301s are a chargeable service with them (can't believe I overlooked this) so now feel that shop structure/category redesign is going to be stifled in the future since there will be an associated cost.
The layout is default Tiger - the shop can have 3 different layouts: 1, 2 or 3 columns. Most of the shops I've seen are using 3, I have seen a couple with 2. Within the layout, the "boxes" you see in the left and right columns in my store can be added/removed, moved around etc., and there are a few I'm not using.
Delivery options do not allow you to set Free UK delivery at stock item level and charge postage for delivery outside the UK - not an issue if you don't want this functionality. You can set Free Delivery at item level, but the item is then Free Delivery worldwide (or to those countries you've enabled). So if you want to set Free Delivery on some of my items in the UK, but charge to ship them to Europe, you can't.
You can set up a Free UK delivery option that the customer has to select at checkout (effectively making all stock Free Delivery), but then can't offer Free delivery on only specified items/ranges. So then you have Free Delivery to the UK, charged delivery to Europe for example. Also, if you implement it this way you'll have to mark up every individual product page yourself if you want "free delivery" noted on the page and not just at Checkout.
Since you can't specify which delivery services can be used at stock item level, if you have a high ticket item you only want to dispatch under a signed-for method, you can't prevent the customer selecting 2nd Class postage if you've added that service for use with other items.
There are a few other things that have been stacking up for me, and I think perhaps I've just gotten to the stage where I want more control. I've just discovered that 301s are a chargeable service with them (can't believe I overlooked this) so now feel that shop structure/category redesign is going to be stifled in the future since there will be an associated cost.
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- Original Poster
- #28
Thanks a lot for talking your time to advise me
as for the delevery i will only be shipping to uk so this isnt an issue, for the logos and design i will have a play with illustrator and photoshop and see what i can come up with then may ask a friend who does graphics design at uni to see if he can better it for me. by 301's do you mean redirected domain names? because if you do this can be done for free if you register with a different domain name provider, you can also get unlimited free email forwarders.
what are the conversion rates like with tiger? and do you use ppc or organic seo?
thanks again
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L
liams7
Hello Ben
If you want to get on with running the business rather than spending hours building a website and hassling with plugins, then we do a super straight-out-the-box offering. It can be a simple free theme like this, or else with some HTML and CSS knowledge you can turn it into one of these.
The Pearl cart system comes with complete back office processing, CRM and Accounting all in one package
I would second this system. VERY VERY GOOD
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I am currently using TigerCommerce. They are good, but you are restricted to what you can do to the site. As it's a fixed template and you can only change simple graphics etc.. But why not see how you like it, I am sure they still do the 7 Day Free Trial.
If I would move over to a different E-commerece platform it would be either Venda or Pearl.
If I would move over to a different E-commerece platform it would be either Venda or Pearl.
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CaffeineFrenzy
Pearl does look interesting, but I found the options less than clear! Is the ecommerce option in addition to one of the plans with boxes around them? Or is it a bundle of the options that you feel are needed for ecommerce? Do I need the CRM option, or are the basic elements I might require from that already included in the ecommerce option? Same point with stock control really.
Your features page also seems to explain your plans somewhat, but not your ecommerce option? Is it a recent addition, is it fully integrated with your other options, or are there things on the roadmap that haven't yet been delivered?
Is there something you can point me to that fully outlines the delivery functionality?
Are the meta keyword tag, description, title and the URL automatically assigned, and can I override them to exactly what I wish? Is there access to the website root directory, as I'm finding lack of this with Tiger really annoying, with simple things like dropping verification files in not possible for the shop owner. How are redirects handled, etc?
Anyone out there on Pearl care to comment on strengths and weaknesses, support experience etc?
Your features page also seems to explain your plans somewhat, but not your ecommerce option? Is it a recent addition, is it fully integrated with your other options, or are there things on the roadmap that haven't yet been delivered?
Is there something you can point me to that fully outlines the delivery functionality?
Are the meta keyword tag, description, title and the URL automatically assigned, and can I override them to exactly what I wish? Is there access to the website root directory, as I'm finding lack of this with Tiger really annoying, with simple things like dropping verification files in not possible for the shop owner. How are redirects handled, etc?
Anyone out there on Pearl care to comment on strengths and weaknesses, support experience etc?
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We offer an ecommerce platform 'LiquidShop' feel free to take a look and I am happy to answer any queries anyone may have
Info - http://www.sitemakers.co.uk/liquidshop-ecommerce/29/
Demo - http://www.liquidshopdemo.com/index.php
Portfolio - http://www.sitemakers.co.uk/portfolio/30/
Info - http://www.sitemakers.co.uk/liquidshop-ecommerce/29/
Demo - http://www.liquidshopdemo.com/index.php
Portfolio - http://www.sitemakers.co.uk/portfolio/30/
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You have to run it on a desktop machine..
Most systems these days are run entirely from the server and are accessed via a web browser. This makes them much more scalable and often a lot cheaper.
There are lots of other reasons as well.
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CaffeineFrenzy
We offer an ecommerce platform 'LiquidShop' feel free to take a look and I am happy to answer any queries anyone may have
Well you have a pretty website, but I can't find pricing, any mention of other channels (eBay, Amazon, etc?), or detail on most of the issues already raised above?
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Well you have a pretty website, but I can't find pricing, any mention of other channels (eBay, Amazon, etc?), or detail on most of the issues already raised above?
No, you're quite right. The website is not my remit so I personally can't update it and there is much more information that needs to be on there, the website is currently being worked on to accommodate for many more queries that visitors will have that what it currently mentions.
Feel free to contact us thouugh if anyone wants to discuss whether LiquidShop can offer everything you want out of your ecommerce platform.
0207 099 1002
We do have a number of product data feeds that are automatically generated by the system ready to be uploaded directly to Ciao, Amazon, Shopzilla etc etc (we are currently looking into eBay integration)
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It is restricted compared to good server-based package but that's not to dismiss Actinic as an excellent solution - we use it now for a high-volume business to great effect.
There is also a wide community of developers who can help enhance the software to become more than the off-the-shelf product.
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