What is a shopping cart? 

In a basic definition, it’s a series of scripts that keep track of items a visitor picks to buy from your site until they proceed to the “checkout”. A popular misconception is that shopping carts handle the whole financial transaction, but they only really act as a front end which passes information via a secure connection (another service) to a payment gateway - a separate service altogether. 

The payment gateway service then channels the requests and transfers throughout relevant financial networks, including the Internet merchant account with your bank. It then sends back confirmation or denial back to the shopping cart software. For further information on the “back-end” aspects of ecommerce; read our guide to payment gateways and merchant accounts.

The good news is that there are literally hundreds of shopping cart packages available. The bad news is the same as the good. Sometimes, too many choices make it very difficult to make a decision - especially when all companies claim to have the superior product.

At B2Bimage, we have more than six years experience in working with Miva, OsCommerce, Zen Cart and Cube Cart.  If you would like a professional consultation regarding your ecommerce business, please visit our site at www.b2bimage.com or send us an email to design@b2bimage.com.

Popularity: 66% [?]