Many shoppers appreciate the convenience and flexibility of buying online. They can shop from the comfort of their favorite recliners at any time of the day or night, and they can choose from a wider range of stores than if they visited a physical store or even a shopping mall. Store owners who have relied on a brick-and-mortar presence for 100% of their revenues are often disappointed to find that they cannot compete with the world of e-commerce and wonder, “Should I add a shopping cart to my website? Will customers still want to purchase my products if they cannot see and touch them?”

The answer to both questions is yes, especially when a robust, feature-rich e-commerce solution is selected. According to USA Today, 56% of consumers will purchase online during the holiday season in 2014. With the right support, even the most tech-resistant store business owner can maximize the potential of an online shopping cart and increase their revenues with a huge customer base that would not have been possible prior the existence of the internet.

Adding a shopping cart to your website is not simply about having the ability to allow customers to place items into a cart and pay for their purchases online; there are many other benefits, including:

• Offering multiple large, clear photos and detailed descriptions of your products
• Providing customers with an opportunity to read reviews of your products from other customers, which offers credibility and generates trust in your company
• Multiple payment options, including online payment methods such as Paypal
• Giving customers the ability to view and purchase your products on mobile devices; even local customers will appreciate being able to shop via phone or tablet when they’re too busy to visit your brick-and-mortar store, or when your store is so crowded that they might have to wait in line

There are also many revenue-generating opportunities for your company when you add a shopping cart to your website, including suggesting related products and even offering custom pricing to different customer groups. If you have questions about how to make e-commerce work for your business, contact us today.

About the Author: Rachaelle Lynn is Google Certified in Analytics and AdWords and has over 12 years of experience in website development and digital advertising, including e-commerce, SEO, PPC, and social media. She has helped many businesses, from small local companies to large international organizations, establish online presences and leverage them to increase revenue.