Shopping Carts, Part 1
Issue 74, November 25, 2003
Dear Friends,
In this issue:
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first edition included some major reviews I had written -- now way out of date,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.
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 TodayE-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.
Searchable Database of the Directory of Shopping Carts
This online database is available for my paid subscribers and purchasers of The Shopping Cart Report 2004. As people tell me about new carts I'll be adding them to this database. Search the Database).
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.)
Dear Friends,
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. 
