Lab Exercise 15

I have noticed that you would like to begin expanding your flower shop to the internet so you could possible make online orders and such. I have done some research and would like to help you with your decision on which software you should choose for your online business. The first online software I researched and believe would be great for your business would be software called Magneto. This software provides great control and flexibility to control your online store. The software allows you, the merchant to create many different sites just for your business. The great thing about this software is you can create these sites to fit your personal preference, which gives your business the perfect fit. The many different features this software provides are: Easy site management, this allows you to control various sites, choose what currency you would like to use, and even select the tax rate on each item. Another great feature would be the Mobile commerce, which allows customers to make purchases from their cell phones. Other features include the ability to create coupons, search engine friendly and you are able to promote your pricing. The checkout options are secure with SSL security and the shopping cart option. With this software you are able to use multiple types of payments, which include: PayPal, money orders and checks, offline payments, Standard, Pro, Pro UK, or even Google Checkout. You can manage your different merchandise catalogs and you are able to have customer’s right different reviews on your products and let them give input about your online site. You can even compare products, create wish lists, and even cross sell products. This software is great for opening an online store for your business.

The next software I have researched is called PrestaShop, which is very simple software for users who aren’t very technical. This software gives owners the “Front Office Look” without having to know an extreme amount of information about online websites and using HTML. With this software you customize your website anyway you like, which will give your customers a very simple and unique way to shop online. This software allows you to add things to your website at anytime you would like, special deal days, coupons, etc. There is also a very cool way to feature new products or certain items you would like to be viewed more by simple putting them on your homepage. You also have the ability to send test message alerts for new products, when orders are ready for pick-up, and for inventory levels. The other thing about this software is it allows you to offer free shipping on certain orders, as well as unlimited methods of payment like, bank wire and Paypal to name a few. You can even offer gift-wrapping which is optional, have a shopping cart, and have package tracking for your orders. With this software you can also choose from all different language dialects as well as modifiable graphic themes for our site. This is a very simple and easy way to start your online store.

The last software program I looked into is a software that is called Zen Cart. This is an out of the box style of software, which provides an easy set up to run your online store. You are able to administer your business and manage products, which helps your business get going. What you want is website that is easy and enjoyable for your customers and that is exactly what this website is designed to do. The features this software has are selling multiple products, and offering discounts on certain products that have been purchases. You are able to create your own coupons as well as gift certificates for customers. There is also an option to upload your product catalog on the site and you can update this as frequently as you would like. Your website is also safely secured so you would have no problem with your checkouts, which payment methods include Paypal and other services. This software also provides multiple languages for customer support as well as multiple currencies to choose from. The site design is at your preference, you create the theme you would like and what you would like to show up on your homepage. Also, you are able to have advertising banners on your home screen this is at your preference you do not have to have them but the option is available. These are just some of the features Zen Cart offers for new business owners who want to make there online store just right.

Your almost there in opening your online store there is just one more thing you need to have a successful online store and that is your Business Analytics Software. The best software I have seen is Google Analytics. This is the best way for you to make money off of your website if your business isn’t booming. This allows you to make a profit every time someone visits your website. These features include, the ability to see your success of your website, new media and offline advertisement. You are also able to compare your site usage with other websites averages. This software allows you to see your data, pick out trends and patters your customers have, and this even gives you motion charts and mapping for your site. If you need to contact people or communicate with people in your business you can do that. Since you will be creating reports and other things such as dashboards for your company it makes the most sense for you to use Google Analytics.

I would like to suggest that you choose the Magneto software for your online business software. This software seems to be very user friendly and provides many of the features you would need to get your online store started off right. This software to me seams to provide a little bit the other software’s as well. Making this site easy for your customers is what you want and with Magneto software I believe that you will give your customers the greatest experience they can have when visiting your website. As far as your Business Analytics Software I would definitely suggest Google Analytics. This is the best software for you to make a profit off of your website and not have to do anything but run your business.

Thank you,
Logan Sharkey