Moving from Opencart to BigCommerce....sales increase?

[Pish_Pash]

I started a website about 14 months ago & went with opencart because it was free (& well regarded).

It's been ok, but frankly the support totally SUCKS ("ask & hope" on their forum that someone with a clue replies!) & there are also a few issues interfacing with Linnworks (my preferred stock control system), which have not been resolved & now irritating me immensely - so I'm looking to migrate to another cart.

Because I use Linnworks, it makes sense to go with a cart that integrates well with that ...and Linnworks themselves say that BigCommece does.

I'm actually of the opinion that I lose a lot of website sales because my payment page is a bit cack...it's cack cos I'm too tight to go with a payment method that keeps customers 'on site' & having to go through all the nausea of PCI compliance (& the extra costs), so I use basic paypal payment option & just say on checkout page "if wanting to pay by credit card, then select 'pay by card' on the following Paypal page' ...not exactly pro.

I'd like to use stripe as a payment gateway but there's no free extension on opencart for it (it costs £40 for the opencart extension ...these extensions soon add up...to my mind, I may as well go with a well integrated cart & let the cart supplier have the pain of sorting this stuff out - not me!)

I had a dabble with bigcommerce & I liked the look & feel of the checkout process.

Has anyone moved to BigCommerce from an open source cart and seen sales increase? (I'm hoping extra sales attributed to bigcommerce might offset the ongoing cost that Bigcommerce will entail vs. free opencart)

 

[antropy]

frankly the support totally SUCKS

You mean after spending countless thousands of hours developing the platform and releasing the code for FREE, they won't spend more hours supporting you, for FREE? What sort of monsters are they?! Outrageous!

there are also a few issues interfacing with Linnworks (my preferred stock control system), which have not been resolved

We have clients who've used Linnworks with OpenCart for years with no issues. What issues are you having?

I'm actually of the opinion that I lose a lot of website sales because my payment page is a bit cack...it's cack cos I'm too tight to go with a payment method that keeps customers 'on site'

What about PayPal Pro?

I'm hoping extra sales attributed to bigcommerce might offset the ongoing cost that Bigcommerce will entail vs. free opencart)

Why would you get more sales from a BigCommerce store?

 

[Faevilangel]

Opencart may be free but support isn't always free. People give their free time to help when they can.

Moving to BC isn't going to give any more sales than an opencart site, and you're going to experience some major obstacles:

1) Moving all your data from OC to BC - have you checked if BC allow this
2) Functionality - does BC have all the functionality that OC does, and that you require?
3) BC is limited in it's functionality, what happens if you need to add some extra feature in 6 months?
4) How will your customers like seeing a totally different website with a totally different interface?
5) What happens if BC server goes offline or they go bust? You're basically knackered

Going to sound harsh, but stop being tight, pay for a proper payment set up (sagepay has a module in OC which will work for you), get a developer to fix the issues you're having and stop trying to do everything on the cheap.

Customers are buying your stock, so investing money to make your website better should be a priority, not throwing in the towel and taking a backwards step.

 

[Pish_Pash]

You mean after spending countless thousands of hours developing the platform and releasing the code for FREE, they won't spend more hours supporting you, for FREE? What sort of monsters are they?! Outrageous!

Well, as cold hearted as I may sound, they didn't do it all for love or as a social service...they are akin a printer manufacturer giving their printers away for free (the money comes from selling the ink) or to a drug dealer giving you free syringes (the money comes from selling you the drugs) ...with opencart, they give you the cart software but the money comes from the extensions. So they're making their dosh (in spades), therefore IMHO they ought to provide a better cohesive support.

In case you think I've an axe to grind (btw: what is it that makes folks so defensive about OC?!), I haven't ....but frankly I can't be bothered to be a geek (the whole OC method of working necessitates having to roll your sleeves up & learn about stuff I'd rather leave to fat single blokes drinking on cans of coke & wearing Black Sabbath T shirts)

We have clients who've used Linnworks with OpenCart for years with no issues. What issues are you having?

They're mainly niggles rather than showstoppers - but the niggles are now adding up but mainly I really just don't like the checkout method (& I've bought a load of extensions - probably amounting to £200)...I also don't like the fact that one of the niggles really is a pain in the arse (needs me to be on my guard & modify the associated order in Linnworks ...or else big problems arise) & no one gives a flying fig ......

What about PayPal Pro?

My website doesn't generate much revenue & their monthly fee (& the cost/hassle of PCI compliance irks me) - this is why I fancy stripe.

Why would you get more sales from a BigCommerce store?

