Is your business open for taking orders, 24 hours, 7 days a week?

....well it could be!

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has come of age, with a large majority of Australians checking their balances, transferring funds, making payments and purchases...all online. In today's fast paced environment, customers are internet savvy, option rich, and yet time poor, with little or no time to casually wander from shop to shop in search of information or price/benefit comparisons. Most of them will do this online.

E-commerce websites and online shops are becoming more accepted as part of the internet and shopping landscape, with a considerable number of Australians shopping online. With secure e-commerce systems in place, the easy of purchase to customers and the lower overheads to retailers, is providing a competitive advantage to those retailers who have an e-commerce website.

With 83% of internet users, in Australia searching for products and services online, it is important to enable customers to purchase when and how they wish to, capturing them when they have reached the point at which they are ready to make a decision. As a consequence, a large percentage of consumers are looking for companies that provide online purchasing.

your business benefits

Virtual shops, or online shops, have a far greater marketing reach than traditionally available through a store front, whether that be local, state, national, or international. With customers able to access information about your company and its products online 24/7, they are able to undertake their decision-making process from the comfort of their home or office, no matter where your business is situated, and at a time convenient to them.

Automated online applications, such as ordering, purchasing and payment systems, enable you to streamline your procedures, reduce overheads, and process payments at the time of ordering. All in all, this makes your business more competitive. Automated shopping systems should enable your customer to follow a shopping procedure suited to them, as well as automate your order processing. An online shop also offers the opportunity for your business to present a customised client experience with a unique style and professionalism, (rather than a "same-same" off-the-shelve experience), that will encourage them to purchase with confidence and imbue them with loyalty.

Online sales can be a great way to build your business sales, or introduce a new product to the marketplace. In addition, If you are offering an electronic newsletter to existing customers, you also have a ready-made market for your new product releases or specials.

your Customer benefits

Your online shop is more than a store-front to your customer; it is a convenience. Prospects and customers today view it as a value-added service. There are no checkout queues to stand in, no rude shop assistants with attitude (however unintentional!), and no shelves to search.

Not only is it important to provide your potential customer with suitable "depth-level" information, your online store needs to provide benefit-oriented calls-to-action that empowers their purchasing control. With no pressure from over-zealous sales people asking for a decision before they have made one, customers are free to complete their decision-making process.

what are the components needed?

Your online product systems can have many components, and varied functionality, depending on your business requirements and objectives. It is important that the components and functionality fit with your business processes and your desired customer buying experience. Some of the components and functionality that can be include in your e-commerce solution are;

• Ordering system
• Security certificates
• Shopping cart system
• Booking system
• Freight/postage/handling calculators
• Customer login
• Pricing discount tables
• Product database update
• Accounting system integration
• Credit card processing (& others such as Paypal)
• Stock levels
• Detailed product information and benefits
• Supplier ordering
• Loyalty systems
• Promotional discounts
• SMS or online sales chat
• Multiple browse and search

e-commerce & secure certificates 

A secure certificate (SSL) is needed with any e-commerce solution, or order system that collects personal information, to ensure safe online transactions. They provide protection for, and confidence to, your customers (that are processing online payments through your website and online shop), and to you the business owner. Security certificates encrypt the data that is passed to and from your e-commerce shop. Proof Creative in Adelaide offers E-Commerce solutions including Web Design, Custom Online Shopping Carts, SSL certificates, booking systems, ordering systems, payment gateways, and Web Development services inacross Australia.

a customised solution for your business

These shopping sites can be basic, such as selling a book or a CD online, or extensive, like Amazon.com. We will need to discuss the specific features with you to determine what systems will best meet your business, and your customers' needs.There are many considerations in making your online business a success; including branding, client demographics, customer benefits, client experience, intuitive ordering, and much more.

 Proof Creative can design and customise your e-commerce website, online shop, ordering system, booking system or payment administration system to your specific objectives and requirements. We use industry standard programming languages and systems that will ensure your e-commerce website is an asset into the future.

Don't trust this to just anyone! Call us on 08 8329 1300 or email us today.