One of the things to take into account when you are putting up an ecommerce Web site is whether or not you have a secure shopping cart. Shopping cart software is what facilitates the purchase transaction between you and your customers. If you are selling products and services through your Web site, the shopping cart is what allows customers to add to their order, and then pay for it. It is very important that you have shopping cart software so that you can process orders automatically – anytime of the day or night – without having to be physical present.

Secure shopping carts

Not all shopping carts are created equal. Some have more features than others, and some are more secure than others. It is a good idea to get an ecommerce shopping cart that is secure. This security protects you and your customers. A secure shopping cart has a higher level of encryption that prevents third parties and hackers from viewing your information and your customers’ information. Most savvy online shoppers will want to make sure that their personal and payment information is protected.

One of the things to remember with secure shopping carts is that you get what you pay for. There are some free shopping cart software programs out there, but they usually do not offer the same level of protection, nor do they have the same level of service and support that paid shopping cart software has. Indeed, it is a good idea to look for a shopping cart program that costs a little bit more, but provides a higher level of service – and peace of mind.

It is also possible to rent shopping cart software. This way you can get a lower price up front, and also upgrade more easily. However, you don’t own the software, so there are some problems in that area. Some ecommerce Web hosts actually offer packages that include shopping cart software with their monthly agreements and pricing. This can be convenient in a number ways, since the Web host can provide all of the support and service you need, all included in your monthly hosting bill. But this can get expensive.

Secure shopping cart features

It is a good idea to consider the features that come with secure shopping carts. Each shopping cart software program has different features. Some features that might come with secure shopping cart software include:

• Ability to remove items and change quantities easily.
• Calculate shipping and sales tax (where applicable).
• Integrate with your inventory database.
• Auction software.
• Enhancements for search engine optimization.
• Invoice generation.
• Multiple storefronts.
• Increased security measures.

First, though, you should consider security and then you should think about what you need, individually, for your online business. It is important to get what will work well for you in terms of price, quality, features, security and service. But your number one priority should be to get secure shopping carts, even though they can cost a little bit more. Nothing can replace a secure cart that your customers can trust.