Market Performance of Storefront Software - Term Paper Example

Storefront Software Introduction Electronic storefront can be defined as an e-commerce solution for merchants who desire and have the need to host websites that are able to efficiently and effectively advertise their products or services and for which consumer transactions can be generated online. In aid of these functionalities, a number of software applications are available to merchants, ranging from electronic shopping carts to secure payment gateways. A comprehensive and competitive storefront will include all but not limited to functionalities such as product display, inventory management applications, online ordering software, online payment system, billing system, and payment processing software. Because of the transaction processes therefore, secure socket layer (SSL) security and web analytics (an analytic interface is purposefully for growing online businesses while predictive analytics help to anticipate future shopping trends) are considered as very important features that must be integrated in the web. Tentatively, a shopping cart interfaces are key features in most of such applications (storefronts); which collaboratively work with customer check-out software. 2. Volusion Volution is a software application that provides advanced HTML mode necessary while setting HTML skills to use when trying to create a website. Beside, this software features advanced security measures i.e. score capabilities to protect against attackers. Considerably, volutions in ranked the best eCommerce software application available since if offers large feature sets, excellent customer support tools, easy to use and very simple interfaces, and strong security tools. This eCommerce software is termed one of the best eCommerce solutions (used to create, manage, market and secure successful online businesses) readily available to be used in running online businesses; as it offers a large selection of website design tools, i.e. excellent hosting options and the ability to integrate storefront with eBay; provides stupendous shopping cart tools, marketing features and payment options to promote its use by attracting large amounts of traffic; and finally, it is the easiest eCommerce solution to use as it requires no prior HTML or web-designing knowledge to fully use. 2.1. Key features Considering the designing and creation of an eCommerce, website and its applications, volution design is considered the best as it offers straightforward processes; provides a design wizard to assist through the general creation phase to aid every step completion; ability to choose from a variety of free, pre-made templates; advanced HTML editing mode which can be used to add flair to a site; and a number of customizable tools to assist in making a web design standout. After establishment, management of the online business is made simpler through varied tools that simplify the process where monitoring of all the available products in the inventory through the variations in colors, sizes and numbers of each item in stock. Automatic alert is generated if any of the inventories run low. In a nutshell, therefore, this application is capable of generating custom reports of specific statistics on specific aspects of a site. Volusion helps in keeping a website secure, by offering so many security features performing security tasks. Examples of these applications include PCI and CISP protection tools which secure credit card data. Similarly, in a client becomes belligerent, application administrator has the capability of banning them from accessing the website store with an integrated IP-blocking security features. Other security features are multiple administrator logins, administration area access history, ability to determine accessible administrative sections, members-only website capabilities, automatic crash protection, displaying the last four digits of credit card numbers only and CAPTCHA-type image validation. Consuming marketing, enhanced features such as excellent SEO capabilities and frequent check-ups to make sure that all areas of the website are optimized for search engine are available. Options such as e-mail-marketing capabilities, social networking and mobile features which allow any customer to access the store on their mobile gargets are also present. 24/7/365 customer service options in the volusion attracts several clients and make the application to stand out promptly among other applications. 3. Shopping cart elite Shopping cart elite is an application which allows for customization of website features such as customization of headers i.e. by adding submenus to provide additional information for the customers. Image resizing capabilities are also included to help edit uploaded images. 3.1. Key features Administratively, this application is highly ranked because of the features it offers. It has the capability of creating larger inventories as desired by allowing entry of endless number of products, hence creating a store of one’s choice’s size. It allows viewing of reports of varied types such as inventories, sales and traffic. Additionally, so many payment options are provided. They include PayPal, checks, eChecks, in-house credit card processing and credit cards For security purposes, virtual proxy firewall tools are applied on all clients’ sites. This feature creates additional online security measures for all businesses using it by blocking unsafe visitors from making access to the site and detecting suspicious/ malicious actions directed to the site by either allowing or denying access. Additionally, 256-Bit SSL security and continuous backup systems are applied. Shopping Cart Elite emphasizes on search engine optimization to maximize the number of visitors to the site. It has tools for email-marketing strategies for targeting people with advertising for the available products or services, and keyword-ranks monitor which shows how the site is ranking a variety of keywords. For help and support, this application consists of email support, four hours per month of live support. Further still, video tutorials of all contents of the website are also included. 