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Recently, technology has paved the way for another path of commerce, advertising and selling of products or services using mobile gadgets. M-commerce simply put selling and purchasing transaction through a mobile device with computer network access. This way the commerce works with the use of gadgets like the new gen cell phones, PDA’s and i-phone which have dashtop publishing functions.

There was a time when window shopping and red tag sales meant going to an actual store building.

Ads were only on TV, newspapers, billboards and radio. In just a few years with e-commerce working a store front can be a virtual one too. E-commerce is now turning to m-commerce for expansion, connecting a site store to a mobile gadget which has browsing capabilities. Now why would anyone risk their commerce on mobile too? The answer is simply because most people are on the go and may not have access to their desktops or even have wi-fi for their laptops. The handiest thing people are carrying right now is their hand-held mobiles and most of the ones out right now have web access. Imagine how many visitors can be added to your average visitor record if you are accessed anytime and anywhere, this means more sales.

Transactions through mobile is quicker and promises easier delivery. Purchases and services can be redeemed at the store through an electronic coupon. Bank transfers via mobile banking is more convenient and you never have to miss paying your bills!

For store owners, m-commerce is effective in target marketing. Analytics data can be set to track virtual store site visits done via mobile gadget. People taking time to visit your site through mobile indicate interest and higher odds of purchase than from a visit from a desktop which can indicate just and interest but not an immediate purchase.

A successful commerce is all about gaining maximum exposure on a world wide scale. There are no more limits to distance and location anymore when it comes to selling products and services.

Selling your products and services online can be frustrating and limiting when you use to rely on typical website template. All templates are set-up for image and text content and not anything else. Just recently webhosting companies have added templates integrated to an osCommerce software that allows you to run your website like a store. An ordinary website takes longer to load when plug-ins are installed, there are even times when a templates are vulnerable to bugs in an add-on. OsCommerce is the solution and the beginning of virtual store-fronts to come.

Actual store owners considering expanding their market online are naturally doubtful how effective a virtual store can be. Most may be apprehensive in choosing the right osCommerce software to use.  

How would you know which template is the one for your store? How sure are you its the software that would last years and not be obsolete? 

Do as any smart shopper does, canvas and keep our eyes open for the following:

osCommerce Standard

Any open source software have several standards to follow, this would indicate the software’s definition and limitations. Not all open source programmers stick to them so these might not have been tested long enough to find out if there are bugs which will surface.  Unless you have a head for sorting out codes and debugging software then the risk is worth it. BUT if you are just starting out it is advisable to stick to standardized osCommerce and the ones with a template added. They may cost you, but with the additional perks like extra template skins and modules it makes it worth it.

Does it load fast?

Most osCommerce sites present  virtual store packages with demos, and this is the only way to know for sure that loading doesn’t take long. Are the images and graphics similar to what you have on your existing site? Fast loading is one way to ensure that your clients and site visitors don’t click out of your store because they don’t like the wait. Not all have the same Internet speed, so this is a very important thing you have to check out.

Once going over the demo, explore the details of the shopping cart you choose, some software offer optimized graphics and smart sizing. This would be convenient for your uploading and an assurance that your image file upload is adjustable.

Browser Compatibility

All over the world, different browsers are used for dashtops, desktops and laptops. How do you get all visitors and prospective customers to your site if most browsers error on your URL? All osCommerce sites have customer support or a downloadable user’s manual, check out broswer compatible properties.

Customer Support 

The problem with downloading your own copy of software is that the source or the author may not be available for advice of trouble shooting tips when the need arises. Now buying a template ready version of the osCommerce you want gives you the assurance that your store front is safe. 

Upgrades

Most  support services have ways of dealing with bugs that may surface and they may even have upgrades of your shopping cart that you would want to subscribe to. Before purchasing a shopping cart template, you can inquire about policy on upgrades. You can even sign-up for their newsletter to make sure you are informed. You may not need the upgrade now yet the promise of software upgrade goes to show that the software is being developed and improved.   

Just as we’ve reminded all our clients, don’t be fooled by the design or the colours of a template demo. Check out the inner workings of the template you want,  think along the lines of how your virtual store would run and not just appear.