I feel it's a user trust/pro vibe thing...if you have more confidence a given website feels solid & slick, then you're more likely not to abort at the final point....if customers don't abort at the final point (that'll be the point where they're giving me their dosh), then sales increase. Simples.

Got to say I've been trialing bigcommerce since yesterday - initial vibe is very good - for example, last night I did a test checkout with an old hotmail address on my test store but I didn't complete - they've just emailed the hotmail address I used this morning to say "You didn't complete your checkout, click here to complete" ...I mean that's attention to detail (sure, there'll no doubt be an opencart extension that does this ...but it'll cost me, then I'll have to slip into a black sabbath t-shirt....& you know the drill)

 

[Faevilangel]

with opencart, they give you the cart software but the money comes from the extensions. So they're making their dosh (in spades), therefore IMHO they ought to provide a better cohesive support.

OC don't provide any extensions, they are created by other developers which are released for use on OC.

OC is open source software, the software is provided for you to use as you wish with no support included. The forums were added so you can get support if you require it but this is provided freely by other members.

It's the same with any open source software, the support is provided by other users, I provide support for WordPress on this forum and on the WordPress forum because I like to help people when they aren't as clued up as others.

 

[Pish_Pash]

(see what I mean about OC love?!).

OC don't provide any extensions, they are created by other developers which are released for use on OC.

Ahem ...erhm , of which the Opencart owner skims his (chunky) percentage when an extension is bought (do you geddit now - it's about the dosh - no issue with that, we've all gotta eat, but take my dosh & I expect some better support) ..the more extensions, the more people buy them, the more people buy the more he (Opencart owner) skims. When you stroke your chin for a moment, you'll likely realise this situation is actually a conflict of interest...because rather than trying to keep a tight stable reign on well made extensions, it's in his interest to allow bazillions of extensions.

Going to sound harsh, but stop being tight, pay for a proper payment set up (sagepay has a module in OC which will work for you), get a developer to fix the issues you're having and stop trying to do everything on the cheap.

I don't mind you been harsh (after all, I am but a collection of ASCII characters placed on server somewhere or other)...& indeed I have already bought some payment extensions ...one clashed with another (paypal express & simple checkout)..I was left in Limbo becuase in isolation they worked fine, but in combination they didn't etc....it eventually got sorted, but not before I became 'master of ceremonies' introducing developer A to developer B.

I just think it's now a case of how much do I pony up on OC, before I stack my hand & move over to a more cohesively integrated package.

Anyway...about bigcommerce...has anyone migrated to it & reaped extra sales?

 

[Pish_Pash]

Ok, as mentioned earlier.... I've been using opencart for just over a year....the associated niggles have all mounted up got to me & so I'm looking to migrate in earnest.

I've been trialing bigcommerce for almost 2 weeks (mainly just adding products, getting a feel for their way of doing things)...and I really like how well they've thought it out, so I'm going to pull the trigger, pony up & migrate away from opencart - I'll let you know if my sales increase, which if my inkling is right, they will

btw, I've no association with BigCommerce, I'm just a small website UK retailer, who frankly is worn out with opencart's woeful support model - i.e. got a question? Well, unless you're a coder "you;'re a f****in' idiot" seems to be the stance when asking on their forum (which is swamped with desperate people trying to get answers) .........& Opencart's less than optimum checkout/payment ('slickness').

things I immediately like about bigcommerce...

Firstly, how well the payment gateways integrate to the process of checking out. In opencart, if you want someone to use paypal express (to save entering their name/address details to complete an order), you need to buy an extension (the one bundled with core OC is buggy) & even then the associated 'Paypal Express' button is located off to the aside of the screen...in a non intuitive place (there's little choice for placing it close to where a buyer would be looking...near the grand total, or 'next' button')> look at what bigcommerce have done...

The above 'View CArt' screen is worth the entry price alone...because IMHO there are two main things that put buyers off from registering/checking out ...1. not knowing how much the shipping is going to cost without having to register first (do see that shipping estimator, nicely/tightly integrated?) and 2. Having to enter all their name/billing address/shipping address info 'ad infintum' ...dreary! (do you see that paypal checkout button...located nice & close to the grand total so as not to miss it?!!) ...so that's the two main bases covered off, from the get go.

Secondly, buyer country detection (bigcommerce automatically shows the buyer for currency for his country - Boom!)

Thirdly. Ease of configuration the store layout ...if don't want to show this or that - it's a doddle (whereas in opencart, it was like pulling backteeth)

There are many more slick & fantastic features that I've instantly warmed to (that should be in opencart core offering ...but aren't), but I don't want to sound like a salesman!

I'll probably migrate within two weeks & like I say I'll report back a month or so after that!

