Storefront software - Term Paper Example

\ Storefront software Introduction Storefronts are a cheap way of selling items online. They can sell items on a 24hr basis. An online storefront permits an individual to expand his or her customer base from a small place to the entire world. There are no technical skills needed to install the software, rather, it is entirely a web-based program that can be utilized on any computer with internet access. Even though there are several types of Storefront Software, there are differences and similarities that can be observed from shopping cart software, ecommerce software, and storefront back office.

Storefront ecommerce is the most competent software that one can use either as standalone order administration or complete ecommerce solution software. It delivers rich functionality though it cannot be compared to shopping cart software, given its limited payment-processing choices, support resources, and design capabilities. Storefront ecommerce gives everything that can be needed by an individual to accept credit cards on his website. However, the payment methods are somehow imperfect. The shopping cart is firstly loaded with authorize.

net, a payment gateway that is most preferred by Storefront. While Authorize.net leads among payment processors, its local addition to Storefront obstructs flexibility for trades who already have an account with a related payment processor. According to toptenreviews.com, Storefront web design is adequate, but it is not as healthy or user friendly like other existing shopping carts. This software comes along with five templates, but one ought to use an HTML editor to modify the templates. In this sense therefore, there is a necessity for some HTML experience for the implementation and changing processes of the templates.

Alternatively, a design team can be hired to create a custom site. Another difference is noticeable in terms of functionality. Storefront’s back office seems to appeal more, and is functionally richer as compared to software’s web design part. The shopping cart system offers comprehensive order and inventory management. Some of the noteworthy characteristics include product categories, unlimited products, as well as the ability to update products and bulk import. The former is vital for the reason that it permits one to grow his store without obstructing product limitations.

In addition, the shopping mart makes it possible for backorders, exhibit available amounts on product pages, and access email notifications incase the quantity of particular products runs low. The functionality feature is just one of the issues that shows the comprehensiveness and versality of the software’s inventory control. It is also important to note the similarities between the back office and e-commerce. Ecommerce software products like Anytime commerce give deep integration to the accounting system realized by back office for client specific pricing, internet access for sales representatives to order services similar in both accounts, as well as numerous features found in most ecommerce software of late (Malec & Joseph 53).

An important point to note when comparing the three forefront softwares is support. Storefront ecommerce avails significant technical support resources that entail a getting-started wizard and a knowledge base. These come in immediately the software is put into use. On the other hand, complimentary technical support through telephone or email can only be offered for thirty days following the purchase of the shopping cart software. Next, a support package must be purchased to get the support. However, this is not the most significant concern when one opts for shopping cart software, but an extra charge by storefront should be given the first priority.

Shopping cart is more preferred by merchants as compared to the other two because it is easy to build, operate, and retain a thriving online store. Since it has made a mark on the web market, it has been ranked as perfect software for small and medium-sized business ventures globally. Founded on smart Template engine, shopping cart has been gaining advantage of the major web innovations. The configuration and installation of this solution is simpler even for online novice. The software gives a number of integration and implementation services to create scalable and secure ecommerce solutions.

The creators are probably able to develop and integrate this software to make online storefronts richer in future (Reynolds 98). Indeed, storefront ecommerce may be difficult to use except when one has some knowledge with HTML. In contrast, the shopping cart’s only payment-processing choice, that is Authorize.net, is a feature to be desired. In that sense therefore, Storefront has many positive qualities such as powerful inventory controls and effective marketing tools that track the given products more systematically compared to competing shopping carts.

Each type of Storefront has its own brand and website and maintains its stock. Every single software is targeted as a little different, but somehow similar audience. Works Cited Malec, John, and Joseph P. Moser. "Shopping cart display system." U.S. Patent No. 4,973,952. 27 Nov. 1990. Reynolds, Matthew. Beginning e-commerce with Visual Basic, ASP, SQL server 7.0 and MTS. Wrox Press, 2000. StoreFront eCommerce: http://shopping-cart-review.toptenreviews.com/storefront-ae- review.html