For the e-commerce merchant, making the process of purchasing their product as simple as possible for customers is crucial. The fear is that, if the process proves to be too difficult or too long, the frustrated customer will give up on the checkout process. The way e-commerce merchants can improve this process is by implementing Buy Buttons.
Buy Buttons make the process of purchasing products easy – across all sorts of different platforms. In addition, they allow customers to purchase products within an external site or app, without having to be redirected through the main storefront. That being said, there are many options to choose from. Consider the following list of the best Buy Buttons currently available:
Shopify – If you want it all, Shopify is probably the most comprehensive when it comes to Buy Buttons. It not only features an easy-to-install HTML button and Facebook connection, but it also partners with both Pinterest and Twitter; this allows you to include Buy Buttons on those platforms as well. Shopify also provides Sales Channels in the merchant’s admin control center, making navigation simple.
Shopify works well for a broad range of businesses. Small vendors can access Shopify’s Lite Plan – HTML button and Facebook cart, but will be unable to utilize Twitter and Pinterest partnerships. Large vendors, on the other hand, can move up and include both Twitter and Pinterest in their Buy Button. Overall, Shopify has something to offer all business types.
BigCommerce – BigCommerce is one of only two (Shopify) shopping cards that partners with both Twitter and Pinterest. When considering this option, keep in mind that Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook are still in trial mode. Even so, the features appear to be very promising and worth the wait.
BigCommerce’s recent site makeover has made it easier than ever to navigate its different options; you can expect to find plenty of helpful, setup instructions. Overall, BigCommerce is a great choice for vendors that seek a proven and established shopping cart that is relatively new to the world of social media.
Ecwid – Ecwid’s ability to be installed across a variety of different platforms makes it unique, when compared to other Buy Button options. Keep in mind that Ecwid does require some coding knowledge in order to set it up (you can investigate their very informative set-up instructions, so don’t let that scare you). But if you wish to add your store to a site or blog, Ecwid is a great option. In addition, if you only have up to 10 products and simply need a Buy Button for your site/Facebook page, Ecwid has a free plan.
According to Rachel Porter’s article The Best Buy Buttons, “Ecwid is one of the best Buy Buttons for smaller start-ups or folks that don’t have a ton of money but do have a few products they’d like to sell on their site and/or Facebook page.”
Magento – Magento differs from all other carts listed above in that, instead of being a cloud-based platform, it consists of free, downloadable software. But be prepared for a high level of coding skill requirements. One of the biggest advantages of Magento is its partnership with Pinterest. While Magento is free to download, keep in mind that extensions like Pinterest is where things begin to add up. This, coupled with the fact that it requires more research, make Magento and its Buy Button extensions best suited for medium-sized or solidly established businesses.
As you research which shopping cart best suits your business’ needs, keep in mind what that particular options’ intended audience and unique approach is. Make sure you also research what partnerships and social media platforms that shopping cart intends to continue to develop. Look for the option with extensive partnerships, easy navigation/use and clear instructions.
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