 

[Pish_Pash]

oh, before I forget ...one other main 'win' with bigcommerce - the in store search seems to work well, whereas the bundled basic instore search supplied with opencart sucks canal water thru its butt ....eh? potential customers actually want to search a webstore & find what their looking for without fuss?!

 

[Raw Rob]

You seem to be comparing the two carts in different ways, complaining that it will cost x to add a particular extension to Open Cart while neglecting to mention that Big Commerce has a monthly fee.

Got to say I've been trialing bigcommerce since yesterday - initial vibe is very good - for example, last night I did a test checkout with an old hotmail address on my test store but I didn't complete - they've just emailed the hotmail address I used this morning to say "You didn't complete your checkout, click here to complete"

A quick look at the pricing model shows that this feature is only available on the "gold" plan at $79.95 per month, that's $959.40 per year. I'm sure you could get OC fixed up and buy the relevant extensions for less than that, then you're quids in for future years.

(I'm not trying to convince you of anything, it looks like you have already made up your mind, I'm just posting this for anyone else reading this thread )

 

[Pish_Pash]

You seem to be comparing the two carts in different ways, complaining that it will cost x to add a particular extension to Open Cart while neglecting to mention that Big Commerce has a monthly fee.

A quick look at the pricing model shows that this feature is only available on the "gold" plan at $79.95 per month, that's $959.40 per year. I'm sure you could get OC fixed up and buy the relevant extensions for less than that, then you're quids in for future years.

You make a fair point...when I posted that above (that you've quoted), at the time, I wasn't aware of the cost of the particular plan they bundled it with (& yes, I think they've got the pricing of the packages to get abandoned cart totally wrong)

For the sake of clarity, my main opencart gripes are...

1. Buying extensions (to make up for the inadequate core functionality)...*then* not being able to get decent, dependable, reliable support from the extension developers (especially if extension 'a' clashes with extension 'b' ....when I'm left holding the baby)
2. Woeful support in general...venture on to there forum & just look at the desperation.
3. A poor checkout process (see the screen scrape above for what I call slick/tightly integrated)...so even after bolting of poorly supported extensions, the end result doesn't feel tightly integrated (I've no idea how many abandoned carts this is causing, because frankly, I'm worn out with having to keep getting out my wallet & then the troubles beginning!)

Seriously, if you've ever had the embarrassment of a customer saying "I've just tried to buy from your website using paypal express & I'm getting the following error" .....& the ensuing feeling of nowhere to turn ....then you'll know what I mean! (& this was a customer that went the extra mile to tell me - how many didn't bother?!

but then I could add other wins about moving away from the opencart model to a hosted package....

Not having to worry about hosting & backup probelms (a major headache removed!)...also, even if core opencart is free, you've still got to host it (so that should be deducted off the apparent cost of bigcommerce)

when I first started using opencart, it felt like a festival of win (hehehe...look at me, I'm selling stuff & it's free!)...but now 14 months down the line, i now know that for anyone serious about the web presence...unless you're a bloke who has trouble meeting women & prefers to stay in your bedroom with "Advanced PHP for fat blokes" columes for solace, then it's likely not the right cart package for you!

 

[TODonnell]

I think the OP has too high expectations of shopping cart software generally, especially open-source.

Wordpress has millions of users because it's a blogging software. Millions of people blog. Thus, hundreds of thousands of developers (let's say) work on its code.

Opencart is a shopping cart software. It's user base is only in the 100,000's, let's say. So you have a few thousand developers working on it.

Shopping carts are complicated softwares. Shipping, taxation and presentation separates the first-rate from the second-rate.

Then you get down to the few hundred users, maybe, who need X unusual thing for their store. Who is going to work on that for free? Put in the hours trying to get a complicated thing to work? To have it appreciated by a relatively small audience? Who'll then pester him (the developer), about upgrades and bug-fixes?

No one.

It's pay to play.

 

[antropy]

I've been using opencart for just over a year....the associated niggles have all mounted up

Do you fancy listing all your niggles? I'd bet most are very easily solved...

 

[VevoCart]

To answer your questions specifically, i have not heard and personally do not think that switching the platform can increase sales. Instead, adding / updating marketing strategy can help sale. IMHO

 

[Brandsumo]

There's lots of ways that moving platform could effect sales.

Credibility, user experience, presentation, appearance of trustworthiness, navigation, fluidity of the checkout process, load times. All these things reflect in the details.

It's unlikely you'd be able to duplicate your exact website design from one system to the other (especially as Bigcommerce is hosted) so some design changes would take place.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Do you fancy listing all your niggles? I'd bet most are very easily solved...

