10 Easy Steps to a Horrible Ecommerce Site

[ArticleBot]

This is an article discussion thread for discussing the SitePoint article, "10 Easy Steps to a Horrible Ecommerce Site"

[stymiee]

This article may seem like a no-brainer to some, but I encounter ecommerce noobs frequently and they would learn a lot from this article.

[NetNerd85]

IMO it is unprofessional to rant in an article on a site that is meant to help others. Respect my opinion and I will yours. I don't see how this article is helpful.

You don't help people by insulting them. It may only build up a defence and the person will become more grounded in their approach. Second case you might make them depressed and/or feel insulted.

BTW, it is a good idea on the internet to try your best to keep things formal, the goal is to leave no room for misinterpretation. Considering there is a WORLD-wide audience.

I agree with the articles bottom-line but the way it is written and brought across is totally unprofessional, IMO.

[Chunks]

Originally Posted by NetNerd85

IMO it is unprofessional to rant in an article on a site that is meant to help others. Respect my opinion and I will yours. I don't see how this article is helpful.

You don't help people by insulting them. It may only build up a defence and the person will become more grounded in their approach. Second case you might make them depressed and/or feel insulted.

BTW, it is a good idea on the internet to try your best to keep things formal, the goal is to leave no room for misinterpretation. Considering there is a WORLD-wide audience.

I agree with the articles bottom-line but the way it is written and brought across is totally unprofessional, IMO.

Ditto to the above

I realize that the articles author may have had completely great intentions, and the information it contains is correct however this was all lost in the tasteless and offensive tone contained in this so called article.

Sitepoint listen up.... this article has your very name and reputation riding on it.... rewrite it with a positive attitude, not with some one who has a gripe to air.

Imagine if this tone came across in your books? People would be made to feel like complete idiots... certainly not conducive to a warm fuzzy customer experience.

[Yiwu]

IMO, this article is a good one, I agree most of them,

[rjwebgraphix]

Found this article interesting in the way it was written. Wish it was written in a more direct, this is good, this is bad kind of way so I could understand exactly what the point is without having to guess, but that is my opinion.

I did have a question, if I am reading the article right. In the section where it talked about SSL certificates the last sentence reads like they're are SSL Certificates for a mere $50.

The little research I've done says that Verisign and Thawte are the #1 and #2 trusted SSL Cert providers. Verisign being $995/yr and Thawte being about $200/yr. I wish I could still find that comparison article I read, but it showed Verisign around 80% trusted Thwate around 60% trusted and it went down fast from there. I think Geotrust was 3 around 30% trusted and theres are as high as Thawte.

Doing some quick searches while writing this message, I found cheap 128bit SSL certificates around $60, so I could probably find even cheaper, but I'm wondering if only 30% of the online shopping population trusts Geotrust, I'm wondering what these no name SSL places would be like.

I understand they would be better than nothing, but I would think if a company wanted to do the most business online they could, they'd be using Verisign.

Looking for opinions on this mainly. Not doing online business right now, just local business, but have been considering ecommerce for the future. Any input appreciated.

RJ

[tke71709]

Originally Posted by rjwebgraphix

but I'm wondering if only 30% of the online shopping population trusts Geotrust, I'm wondering what these no name SSL places would be like.

If 30% of the online shopping population has any clue what SSL means I would be incredibly surprised. Much less have an opinion on which companies do it best.

[Sgt. Baboon]

Originally Posted by tke71709

If 30% of the online shopping population has any clue what SSL means I would be incredibly surprised. Much less have an opinion on which companies do it best.

My thoughts exactly. I would bet less than 3% even check anything about the cert. And I bet about .3% would even consider not buying because it came from some other source than GeoTrust or Verisign.

[guitarlp]

Originally Posted by tke71709

If 30% of the online shopping population has any clue what SSL means I would be incredibly surprised. Much less have an opinion on which companies do it best.

I'd be willing to bump that up to 80%.

[onion2k]

Originally Posted by tke71709

If 30% of the online shopping population has any clue what SSL means I would be incredibly surprised.

They don't need to know what SSL means. So long as their browser understands it, and displays the little padlock icon, then that's fine.

To be honest, I'd be pretty suprised if 30% of web developers understood what SSL really is. I doubt more than 3% understand how it actually works. I don't really get the maths behind it. Public key encryption is a very complicated subject.

[tke71709]

Originally Posted by onion2k

They don't need to know what SSL means. So long as their browser understands it, and displays the little padlock icon, then that's fine.

