As we all know, customers are primarily concerned with the quality of the user experience an ecommerce website provides. Out of the same, shopping carts are deemed as having contributed majorly. The fact that shopping cart is linked to a gamut of choices, the confusion to choose one would surely persist. Although, there are myriad review sites posting personal reviews for shopping cart software. Below are highlighted seven attributes one should consider prior to choosing shopping cart software.

1. 7 things to consider before choosing a shopping cart software
As we all know, customers are primarily concerned with the quality of the user
experience an ecommerce website provides. Out of the same, shopping carts are
deemed as having contributed majorly. The fact that shopping cart is linked to a
gamut of choices, the confusion to choose one would surely persist. Although,
there are myriad review sites posting personal reviews for shopping cart software.
Below are highlighted seven attributes one should consider prior to choosing
shopping cart software.
#1 Technical Ability
The foremost feature one should look for is technical ability linked with particular
shopping cart software. One should cater to factors as how easy is it to customize
the software, or to get add-on modules in the same. One should never opt for
cost free options like that of osCommerce as it poses no good use to one. The
major drawback with them is that one needs to actually scramble with it in order
to manage their cart thereby making one ignore the business that actually needs
attention. More the technical attributes linked to the shopping cart software the
better it is in the long run. With the development in the business, an individual
always require up gradations and new requirements. Shopping cart software
equipped with great amount of technical benefits helps fulfilling such needs and
that too in less time and in a cost effective manner.
Besides, that one should always have an idea as how much involvement one
seeks to have in the process of configuring and maintaining his or her shopping
cart. A majority of the hosted shopping cart software are supported by a remote
server and hence are linked to a few customizing options. To understand it better,
one should know that shopping carts are segregated into two general categories:
hosted and distributed. Distributed are those which require installation of the
software on a server and have customization properties. Also, distributes

2. shopping cart software come with an array of technical features. However, as per
your programming skills, one may seek external assistance that can help with the
process. Technology folks advise that customers that require frequent
customization and addition of new features should opt for a distributed package.
Besides, considering buying an open source solution is certainly not a bad thought
anyhow. Open source shopping cart software is usually free of cost and hail a
continuous updation by a community. The only issue with them is that they don't
come with manuals; instead one needs to refer directly to the developer's website
and its user community to fetch the required assistance. Getting assistance for its
installation and operation is highly easy. On the other hand, commercial packages
bear a hefty price compared to others. However, the money spent becomes
worth as it comes with 24X7 customer service, technical support, hosting, along
with an array of features already built into the software.
For those not having much of customization requirements, commercial program
serves best.
#2 Rounded functionality and features
One should be perceptive enough in terms of the functions and features linked to
shopping cart software. From a customer's point of view, more the functions and
feature set the better is the product. One who has installed, maintained and
managed a shopping cart knows the crux of the story. They should showcase
features by which the customer can easily choose items from the product list and
they automatically get stored in a cart thereby making it ready to check. The
customer can then decide as what all he or she wants to purchase from the
stored items and can discard the rest. Also, features as shipping options, and
sales tax calculation are an added benefit.
One should also see for the below mentioned set of functionalities and features
supported by shopping carts. These are:
 In built reports on keyword searches by customer.
 Also, reports on the customer purchase, along with reports on customers

3. who did not make a purchase, and many more such options.
 Design templates that assist the owner in having an integrated look for the
website.
 A well knit integration of the software with external services that are not
managed by the cart itself and that can assist in an easy processing of
orders, affiliate fee calculations, etc.
 Functionalities such as notifications to customers when an order is being
processed, serves as an added attribute.
 The functionality to put products on sale.
 Currency conversion feature at checkout time.
 Feature to generate coupons and gift certificates for the customers on the
time of purchase.
Since cart is highly critical to ones business, it becomes indispensible for one to
look out for such factors while sticking to shopping cart software. For those
seeking to go for an open source option, looking for assistance on a discussion
board is the lone resort. However, am sure waiting for the reply will surely make
your restless. Hence, it is better to look for an active user form for assistance
related to normal issues. And for critical issues, trained programmers should be
approached. However, the sole thing to take care of is that the cart should be
from a popular label so that finding one experienced with the same does not pose
as a cumbersome job.
#3 Ease of Use
The cart should ensure complete user friendliness. For those not well versed with
the technology aspects of the cart, opting for a shopping cart software that is
easy to use is a must. The same could help saving a lot of time managing the cart
thereby assisting you to concentrate more on the business rather than scrambling
with the cart.

4. #4 SEO
As we all know that Search engine optimization serves as a great need of today
technology. Hence, one should choose shopping cart software that caters to the
SEO. Shopping cart can serve as great source customers to your site through
Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Although, ensuring that the shopping cart you
choose is SEO friendly, yet he or she should ensure that it should be improved in
SEO capabilities.
#5 Marketing and Promotions
Shopping cart can serve as great source customers by assisting one in creating
special promotions such as 2-for-1 sales. Such offers pose as a great marketing
and promotions initiatives giving the site a great footfall. For an ecommerce site
to do well in selling online needs, it should be capable of handling your marketing
and promotional needs as well. Your shopping cart must be capable of handling all
sorts of payments. In addition, if needs persist; it should be capable of accepting
other types of payments as well.
For those seeking to make their current ecommerce site market the products in a
better and more effective manner or probably help design a new storefront,
opting for a highly equipped shopping cart is highly essential.
#6 Company should be stable
Another important factor to be considered prior choosing shopping cart software
is the software company should bear a good name. The same is necessary so as
to ensure that the product is genuine and you can get a continuous support
whenever required.

5. #7 Regular Updates
Shopping cart software that provides regular updates about the same makes it a
good buy. Regular updates about the software make the user well aware with the
latest facilities and upcoming version upgrades.
Bigcommerce is one complete ecommerce solution which meets all the above
criteria. Read the complete Bigcommerce Review to discover why more than 25000
online store owners trust it.