Niggles...

1. Any order taken on opencart that's NOT sterling (therefore US$, EUR etc) will arrive in Linnworks showing the wrong pricing! For example if I price something at £10 in sterling, it'll sell at approximately $16...yet, when I do sell that product, Linnworks shows it as a $10 sale - Linnworks are emphatic that it's Opencart's issue. I asked on opencart...drew a blank (apparently the solution is that I have to learn to be a php programmer). niggle factor 8/10

2. I can't get any payment method - where a user doesn't need to enter his details (eg paypal express, checkout by amazon) - to place its payment button near the grand total. this is what I seek....

(same can be said of shipping estimator - bought one, but it's located way off to the side of screen & not intuitive the the checkout flow of things)

Frankly, it shouldn't need a buyer to have to go looking for easy/time saving ways of paying (the button has to be located way off to the side or top of screen). niggle factor 9/10 .....this one is my MAIN reason for wanting to migrate away.

3. The core search doesn't work for my opencart website. The resolution is to pony up for an extension that does (yeah, yeah I know, what do I expect Opencart free, but the whole premise of cart software is for someone to be able to buy...how can he someone if he/she can't find what he/she needs?!) niggle factor 8/10

4. removing stuff from the website layout (eg removing gift certificates etc)....pulling back teeth. "Go & learn how to code you pleb") niggle factor 6/10

5. whenever I update an order as 'shipped', I see an estoeric permissions error showing in the admin console....I've added all permissions for my one & only user (admin) niggle factor 4/10

6. Backing up & security (ok, so not opencart specific) ...major headache. I cacked my pants the other day becuase I thought I'd been hacked & files deleted .......& two weeks prior to that I thought I'd lost all user sales info for the preceing two weeks! Going hosted, this *major* niggle is removed. niggle factor 8/10

There's lots of ways that moving platform could effect sales.

Credibility, user experience, presentation, appearance of trustworthiness, navigation, fluidity of the checkout process, load times. All these things reflect in the details.

BOOM....that's the term I was looking for - with Opencart, it ain't fluid (all the extensions you shell out for to get the functionailty & user slickness, don't locate where you need them...see jpg above for where I need them), with Bigcommerce it looks to be as fluid as you can ever get.

 

[Pish_Pash]

oh...and apologies for the bad grammar above...it doesn't help that ukbusinessforums lock me out of the thread so soon after posting (else I could have edited my post to take out the confusing text!)

 

[Pish_Pash]

Just for the sake of comparison, here's opencart's 'view cart screen'...

it's this particular opencart screen that irks me, because it's at this point in the buying process that you should be able to offer the buyer the option of a payment method where he doesn't have to proceed to the checkout/register screens that follow (eg Pay via ....paypal express, amazon payments, google checkout etc)

If you can offer quick painless payment at the 'view cart' screen (no hint of asking to register, supply names/addresses etc), then you're 95% of the way there to securing a sale. Else...risk of abandonment.

 

[Lentinus]

I hear you on 2. - I have the same issue with Woocommerce, bought the "Paypal Express" extension and getting it in an intuitive position is a nightmare. I liked Woocommerce for my simple site until they doubled all the extension prices and made you pay again every year for them.

Nothing is live yet so I am working with Open Cart at the moment as an alternative, sad to hear I am going to run into the same PP issue!

Mind you, if you think OC extensions are expensive check out Prestashop!

 

[Pish_Pash]

I hear you on 2. - I have the same issue with Woocommerce, bought the "Paypal Express" extension and getting it in an intuitive position is a nightmare. I liked Woocommerce for my simple site until they doubled all the extension prices and made you pay again every year for them.

Nothing is live yet so I am working with Open Cart at the moment as an alternative, sad to hear I am going to run into the same PP issue!

And the odd thing is I seem to be a lone voice (in a sea a of Opencart afficienados "Whaddaya mean...Opencart is free, it's great if it doesn't do what you need, then it must be you" ...blah blah), I mean seriously, when people 'view cart', they should easiliy see "pay with paypal", right next to the order grand total (not some way off to the top right).

Worse still, should they actually find the button (in a non intuitive place) & actually click on it, they get whisked off to Paypal where the initial total they see on the left of the paypal screen doesn't include the shipping total

...image the buyer puzzlement/unease just a few clicks later when the grand total has jumped up because the shipping has then been lobbed in ....I mean I just don't understand that in 2013, that it should be so whacky.

