You May Also Like...
- By Mitchell Harper
- Published 08/6/2007
- StoreSuite Features , StoreSuite Updates
-
Rating:
I've spent the last 2 days working on the shopping cart for StoreSuite.
Basically there will be 2 different ways you can present the shopping
cart to people buying products on your site (you can switch between
options on the settings page):
When they add a product to their cart they will be presented with a suggested list of other products which they may also be interested in. Chris explains the database theory behind this method in this post.
If you choose this option, a list of suggested products is extracted from the database based on which other products people who purchased this product also purchased in the same transaction in the past.
Confusing? If so, consider this. John sells DVD's online. James comes to John's online DVD shop (powered by StoreSuite) and buys 3 DVD's: The Simpsons Season 9, Heroes Season 1 and The Karate Kid.
When Steve visits John's online DVD store and adds Heroes Season 1 to his shopping cart, he will be presented with a list of "You May Also Like..." product recommendations that contains The Simpsons Season 9 and The Karate Kid. Of course the more orders you have in your store, the more accurate the recommendations will be.
If your store is just new and you have product suggestions enabled but have only a few orders in the system, the list of recommended products will be pulled from the popular (highest rated) products on the site.
If there are no past orders and no products have been reviewed (thus there are no highest rated products) then the customer will simply see the normally shopping cart, which I'm building today and tomorrow.
Here's how the "You May Also Like..." screen looks (notice the mini cart on the right):
A lot of eCommerce applications don't make any considerations for marketing methods implemented into the site, and I think this is where StoreSuite will excel. We have real life eCommerce experience and have sold millions of dollars worth of software online. We know that StoreSuite isn't just an eCommerce platform - it is a complete online selling solution and will include unique marketing features in the final release that encourage people to buy more products on your site, as well as features that encourage repeat orders, word-of-mouth referrals, etc.
I'll keep my cards close to my chest for now as these features will completely blow you out of the water.
When they add a product to their cart they will be presented with a suggested list of other products which they may also be interested in. Chris explains the database theory behind this method in this post.
If you choose this option, a list of suggested products is extracted from the database based on which other products people who purchased this product also purchased in the same transaction in the past.
Confusing? If so, consider this. John sells DVD's online. James comes to John's online DVD shop (powered by StoreSuite) and buys 3 DVD's: The Simpsons Season 9, Heroes Season 1 and The Karate Kid.
When Steve visits John's online DVD store and adds Heroes Season 1 to his shopping cart, he will be presented with a list of "You May Also Like..." product recommendations that contains The Simpsons Season 9 and The Karate Kid. Of course the more orders you have in your store, the more accurate the recommendations will be.
If your store is just new and you have product suggestions enabled but have only a few orders in the system, the list of recommended products will be pulled from the popular (highest rated) products on the site.
If there are no past orders and no products have been reviewed (thus there are no highest rated products) then the customer will simply see the normally shopping cart, which I'm building today and tomorrow.
Here's how the "You May Also Like..." screen looks (notice the mini cart on the right):
A lot of eCommerce applications don't make any considerations for marketing methods implemented into the site, and I think this is where StoreSuite will excel. We have real life eCommerce experience and have sold millions of dollars worth of software online. We know that StoreSuite isn't just an eCommerce platform - it is a complete online selling solution and will include unique marketing features in the final release that encourage people to buy more products on your site, as well as features that encourage repeat orders, word-of-mouth referrals, etc.
I'll keep my cards close to my chest for now as these features will completely blow you out of the water.
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Johnny)
Rating:
Hi Mitch,
I'm watching your progress very closely. I currently run shops using X-Cart and SunShop technology and would dearly like to move away from both of these. I went with X-Cart because of its powerful features but its become too bloated. I went with Sunshop because of it's simple architecture but it's too limited in its application. This is where I hope StoreSuite will fill the void!
I realise you are deeply in development mode right now but have you considered providing modules to import data from other shopping scripts. This is very important because I wouldn't even consider switching software if it means re-inputing 1000 products (including it's description, pricing variants, pictures etc). If you provide a facility for easy transfer then you'll no doubt poach many customers using other shopping carts. Just a thought that you may want to consider down the track.
[From Mitch: Hi John. Thanks for the comment. StoreSuite will launch with an easy way to switch from the current top 5 eCommerce apps available using a built-in import wizard, yes, so I think we have you covered :) ]
I'm watching your progress very closely. I currently run shops using X-Cart and SunShop technology and would dearly like to move away from both of these. I went with X-Cart because of its powerful features but its become too bloated. I went with Sunshop because of it's simple architecture but it's too limited in its application. This is where I hope StoreSuite will fill the void!
I realise you are deeply in development mode right now but have you considered providing modules to import data from other shopping scripts. This is very important because I wouldn't even consider switching software if it means re-inputing 1000 products (including it's description, pricing variants, pictures etc). If you provide a facility for easy transfer then you'll no doubt poach many customers using other shopping carts. Just a thought that you may want to consider down the track.
[From Mitch: Hi John. Thanks for the comment. StoreSuite will launch with an easy way to switch from the current top 5 eCommerce apps available using a built-in import wizard, yes, so I think we have you covered :) ]
Comment #2 (Posted by Jason Filby)
Rating:
Great additions...One thing to think about though as you go along is Customer Loyalty as well as Marketing. Such as Reward Points Engine, Auto Generated Newsletters based on previous purchases using send studio integration, Reorder from Past Orders in My Account. Also in My Account you should consider product reccommendations just for them as a links. Address Book and Wallet for storing payments. Also Alter and Cancel Orders that are not marked in process. Of course your standard order status for digital products and hard products would be key as well.
One other thing to think about is integration with Order Management Systems for when you get there. Big ones out there for small to medium business is Stone Edge Order Manager (Stoneedge.com) and Order Motion (ordermotion.com). I would say integrate with both! Dont forget Quickbooks!!!
One other thing to think about is integration with Order Management Systems for when you get there. Big ones out there for small to medium business is Stone Edge Order Manager (Stoneedge.com) and Order Motion (ordermotion.com). I would say integrate with both! Dont forget Quickbooks!!!
Comment #3 (Posted by an unknown user)
Rating:
I also use sunshop and am looking forward to storesuite.
do hope we can import from sunshop
do hope we can import from sunshop
Comment #4 (Posted by Cindy Scinto)
Rating:
By the way-our current Estore does not have a CONTINUE SHOPPING option on the CART page! Aggghhhh . . . I am sure I could add it if I had the time to become a PHP expert! Will StoreSuite have a Continue SHopping option when a customer adds something to their cart or simply checks their cart? 8^)
[From Mitch: Hi Cindy, yep it already does :)]
[From Mitch: Hi Cindy, yep it already does :)]
Comment #5 (Posted by Gary Boomershine)
Rating:
Will you provide Affiliate Tracking and Commission Payments (integrated with Quickbooks). I'm currently using www.1ShoppingCart.com. We sell through affiliates who are promoting our products and services. We need ability to manage and track affiliate sales, pay commissions, and integrate to Quickbooks. I didn't see any capabilities listed on this.
[From Mitch: Hi Gary. QuickBooks will be included in the first release but affiliate tracking wont. That's coming in the second release about 8 weeks after the initial release]
[From Mitch: Hi Gary. QuickBooks will be included in the first release but affiliate tracking wont. That's coming in the second release about 8 weeks after the initial release]
