RedGage

Before transacting business with ecommerce providers,you need to assess their ecommerce solutions to ensure they are a good fit for your enterprise. Not all ecommerce providers are created equal, so it can be tough to find one that's right for you when there are so many out there today. The following tips can help you narrow down the selection so you can find the ecommerce solutions that are ideal for you and a provider that is a good match for your business.

What Does Their Website Tell You?

When you're searching for high-quality ecommerce providers, take time to assess their websites. If you like their website design, they may be able to provide you with something similar. When you come across a vendor that seems like a good match, take some extra time to check out some sample pages. If you like the demos they reference, you should then look into some actual sites that use the vendor's software. You need to have this real-world example to base your decision. Remember that while the visual aesthetics of the sites you check out is certainly important, you also have to test the functionality by using the shopping cart, for example. If the process is too cumbersome, it probably won't work as an ecommerce solution for your own site. You want to create a streamlined website without any clunky features.

How Is Their Customer Service?

A great ecommerce provider with mediocre customer service isn't actually so great in the end. If a provider has a slew of great features to showcase but they don't work as promised on your site or you simply can't get the help you need to make them work, you're going to be in for one frustrating experience. When it comes to protecting your business, you really have to test a vendor's customer service. If they say they offer round the clock support, call them on a weekend. Gauge how long it takes for the reps to respond to your queries. Don't rely on testimonials posted on their website.

You might want to ask a vendor to provide you with references, but specify that you want to contact both new and long-term clients as they can each tell you different types of information. Although it takes time to investigate the real nature of a vendor's customer service platform, it's worth the effort in the end.

What Ecommerce Solutions Are Offered?

Many ecommerce providers offer a base package of solutions that may be exactly what you are looking for. On the other hand, you might be after some savvy solutions that can help your ecommerce business stand out. Get to know each provider’s solutions and how they may help you grow your business or enhance it in some valuable way. You'll definitely want to see features offered that have the power to ultimately help you sell better. You have to ask yourself if the vendor's solutions are a smart investment for you.

When evaluating a vendor's ecommerce solutions, be sure to consider how much each one requires of you. For instance, if a solution is technically beyond you, you should keep looking for one that suits your skill set. If the software proves too difficult to use, you owe it to yourself and your business to seek out software that is a better match.

Consider Cost

The cost of your vendor's solutions is also bound to impact your decision. Many ecommerce operators are apt to get sticker shock when they see the price of some features.Many ecommerce providers offer a basic platform of features at a competitive rate. However, check into support costs. This might help you decide between two comparable vendors. Also, how expensive will it be to add more complex features as your business grows and you decide to expand?

Once you find a package of features at a price you like, don't forget to consider how adding a few extra features even at a more expensive cost can help you grow your business. For instance, an email newsletter signup feature might cost extra, but it is likely to be worth it as it helps you stay connected to your customer base. In other words, sometimes that extra cost is a smart business investment.

Use these tips to evaluate ecommerce vendors and their solutions. With careful consideration, you can find the perfect match for your enterprise.