You shop online at boots, currys, whsmith...you don't get this confusion...it's slick - all I'm askiing is for a reasonable 'cart software' for the little guy, that's almost as slick (& not puzzling)

 

[Pish_Pash]

(btw I dont think opencart extensions are particularly expensive...I just dislike the questionable developer support/backup ("What? you want a refund because the extension sucks?" "LOL, guys listen to this....we got a bloke here who actually wants a refund for our p1ss poor extension!!!")& the fact that often extension 'A' doesn't work with extension 'B'...and if I'm the only buyer that happens to have bought both extensions & experienced the issue, then good luck with that one sunshine!)

 

[TODonnell]

Well, it might sound harsh, but that's just how these carts are. They're not so popular as to attract a following who will produce a really polished product and then when you get to the plugins for the cart ...

Add in the facts that they're complicated and that users want to do their own peculiar things and you have a recipe for ...

Paying a developer to get it working. And then another to fix what the first chap left behind.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Well, it might sound harsh, but that's just how these carts are. They're not so popular as to attract a following who will produce a really polished product and then when you get to the plugins for the cart ...

Add in the facts that they're complicated and that users want to do their own peculiar things and you have a recipe for ...

Paying a developer to get it working. And then another to fix what the first chap left behind.

So I can't figure out why Opencart evangelists make the product out to be to be the bees knees? a few of the things I outlined above should be "day one" deliverables (if you're gonna tout your product as cart software).

lesson learned....buy a package that someone else has to own the headaches & provide a feature rich set from the get go (bigcommerce, volusion etc)

 

[antropy]

1. Any order taken on opencart that's NOT sterling (therefore US$, EUR etc) will arrive in Linnworks showing the wrong pricing! For example if I price something at £10 in sterling, it'll sell at approximately $16...yet, when I do sell that product, Linnworks shows it as a $10 sale - Linnworks are emphatic that it's Opencart's issue. I asked on opencart...drew a blank (apparently the solution is that I have to learn to be a php programmer). niggle factor 8/10

I think this is the Linnworks integration because they write the query that accesses the OpenCart order table.

2. I can't get any payment method - where a user doesn't need to enter his details (eg paypal express, checkout by amazon) - to place its payment button near the grand total. this is what I seek....

(same can be said of shipping estimator - bought one, but it's located way off to the side of screen & not intuitive the the checkout flow of things)

Frankly, it shouldn't need a buyer to have to go looking for easy/time saving ways of paying (the button has to be located way off to the side or top of screen). niggle factor 9/10 .....this one is my MAIN reason for wanting to migrate away.

That's got to depend on a load of things including what theme and gateway you're using. But moving a button isn't really a biggie 9/10? Really?

3. The core search doesn't work for my opencart website. The resolution is to pony up for an extension that does (yeah, yeah I know, what do I expect Opencart free, but the whole premise of cart software is for someone to be able to buy...how can he someone if he/she can't find what he/she needs?!) niggle factor 8/10

This is a big problem. But this isn't an OpenCart bug because the built-in search does work. So it's to do with something you've done to your OpenCart I'm afaid

4. removing stuff from the website layout (eg removing gift certificates etc)....pulling back teeth. "Go & learn how to code you pleb") niggle factor 6/10

Yes, you may need a developer to do that.

5. whenever I update an order as 'shipped', I see an estoeric permissions error showing in the admin console....I've added all permissions for my one & only user (admin) niggle factor 4/10

This again must be something you've done to your shop because it works in the OpenCart demo.

6. Backing up & security (ok, so not opencart specific) ...major headache. I cacked my pants the other day becuase I thought I'd been hacked & files deleted .......& two weeks prior to that I thought I'd lost all user sales info for the preceing two weeks! Going hosted, this *major* niggle is removed. niggle factor 8/10

This is your web host, not OpenCart. Always use a host that can provide monthly, weekly and daily backups.

BOOM....that's the term I was looking for - with Opencart, it ain't fluid (all the extensions you shell out for to get the functionailty & user slickness, don't locate where you need them...see jpg above for where I need them), with Bigcommerce it looks to be as fluid as you can ever get.

There are thousands of themes, you can't expect every extension to work with every different possible layout, that's just not realistic. I'm sure you'll find that if this does work with BigCommerce it's because the layout is very restricted.

 

[Pish_Pash]

I think this is the Linnworks integration because they write the query that accesses the OpenCart order table.

But Linnworks says it's Opencart (I tend to agree because users of other cart software don't report the same issue). Regardless, where does that leave me...a non coder? This is my point - Opencart may seem great...until it isn't.

That's got to depend on a load of things including what theme and gateway you're using. But moving a button isn't really a biggie 9/10? Really?

