SureCart: My favorite Ecommerce Solution for WordPress
If you’re planning to use WordPress for your website and you want to sell a digital or physical product, membership or service, some sort of eCommerce plugin will be necessary.
There is a wide variety of eCommerce solutions to choose from, providing options for everything from using a simple form plugin with a purchase field to managing a sophisticated, professional-grade eCommerce platform.
But sometimes the eCommerce solutions for WordPress can be complex. To achieve a fully-capable online store often requires multiple additional paid plugins (often from different non-related companies).
That’s where SureCart stepped up to disrupt the eCommerce for WordPress Industry. Having used platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify extensively, I was stoked to learn that SureCart offers a great set of built-in features that would traditionally have to be purchased separately and then integrated, often resulting in a complex web of plugins that need to be carefully managed as one cohesive store.
That’s just one reason why SureCart has quickly become my preferred eCommerce platform for WordPress.
What sets it apart is its remarkable level of customization and ease of use. Whether you’re in need of fully-customizable checkout options, from traditional shopping carts to single-product purchases, subscriptions, order bumps, upsell/downsell funnels, coupon codes, and even an integrated affiliate platform. SureCart delivers it all.
Well, almost… Let’s get into it.
The SureCart Difference: A Quick Glance
Wondering if SureCart is worth the switch? I absolutely think so! Here’s why:
Lightning-Fast and Lightweight
SureCart’s speed and efficiency are remarkable. Unlike plugins that can bog down your site’s performance, SureCart operates seamlessly, ensuring your customers’ shopping experience is smooth and hassle-free.
Seamless Integration
SureCart embraces the concept of “headless” ecommerce for WordPress. This innovative approach brings together two platforms: the Ecommerce Platform (where checkout and ecommerce elements are hosted) and the WordPress Plugin (linking the platform to your site). The result? A secure, streamlined process that maintains a strong separation between customer information and your site’s performance.
Feature-Rich Ecommerce Tools
SureCart boasts an array of ecommerce tools designed to cater to various product types and needs. From physical, digital, and service products to subscriptions and installment plans, SureCart covers it all. Auto-calculated tax and VAT, easy refunds, and customer surveys add to its appeal.
Marketing and SEO Arsenal
Marketing is essential, and SureCart has your back. Product bundles, discount codes, abandoned cart emails, and even a built-in affiliate program bolster your sales strategy. And thanks to its structure, SureCart integrates well with WordPress SEO features.
Payment Gateways and Integrations
SureCart offers a selection of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and more. Its integrations with WordPress Plugins and third-party software open doors to endless possibilities, making your ecommerce journey smoother.
Why Choose SureCart Over WooCommerce?
SureCart takes the crown over WooCommerce for several compelling reasons:
Speed and Performance
SureCart’s lightweight design ensures zero impact on your website’s performance. Say goodbye to sluggish load times and hello to an optimized shopping experience.
Clean and Intuitive UI
Gone are the days of wrestling with multiple plugins. SureCart’s all-in-one approach means you won’t be drowned in plugin clutter. Its intuitive user interface ensures a smoother operation.
Built-in Features
Unlike WooCommerce’s reliance on various plugins, SureCart includes essential features like carts, single-product checkouts, subscriptions, payment plans, order bumps, upsell/downsell funnels, coupon codes and more right out of the box.
Robust Security Measures for Your Peace of Mind
SureCart prioritizes your business’s security with automated backups and stringent protocols to protect your data. Compliant with GDPR standards, SureCart ensures privacy, and sensitive payment data is handled securely – credit card details are never stored on the platform but directly transmitted through encrypted channels to payment gateways. Trust in SureCart’s steadfast commitment to your online security.
Freedom from Complicated Setup
Setting up SureCart is a breeze. With just one plugin, you’re good to go. Say farewell to complex configurations and hello to simplicity.
SureCart is a promising force in the world of WordPress ecommerce. Its innovative approach, combined with its dedication to user-friendly features, sets it apart from the competition. Whether you’re selling digital or physical products, subscriptions, or service-based offerings, SureCart’s adaptability and performance make it a viable choice. Embrace the future of ecommerce with SureCart and elevate your online store’s potential.
Real-World Possibilities with SureCart
SureCart offers a spectrum of versatile uses. In addition selling physical products, SureCart can be used in various other very powerful ways.
Membership Programs
Membership models come to life with SureCart’s intuitive features. Crafting tiered memberships with distinct content access levels becomes seamless. You’re not just selling access; you’re crafting a frictionless experience that drives profitability and engagement. SureCart pairs perfectly with their SureMembers plugin for creating access groups and gated content.
