 How Does Store-Building Software Work?
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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The infrastructure on which you build an online store is called store-building software. Third generation store software incorporates shopping cart technologies, and adds to them powerful back office features which allow the storeowner to add products, change prices, hide out-of-stock items, set up promotions, securely download orders, and upload a new product database -- all with a simple Web browser.
In this article, Dr. Wilson describes features to look for as you are selecting store-building software for your store -- or upgrading from your present system.
(We're allowing free access to all to this article, to give you an idea of the tremendous value you receive with a subscription to Web Commerce Today.) Read the article
Shopping Technology Research Shelves
Online Reviews of Leading Store Software
The "Shopping Technology" shelves in our Electronic Commerce Research Room provide links to dozens of online reviews of leading store building software. Reviews include: Yahoo! Store, iCat Commerce Publisher, Intershop Online, ICentral ShopSite Manager, Virtual Spin Cartalog, Vision Factory Cat@log Builder, Mercantec SoftCart, Foreman Internet Creator, Lotus Domino Merchant, Internet Factory Merchant Builder, Microsoft Siteserver (Enterprise Edition), Peachtree Software PeachLink, Pacific Coast Software Web Catalog, Outreach Communications Internet StoreManager, Speedware OrderPoint, and GoldPaint Shopping Cart. Think how much time this will save you in "due diligence"! Read the reviews
For Do-It-Yourselfers
Why Freeware Shopping Cart Programs Are So Expensive
You're tempted to use the no cost shopping cart program your Web hosting service has available, or download one off the net. Read this article before you do it. Maybe we'll dissuade you -- or help you find sources for freeware programs. Take a look
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CONSULTANT'S TOOL
You Can Copy |
Store-Building Software Evaluation Guide
Excellent as a consultant's tool, or to help in-house staff determine the right software for your store. This guide you can print out and copy will help you ask the right questions as you evaluate the capabilities of various store software packages for your company's online store. Questions cover all sizes of stores, with a special subset important for smaller stores.
How do you put a value on a tool that could save your company from making a huge mistake? Get the Tool
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