Your shopping cart is an integral part of your e-commerce website so it is very important to consider the many options available to you. There are two primary types of shopping carts available, either hosted or licensed, and you should decide on the type that is right for you and your business needs.
Licensed shopping carts are purchased and then completely owned and maintained by you. Most licensed shopping carts are available for a small charge, but there are some offered for free download as well. Once the shopping cart has been paid for and downloaded, it is then installed on your web server. This type of cart offers much more flexibility and control than a hosted shopping cart, but requires a more advanced skill level and can be time consuming.
With a licensed shopping cart, you can customize your cart to suit your business and your clients, but the installation, maintenance, and security of the shopping cart is solely your responsibility. You will need a general knowledge of computer languages and internet security to successfully implement a licensed shopping cart into your website.
The other option, a hosted shopping cart, is much less worrisome and requires very little effort on your part, but it is a continuous expense and must be a well-researched decision. Hosted shopping carts are Application Service Models that are integrated into the web server. There are a variety of hosts that offer this service, typically at a monthly or annual rate. Some hosted shopping carts also charge a commission fee based on a percentage of your sales.
It is important to carefully read the terms and conditions before deciding on a hosted shopping cart provider. Look for a company that provides a merchant account, as well as a payment gateway, and review all the possible fees and charges. Also read the company’s privacy policy because some hosts have been known to sell their clients’ personal data to spammers.
Hosted shopping carts aren’t as versatile as licensed carts, but most offer a selection of designs and options to choose from to make your cart more personal. Your host will maintain your shopping cart, keeping it updated and secure, leaving you more time to concentrate on your business and your customers.
Both types of shopping carts are commonly used in e-businesses everywhere. Deciding on the type that is right for you will depend on your level of knowledge and the amount of time you want to put into your shopping cart. You should also consider the cost and how specific your needs will be.