Selling Courses
SureCart lets you effortlessly bring your online courses to the world. Integrating seamlessly with LearnDash, SureCart enables you to showcase your expertise and guide students on their learning journey. Dive into course creation, set prices, and watch your sales and student progress soar, all while benefiting from our robust reporting and analytics. (They just recently announced SureDash which is an amazing new plugin for creating very flexible custom dashboards, running an online community, selling courses, events and more.)
Subscriptions
For subscription-based services, SureCart’s solutions are nothing short of extraordinary. Effortlessly offer subscription services without the hassle of monthly follow-ups. Automation takes the lead, making sure your clients stay connected and transactions remain seamlessly deducted.
Payment Plans
In the ever-evolving landscape of ecommerce, SureCart emerges as a dynamic platform that embraces diverse payment models, including the versatile world of payment plans. This innovative feature revolutionizes how businesses interact with customers, fostering financial flexibility and opening new avenues for growth.
SureCart’s payment plans redefine customer interactions. With the power to offer installment options, you’re not just selling products or services; you’re accommodating your customers’ financial preferences/needs. This flexibility resonates strongly with modern consumers, fostering loyalty and trust and can be the difference between making the sale or not!
*Currently Subscriptions and Payment Plans are bundled together in the same section for both customers and admins. I really see these as two different things and feel they should be separated. I know some other store owners feel the same way. I believe this will be addressed in a future update.
Pay What You Want
SureCart’s innovation extends to empowering customers with the freedom to choose their own price. This unique feature opens doors to flexible pricing models, fostering customer engagement and exploration.
Donations
Embrace the spirit of giving with SureCart’s straightforward and secure donation solutions. Custom donation pages offer a reliable platform to receive contributions, spanning multiple payment methods. With customizable donation buttons, your online presence becomes a channel for meaningful impact.
Digital Downloads
SureCart unlocks the potential of digital downloads. Be it ebooks, audio files, or captivating photos, our platform lets you offer a diverse range of digital products. Tailor pricing, provide discounts, and extend a personalized buying experience through customizable download pages.
License Keys for Software Sales
Guard your software’s integrity with SureCart’s built-in support for license keys. Ensure only authorized customers access your offerings, thwarting piracy. The harmonious blend of SureCart’s security and swift payment processing ensures your transactions remain secure and your software, untampered.
SureCart Review: In-Depth Exploration
Curious to know more about SureCart’s capabilities? Let’s delve deeper into what this platform has to offer.
Ecommerce Tools: Versatility at Its Best
SureCart doesn’t hold back when it comes to ecommerce tools. It accommodates a wide range of product types, from physical goods to digital downloads. Subscriptions and installment plans empower you to explore various revenue models. Auto-calculated tax and VAT streamline your operations, and easy refunds coupled with customer surveys enhance customer satisfaction.
Marketing and SEO: Fueling Your Growth
Marketing and SEO are vital aspects of any ecommerce strategy. SureCart equips you with tools to boost sales, including product bundles and discount codes. Auto payment recovery for subscriptions ensures you don’t miss out on payments. Abandoned cart emails offer a second chance to close the deal. And with a built-in affiliate program your marketing efforts are set to soar.
Payment Gateways and Integrations: Convenience and Choice
SureCart’s selection of payment gateways, from PayPal to Stripe, covers the essentials. Integrations with WordPress Plugins and third-party software extend its reach, allowing for seamless connection with your existing tools.
Theme Selection and Customization: The Freedom to Design
As a headless ecommerce solution, SureCart works harmoniously with any WordPress theme. You’re free to choose the design that suits your brand while adding buttons and forms through blocks for easy integration.
SureCart Support: A Mixed Bag of Promptness and Patience
Support is a cornerstone of any service, and while SureCart brings a lot to the table, there are areas where it could shine brighter. All plans offer email-based support, which, from my experience, can vary in response times. On the free plan, you might expect a turnaround time of about 24 hours, but there have been instances where it took roughly 35 hours to receive the initial response. Even with the paid accounts, the priority support hasn’t been significantly faster, making me wonder about the efficacy of the “priority” tag. (update: support response times seem to have improved!)
I recently encountered a hiccup with SureTriggers, and while they did address and resolve the bug, it took them nearly two weeks to roll out the fix. This isn’t to say that their support isn’t helpful – they’ve been consistently supportive and attentive in my interactions. However, the wait times can be a tad longer than one might hope for, especially when dealing with pressing issues.
Here’s a breakdown of their support tiers:
- Free: Basic
- Startup: Standard
- Business: Priority
- Pro: Front of Line
Full disclosure, I haven’t had the chance to test out their “Front of Line” support tier yet, but it’s something I’ll come back and update once I do. I am in the process of setting up some stores on the Pro plan and it’s inevitable to need support at some point!
