Shop Features

**Baby Boy** · 06-22-06, 08:14 PM

I was just wondering and I'll be brief... I was looking at this eCommerce store called jShop Server... it goes for about $535.00 but is very good. I just wanted to know something, for something like my urban apparel store that is still in planning, even though I am weighing options on which business to start and then will possibly pass for a business plan or business letter or something for final analysis... I need some help.

What kind of features should the eCommerce store that other online stores don't have, I've heard RMA Returns System, Order Tracking, and even the Layaway feature as well (which is honestly on my list.) What is some other one's... remember, these will be custom coded into the software from my team of developers/friends if I take up on it. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know and ask for permission to have it developed. In other words, help me out and fill me out with what the feature would consist of from every angle.

**Avix** · 06-23-06, 04:21 AM

An affiliate system would be good, it is something often overlooked by clothing stores so should anyone want to join a clothing affiliate program yours would be one of the only options available.

Also if you decide to keep stock, it should be capable of tracking stock levels... not just for the item but the item attributes, for example you might have xyz t-shirt but it is likely to have options for size and color - many systems will not keep track of stock for those attributes and it causes many companies problems.

Built in newsletter system - you could use a seperate script or service but then it is not recording email addresses for customers. Newsletters allow you to retain customers for years to come.

Usability of ordering process - often overlooked but especially important in industries where customers are potentially internet idiots. Something I have tried before is asking my girlfriends little sister (she is 7) to try and order something and watched where she got stuck - this may seem extreme but if you consider parents/grand parents etc who didnt grow up around computers they are often just as capable (maybe less) as a child.

Cant think of anything else at the moment, I will post here if I do.

**Baby Boy** · 06-23-06, 03:26 PM

Thanks Avix :P

Affiliate System - The shop already has this, it'll be enabled, here is the features:

Manage your affiliate program effortlessly
2nd Tier Commission support
Setup different affiliate groups with different commission levels
Commissions either by percentage or fixed amount
Affiliates have access to administration system with statistics etc.
Highly configurable, enabling you to tailor your affiliate system
Upload banners for the affiliates and limit those to only certain groups
Payment due reporting
Full transaction adding/editing/deleting
Tailor the affiliate account fields to suit your needs.
Send newsletters to affiliates

Newsletter - Already has this too as well, it'll be enabled, just need to get a good newsletter (email template) design.

Advanced Tracking - MOST DEFINITELY... I'll about that, I'd like to have something like that made (and also have a C++ desktop program made with the same functions so I don't have to fully open my site up and everything.) What features would this have?

Order Process - Sounds like a good addon, what features would you see this using. I would like to possibly narrow it down to payment and shipping possibly on one page, and integrating AJAX into the shipping (making it so that with whatever option is chosen, either a popup or a type of "open-box" shows the shipping methods.) Any other features or alternations?

Slashmire · 06-24-06, 04:40 PM

Well this is certainly on a good track; I would also say that the Affiliate System looks quite good.

**Baby Boy** · 06-24-06, 05:17 PM

I'd say the same thing Slashmire. But I am sure it could spice up with some more stuff though. Either way, it'll be enabled, all I need to figure out is a logical percentage to pay the people and when to payout. I'm thinking, 15/$500 (15% per each sale, this means a $200.00 sale equals $30.00, just $470.00 to go for payout.)

Good idea?

spacemanxpress · 11-20-06, 02:58 PM

you might try something with a reviews feature, but beef it up a little.
oscommerce has a reviews feature but it's pretty limited. if you can create a social network around your products via a reviews theme, it would probably help you out to get repeat business.

mahway · 11-20-06, 08:42 PM

Oscommerce may be limited, but has many awesome addons that can be installed for it.