Absolutely 9/10...this one is huge. It's 9/10 for two reasons, firstly it's clearly misguided (the option to checkout with payment gateways like paypal express or amazon payments etc, ought to see the associated payment button(s) placed near the cart grand total when 'viewing cart'), but secondly it's not possible for me to correct & make sure these buttons *do* appear near the grand total (remember...I'm a non coder - therefore I need to rely on someone else to sort, that someone else hasn't materialized)...therefore 9/10 it remains.

At a petrol station you wouldn't place the petrol pumps in non obvious places (hidden behind the air vac or car wash etc) thereby effectively putting barriers in place for customers to transact ...same with a cart website software - don't put the payment/shipping estimator buttons way off above/to the right etc (i.e. nowhere near the grand total)....put them where a buyer expects to see them! (else he might just walk on by)

This is how it should be...

 

[antropy]

But Linnworks says it's Opencart (I tend to agree because users of other cart software don't report the same issue). Regardless, where does that leave me...a non coder? This is my point - Opencart may seem great...until it isn't.

There aren't bugs in their other cart integrations because OpenCart is newer so they've had less time to fix the bugs. I'm pretty sure OpenCart stores the order table in the default currency. Which means it shouldn't be too hard for them to fix.

Absolutely 9/10...this one is huge. It's 9/10 for two reasons, firstly it's clearly misguided (the option to checkout with payment gateways like paypal express or amazon payments etc, ought to see the associated payment button(s) placed near the cart grand total when 'viewing cart'), but secondly it's not possible for me to correct & make sure these buttons *do* appear near the grand total (remember...I'm a non coder - therefore I need to rely on someone else to sort, that someone else hasn't materialized)...therefore 9/10 it remains.

Go to the OpenCart commercial support forum or partner page, post or send your screen shot of where you want the button to be, and someone will do it for you. Pretty sure no cart software allows you to choose the positioning of every button without a developer

 

[Lentinus]

The difference is that OC was written by, is supported by, and is further developed by ... coders - the sort of coders that mainly like to do it for fun/karma/personal satisfaction. - Just look at the cost of the plugins - mostly bugger all, look at the free time given in support forums.

Navigating the back end of OC seems like a similar structure to the way software is built and it is not intuitive at all. The people that build it don't see an issue with how obscure it is because to them it isn't (after a while they only see the Matrix!). The same with something like Sage Accounting, perfectly obvious to an accountant! All Greek to the rest of us

Now something like Woocommerce is a much more commercial operation and they consider the usability then have their (paid) coders write it.- Then remove/downgrade some vital parts so they can charge for them - that's their business model. Big commerce and others model is to keep the good stuff in there but charge for the whole thing.

Non of these things are free, just charged differently, so you need to find a business model that fits with you. Sounds like Big C does it for you so go with it, and yes a smooth checkout and more professional appearance will increase your sales - if that is why people are abandoning and it's not for some other reason.

Me I'm learning how to get OC to do what I want it too because I have more time than money - though I have my limits, and prefer Maiden.

 

[Pish_Pash]

The difference is that OC was written by, is supported by, and is further developed by ... coders - the sort of coders that mainly like to do it for fun/karma/personal satisfaction. - Just look at the cost of the plugins - mostly bugger all, look at the free time given in support forums.

Navigating the back end of OC seems like a similar structure to the way software is built and it is not intuitive at all. The people that build it don't see an issue with how obscure it is because to them it isn't (after a while they only see the Matrix!). The same with something like Sage Accounting, perfectly obvious to an accountant! All Greek to the rest of us

Now something like Woocommerce is a much more commercial operation and they consider the usability then have their (paid) coders write it.- Then remove/downgrade some vital parts so they can charge for them - that's their business model. Big commerce and others model is to keep the good stuff in there but charge for the whole thing.

Non of these things are free, just charged differently, so you need to find a business model that fits with you. Sounds like Big C does it for you so go with it, and yes a smooth checkout and more professional appearance will increase your sales - if that is why people are abandoning and it's not for some other reason.

Me I'm learning how to get OC to do what I want it too because I have more time than money - though I have my limits, and prefer Maiden.

A nice summary...as you say, none are truly free. Opencart is perhaps a good starter shopping cart software package (cos it costs very little to get up & running - proof of concept if you like), but unless you're a code junkie, then you'll soon realise their extension system (i.e. ponying up towards getting your website to checkout as fluidly as you see other websites doing) & that they earn revenue from, becomes a royal pain & often needs you to buy many extensions & then get deep down 'n dirty to make them work.