4. Core commerce This is an application from a team at Sum Effect Software Inc. it currently serves over 10,000 online stores. At the development stage, this application involves picking design templates desired from the hundreds of professional templates available. Core commerce applications have very important wizard which allows all merchants to quickly get products into the online store they own. However, it is noted from practical experimentations that uploading products one at a time will definitely take longer. 4.1. Key feature Core commerce offers excellent social media interaction with more than 250 design options of themes that one can choose from. It has a limit on the size of inventories for the simple and less complicated software packages. One is able to do sales physically or through download of goods and then organize inventories into unlimited numbers of categories. This application is easy to use basing on its simple and easy-to-learn and straightforward interface. Setting up its store is considered to be very fast and hassle-free as compared to other applications. Continuous maintenance is also free of troubles and quick, coupled with effective navigation sequences. It generates full reports on the processes undertaken. Core commerce excel application ensures that all data entered is secure. Additionally, personal information entered into the site is as well protected. Other security measures being deployed in this system includes SSL data protection and firewall protection methods. Its social media assistance is considered as one of its unique but very important feature of this application which allows one to sell directly on the i.e. facebook profile. However, no search engines are offered by this application as in the cases discussed above. Assistance, in case of any problems as one is trying to use the application, is offered through several support resources such as tutorials, FAQs and knowledgebase applications which are included on the Core Commerce portal. Other quick options that are also included in the assistance options are live and direct telephone calls, email and live chat assistance for direct communications and immediate response. Under marketing strategies, several solutions are availed. The emailing feature allows for sending frequent newsletters, gift certificates and coupons to clients. However, this capability has the limitation of not being able to be created on a daily basis and the clients are not able to compare availed products side by side. In summary therefore, core commerce applications provides functions and tools needed in the creation of effective eCommerce websites. 5. Efficiency comparison of the three (volution, shopping cart elite and core commerce) Volution, as an eCommerce software application, has the feature set, security measures in place and customer service options to enable its best performance in making best eCommerce software solutions as required. It is worth noting that very little, if any, negations about this application can be noted as it on a continuous improvements and modeling. Besides, it offers very straightforward functionalities that everyone is able to successfully enjoy its use. Its development is considered easy with effective and excellent support options. Shopping Cart Elite, as described above, is built using very important features to enable for its successful application as an eCommerce software solution. Its search engine optimization functionalities/ tools are able to attract a large number of clients to the site. Still on the positive side of the application, very important security features are included in its development to make all visitors to the site to feel safe and secure while navigating through the web contents and visiting the virtual business. Strategies set forth therefore is to ensure that this application is able to allow for product-comparisons (which was highlighted as not being provided at present) tool. Additionally, an inclusion of price-comparison feature will also see this website past other web sites of the same functions since competition with be held at breast. Core Commerce, has been characterized as being able to offer excellent social media integration into its software application. However, this software is not able to offer search engine submission tools. Consequently, only limited sizes of inventories are provide for cases of simple eCommerce software application of core commerce type. Conversely, for the highest priced software package, no limits are made. In addition, Core Commerce lacks other frills i.e. automated search engine submission and product comparison tools. These restrictions therefore hinds maximum applicability of the software use in the local markets. Contrary to the difference, all the applications are seen as being able to support different functionalities and meet the requirements of their specific clients. It is therefore necessary for these application developers to take into considerations the requirements of their clients as far as their service provisions are concerned in order to be successful. Works Cites Timmers P. (1998). “Business Models for Electronic Markets”, Electronic Markets – Int. J. Network Business, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 3-8. Ariguzo G. C., Mallach E G, and White D. S. (2006). “The first decade of e-commerce”, Int. J. Business Inform. Systems. vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 239-55. Wilson R. F, Pettijohn J. B, and McMurtrey S. D, (2006). “Online Shopping Carts: The State-of-the-Art”, J. 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