Hosted Ecommerce Solutions

[Chris.C]

I had some friends ask me today how best to go about selling clothing online, as they are trying to build their own fashion label.

Unfortunately I don't know much about ecommerce or brand building, and they unfortuantely know nothing about websites and online marketing.

I told them I didn't know much about this sort of stuff, but my advice to them was to look for a hosted ecommerce platform. Was this appropriate? Or should they be doing something else?

I have heard of solutions like shopify, and I actually used aShop for a year or two back in 2005, but haven't had anything to do with ecommerce other than that since then.

So can anyone recommend any hosted ecommerce solutions? or offer any feedabck/advice or things to look out for when getting a niche ecommerce site up and running?

Thanks.

 

[Cal]

Hi Chris.C,

I think advising them to use a hosted platform is good advice. In my opinion it's easier to get up and running and something they can manage themselves.

I actually use Shopify for my jewellery business (even though my website is needing a little TLC). I think when it comes to ecommerce platforms there is truth that you get what you pay for.

Here's why I chose Shopify a couple of years back now:

• Looked professional and polished which is really important with fashion sites when it's all about 'image'
• I found they had the best looking templates out of the box
• VERY user friendly dashboard in back end that gives you a one page snapshot of what's going on with your store. You don't have to be web savvy to manage it. Really easy to add, modify or delete products and images.
• Gives you the ability to offer discount codes for customers
• Nice mobile app
• I also liked their forum and learning centre for support and advice

Here are a couple of other hosted ecommerce platforms I think would also be worth checking out too Bigcommerce, Vendio and Volusion.

Anyway, that's my two cents, hope it helps

 

[findtim]

FREIGHT

i've done heaps of ecoms and freight is always the biggest headache and the last thing anyone thinks of.

if you live in sydney and ship to north sydney you'll make profit, but when an order for 10 t-shirts to broome comes in you could be stuffed.

make sure what ever you pick can do the freight right, then tell me which one

tim

i have it totally sorted on my OLDDDD oscommerce sites but struggling to get it working on my new WP based sites.

 

[petermeadit]

You have Shopify, which seems to have the best name around.
Also I just spotted eCorner and the have a 30 day trial.
www.ecornerstoresplus.com.au/Start-...mmerce-trial?gclid=COKWru2oorYCFUs5pgodpGUAlw

No idea how good or bad they are, just passing on information. Would be interested to so what the outcome is Chris.C

 

[johno69]

make sure what ever you pick can do the freight right, then tell me which one

tim

Woocommerce with auspost extension works good if you ship from one location and all items are shippable by them.

Only times I've had issues is when they ship some items from Sydney, some from Melbourne, some from UK etc. Or if the items are too large dimension wise for Aus post. But it's easy enough to set up flat rate shipping classes for only these specific items.

In regards to a hosted solution, it normally is a matter of you get what you pay for and my clients have always liked the flexibility of self hosted. By the time they could list all their product and could add the additional features they want the cost worked out comparable anyway.

 

[Blue Wren]

Great topic and one that is up on my radar at the moment too.

I don't know what your time is like Chris.C but if you could spare 29mins, then this podcast is pretty helpful.

James Schramko and Ezra Firestone Discuss The Growing Ecommerce Industry