Critical questions to ask when shopping for an e-commerce solution provider
- Start with the client page. See what they have done for others as this is a good indication of what they will do for your site.
- Ask for a 15 minute guided tour of the solution. Take the solution for a test drive.
- When is the last time they released new features? How much do they charge for new updates?
- How many support calls do you get a day, week, month? Can more than one person call from your company?
- Always ask for special deals, and intro packages.
- Make sure that the monthly fee is not just for the first month. Be sure to read the small print.
- Ask for a dedicated consultant - someone who will be the main design person and point of contact throughout the build process.
- Sales people sell you the package they believe you need, then the next set of people actually are the ones you work with. Make sure that person is someone who knows your personal goals and ask to speak to one on them.
- How is the design done? Do you get a one to one consultation? Or is it a form you fill in and they then create the design from there?
- Is there the possibility to have custom programming done to the solution for a cost?
- Is the software they use "home grown" or a field-tested commercial system?
All e-commerce solutions are not created equal...
- You need a partner... not just an ecommerce solution.
- You do what you do best..sell your products and services. Your e-commerce solution provider should be able to help you do that successfully online.
- You need an unlimited amount of technical support.
- You need a dedicated consultant. . . not a one-time sales person. Someone who knows your online goals.
What to buy - ASP or non-ASP?
You need to choose between an ASP solution provider or a solution you buy.
Q: What is an ASP?
A: ASP stands for Application Solution Provider
Q: What is the difference between ASP and non-ASP shopping carts?
A: ASP Shopping Cart Software: Application Service Provider (ASP) shopping carts are remotely hosted shopping cart software solutions that allow you to create, maintain and update your web store in a central web-based data location. ASP shopping cart providers also provide technological infrastructure and other services including store maintenance and support.
Non-ASP Shopping Cart Software: Non-ASP shopping carts include free, open source and out-of-the-box (downloadable) shopping cart solutions. Such kinds of ecommerce solutions do not provide any hosting services and are not responsible for your store maintenance, security or store operations.
| Criteria |
ASP Shopping Carts |
Non-ASP Carts |
| Start-up cost |
Low |
High |
| Investment in Infrastructure |
Not required |
Required |
| Data Management |
Easy management as data is stored at a central location |
Difficult to manage as data may be distributed at multiple locations |
| Pricing |
Pay-as-you-go |
One time license / hardware costs + data centre hosting fees |
| Hosting Infrastructure |
Provided and managed by the Application Service Provider |
Provision & Management is your responsibility |
| Responsibility for Store Uptime |
Rests on software provider |
Rests on your shoulders |
| Software Upgrades |
Usually low cost. Real time upgrades possible, as the store is centrally located |
Usually expensive. Manual installation is required |
More Value for Money
ASP shopping carts work on a Pay-As-You-Go pricing model and charge monthly fees. You are not required to pay a one-time lump sum license fee, which is the case with non-ASP solutions. Secondly, with remotely hosted e-commerce software you are not required to invest in creating a technological infrastructure to support and maintain your online store. These are taken care of by the software provider such as Shopframe. Your monthly fees cover all your major expenses and are inclusive of the rental charges for using the software, providing technological infrastructure, and for hosting your website.
Lower Store Maintenance Expenses
Application Service Providers like Shopframe are responsible for the smooth functioning of your store front and safeguarding it from any emergency. All the expenses are shared among multiple clients that make the cost of store maintenance and business stability more affordable than non-ASP shopping cart software.
Software Upgrades and other services
Since your shopping cart software is remotely hosted, you are assured of easy and real-time software upgrades, which is not the case with non-ASP shopping cart software solutions. To summarise, remotely hosted shopping cart solutions incorporate the qualities of easy store management with less investment at an affordable business continuity expense.