How to Integrate E-commerce and Content Management Systems

E-commerce software enables business to reach new heights in the online market place by presenting buyers with a seamless shopping and payment experience. Nevertheless, without content management systems (CMS), businesses cannot attract and retain web visitors that eventually convert into customers. One way of increasing the conversion rates of visitors into customers is by providing them with a smooth user experience while they shop. This discussion below explains how you can integrate e-commerce and content management systems on your website.

Provide a link to a standalone e-commerce software

The simplest way to have e-commerce functionality to your CMS would be by creating a link on the content to direct visitors to your online shop. You will have to install the software separately on your server and assign it a sub domain name. This method of integration provides a limited option of you to influence the experience of your visitor as they transition from your content to the e-commerce software that powers your online shop. For example, it may not be possible to change the appearance of the online shop so that it matches your website's look.

Use e-commerce plugins on your CMS

A simple and effective way is the use plugins for e-commerce that are available on the support site of every major CMS. Plugins make it possible to have components of e-commerce join in the core of the CMS so that you can manage your online store in the same way you would manage your content. The plugins covert every item on sale into a piece of content that is retrievable from the CMS database using keyword, tags, date and category. Users can therefore search for it or use relevant navigation links to find the product and its descriptions. The CMS will also allow you to include additional details such as reviews and customer feedback. The CMS will then direct users to the payment processing engine of the e-commerce software, whenever the users need to make a purchase.

Make php code adjustments to your CMS

A complicated way of integrating your e-commerce with CMS is by writing the code. This option gives you the freedom to come up with a look and feel that you desire for your website. It lets you discard e-commerce components that you don't need on your website, as well as create custom designs and functions. Writing your own scripts on the CMS files could be the only way for large websites to offer e-commerce solutions because most of the available software only works for generic setups. Large sites require lots of customizations to keep them from breaking down as they serve millions of people. Large organizations also have their culture and regulations that they would need to maintain on their websites and the only way to do this is by implementing custom installations.

After going through the options outlined above, you are now in a position to assist someone who needs to know how to integrate e-commerce and content management systems. You can use the options to decide what e-commerce software is good for you. So far, the commonly available e-commerce CMS software that provide quick install and integration options are Business Catalyst, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop and osCSS.