Perhaps a little more time looking at the cart software may indicate you are jumping the gun somewhat.
cheers
kim
AjnabiZ (Guest)
17 Sep 2007 10:50 AM
Please people
This was not directed towards Viart.
I just linked to an article which could improve any shopping cart.
This was supposed to be a general ecommerce topic.
charleshays
17 Sep 2007 4:35 PM
It is a good article and a developer could learn a lot from it. However it really only covers the surface of what makes a good shopping cart tick. To be honest I haven't seen ANY shopping cart that is perfect or even comes close to being perfect. Problem is that most developers of shopping carts are not dedicated e-commerce retailers, they are programmers and so do not have the full depth of understanding the finer details that are needed by the consumer AND merchant.
ViArt actually passes most of the problems outlined in that article, and some are easily fixed through templates or coding.
One thing that you may want to do is remove the "Checkout" button from the products detail templates. This I found was probably the #1 most confusing thing of ViArt for my customers. Becuase there is a "Add to Cart" AND "Checkout" button, and only the "Add to Cart" actually adds the item to the cart, and "Checkout" only just sends the customer to the basket WITHOUT adding the item to the cart. So do yourself a favor and remove the "Checkout" button because there is already also a "View Cart" button.
Also change these from text lnks to big graphical buttons and put them at the top and bottom of the products template.
charleshays
17 Sep 2007 4:38 PM
You want to build confidence and trust? Think that you need to add some BBB or SanAlert logo to get it? WRONG!
Here is the best way....Add your Telephone # to the top of the page!
AjnabiZ (Guest)
17 Sep 2007 4:49 PM
@Charlesshays
Thanks for an honest reply.
I agree, that most of the shopping cart vendors have developed cart from the perspective of a programmar with none to minimal marketing experience.
Whereas, running a business is mainly about Marketing it the correct way. I think, that the vendors should atleast include 1 online marketing specialist who can direct them towards better marketing solutions through thier carts.
Or atleast, the cart vendors can integrate differnt Marketing solutions such as Google Analytics(Such as in Viart), Google Web Optimizer (Multivariate Testing), Stuffed Tracker etc.
I have not seen a single shopping cart which supports A/B Split testing or Mutlivariate testing.
tony
17 Sep 2007 11:29 PM
How to improve your online business using Viart shopping Cart
No shopping cart will have all the features that meets every vendor requirements, out of the box. Probably never will due to various business models, in my case we sell museums tickets throughout Italy and have been fairly successful using Viart shopping cart. In short;
A. Some custom work will be required.
B. Software problems such installation, set-up and etc. most often its the fault of individual than the software. Best thing 2 DO, take a break, or a short walk, no need to become upset or losing your temper with others around you, including the software company.
Even though I found Viart product and customer service to be very good. It’s the attention that a vendor gives to its customers to be successful, for example:
1. Order abandon – reason could be poor connection at the final pay stage, or the customer had to discuss the purchase with his/her spouse before completing the process.. Whatever the reason, send an “Oops e-mail” with a brief detail with including your phone number.
2. Help your customer – in our case, we provide phone listing throughout the world simply using SKYPE. You’ll be surprise how many customers call a local number and many are from those that originally abandon the CART, asking for assistances to complete the order. In turn they order more and tell their friends, increasing business.
A. Customer calling our call center helps our business determine what problems the customer may have encounter. Actually, we found the issue that pops up most often is that the customer DO NOT feel secure in completing the order online. Lack of experience, unsure about the business, some just want to talk to line person at which time they’ll place an order.
Shopping Cart Design
Be professional, customers are NOT morons a LARGE BUY button will not make a sell, nor offering products will make sells, its the value you add to the customer experience. So keep the fonts around 10, provide images if and when it helps to drive a sells point, at a reasonable size.
A. Products description - give helpful details – what the product will do for them - NOT just product info..
B.Skip the large FLASH, customers are seeking either information or to buy something.
C. Don’t overload yourself, I need Google payment, Paypal, 2Com. Rest assure its all in your mind. If you have something that the customer wants they’ll go as far as mailing a payment by snail mail. It may be nice to offer Google payment but I doubt you’ll be any more successful.
The Internet offers a great opportunity to make money at a very low cost. But even so, one must spend money to really make money.
So lets keep in mind that Viart is in business to make a profit, in turn product a great shopping cart.
By the way, Viart customer support has always reply to my
questions within 24-30 hours. Further more tech section did the modification to goporta site within 5 business days.
Lot more to say but I will close for now, in the meantime have a pleasant day.
SajMalik
19 Sep 2007 8:22 AM
Tony - some nice points. And a couple of good points from charleshays - thanks.
I have to say, when I use cart forums (and I regularly use two) there is so much navel gazing in the area under the bonnet (hood if you from the US!).
I love Viart - whilst I keep requesting things I agree that it mostly comes down to KISS (if you don't know it - keep it simple - stupid).
From my perspective, we should just think like salespeople and get Viart help us to meet our (customers') goals.
