If you sell products or pre-packaged services, why not offer them for sale online? Products include both tangible goods and digital goods (software, eBooks, music, videos, etc.). The latter are a particularly attractive opportunity as the entire sales and delivery process is completely automatic.
You often hear the term “shopping cart” used as if it is a synonym for “eCommerce”. For clarification, I’m discussing a complete eCommerce system of which the shopping cart is one component. The full list will, of course, vary based on your needs but could include:
- Product catalog management for management of descriptions, photos, prices, variations (like size and color), etc.
- Shopping tools like product search, category browsing and filtering (such as the shopper’s desired price range).
- Merchandising tools to display sale items, featured items, etc.
- Inventory management including not allowing sale of more product than you have on hand.
- Backorder option and handling.
- Pricing options such as pricing tiers (retail and wholesale pricing), volume discounts, contact pricing by customers, etc.
- Up-sell and cross-sell (related items) support.
- Shopping cart review and update (delete items, changes quantities, change options, etc.).
- Sale items and promotional coupons (such as 15% off or free shipping on orders of $100 or more).
- Multiple shipping options to match your customer’s delivery requirements with integration to major shippers for real-time rate computations.
- Sales tax computations based on where the order is being delivered.
- Customer account creation storing the information necessary to allow quick checkout for repeat buyers.
- Multiple payment options potentially including credit cards, PayPal, eChecks and wire transfers.
- Order management tools like printing packing lists or cancelling an order.
- Interfacing with drop-shippers and third-party fulfillment services.
- Customer order acknowledgements, shipping notifications and order tracking link.
- Automatic addition of customers to your mailing list.
eCommerce System Options
I can assist you in adding eCommerce functionality to virtually any Website including traditional HTML sites and sites built on most Content Management System (CMS) platforms. I do, however, strongly prefer and recommend bringing your online store up on WordPress (click here for details and a complete feature list). Two major reasons for my preference:
- Online shopping functions within WordPress are handled by plug-ins of which there are many, many eCommerce options from simple to robust virtually assuring your specific needs can be met.
- Because plug-ins share core WordPress elements, your eCommerce functions look and feel exactly like the other site maintenance components. If you can create your “About Us” page, you already know how to enter a product description.
eCommerce System Platforms
Based on a careful review of client needs, I typically utilize one of two highly regarded WordPress eCommerce solutions:
- WooCommerce: The world’s most popular eCommerce system powering over 30% of all online stores with over 12,000,000 users (not 30% of WordPress online stores, 30% of all online stores)! This popularity can be primarily attributed to WooCommerce’s ability to handle virtually any complicated product, catalog, pricing, customer, shipping or tax requirements via over 1,200 supporting plug-ins.
- Cart66 Pro: A much less functional and therefore simpler eCommerce solution for more basic needs.
Implementing an full-featured eCommerce system is not for the faint of heart. I welcome discussing why. With an experienced guide, the challenge is less than you imagine!
I collaborate effectively with clients all over the world using telephone, Email and live screen sharing ... ask for a reference list. You can contact me right now at 505.750.4728 or PatRiley@DigitalPersonalities.com!
