http://www.avactis.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=108&view=findpost&p=13349

Talking about version 1.9. I picked up Avactis after doing a lot of comparing. I am forced to run CubeCart for another site and I can’t stand it. There are some things in particular about Avactis that I like, and some things I’d like to see them implement.

The Good and Decent

1. After spending hours and hours trying to figure out the tags and templates (mostly falling into the “where on earth IS this” category) I think I now have an 85% handle on that. And I kind of like it. It’s easier to deal with (once you figure it out) than many other systems. Even though I didn’t build my own template from scratch, I can mostly see now how I could.

2. It’s got features built in that CubeCart refuses to implement, instead sending you off to pay way more than you thought you would for mods. For little things that should be built in. Avactis has probably 95% of all the features I desire, which is way more than some others (without having to install add ons).

3. For the most part, everything I tried to implement got started without a hitch, like SSL, the shipping module I wanted to use, etc. No spending hours in support tickets just trying to get the SSL to work like I did with CubeCart when we upgraded from 3 (which was a nightmare we won’t discuss here).

4. The 1.9 base template is way better than the old flower shop, in my opinion, and definitely looks better than the standard skins many other carts offer.

5. Avactis expects us to create custom themes. So if we have a support issue, they don’t do what CubeCart often does, which is say “well, you changed a minute portion of the drop down menu on one page of your template, therefore we will not provide support on this matter that is completely unrelated to that menu or anything like it.” With CC if they change parts of what goes into their templates, you’ll lose your changes on an upgrade, too, which doesn’t appear to be an issue with Avactis.

6. Product options. In CubeCart, you have to buy a mod to make product options somewhat easier to use. In Avactis, when you edit a product, you can just add an option right there. If you ever need to change it, you just open the product and make the change without having to go through hundreds of pages of option types to try and find the one you’re looking for. It’s probably one of my favorite features. I also like that you can have more than just a simple dropdown menu, and that you can give each option a description that appears directly under that option. Nice.

7. I like that I can do a search in the label editor so I can easily find the bit I’m looking for, instead of having to guess where it is and then do a bunch of browser finds to drum up the text I want to change. And I like that I can include html in those labels so I can easily turn something bold or into a link without causing major drama.

8. This may seem minor, but I like that if someone chooses Google Checkout or PayPal, when the page comes up that shows the logo, they can either click to continue like they otherwise would or can click on the logo itself. Multiple options means less phone calls to me from people who can’t figure out what button to push.

9. I am in love with the ability to copy a product. Some of our stuff is very similar, with identical product options but maybe a few words changed in the title. Being able to copy one of them and just make those tiny changes on the copy is tremendous.

10. I did not have to buy a mod to be able to custom sort the products. I enjoy that.

11. I didn’t have to get a dedicated server like Magento wanted me to.

The Desirables and Issues List

1. The only mod that didn’t work out of the box was Authorize.net (of the ones I’ve used). It took some tweaking from Avactis support, but they got it fixed, though I have no idea how or why it wasn’t working. Hopefully that gets fixed in the core package if it’s an issue.

2. Speedier checkout. Taking a step out of the process is something Avactis knows how to do, because they offer it for $50. Seeing how a faster checkout might attract more customers (for them and us) I think taking out the unnecessary step should be standard, especially since, if we get the change made for $50, we then have to pay $50 again if we ever upgrade Avactis. The checkout process is just too long, and I say that after having twenty people go through it and nine mentioned checkout time as an issue for them. The other eleven didn’t mention it but agreed later that they’d appreciate a faster process.

3. I think when a new version comes out, webmasters who get half off discounts should get at least half the free support credits everyone else does, at least for the first time they order the new version (they are still paying half, after all). Just to make sure they don’t have any troubles with new features/tags/etc. Some may be so entrenched they won’t need to use them, in which case Avactis loses nothing. The ones who do need a little help getting into the swing of things would appreciate the recognition and support.

4. Was sad to not have support for iDevAffiliate tracking, since it’s my affiliate tracker of choice.

5. CubeCart allows me to buy x amount of credits. Each support ticket costs one credit. 75% of the time CC resolves my issue to my liking. Avactis has a better resolvement rate so far (and they don’t whine like one of the CC guys is prone to) but it seems like credits are gone almost as soon as you buy them if you have a couple minor issues. The money I don’t spend on mods it looks like I will spend on support (only one more minor issue and Avactis will have cost me more than the CubeCart with all the mods), so only the fact that I don’t then have to install mods as well is keeping Avactis ahead a bit cost-wise.

6. I’d love for a true way to checkout with an account or without, running at the same time. As it is now, you really can only do Quick Checkout if you’ve enabled both quick and with accounts. In order to let people check out with an account, they have to first register, then make their way back to the cart. With CC, they can choose a password as they make their order, without having to first go to a completely different page that won’t bring them back to where they were when they’re done registering. I want people to have the option. They really don’t currently, even if they’re supposed to.

Overall I’d say Avactis is far better than CubeCart, with just a few issues from my perspective. When we do another site in six months I’ll compare again and see if there’s another cart that has the same features (or most at least) plus a faster checkout by then before I say absolutely we’d go with Avactis for that one. If the speedier checkout in particular was done here I’d have no problem saying we’d go with Avactis without comparing anything at all.

Just wanted to let you know we’ve just released a new version – Avactis 1.9.0 – with a completely new, XHTML-compliant storefront design, product reviews, and basic CMS.

You can check out all the new features in our new demo. Free version is available for download, too.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Another method out there for WordPress users you may be curious about is the Market theme. It’s a premium theme that turns WordPress into an online store. You just connect the theme to Paypal in the WP settings for the money part of the transaction. It even comes with a plugin to give you backend administration tools so you can add products with images, description, and pricing.

The layout is pretty sweet and they’ve got a live demo that you can play around with.

http://www.markettheme.com

The Avactis team are always adding new features the cart and are always glad to receive comments and suggestions.

Avactis is feature rich, which makes this cart very powerful, yes I admit that it is not for everyone but if you want a cart which is 100% designed to integrate into YOUR design then I would recommend it.

Chris Willcox
LX24 Web Design & Integration

Thank you for a thorough review of our software.

Our development team is currently working on a new version of Avactis which will eliminate the most annoying issues mentioned in this review as well as in customer feedback.

We encourage you to try it out as soon as it is released and see the differences.

Sincerely,

David Frost
Avactis Shopping Cart Team

Thanks very much for the review.
I was leaning toward Avactis but have found that this review was consistent with what I found with their online demo site.
I’m not a programmer, but the confusing page sequence of their cart and the fact that I couldn’t actually tell I was proceeding through the checkout process without scrolling down on each page, are reason enough to stay away from this product.
And, as Chris mentioned, the premature order confirmation e-mail would really confuse people. These things alone would have a negative effect on sales.
Since I’m now looking for a better cart… does anyone know
of one that allows the layout to be customized as needed?
Thanks!