eCommerce Platforms & Budget

eCommerce Platforms & BudgeteCommerce Ann Arbor MeetupFebruary 11, 2013Hosted by Human Element, Inc.Who We AreSoftware and Technology DevelopersSpecialize in eCommerce - Specifically MagentoNerds

Step 1:Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsMany? Just a Few?Step 1:Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresDo You Need More than One Store?Does your branding support one store or do you need to represent multiple brands on multiple stores?

Will all your SKUs display on the same URL?

Do you want the option to expand to more than one store in the future?

Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypesWhat Kind of Products Do You Have?Physical ProductsSimpleConfigurableBundled/GroupedDownloadable ProductsProducts that Require Some Kind of Custom ConfigurationEvaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypesStore CustomizationDo You Need Custom Features?Can an out-of-the-box solution work for your store or do you need additional functionality?Plugins or extensions can add functionality Not all platforms have them. Can be technically difficult to troubleshoot/implement

Design: Do you want a custom design for your brand, or can you apply your logo to an existing template?

Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypeStore CustomizationHostingHow Will You Host Your Store?Hosted Solution Benefits Quick Build Get Your Store GoingGet Your Own Hosting

Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypeCustomizationHostingExisting WebstoreDo You Have an Existing Online Store?Do you need a new webstore or can you add features to an existing store?Replatform Change to a new store? How easy would it be to transition your current store or add functionality?Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypeCustomizationHostingExisting WebstoreIntegration with Other SystemsIntegrationAccounting Software?ERP Systems?

Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypeCustomizationHostingExisting WebstoreIntegration with Other SystemsTechnical AbilitiesWhat Are Your Technical Abilities?How would you rate your own technical abilities?Do you have a technical resource?

Will you need a technical resource to manage your store?Evaluating Your Own eCommerce NeedsNumber of SKUsNumber of StoresProduct TypeCustomizationHostingExisting WebstoreIntegration with Other SystemsTechnical AbilitiesBudgetPlatformsPaypal Wordpress PluginsMagento GoBigCommerceShopifyMagento CommunityMagento EnterpriseVolusion

Paypal & HTMLNumber of SKUS: Not conducive to lots of SKUsNumber of Stores Possible: Can put buttons on multiple websites of any type.Product Types: Simple, Configurable, DownloadableCustomization: Button can be customized.Hosting: Current site hosting.Existing Website: Generally added to an existing website.Paypal fees per transaction.BudgetLittle As long as you know some HTML.Technical Ability RequiredWhen to Get HelpPaypal support services for your Paypal account.Support?Paypal & HTMLPaypal troubles.Zoup.comPaypal & HTML

Wordpress PluginsCashie Commerce Shopping CartNumber of SKUS: Not conducive to a large number of SKUs, but potentially unlimited.Number of Stores Possible: One with Wordpress frontendProduct Types: Simple, ConfigurableCustomization: Some colors can be changed.Hosting: Wordpress must be installed somewhere.Existing Website: Generally added to an existing Wordpress instance or Facebook page.$5-$35 per month plus 2.5% of transactions. Also need hosting for Wordpress.BudgetA Little More Technical Ability RequiredWhen to Get HelpDeveloper support ticketing system.Support?Wordpress PluginsCashie Commerce Shopping CartCustomization or difficulty with set-up.Community-Records.comWordpress PluginsCashie Commerce Shopping Cart

Magento GoNumber of SKUS: Up to 10,000 depending on plan Number of Stores Possible: One per planProduct Types: Simple, Configurable, DownloadsCustomization: Use existing themes but can customizeHosting: Hosted solution. Can get own SSL Cert.

Magento Go$15 - $125 per month depending on # of SKUsBudgetLittle for basic set upTechnical Ability RequiredCustom design. Product Imports. When to Get HelpOnline support from Magento Support?Magento Go Example

SmartGirlsWhoSurf.comBigCommerceNumber of SKUS: Unlimited depending on plan.Number of Stores Possible: One per planProduct Types: Simple, Configurable, No downloadsCustomization: Use existing themes but can customizeHosting: Hosted solution. BigCommerce$25 per month gets you up 100 SKUs. Up to $300 per month depending on # of SKUS and chosen plan. BudgetLittle very user friendly with apps to extend functionalityTechnical Ability RequiredCustom design. Customization of features.When to Get HelpOnline support from BigCommerce and developer network.Support?BigCommerce ExampleHolyFunk.com.au

31ShopifyNumber of SKUS: Unlimited depending on plan.Number of Stores Possible: OneProduct Types: Physical products and digital. Not ideal for more complex product types.Customization: Theme store and app store can help you customize.Hosting: Hosted solution.

ShopifyDifferent plans from 30$ per month/2% transaction fee to $180 per month (0% transaction fee)

BudgetLittle. Appears very user-friendly.Technical Ability RequiredWhen to Get HelpComprehensive. Support people, documentation, forums.Support?Custom design and features.Shopify ExampleStore.Lollapalooza.com

34Magento CommunityNumber of SKUS: UnlimitedNumber of Stores Possible: MultipleProduct Types: Simple, Configurable, Grouped, DownloadsCustomization: Existing themes. More difficult to customizeHosting: Non-Hosted solution. Will need hosting. Existing Website: Could be in Addition to existing website, or could take the place of the existing website.

Magento CommunityFree Open Source Software, but will need hosting package.BudgetModerate to Very.Technical Ability RequiredCustom templates, installing extensions, large product imports, integration with other servicesWhen to Get HelpCommunity forums of other users and developers, Magento partners for additional support.Support?Magento Community ExampleBrandmotion.com

Magento EnterpriseNumber of SKUS: UnlimitedNumber of Stores Possible: MultipleProduct Types: Simple, Configurable, Grouped, DownloadsCustomization: Depends on technical abilities.Hosting: Non-Hosted solution. Will need hosting. Existing Website: Could be in Addition to existing website, or could take the place of the existing website.

Magento EnterpriseYearly Licensing Fee: $14,420 for basic Enterprise $49,990 for Enterprise PremiumBudgetModerate to Very.Technical Ability RequiredCustom templates, installing extensions, large product imports, integration with other servicesWhen to Get HelpOnline support/ticketing from Magento, and network of Magento-certified developers and partners.Support?Magento Enterprise ExampleCaliforniaDelicious.com

VolusionNumber of SKUS: Depends on Plan chosen from 25 SKUs to Unlimited. Number of Stores Possible: Multiple Deal of the day store templateProduct Types: Simple, configurable, downloadsCustomization: Implementation Partners can helpHosting: Hosted.VolusionFrom $15 for up to 25 SKUs to $195 for Unlimited SKUs. Also offer secret Enterprise Level Consultations for bigger projects.BudgetTechnical Ability RequiredWhen to Get HelpOnline support.Support?Medium to very. Implementation partners may be able to help.Customization, Product Imports, Integration with other software.Volusion ExampleStore.Nalgene.com

Questions?