I am in the process of retaining the services of a website design firm and have interviewed many of them. They have different views as to what I need.
I will have as many as 50 vendors, most of which will be dropship, and they will have as many 2000-3000 skus. As with most dropshippers, they have their own procedures and policies.
Front-End: I think that I will receive good support for the front end. I have a clear idea of how I want the front end to look, and I will also implement some Web2.0 applications. I will have forums, Podcasts, video (probably uplinked through YouTube), blogs. So I do not think that I can use an out of the box template, and am prepared to work with a web design firm.
Back-End: The only I am very concerned about the backend architecture. Some designers have their own proprietary shopping carts; others suggest building an entirely new cart; others use one of the leading carts. The ones that I have reviewed and liked the most are CRE loaded and X Cart. Each of these has a multiple vendor shipping module, which look like they may partially satisfy my needs. I have also looked at a new add-on application to CRE loaded known as Magnum MVS 8.4, but I have not found any reviews from users or other commentators. Some of the most important features that I am looking for include:
Integration with PayPal and Google
Integration with Quickbooks
Bulk upload
WYSIWYG
Datafeeds from multiple vendors
Generate XML file to send to multiple vendors
Power edit
Up sell and cross sell
Comprehensive sales reports
Different pricing per customer groups
Optimized for speed
Google export
Automatic optimization of images
Integration
Autoresponder and newsletter capabilities
Affiliates
Control URL file name for each product
Realtime shipping interfaces with UPS, FedEx
Automatic tax calculation
Any suggestions on the suitability of XCart or CRE Loaded (with or without the very expensive Magnum MVS add-on) would be appreciated.
Most of your features can be met by CRE Loaded.
I can not point out a lot about xcart. We tried to work with it a while back and did not go along due to some compiled code in the cart.
We prefer CRE Loaded. This is because of flexibility and ease of support as it derived from osCommerce. We partners with CRE & work with the software since it was originally released, and have developed some modules for the project, and develop many templates.
We know of its database structure that will allow to come up with interface to dropshippers.
That is very helpful, and I have read many posts on the pros and cons of Xcart and CRE Loaded. I am slowly coming to the conclusion that I will opt for CRE Loaded or a custom solution. Do you have any views on this new Magnum add-on? It is very expensive at $1800 plus the license for CRE Loaded.
If you need a discount, send a PM. Also I don’t recall being interviewed by you. There is a (845) xxx-xxxx contact number listed on the Magnum page…feel free.
hey Chris we ordered the Magnum MVS license and paid 3 days ago! The number 845 xxxxxxxx left a message…also 800 is disconnected…you still in business?
Order #395 (Pending)
Order Date: Tuesday 14 December, 2010 Order Total: $99.00
Delivery Address
Products
1 x Magnum MVS 8.4 Basic - User License - $99 $99.00
I literally tried 5 ways to get a hold of you…lol this was #6 on the list…can’t knock me for persistence especially since you had my money…lol Anyhow I appreciate the response and wish you had time!! But its all good. Best wishes to your and your family. Talk soon.
especially since you had my money…lol Anyhow I appreciate the response and wish you had time!! But its all good. Best wishes to your and your family. Talk soon.