Top eCommerce Solutions

 

 

Because selling products and/or services online has become a multi-billion dollar business, the number, type, and quality of eCommerce solutions has skyrocketed. For people and companies on a budget, a variety of open source solutions exist. With this, an eCommerce website could be created, one that looks professionally designed and developed, but also a site that offers an extraordinary shopping experience for customers. In addition to free solutions, paid-for eCommerce solutions are also available. Although solutions that cost money are typically more robust, most are actually quite affordable and worth the investment.

 

Gaining an Edge in a Competitive Market

 

Since eCommerce is so competitive, with literally millions of online companies from around the world operating at any given time, it is imperative that the right eCommerce solution be chosen. Even though all these companies are selling something via the internet, the product and/or service, complexity of the transaction, prices involved, and more are very unique. Therefore, someone interested in starting an online eCommerce business cannot simply accept a cookie-cutter solution. Instead, it would be important to conduct research so a variety of different solutions could be compared and the right one chose.

 

For instance, companies selling party goods have a little more liberty in creating a fun, vibrant, and even interactive eCommerce site whereas a business that sells tax, financial, or investment information to affluent customers would need an eCommerce site that is well-defined and sophisticated in appearance but also functionality. The goal is to consider not only what is being sold online but the type of customer the site needs to attract. That way, the appropriate eCommerce solutions could be reviewed with the most appropriate option being chosen.

 

Vast eCommerce Solutions

 

The list of eCommerce solutions is truly massive, making the review and selection process somewhat overwhelming. To make the process of choosing the appropriate one, we wanted to offer some suggestions for those rated at the top. Keep in mind, as these provided websites are reviewed, if “the one” is not found there are many others to consider but this would at least help move things forward in the right direction. Some of the recommended solutions are among the free open source options while others come at a cost but all are great.

 

• OsCommerce – Located at www.oscommerce.com, when it comes to open source solutions, this is without doubt one of the most respected. In addition to excellent functionality for shopping and payments, it makes operating the online store a breeze.

 

• Zen Cart – Another excellent eCommerce site, Zen Cart has a clean design and it comes with a number of well-built modules. Best of all, the setup process is quick and easy yet the outcome is something to impress. This eCommerce solution can be found at www.zen-cart.com and worth investigating.

 

• Magento – The services provided at www.magentocommerce.com are actually quite robust. For one thing, this solution provides the webmaster with full control over the site’s appearance and provides the opportunity to choose from a variety of tools to make the customer’s experience the best it can be.

 

• OpenCart – Then, at www.opencart.com, people and companies that sell large quantities of items such electronics would find this to be an excellent eCommerce solution. In addition to being easy to navigate, this solution provides a finished product that looks highly professional.

 

• VirtueMart – The last of the top eCommerce solutions we wanted to offer is also free but not lacking in quality and options. At www.virtuemart.net, a unique catalog mode makes posting products and/or services easy, regardless of the type or amount.

 

Remember, the above-mentioned eCommerce solutions are just a few of the hundreds that exist. As stated, we suggest that a strategy be devised so the appropriate website service is chosen. Key factors to consider would be the type of product and/or service being sold, the type of customer selling to or targeting as potentially new customers, the level of sophistication that needs to be displayed, ease of use and navigation, etc.

 

With all these things together, sifting through the various opportunities for online eCommerce solutions would be a less daunting task but also a process that would yield an incredible website that encourages new business and enhances existing business. This coupled with a well-respected hosting company and the level of possibilities is unlimited.