Hurdles in e-commerce?

[Fat Zebra]

Hi All,

With research showing that e-commerce is on the rise, and online spending growing by the day, I would like to know what's stopping people from getting into this space sooner?

What hurdles are you facing in setting up a website, selling products online, or online business?

It would be good to hear from people currently going through this process, or who have just recently gone through it. Might be interesting to hear from some veterans too.

Thanks,

[gordy]

I just posted a write-up on my experience testing and selecting an eCommerce platform for my new venture.

Maybe people are a little scared about picking the right solution? It took me two months of working in the evenings to test four possible solutions so I can understand why people hesitate.

The post is called 'Which eCommerce Platform? A Review' but is in for moderation at the moment.

[tonyk]

I think a lot of people are scared to go against the big players already in the market.

[Uncomplicating]

Originally Posted by gordy

I just posted a write-up on my experience testing and selecting an eCommerce platform for my new venture.

Maybe people are a little scared about picking the right solution? It took me two months of working in the evenings to test four possible solutions so I can understand why people hesitate.

The post is called 'Which eCommerce Platform? A Review' but is in for moderation at the moment.

I find it interesting that you chose to spend 2 months (I hope not every night) testing possible solutions, and I'm very much looking forward to your article. For me, it's going to provide an invaluable insight in to how people choose a website supplier.

It's seriously important stuff. Poor website appearance, performance and behaviour can cost a lot of money.

[flower-child]

Just one thing that is big for me (I could write forever on this topic) is that the system has to integrate with our B&M store's POS system - if you don't do this, you'll either have to allocate stock for sale online only (tying up $$) or you would manually have to adjust everything that is sold (nightmare).

[Fat Zebra]

Originally Posted by gordy

Maybe people are a little scared about picking the right solution? It took me two months of working in the evenings to test four possible solutions so I can understand why people hesitate.

.

Would be a very interesting read! keep us informed..

Originally Posted by flower-child

Just one thing that is big for me (I could write forever on this topic) is that the system has to integrate with our B&M store's POS system - if you don't do this, you'll either have to allocate stock for sale online only (tying up $$) or you would manually have to adjust everything that is sold (nightmare).

Hey Flower-child,

Interesting point. There are a few POS systems which provide e-commerce functionality. LightSpeed (http://www.lightspeedretail.com/over...FUJMpgodOVPpPA) is a great tool for just that, however is mac only. Another option is POSitive (http://www.gopositive.com/) which looks ok.

Thanks

[FS Concierge]

Originally Posted by gordy

I just posted a write-up on my experience testing and selecting an eCommerce platform for my new venture.

Maybe people are a little scared about picking the right solution? It took me two months of working in the evenings to test four possible solutions so I can understand why people hesitate.

The post is called 'Which eCommerce Platform? A Review' but is in for moderation at the moment.

Hi all,

Gordy's post has been approved now, and is well worth a read at the hyperlink above.

All the best,
Jayne

[flower-child]

Thanks Fat Zebra,

I use oscommerce. Liked the look of lightspeed, but am anti-mac

[gordy]

Originally Posted by UncomplicatingIT

I find it interesting that you chose to spend 2 months (I hope not every night) testing possible solutions, and I'm very much looking forward to your article. For me, it's going to provide an invaluable insight in to how people choose a website supplier.

It's seriously important stuff. Poor website appearance, performance and behaviour can cost a lot of money.

I am not saying that I got it all right (this is my first eCommerce implementation - Wordpress is my usual platform), but I figure I need to choose a provider that offers a robust, user-friendly and feature-rich solution that also comes with a reactive and knowledgable support team. After two months (and yes, it was most evenings!) I settled on Volusion.

There are other platforms out there (even some Australian based ones - Volusion is Canadian) but as you say, making the right choice at the beginning is very important. Deciding to change your eCommerce platform once you are up and running would be a nightmare I do not want to have to go through!

[gordy]

Originally Posted by flower-child

Just one thing that is big for me (I could write forever on this topic) is that the system has to integrate with our B&M store's POS system - if you don't do this, you'll either have to allocate stock for sale online only (tying up $$) or you would manually have to adjust everything that is sold (nightmare).

I'm a newbie, so my product range is minimal and for the time being I am relying on drop shipping from my suppliers until I better understand what my customers like (means I don't tie up $ with slow moving stock).

Also, I am online only so do not have to worry about POS. I think I will go back and amend my post as that is an important point for people to be aware of.