What should be included inside an eCommerce system?

An eCommerce system typically includes the following components:

A website or app for customers to browse and make purchases from.
A database to store information about products, orders, and customers.
A shopping cart for customers to add and remove items from as they shop.
A payment gateway to process customer payments.
A fulfillment process for handling the delivery of orders to customers.
A customer service system to handle inquiries and complaints.
A backend system for managing the eCommerce operation, including inventory management, order processing, and analytics.

There may also be other components depending on the specific needs and goals of the eCommerce business.

Front-store

An eCommerce website or app should include the following features to allow customers to browse and make purchases:

Product catalog: A directory of the products available for purchase, including product images, descriptions, and prices. Customers should be able to browse and search for products by category, keyword, or other criteria.
Shopping cart: A feature that allows customers to add and remove items from their virtual "basket" as they shop. The shopping cart should display the total cost of the items and allow the customer to proceed to checkout when they are ready to make a purchase.
Checkout process: A series of steps that allow the customer to complete their purchase, including entering their shipping and billing information, selecting a payment method, and reviewing and placing the order.
Order confirmation and tracking: A system that confirms the order and provides the customer with information about their order, such as an order confirmation number and tracking information if applicable.
Customer account: A feature that allows customers to create an account on the website or app, which may include the ability to save their shipping and billing information for future purchases, view their order history, and access other features or information.

Overall, the goal of the website or app is to provide a convenient and user-friendly platform for customers to browse and purchase products from the eCommerce business.

Shopping cart

A shopping cart is a feature of an eCommerce website or app that allows customers to add and remove items as they shop. It acts as a virtual "basket" in which customers can collect the items they want to purchase, and it typically displays the total cost of the items and any applicable taxes or fees.

Some common features of a shopping cart include:

The ability to add and remove items: Customers should be able to easily add and remove items from the cart as they shop.
Support for multiple quantities: Customers should be able to specify how many of each item they want to purchase.
Display of total cost: The shopping cart should display the total cost of the items in the cart, including any applicable taxes or fees.
Option to save items for later: Some shopping carts allow customers to save items for later, rather than purchasing them immediately. ⇒ So much eCommerce sites named it as Wishlist
Integration with the payment gateway: The shopping cart should be integrated with the payment gateway to allow for seamless checkout when the customer is ready to make a purchase.

Overall, the goal of a shopping cart is to provide an easy and convenient way for customers to collect the items they want to purchase and proceed to checkout when they are ready.

Wishlist

A wishlist is a feature that allows customers to save a list of items that they are interested in, but may not be ready to purchase immediately. This can be useful for customers who want to keep track of items they are interested in, or to share their list with others as a gift suggestion.

A wishlist is similar to a shopping cart in that it allows customers to save items for later, but it typically does not include the ability to purchase items directly or display the total cost of the items.

Some eCommerce systems include both a shopping cart and a wishlist, allowing customers to easily move items back and forth between the two as they shop. Other systems may only include one or the other, depending on the needs and goals of the business.

Checkout process

The checkout process is a series of steps that allow a customer to complete a purchase on an eCommerce website or app. It typically includes the following steps:

Reviewing the shopping cart: The customer reviews the items in their shopping cart and makes any necessary changes (e.g. removing items, changing quantities).
Entering shipping information: The customer enters their shipping address and selects a shipping method.
Entering billing information: The customer enters their billing address and selects a payment method.
Reviewing and placing the order: The customer reviews the details of their order, including the items, quantities, total cost, and shipping and billing information. They may also have the option to apply a promotional code or to agree to the terms and conditions of the sale. Once they are satisfied with the order, they can place the order by clicking a button or completing some other action.
Order confirmation: The eCommerce system confirms the order and provides the customer with an order confirmation number and any other relevant information, such as tracking information if the order has been shipped.

Overall, the goal of the checkout process is to make it easy and convenient for the customer to complete their purchase, while also ensuring that the necessary information is collected and processed by the eCommerce system.

Terms and conditions

The terms and conditions of an eCommerce sale are a set of rules and guidelines that govern the sale of products or services online. They may include information about the rights and responsibilities of the customer and the eCommerce business, as well as other important details such as payment terms, delivery and returns policies, and any applicable warranties or guarantees.

During the checkout process, customers are often asked to agree to the terms and conditions of the sale before they can complete their purchase. This may be done through a checkbox or similar mechanism, and it serves as an indication that the customer has read and accepted the terms and conditions.

