Aplus.net Blog

You’ve decided that an eCommerce shopping cart fits your business model and you want to give selling online a shot. But there are more than 300 carts out there – how do you choose?

Just ask yourself about the following seven subjects, and you’ll know what to look for and what to avoid on your cart hunt.

1. Budget

How much money do you have to spend on your cart software each month? Some carts are completely free, whereas other carts charge monthly fees, and others tack on per-item fees and profit percentage charges. Read the fine print to find out just how much you’ll shell out each month before you sign the line. And make sure you will receive enough additional benefits to make the extra cost worth it.

2. Products

All shopping carts can sell physical goods, but if you offer downloadable information such as software or e-books you’ll need a cart that can handle secure data downloads.

3. Payment

Before you decide on a cart, find out what payment gateways, such as Authorize.net and PayPal, the cart supports. If you have a preference, make sure your preferred provider works with each cart you consider. You may also want to look for the ability to implement coupon codes or promotions if your business model supports those.

4. Features

Purchasing an expensive cart isn’t the only way to get the best features – many carts give you a bigger bang for your buck than others. Some carts can calculate approximate shipping charges, apply discounts, suggest products related to items in your customer’s cart, and add your customers to e-mail lists and send them automated messages any time you choose. Before you go cart shopping, make a list of features you need and features you’d like to have so you can pick best cart for your business.

5. Customizability

How picky are you about the look and feel of your shopping cart? Does it have to be clad in your company’s colors, or can you go with the flow of a simple and inexpensive cart? The cheaper you go, the more set your cart design will be. If you’re willing to pay top dollar, you’ll be able to customize your cart to your heart’s content.

6. Support

What happens if something goes wrong with your cart? Does the support team have 24/7 support, or could you be stuck with a nonfunctional cart at 5:01 p.m. on Friday?

7. Competitors

If your customers are willing to buy from you online, odds are they’ve purchased similar items from your competitors before. Find out what cart software your competitors are using, and make sure your cart is as good as theirs or better! If your cart offers a simpler, more streamlined experience than your competitor’s carts, your customers will thank you by purchasing from you again.

Finding a cart

ShoppingCartReview.com lists reviews of 26 popular carts, and Shopping-Cart-Reviews.com lists features and user feedback for dozens more, and Practical eCommerce runs a cart of the week article series which will give you an in-depth look at the most popular carts out there. While you’re comparing carts, be sure to check out Pinnacle Cart—our choice for an online store solution.

Where have you found reliable shopping cart reviews? What is your favorite cart? Do you have more questions about how to find a cart that will work for your business? Let us know in the comments!