Comparison of Hosted Shopping Cart Service to Software Installed
On Your Server
|
| |
AShopCart
Online Shopping Cart Service |
Shopping Cart Software
Installed On Your Server |
| License Fee |
None |
Typically $200 or more. |
| Installation Fee |
None |
Typically $50 to install software
unless you do it yourself. Free installation of AShop Deluxe with
AShopWebHosting.com
hosting plans. |
| Installation and Server Issues |
Automated account setup within 10
minutes.
100% server compatibility. Shopping cart functionality guaranteed
at all times. |
Varying degrees of difficulty and
compatibility depending on the server configuration, accessibility,
and requirements of the shopping cart and payment system. Changes
and updates to operating system may require software updates to
be installed periodically. |
SSL Support
Security Certificate |
Free shared SSL certificate provided
upon request. |
Some hosting services do not offer
SSL support at all. Some hosting services provide a shared SSL certificate.
(AShop Deluxe supports a separate URL for secure pages within the
shopping cart). Most hosting companies offer security certificates
at a cost of $50 to $200 per domain plus annual renewal fees. |
| Payment Processing |
Support for more than 20 popular
payment processors. Verisign PayFlo Pro software pre-installed.
Supports Authorize.Net SIM and AIM payment methods. Local secure
payment form and SSL connection included. Offline credit card processing
and manual payment methods are also supported. |
Most shopping cart programs include
integration to PayPal and payment processors who provide a secure
payment form. Many software vendors charge extra for modules to
add each payment processor. Add-on modules typically cost $100 or
more each. Verisign PayFlo Pro requires software to be installed
in the root of the server, which is not possible with most virtual
hosting services. Payment methods that use a local form to collect
credit card information require SSL support. |
| Reliability - Security |
AShopCart servers, network, and
operating systems are provisioned and maintained by RackSpace
on a 100% Uptime Network. Root level access is restricted to
only a limited number of authorized persons. We manage domains and
subdomains, install software, provide technical support to merchants,
and maintain proper functioning of all services and software that
we have installed. |
There is a myriad of web hosting
services ranging from virtual resellers to huge dedicated server
companies. Prices range from free virtual hosting to $400 or more
per month for a dedicated server. There is typically a tradeoff
between cost, technical support, functionality, and reliability.
For most serious businesses, a few bucks a month extra for reliable
hosting service is money well spent compared to potential loss of
sales that can occur during even a brief server outage. |
| Software Updates |
Updates and patches for software
that we have installed are announced as they become available. Installation
is free by request. |
Software licenser typically includes
updates for free, but the web site owner is responsible for software
update installation. Update installation fees are typically $25
or more per incident. |
| Value of Service |
AShopCart technicians specialize
in online commerce applications. Our mission is to provide the best
online shopping cart service available at a price that is affordable
to a great number of merchants. We do this by developing and integrating
systems that automate redundant tasks and reduce operating expenses.
This is our livelihood and our passion. Value: Priceless |
Most hosting services do not support
third-party software and are not available for help setting up payment
systems or shopping cart features. Some hosting services offer shopping
cart software, which may or may not work for your needs and may
include varying degrees of support. Fully manages services with
premium support typically cost many times the price of AShopCart
service. |
| Sustainablity |
AShop Internet Marketing has developed
ecommerce software and related services since 2001. There is a growing
need for affordable, user friendly merchant services. We are a small
company with big ideas in a growing marketplace where innovation
and purpose are keys to survival and growth. We provide for the
needs of a growing number of businesses and merchants who want to
increase their worldwide presence. The Internet is not going away
anytime soon and we are always looking at least one step ahead in
our development. |
Software and hosting services vary
widely. There are many software and services available. The key
is to find the right combination that suites your needs, is reliable,
and sustainable. If you have knowledge and technical skills or a
web master who can manage the site, ala' carte web hosting and software
can be cost effective over time. If you would rather spend your
time marketing, promoting and selling instead of dealing with technical
issues, a managed shopping cart service is a guaranteed path to
success. |
| Additional Services |
The basic AShopCart service includes
enough disk space and bandwidth for most online businesses. Additional
disk space, bandwidth, and third-party software applications are
available for very reasonable cost. AShopCart supports integration
of the shopping cart with many popular third-party applications
for extended functionality. |
Disk space and bandwidth is typically
not an issue. Some hosting services include third-party software
such as forums, contact forms, and mailing lists. Most of them do
not provide technical support for the third-party programs and only
AShopWebHosting.com
supports integration of shopping cart functionality with third-party
programs. |
| Room to Grow |
Should you outgrow the AShopCart service, the AShopCart shopping
cart data and files can be moved to another hosting service or
dedicated server by paying a one-time fee for an AShop
Deluxe software license.
Most OTHER online shopping cart services do NOT license their
software for installation on other hosting services. In this case
the only way to move your shop is to install another shopping
cart program, set it up, and enter the products again.
|
Most independently licensed shopping
cart software can be moved and reinstalled on another compatible
hosting service should the need arise. |