Which was my whole point, so thanks for backing me up

They don't know or care what company makes the little padlock appear, they just care that it appears. So to say that certain "padlock companies" are more trusted by users and to put numbers like 80%, 60%, 30% etc is ridiculous.

[rjwebgraphix]

Originally Posted by tke71709

If 30% of the online shopping population has any clue what SSL means I would be incredibly surprised. Much less have an opinion on which companies do it best.

No, but they do know what that Verisign Secured logo looks like and if they don't see it, they don't shop. Verisign is too expensive for me at the moment, so guess I'll end up going with 2nd best, which is owned by them anyway. When I'm ready for ecommerce I'll have to use Thawte.

RJ

PS. Wish I could find that article on SSL providers.

[EOBeav]

As for the requests for the sarcasm disclaimer, you might have missed it in the title of the article.

10 Easy Steps to a Horrible Ecommerce Site

That in itself should let you know about the overall tone of the article.

For the record, I believe that the sarcasm was well placed. This guy is just getting tired of the thousands of subpar ecommerce sites out there that could be improved simply by following a few steps.

[NetNerd85]

I find it sad & amusing how people assume. I do my best to keep up to date on all aspects of web development. So to me, this article was pointless as well as to those that know e-commerce. For those that have no idea about e-commerce, might have been offended. IMO, this article was discouraging to those that best need that encouragement while they learn. I thought the purpose of this web site was to empower those who are developing their skills.

It's like saying to a student "yeah you do suck at maths, yah loser" then saying "oh but I was only joking, don't take me seriously".

A post it should have stayed.

How many people replying to this article know what e-commerce is all about. How many people have not replied but read the article are those in need of empowerment.

Jason’s goal as an author should have been to empower, the editor should explain them selves as well – If not apologise to Jason. Obviously they forgot what is printed at the top of Sitepoint!

[Sola]

Originally Posted by NetNerd85

IMO, this article was discouraging to those that best need that encouragement while they learn. I thought the purpose of this web site was to empower those who are developing their skills.

Oh please! There are a zillion articles on the same theme online, and quite a handful on SP here. If your beginners don't get this one, let them go read someone else's. All these straight and narrow approach to writing is boring. Think variety for a change.

And since I consider myself one of the people he's addressing, I don't "know it all" doesn't make me a retard or someone incapable of appreciating a style of writing. Give us some credit please.

[Unit7285]

Originally Posted by NetNerd85

Jason’s goal as an author should have been to empower, the editor should explain them selves as well – If not apologise to Jason. Obviously they forgot what is printed at the top of Sitepoint!

Surely it's Jason who should decide what the goal of his article should be?

Great article, beautifully written with care and humour.


Paul

[OfficeOfTheLaw]

Originally Posted by NetNerd85

I find it sad & amusing how people assume. I do my best to keep up to date on all aspects of web development. So to me, this article was pointless as well as to those that know e-commerce. For those that have no idea about e-commerce, might have been offended. IMO, this article was discouraging to those that best need that encouragement while they learn. I thought the purpose of this web site was to empower those who are developing their skills.

Oh get over it. The article is great as it really drives home what MANY ecommerce newcomers do, and when they read it, hopefully it gets them hopping to correct some of the listed sins. If the sarcasm (yet dead to the point truth) offends someone enough to go replace all their 1.5mb images scaled using the img tag with thumbnails, GOOD!

Anyway, great article. You know what I do if I buy something online and come across a cookie cutter oscommerce site with the default layout?

I LEAVE.

[Egor]

I thought it was a rather entertaining read. And also, a lot of the points Jason makes apply to other types of sites, not specifically eCommerce.

[sal175]

For those of us who 'get it', this article was very funny. May I suggest a #11 for your list - #11 Use osCOmmerce.

[sputhot]

Nice reading, but you forgot step number eleven:

have your webserver crash once every while!

[jchance]

Originally Posted by sputhot

Nice reading, but you forgot step number eleven:

have your webserver crash once every while!

Ouch! I guess I deserve that.

It was down for all of 5 minutes while the Wordpress 2.0 upgrade broke my theme. You and like that one other guy who reads my site must have felt pretty let down, sorry about that.

[AlMukhtar]

It is a good idea to say somthing in a different style , i like the article

you can know how is this article success by have a look to the number of replies!

[fut]

I agree. The sarcasm used int his article is bland and seems uncaelld for. Once in a while is alright, but throughout the whole article is superflous.

[tjyobazee]

Yeah, nice. love the sarcasm

[extant1]

After all, if it wasn't the best layout of all time, why would they distribute it as "stock" in the first place?

that had to be the funniest thing i've read in awhile.. lmao