As much as I (think) I've made the decision to migrate away, I need to ponder the possible loss of ranking attributed to such a migration. BC seems to have a useful 301 redirect utility, but I'm still a tad hesitant...so will mull this over a few more days (my bigcommerce trial has expired - to my mild annoyance they won't extend as I still learn to get to grips with the ins/outs of their system)

 

[antropy]

you'll soon realise their extension system (i.e. ponying up towards getting your website to checkout as fluidly as you see other websites doing) & that they earn revenue from, becomes a royal pain & often needs you to buy many extensions & then get deep down 'n dirty to make them work.

Well I was speaking to Daniel, the lead OpenCart developer in London a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that OpenCart 2.0.0 will be released this year (i.e. the next couple of months) and it will include automatic installing of extensions:
http://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/ecommerce-expo/

 

[TODonnell]

So I can't figure out why Opencart evangelists make the product out to be to be the bees knees? a few of the things I outlined above should be "day one" deliverables (if you're gonna tout your product as cart software).

Because there are not many worthy alternatives / because these softwares are so darn complicated / because it's free.

I'd guess all merchants reach a point where they get frustrated; they're going down an increasingly lonely road:

- Want a Wordpress blog? No problem!
- Want a customised shopping cart? Get your wallet out or roll up your sleeves yourself.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Because there are not many worthy alternatives / because these softwares are so darn complicated / because it's free.

I think you're missing the salient point - yes, the core software is free, but if you want to make it half decent (with something akin to a proper 'ecommerce buyer experience') you have to pay....which I've no problem with, but if I pay, then I expect decent support & extensions that are compatible with one another...I don't want to have to own the problem & then get deep down 'n dirty looking at error logs (& plea for help on forum) etc.

And again, the 'view cart' aspect of ahem 'cart software' ought to offer a potential customer the *clear* option (i.e. a well placed button) of checking out with a payment method that means he doesn't have to enter his name/address details on the site (eg paypal express). Perhaps the notion of it being a bit better than other 'free' cart software is clouding your judgement of this basic (but massively important) last aspect I mention?

 

[kulture]

To be honest, both of you are missing the real point. It does not matter to the customer what cart is used.

To answer the original question, yes, if you have a poorly designed front end, with a poorly designed checkout then conversion will almost certainly be better with a better designed front end and a better designed checkout.

Now it is relatively easy (but expensive long term) to achieve this with Bigcommerce. It is less easy (but cheaper long term) to achieve this with Opencart.

Now with the OP's level of experience there are two choices. Pick a hosted solution like Bigcommerce and have a decent solution, or pay for a developer and potentially get a better solution. Either option would be better than the current situation from what the OP says.

I suspect that a hosted solution is the better option for the OP, but I also suspect that the OP will never be satisfied.

 

[Pish_Pash]

To be honest, both of you are missing the real point. It does not matter to the customer what cart is used.
.

I agree a customer doesn't care one iota about the choice of cart software...but I care if he abandons the cart because the cart software didn't make it lightning quick & fluid for him to give me his money! And that's what we're discussing here.

Now it is relatively easy (but expensive long term) to achieve this with Bigcommerce. It is less easy (but cheaper long term) to achieve this with Opencart.

From what I can tell (& correct me if I'm wrong) most Opencart modules that place a new soft 'button' on the screen, yield very rough/crude generic options for button placement...left column, top, right column. I'd say that it's almost certainly beyond the technical ability of your average cart user to be able to place a soft button where he/she may truly want/need it.

Now with the OP's level of experience there are two choices. Pick a hosted solution like Bigcommerce and have a decent solution, or pay for a developer and potentially get a better solution. Either option would be better than the current situation from what the OP says.

this I agree with...but any talk of paying a deveoper to address a serious flaw with the Opencart 'view cart' screen, somewhat negates the whole point of going with Opencart...in short, going that way, is going to get very expensive very quickly (& what about the next release...will any deployed workaround still work?)

...but I also suspect that the OP will never be satisfied

You'd be wrong, my requirements aren't that demanding....IMHO Opencart is way better than the other similar offerings, but like I say...the biggest challenge any online retailer has is making sure you don't blow it at the last part of the process - sales closure (therefore a fluid, quick & intuitive checkout direct is essential.... direct from the 'View Cart' screen) and to that extent, IMHO Opencart really misses hit the spot....and I just want to make others aware (in the face of the never ending Opencart 'lurve' you tend to see everywhere)

 

[kulture]

No cart is perfect. I have never used Opencart, nor Bigcommerce. What I do know however is that a decent developer, who knows what they are doing, could make an Opencart solution look and act much better than a more rigid hosted solution than Bigcommerce. The trick however is to find that developer. A hosted solution like Bigcommerce can be the less risky solution. It will however have limitations that may in time get in the way of expanding your business.

