In the past we’ve looked at a variety of eCommerce platform to determine what it is that serves a business best. There is a wide range of different platforms to choose from, many of whom power hundreds of thousands of sites. But sheer numbers alone does not equal quality. Some of the common factors that make a good eCommerce platform include cost, speed, customer service, and ease of use. We’ve seen that providers vary in terms of quality across all of those aspects. We’ve also found that many customers search for these factors in addition to a provider that can deliver an all in one eCommerce software suite.
Shopping Cart Elite have been providing a complete package since our launch in 2007. Since then we’ve worked to perfect the technologies that power the sites that run on our platform. We believe that our customers should have everything they need to run a successful online store, without the need for extra add-ons or subscriptions. In this article we’ll examine in further detail the elements that make up a good all in one eCommerce software suite, and the benefits they bring.
Essential eCommerce Elements
You may be wondering ‘what makes a good eCommerce platform?’ The answer to this isn’t straightforward, as there are many different elements that comprise any given platform. However, there are certainly some fundamentals that need to be in place to make a good website. Some professionals believe that design and functionality are most important in terms of an online store, whereas others would argue differently. We’ve outlined some examples of what we think are important:
A well-rounded customer journey and experience
No amount of great functionality, design, or content can redeem a website that is hard to use and navigate. Usability and UX should be intuitive and easy. The site should be simple to navigate and it should be easy to find the relevant products and services. This journey should be simple from home page through to shopping cart. A cohesive eCommerce platform is essential for this; it prevents any incongruities that may be experienced by using multiple add-ons.
A great mobile experience
It’s no secret that mobile shoppers are on the rise. It’s therefore vital that your website has excellent mobile responsiveness. This means a site that is optimized for mobile and tablets, is fast, and is responsive.
A fast site
Speed is becoming an increasingly important factor. Not only will your bounce rate increase if your site is slow, your search engine ranking will also be affected. Having the right technology driving your online store is vital.
A secure site
If your site is transactional, which as a business with an eCommerce focus it will be, you need to give your customers every protection whilst they shop with you. This will both give your customers the confidence to use your site, and will improve your standing in SERPs.
There are of course many other factors that contribute to a good eCommerce site. When it comes to the platform you choose to build your site on, you need to ensure that all of these aspects are covered. The benefit of choosing an all in one eCommerce software suite is that you can control all of the features of your site directly. With providers that rely heavily on add-ons, many of these elements are affected by add-ons, as we’ll see below.
The Problem With Add-Ons
An issue that is raised on a fairly frequent basis by users of platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce is the need for a wide array of add-ons. In order to create a site that is in any way functional, users of these providers must install extra components. On the surface it may not seem like much of an issue. There are whole web stores devoted to a range of innovative and unique add-ons that can improve the functionality of a website. However, there are in fact some noticeable downsides of using these:
- Site speed: We’ve already highlighted the importance of this, particularly on mobile devices. A site that loads fast will help keep your bounce rate down. However, using a lot of add-ons can noticeably slow performance. This is because all of the different elements must load individually. It’s far from ideal if you’re aiming for the fastest speeds possible.
- Site maintenance:Add-ons work fine for the most part. But when they don’t, it can be a nightmare trying to untangle what’s gone wrong. There are so many variables to account for, and very little in terms of standardization. It could mean a lengthy process to sort out, and depending on who’s fixing it, it could be costly.
- Site costs: Many add-ons are free. However, the better ones tend not to be. If you’re using a wide range of them, the fees (particularly monthly ones) can soon start mounting up. You may have opted for an eCommerce platform because of its low costs, but that can change fairly quickly.
Benefits of an All in One eCommerce Software Suite
Choosing an eCommerce provider that delivers a comprehensive software suite has many benefits. As well as providing a turnkey solution, where everything you require to run your online business works out of the box, it also makes for a faster, more reliable, and more secure site. You can get support for the entire system in one location, and any problems can be dealt with more easily. This is why our Shopping Cart Elite developers have brought together some powerful technologies and innovative ideas to give our customers a fully functional package.
Shopping Cart Elite: An All in One eCommerce Software Suite
In knowing what makes a reliable and effective platform, we have been able to work on some of the key features needed for a successful online store. Below are some of the aspects we’re most proud of:
Site Speed
Above, we mentioned how important this factor is for both search engines and customers. That’s why sites on our platform use the latest technology to deliver incredibly fast page load times. A Hypersonic CDN (content delivery network) is used to achieve load times of two seconds or less, on both mobile and desktop. We constantly benchmark our clients’ sites to make sure they’re up to the highest standards. With Shopping Cart Elite, you can finally get there faster.
Security
No matter the size or niche of your business, online security is of paramount importance. This applies to both you and your customers. Therefore, if you choose to build your online store with us, you can rest assured that you’ll have a solution that allows you to be as secure as possible. Our sites are PCI compliant and all financial data is stored in a Level 1 PCI Compliant Data Centre that uses one-way encryption and Rek9 technology. Your customers’ data will be safe in our hands. Furthermore, you’ll be safe from hackers and will be provided with your own SSL certificate.
CMS
The ease with which you can manage your website will depend largely on the Content Management System (CMS). Shopping Cart Elite’s CMS balances ease-of-use with freedom of design. You can easily assemble a page using the drag and drop controls, and customize it to your own specifications. In addition, no matter how you design your page, our CMS will automatically create a mobile version for you. It’s intuitive, simple, and gives you everything you need to express your brand’s individuality.
Everything Else
There are too many features to name each one individually. We’re really proud of the selection of features and support that we provide to our customers. This includes everything from our SEO, CRM, Social, and marketing tools, to the fantastic TEA Software, and our Predictive Analytics. With our platform, your possibilities are limitless.
A Comprehensive eCommerce Suite
From the areas we’ve explored in this article, it’s clear to see that there are some huge benefits of using an all in one eCommerce software suite. All of the essential elements are collated in one place, meaning you can customize your website to your exact needs. Part of the reason we promise to deliver your eCommerce solution within 30 days is because we know how all of our systems integrate. We can build everything your brand needs to be successful, without any extra costs or hassle.
Our support teams, including your own personal account manager, will be on hand to help you at every step. Their expert knowledge spans across all aspects of our business, meaning you won’t have to spend excessive time and money trying to solve any issues you encounter. We’re confident the Shopping Cart Elite team, and our all in one eCommerce software suite, can help your business grow.