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Online Shopping Cart Software

If you are trying to set up a complex, full-featured online store, then you need good ecommerce solution. But if you are only selling a small number of products, a simple Shopping Cart application might be enough for you.

There is no universally agreed upon distinction between ecommerce applications and shopping carts. But, generally speaking, apps which are described as shopping carts tend to be simpler than full featured ecommerce systems.

Features (sometimes) lacking in Shopping Carts

Compared to more complicated ecommerce applications, shopping carts may be missing some of the following features common to online stores:

  • Gift Cards
  • Returns Management
  • Shipping Cost Estimator
  • Packing/Shipping Management
  • Inventory
  • Wish Lists
  • Recommended Products
  • Advanced Search
  • Product Categories
  • Tiered Pricing
  • Subscription Products
  • Downloadable Products

Why use low-featured shopping cart?

If the big difference between a shopping cart and an eCommerce application is that a shopping cart has fewer features, why should anyone ever use one?

It boils down to two things: simplicity and cost.

If a shopping cart app provides all the features you need there is no reason to get bogged down with additional features that you don’t need and won’t use.

In some cases the extra features don’t really matter — if you don’t add a coupon code, it doesn’t matter than the system can handle coupon codes. However, sometimes extra features can get in the way. If adding a product requires the selection of a large number of options and settings, then this can make it managing the online store very difficult and time-consuming. Sometimes, simpler is just better.

The other big issue is cost. Simple shopping carts can often cost much less than a complicated eCommerce system. If you need the expanded features, you shouldn’t just go with the cheap option, but if you don’t — there’s no reason to pay for something you won’t use.

Choosing between Shopping Carts vs. eCommerce Systems — Which is right?

It can be hard to know which way to go. Here are a few pointers:

  • If your business is not primarily about selling products online, but you want to sell products online as an additional enhancement to your business, then a simple shopping cart system might be best.

  • If you only have one or two products to sell, and there are not many options within those products, a simple shopping cart system might be right for you.

  • If you only have a few items currently, but are planning to expand in the future, it may be tempting to go with a cheap option now, and expand to a more robust system in the future. This is usually a bad idea, though — the point at which you’ll need and want to upgrade (when you start to be successful and busy) is exactly the point at which you do not want to be worrying about your online store’s software. If you have plans that require a complete system, go ahead and start with a complete system.

  • If you have a specific need that is often not found in simple shopping cart systems, you might need to go for the more robust system. However, you might not. Every shopping cart app has a different set of features, and you might find what you are looking for in a simpler system.

Researching and making a decision

The common advice is to start with a list of features and then research options until you find the features you are looking for. That’s good advice, but it can be improved a bit.

Start by simply looking at the options for ecommerce and shopping cart solutions. If you begin without doing that, you won’t know what features are available. Begin by simply familiarizing yourself with the different types of applications that are available and looking at available features.

Next, figure out what you are planning to sell. You probably have done this already, but take the time to really think through what you plan to sell and how that product will interact with the types of features you have seen in your initial research.

Don’t forget to take into account future growth. – You may not plan to sell downloadable (or, conversely, physical) products at first, but is there a strong chance you will want to do that in the future? – Will you offer more options in the future? – Will your delivery or inventory system change?

Now you are ready to make up a list of features you really feel you need in your online store software. Once you have done that, you can compare options and make a decision.

The most important feature in online store software

You need reliable support. This might come in the form of an actual customer support department (in the case of purchased applications) or simply good documentation and a viable user community (in the case of Open Source projects).

This software is going to be a critical part of your business. Do not choose software that you can’t get help with.

Hosting Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the best way to compare shopping cart software?

    Comparing and choosing shopping cart software can be a detailed process, as it is important to make the right decision the first time. Most people start by learning more about the features provided by each application. Along with this, they learn more about the hosting requirements, price, and ease of use. While many applications share similar features, each and every one is unique in some way.

  • What are some of the most popular features of shopping cart software?

    This depends on what the user is looking for, but some of the most popular features include: coupons, product categories, shipping management, wish lists, easy image upload, and advanced search.

  • Is there ever a time when it makes more sense to choose free shopping cart software?

    There are users who prefer a free solution, as they don’t want to pay any money to sell online and do not have strict requirements. Free solutions do not typically have a high level of features, but some sellers only need the basics.

  • What are the most commonly installed shopping cart applications?

    These include but are not limited to Zen Cart, PayPal Shopping Cart, Agora Cart, Pinnacle Cart, and Avactis. The most common full featured “eCommerce” software is Magento and osCommerce.

  • Does every hosting company and plan offer support for shopping cart software?

    No. Every application has specific server requirements. Anybody who wants to install this type of application should first check with their hosting company to ensure that their server is capable of handling the load.

  • Do some hosting companies offer one click installation of shopping cart software?

    Yes. Depending on the company you choose, you may have access to one click installation through the dashboard. This allows you to get started without the need to download any files. Those who do not have a lot of experience with setting up shopping cart software could benefit from this. No technical knowledge is required, as the hosting company has already taken care of the finer details. This is also one of the best ways to guarantee that the application is compatible with your hosting account.

  • Can shopping cart software be customized?

    This depends largely on the application you choose and the changes you are attempting to make. With the right knowledge, you may be able to customize the cart to suit your exact needs. Some applications are more customizable than others, with many allowing you to implement a variety of features with a click of the mouse.

  • What type of support do shopping cart software companies provide?

    It varies from one application to the next. If the application was pre-installed by your hosting company, they may be able to provide you with download assistance. Most shopping cart companies provide some level of customer support, such as via email, phone, and/or live chat. This is for active users who have questions, comments, or concerns. Some shopping cart companies also offer tutorials and guides to answer basic questions and provide guidance.

  • What type of items can be sold through shopping cart software?

    In addition to physical goods, many people use a shopping cart application as a means of selling digital products, such as downloads. Not all software supports this functionality, so it is a must to verify before downloading.

  • Is shopping cart software secure?

    Safety and security is a primary concern of most online shoppers. Before using any application to power your website, be sure to fully understand the available security features.

  • What is the process of migrating from one shopping cart software to another?

    If your website was built using one application, it is not always simple to switch to another. It is possible, however. The first step is choosing and downloading a different software. From there, you will have to migrate the website to the new platform. There is likely to be some customizations necessary, so be ready for these.

  • How do you deal with growth in regards to shopping cart software?

    You never know what will happen to your online business in the future, so make sure your software and web hosting company is able to handle all your needs. For instance, you may decide to sell digital downloads in addition to physical products. Or maybe you will alter your inventory management system, which calls for new features and functionality. An application and hosting company that can easily scale with your needs is critical to your success.

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