The terms and conditions are an important part of the eCommerce sale, as they help to protect the interests of both the customer and the eCommerce business, and they provide a clear set of rules for resolving any disputes that may arise.

Some common terms and conditions that might be included in an eCommerce sale:

Payment terms: Information about how and when payment is to be made, including details about any applicable taxes or fees.
Delivery and shipping: Information about the delivery of the products, including any applicable shipping charges and delivery time frames.
Returns and refunds: Information about the process for returning products and obtaining refunds, including any conditions or limitations that apply.
Warranty and liability: Information about any warranties or guarantees that apply to the products, as well as the eCommerce business's liability for any damages or losses.
Intellectual property: Information about the ownership and use of any intellectual property, such as trademarks or copyrighted material, that is associated with the products.
Governing law: Information about the jurisdiction under which the terms and conditions are governed, and any applicable laws or regulations.
Dispute resolution: Information about how any disputes that may arise will be resolved, such as through mediation or arbitration.

Overall, the terms and conditions of an eCommerce sale are an important part of the agreement between the customer and the eCommerce business, and they help to ensure that both parties understand their rights and responsibilities in relation to the sale.

Few examples of small eCommerce stores that have good terms and conditions:

The Honest Company: This eCommerce store, which sells natural and organic products for babies and families, has clear and concise terms and conditions that cover a wide range of topics, including payment, shipping, returns, and warranties.
Glossier: This eCommerce store, which sells beauty and skincare products, has comprehensive terms and conditions that cover a variety of issues, including payment, shipping, returns, and intellectual property.
Huckberry: This eCommerce store, which sells outdoor gear and apparel, has straightforward terms and conditions that cover topics such as payment, shipping, returns, and warranties.

Overall, these small eCommerce stores have well-written terms and conditions that provide clear and concise information to customers, and that help to protect the interests of both the business and the customer.

Few examples in Finland that have good terms and conditions:

Muotoileva: This eCommerce store, which sells home decor and design products, has clear and detailed terms and conditions that cover topics such as payment, shipping, returns, and warranties.
Käsityöläisverkkokauppa: This eCommerce store, which sells handmade crafts and products, has concise terms and conditions that cover topics such as payment, shipping, and returns.
Isot koiratarvikkeet: This eCommerce store, which sells pet supplies, has straightforward terms and conditions that cover topics such as payment, shipping, and returns.

Overall, these small eCommerce stores based in Finland have well-written terms and conditions that provide clear information to customers and help to protect the interests of both the business and the customer.

Database

A database is a structured collection of data that is stored electronically and can be accessed and modified by a computer system. In the context of an eCommerce system, a database is used to store information about products, orders, and customers.

A database for an eCommerce system might include the following types of information:

Product information: This might include details about each product, such as its name, description, price, and images.
Order information: This might include details about each order, such as the customer's information, the items included in the order, the total cost, and the status of the order (e.g. pending, shipped, delivered).
Customer information: This might include personal details about customers, such as their name, address, email, and phone number. It may also include information about their order history and any previous interactions with the business.

Overall, the goal of the database is to provide a centralized location for storing and accessing information about the eCommerce operation, which can be used by various parts of the system to perform their functions.

Products

Product information in an eCommerce database typically includes details about each product, such as:

Product name: A short, descriptive name for the product.
Product description: A longer, more detailed description of the product, including its features, benefits, and any relevant specifications.
Product images: One or more images of the product, which may be used to display the product on the website or app.
Price: The cost of the product, including any applicable taxes or fees.
Product category: A classification for the product, which may be used to organize products into categories or subcategories on the website or app.
Product attributes: Additional details about the product, such as size, color, material, etc. These may be used to help customers filter and sort products on the website or app.
Inventory information: Details about the availability of the product, including the current quantity in stock and whether the product is in stock or out of stock.

Overall, the product information should provide enough detail for customers to make informed purchase decisions, and for the eCommerce business to manage and track the product effectively.

Orders

Order information in an eCommerce database typically includes details about each order, such as:

Order number: A unique identifier for the order, which may be used to track and reference the order.
Customer information: Details about the customer who placed the order, such as their name, email, and shipping address.
Order date: The date and time that the order was placed.
Order items: A list of the items included in the order, including the product name, quantity, and price.
Order total: The total cost of the order, including any applicable taxes or fees.
Payment information: Details about the payment method used for the order, such as the type of credit card or digital wallet used.
Order status: The current status of the order, such as pending, processing, shipped, or delivered.
Tracking information: If the order has been shipped, this may include details about the shipping method and a tracking number for the package.