 

[Tech4Homes]

I don't know why people compare hosted DIY solutions to open source professional solutions! Both are good, Opencart can do anything, you may need a developer. Hosted solutions make certain things easier, but you may come across a need for something and there will be no chance of having it, or you may have everything you need and it fits perfect for you.

It's all down to what you need and want and whether you expect it easy peasy or if you need to make something you're own. I moved from a hosted solution to Opencart because the hosted solution, despite having an easy paypal button, there were LOADS of things it couldn't do.

FYI you could probably fix all of your opencart issues with the help of someone like Antropy for about the cost of two months (or so) of BigCommerce...........

 

[Pish_Pash]

Isn't that the beauty of forums like this....the contributions made (coupled with my worry re loss of ranking by migrating) have made me decide to tough it out with Opencart until Opencart 2.0 arrives in a short while.

It should be pretty clear(!) from my previous posts that I'm really not keen on the 'view cart' aspect of opencart, but I'll follow up on all the advice given.

many thanks to all who contributed

 

[Pish_Pash]

For the sake of fairness & wiping large amounts of egg off my face (hey, before you have a pop, just bear in mind I could have just gone silent & hid under a rock), I can now thankfully confirm the a Paypal button *can* be located next to the checkout button on the view cart screen (i.e. exactly where I need it)....

....although being able to get it there is going to be down to the paypal extension developer being helpful! (it's still not part of the basic extension placement options). I've now found a developer who has offered to help....but I have to buy his module & not the one I've already got, but hey at least that's major progress & gives me great hope.

So Opencart 1(OG) : Pish_Pash 0

...I'll get me coat. :redface:

 

[GraemeL]

and to tidy up, I use Opencart and Linnworks. The integration between sales output on Opencart and sales input to Linnworks is not perfect.

However, by paying Linnworks enough for the version of Linnworks that allows you to pay more to have bespoke integration work done, it can be resolved.

G

 

[Pish_Pash]

and to tidy up, I use Opencart and Linnworks. The integration between sales output on Opencart and sales input to Linnworks is not perfect.

Would this be the 'non default currency Opencart orders' being pulled into Linnworks showing the wrong pricing? (which I mentioned earlier in this thread). If so, are you saying it's Linnworks that need to sort this? (their support told me it was an opencart problem!).

However, by paying Linnworks enough for the version of Linnworks that allows you to pay more to have bespoke integration work done, it can be resolved.

G

...alas, I'm on their free offering which gets me squat in the way of support! And by the sounds of it, you appear to be a few levels up the subscription tree (probably at the top)...I get a nosebleed even contemplating such monthly payments!

E-commerce in 2013 - still a challenge eh?!

 

[GraemeL]

Would this be the 'non default currency Opencart orders' being pulled into Linnworks showing the wrong pricing? (which I mentioned earlier in this thread). If so, are you saying it's Linnworks that need to sort this? (their support told me it was an opencart problem!).

I have had several instances where Linnworks pulls in a different value from OC than the customer paid. (eg Discount voucher, VAT, Totals adjustment)

Invariably the correct data is in one of the Opencart tables. (My simple logic tells me this must be true if a customer has completed the transaction and the correct value is shown on the customer order in OC) However Linnworks integration doesn't pick it up.

My explanation of the issue is:-
a)Linnworks expects the output data from OC to arrive in the same line in the same data table every transaction but
b)OC puts data in different lines in different tables depending on the type of transaction

So Linnworks can say it is an OC problem. OC can say its a Linnworks problem.

My feeling is that your pricing issue has the same basis.

G

 

[Pish_Pash]

My (weak) understanding is that for every transaction, within Opencart the price is stored in the default currency (in my case GBP), and to my (non coder's) mind, there must also be a multiplier tucked away somewhere or other (e.g. the exchange rate used when the transaction was made)

If I sell something I price at £10.00 item to a USA customer in US$, in the Opencart admin panel it correctly shows that he he paid $16, therefore the info is being stored correctly somewhere within Opencart - I reckon Linnworks should therefore get the default currency price (£10)... & (since Linnworks correctly detects the transaction is in US$), it should also be multiplying the default currency price (£10), by the exchange rate (1.6) ...but it doesn't, hence $10 is showing as the price the US customer paid within Linnworks.

The workaround is that *every* Opencart transaction that wasn't carried out in GBP must be manually edited in Linnworks (to match the price the customer paid...as showing in the Opencart admin panel) ...which sort of gets old very quick. Alas, there presumably aren't enough Opencart users selling internationally who are using Linnworks ...so at the moment I'm a lone(ish) voice.