eCommerce Web Hosting- Running a successful online business requires the best eCommerce web hosting that you can find. In this eCommerce web hosting review, Web Host Ranking will discuss the basic aspect of eCommerce web hosting and where to find it.
eCommerce web hosting is sometimes referred to as business web hosting. Either way it is a form of web hosting that is geared towards online store websites. When you are running an eCommerce site and trying to make money on it you need specific hosting features from your web hosting providers. Features that isn’t always included in basic web hosting plans. Some times it is worth spending the extra money to get all the eCommerce features that you need.
So just what are the features that you need in eCommerce web hosting? In addition to the basic web hosting features such as disk space, data transfer, PHP, and MySQL databases you should be looking for the following features:
SSL- SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL certificates are very important in preventing identify theft. SSL certificates are responsible for encrypting all the sensitive data on your website, mainly during online purchases. There are a few different types of SSL certificates including free SSL certificates and shared SSL certificates. The best SSL certificates are the ones that you spend a little extra money to get and they are 100% dedicated to your site. A lot of cheap eCommerce hosting plans will included a shared SSL certificate.
Shopping carts- If you are selling products on your website, which Web Host Ranking assumes you are since you are looking for eCommerce hosting, then you are going to need a shopping cart. Shopping carts are virtual baskets in which your customers add and remove products to. They assist in the checkout process along with internet merchant accounts and payment gateways. A lot of the best eCommerce hosting plans will include some popular shopping carts such as CubeCart, osCommerce, and ZenCart.
Product catalogs- Sticking on the line of shopping carts, if your shopping cart doesn’t include a product catalog then you will have to get one. A product catalog is just what it sounds like, they are online catalogs that display your items for sale. They come in different sizes and prices depending on how many products you need displayed.
Advertising credits– Advertising credits are a great way to get your site promoted and out there. Almost every eCommerce hosting plan will include advertising credits.
Those are some of the major eCommerce features that you need to be looking for.
Who offers the best eCommerce hosting plans: FatCow offers the best overall eCommerce hosting plan. They have a great base hosting plan with some great premium eCommerce features.
FatCow- $3.67 a month!!!
Here are the basic features for FatCow:
- Unlimited disk space
- Unlimited data transfer
- Free website builder
- Free domain name
- Unlimited MySQL databases
- PHP
- FrontPage extensions
- Unlimited email accounts
- Much More…
FatCow eCommerce features:
- ShopSite Starter online store- A great way to set up your online store, 15 product catalog.
- PayPal support- Accept credit cards and electronic payments through PayPal.
- PowerPay- A leading provider of internet merchant accounts.
- Shared SSL- Protect your customers information.
- $50 Google AdWords credit
- $25 Yahoo advertising credit
FatCow premium eCommerce features:
When you sign up for the FatCow web hosting you can add on the following features. These features are well worth it and are still cheaper than what the other eCommerce hosts can offer them to you for.
1. ShopSite Manger- Unlimited product catalog and more features including the following:
- Digital coupons for special sales and discounts
- Gift certificates
- Customer Rewards Program to encourage customer loyalty
- Digital download sales
- Google Analytics integration
- Associate tracking for referred product sales
- Ability to give quantity and order discounts
- Inventory tracking
- Various advanced developer tools
- As cheap as $44.95 a month
2.Quick SSL Premium Certificate- A dedicated SSL certificate for only $79.95 a year when you add it to your FatCow hosting plan.
To learn more about FatCow check out our FatCow review!