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If you're trying to build your online business, it's going to be vital that you have a marketing plan in place. Letting your customers place orders on your Web site is a big part of your marketing plan that you can't overlook.
A big function of e-commerce on the Web today is the ability to market to your target customer group and accept orders on the Internet. A shopping cart is, without question, one of the most innovative Web software applications to e-commerce enable the Internet. What better way to assist consumers in shopping your Web site than with a shopping cart that functions in exactly the same way it would in a grocery store? Anyone can understand what a shopping cart is for, and therefore anyone will be able to shop your Web site. What could be easier?
How exactly does a shopping cart work? The best way to think of using an online shopping cart is to compare it to a trip to the grocery store.
Picture this: You're wandering down the aisles while pushing your shopping cart along, and you grab an item off the shelf. You can inspect it, read about it, and even look at the item. If you are convinced to purchase the item, you can then place the item in your cart and continue to browse and shop, adding more items to your cart. Once you finish shopping, you simply "check out" by following the checkout and payment process.
The shopping cart application walks you through the process, providing you with an online receipt and, typically, an e-mail confirmation of your transaction. No long lines, no rude service, no traffic, no tax in many cases, and, typically, better pricing than in the retail establishments. You can even download your product instantly if it is software, music, or digital content.
This is important because when it comes to the Internet, timing is everything! If you don't take advantage of an e-commerce tool such as a shopping cart, you're going to be missing out on a major part of the online market.
One of the questions you may ask about online shopping carts is this: Are they safe?
A few years ago, most people were concerned about using their credit cards online. But with all the security features that Internet browsers have these days, using your credit card online is actually a lot safer than using it at your local store.
Make sure you are using an encrypted Web site before giving out your credit card information, and if you are implementing a shopping cart on your Web site, ensure that you have a properly installed SSL certificate, which enables you to run your site in a secure, encrypted mode.
How to Take Orders Online
When you're taking online orders for your business, there are a few things that you can do to push sales to even higher levels:
Set up a merchant account and gateway, which will approve your credit card orders automatically through the bank.
Create custom, branded order forms unique to your business to provide a highly professional image.
Consider limited use of audio/video to sell your products and services; do not use background music on your Web site, or you will quickly lose customers.
Incorporate cross selling to promote additional products to customers at checkout.
Offer incentives to close the transaction (such as free promotional items). The final stage of checkout is where most customers are going to change their minds about buying your product and, thus, abandon your Web site.
Shopping cart abandonment can be as high as 60 to 80 percent. You need to make sure your online ordering process is as efficient and streamlined as possible so that the remaining 25 percent of customers make repeat purchases.
Important Points
A shopping cart is one of the most innovative Web software applications to e-commerce enable the Internet.
The best way to think of using an online shopping cart is to compare it to a trip to the grocery store.
Make sure you are using an encrypted Web site before giving out your credit card information.
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