Shopping Carts, Part 1
Issue 74, November 25, 2003

Dear Friends,

• The State of the Shopping Cart Market
• Shopping Cart Popularity Survey
• Web Commerce Today E-Commerce Award of Merit 2004
• Directory of Shopping Carts

It has been my goal this fall to revise my two-year-old Shopping Cart Report (first published January 2002),  but it mushroomed into a project far beyond my expectations. The first edition included some major reviews I had written -- now way out of date, though still accessible in the in back issues.

The Shopping Cart Report 2004 will consist of several new research components which I'll be sharing with you over the next few weeks in Web Commerce Today.

Right now, you may be struggling to keep up with Christmas orders. I hope your orders are pouring in! But when January comes, you'll have lots of detailed information to help you decide what direction to go to improve or replace your e-commerce application.

To get to the "good stuff" you'll need to access the website. If you need to subscribe, you can do it at http://www.wilsonweb.com/wct/

God bless you,
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Editor

P.S. I'll be sending a copy of The Shopping Cart Report 2004 to all of my paid subscribers who subscribed or renewed after August 26, 2003.

The State of the Shopping Cart Market

Describes the types of carts available, consolidations, etc. Describes five types of carts -- standalone licensed cart, hosted ordering system, hosted store-building system, third-part order handling system, and outsourced e-commerce. Sees the state of the market as maturing and robust. Read the Article.

Shopping Cart Popularity Survey

In October 2003, I asked subscribers to my various newsletters to tell me what shopping cart they used. Of 425 responses, I received 395 useable responses. This feedback gives you a good idea of what my readers are using. Some surprises! Read the Article.

Web Commerce Today E-Commerce Award of Merit 2004

I've designated 36 shopping carts as winners of the Web Commerce Today E-Commerce Award of Merit 2004. These aren't just the most popular -- though popularity has something to do with my choices. Nor have I limited my selections to the most capable programs, though that was one of my chief criteria. Each of these programs has special features that might make it the right choice for your company. See the Award Winners

Directory of Shopping Carts

This directory comprises 225 shopping cart programs plus other e-commerce enablers. These include my brief analysis of features listed on the website. I started with a short list, but kept finding others that should be included, the list kept growing and growing. I also identified about 60 discontinued carts that had been on former lists. See the Directory (Please be patient for the slow download). You can print out all 105 pages, but I recommend that you wait for the full e-book in a couple of weeks.

Lists of Carts According to Type

• Licensed Standalone Stores List
• Hosted Ordering Systems
• Hosted Store Building Systems
• Outsourced and Third-Party Order Handling Systems
• Miscellaneous E-Commerce Systems
• Discontinued Carts

Searchable Database of the Directory of Shopping Carts

New Ecommerce and Web Marketing Articles

Each month our team of link editors scours dozens of online periodicals and resources to find key information on e-commerce and Web marketing. With so much new literature available to you, how do you find what you need quickly and painlessly? Here's a selective and searchable database of article and resource links to help your research and keep you up-to-date in the field. (Links gathered in a given month are usually available during the second week of the following month.)