Overall, the order information should provide a complete record of the order and its progress, which can be used by the eCommerce business to manage and fulfill the order, and by the customer to track the status of their order.

Customers

Customer information in an eCommerce database typically includes details about each customer, such as:

Customer name: The customer's full name.
Contact information: The customer's email address and phone number, which may be used to contact them about their orders or other business-related matters.
Shipping address: The customer's shipping address, which is used to deliver their orders.
Billing address: The customer's billing address, which may be used to verify their identity or process their payment.
Order history: A record of the customer's previous orders, including the date, items, and total cost of each order.
Customer preferences: Information about the customer's preferences, such as preferred communication methods or product categories.
Customer interactions: A record of any interactions the customer has had with the business, such as customer service inquiries or complaints.

Overall, the customer information is used to track and manage the customer's relationship with the eCommerce business, and to personalize the customer's experience as appropriate.

Payment gateway

A payment gateway is a system that processes online payments on behalf of an eCommerce business. It is responsible for securely transmitting transaction information and receiving payment authorization from the customer's bank or credit card company.

Some features that may be included in a payment gateway system are:

Support for various payment methods, such as credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers.
Fraud detection and prevention tools to ensure the security of transactions.
Integration with the eCommerce platform, allowing for seamless payment processing within the customer's shopping experience.
Ability to handle different currencies and conversion rates, if the business sells to customers in multiple countries.
Support for recurring payments, such as subscriptions or membership fees.

Overall, the goal of a payment gateway is to provide a secure and convenient way for customers to pay for their purchases, and to handle the processing of those payments on behalf of the eCommerce business.

Fulfillment process

The fulfillment process for delivering orders to customers typically includes the following steps:

Receiving and processing orders: When a customer places an order, the eCommerce system should record the details of the order and update the inventory to reflect the items that have been purchased.
Packing and shipping: The ordered items should be gathered and packed for shipping, using appropriate materials to ensure that they are protected during transit. The package should then be shipped to the customer using a suitable delivery method.
Tracking and updates: The eCommerce system should provide customers with tracking information and updates on the status of their orders. This may include notifications when the order has been shipped and delivered.
Returns and exchanges: The fulfillment process should also include a system for handling returns and exchanges, including processes for processing the return and issuing refunds or exchanges as appropriate.

It is important for the fulfillment process to be efficient and reliable in order to provide a good customer experience and maintain customer satisfaction.

Customer service system

A customer service system should include the following components:

A means for customers to contact the company, such as a phone number, email address, or online contact form.
A system for tracking and responding to customer inquiries and complaints in a timely and satisfactory manner. This may include a customer relationship management (CRM) system or a ticketing system to track and manage customer interactions.
A team of customer service representatives who are trained to handle customer inquiries and complaints in a professional and helpful manner.
Procedures for handling different types of inquiries and complaints, including technical support, billing issues, and product returns.
Tools and resources to help customer service representatives resolve customer issues, such as access to product information and the ability to issue refunds or exchanges as needed.

Overall, the goal of a customer service system is to provide a high level of support and satisfaction to customers and to resolve any issues that may arise in a satisfactory manner.

Operation system:

An eCommerce operation typically includes the following components:

Inventory management: The system should track the quantity and availability of products in the inventory, and alert the business when inventory levels are running low or are out of stock.
Order processing: The system should handle the processing of orders from start to finish, including recording the details of the order, updating the inventory, and handling the fulfillment and delivery of the order.
Analytics: The system should provide data and insights on key metrics such as sales, conversion rates, and customer behavior. This can help the business to understand its performance and identify areas for improvement.
Financial management: The system should track financial transactions, such as orders, payments, and refunds, and provide reports on the financial performance of the business.
Marketing and promotion: The system may include tools for managing marketing campaigns and promotions, such as email marketing and targeted advertising.
User management: The system should allow the business to manage users and access to the system, including the ability to add, delete, and modify user accounts.

Overall, the goal of the backend system is to provide the business with the tools and information it needs to manage and grow the eCommerce operation effectively.

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