I have now tried their ‘Front of Line’ support tier multiple times. It is significantly faster than the free support tier, though it is still not real-time support. A real-time chat feature would be a fantastic addition to the pro-level plan! They have also recently updated their Knowledge Base, greatly improving the availability of support information upfront.
The addition of premium-tier chat support would undoubtedly elevate SureCart’s standing, especially compared to giants like WooCommerce and Shopify. Real-time support chat could significantly enhance the user experience, especially for professional businesses relying on quick responses to issues.
That said, SureCart also offers an active Facebook community group and a comprehensive and growing Knowledge Base, which can be invaluable resources for users looking for quick answers or community insights.
Ease of Use: Getting Started and Beyond
SureCart simplifies the process from start to finish. Setting up your store involves a straightforward sign-up process, connecting your payment gateway, and obtaining your API token. The user-friendly dashboard guides you through product creation, button integration, and form customization. SureCart’s intuitive layout ensures managing your ecommerce store is a stress-free experience.
What’s on the Horizon for SureCart? Coming Soon:
SureCart is committed to continuous improvement. Here are some upcoming features that the developers have already announced:
One-click Upsells: Unlock the power of purchasing momentum with seamless one-click upsells. Elevate your profits by enticing customers to add more items to their carts effortlessly, ultimately boosting your average order value. THIS IS AVAILABLE NOW!
Auto Fees/Discounts: Tailor your customer experience with automatic fee adjustments and discounts based on predefined rules. Motivate your customers to make larger purchases or cover additional costs, all while simplifying the buying process.
Early Payoff Offers: Keep customers engaged and committed by offering enticing early payoff incentives for installment plans. By providing the right offer at the right time, you can foster customer loyalty and prevent drop-offs.
Multi-currency Support: Enhance global accessibility and boost conversions by enabling multi-currency payments. Empower customers to calculate costs and complete transactions in their own currency, reducing friction in the buying journey.
Advanced Physical Products Features: Elevate your physical product offerings with advanced options. These added components on product pages are designed to enhance conversations and increase revenue, providing a more engaging shopping experience.
Affiliate Platform Integration: Expand your reach and growth potential with an upcoming affiliate platform. Reward customers and supporters for promoting your products and services, cultivating a network of advocates who contribute to your profitability. THIS IS AVAILABLE NOW!
Purchasing Power Parity: Foster inclusivity and accessibility by displaying different prices based on global purchasing power. This upcoming feature ensures that more individuals, regardless of their country’s economic status, can easily access and purchase your offerings.
I think you might agree that is a pretty impressive list of new features to look forward to. SureCart is a new contender, but surely a rising star!
As I navigate the landscape of various ecommerce tools, SureCart stands out as an indispensable solution. Yet, to provide a well-rounded assessment, it’s important to consider both sides. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of SureCart, shedding light on its advantages as well as areas where enhancements could be welcomed.
PROS:
- Versatile Ecommerce Tools: SureCart offers a range of features, including coupons, order bumps and the ability to sell memberships, courses, subscriptions, physical products, and digital downloads. SureCart offers various ways for your customers to pay with their multiple payment gateways, payment plans, pay what you want, donations, and more.
- Advanced Features Included: Without the need for several additional plugins to bog down your site, SureCart includes a range of features to enhance your e-commerce strategy. These include Subscription Saver & Insights, Cart Abandonment Recovery, Auto Payments Recovery, and SureTriggers Pro, each designed to boost sales and streamline operations. Keep in mind that feature availability may vary based on your chosen pricing tier.
- User-Friendly Interface: SureCart’s intuitive dashboard simplifies store setup, product creation, and customization, reducing complexity.
- Responsive Customer Support: Despite some delays in email-based support, SureCart’s team is committed to assisting and guiding its users, ensuring a positive experience.
CONS:
- Pricing Structure: While the free plan is suitable for digital products, physical product sellers might need to upgrade for access to all features.
- Subscriptions and Payment Plans with SureCart are currently bundled together in the same section for both customers and admins. They should be managed and displayed separately.
Limited Reporting and Analytics: Current reporting and analytics in SureCart are fairly basic, lacking in-depth insights into crucial data such as top-selling products and customer behavior. Although these features are on the platform’s development roadmap, the absence of robust reporting could impact informed decision-making for businesses.THIS IS AVAILABLE NOW!- Missing Advanced Features: While SureCart offers various built-in features to enhance e-commerce capabilities, some advanced functionalities are still in development. Inventory management, customer journey tracking, and other advanced tools are on the horizon.
- Lack of Real-Time Support: While SureCart’s email support is responsive, the absence of real-time chat or phone call support can be a limitation, especially for businesses that require immediate assistance and are may even be willing to pay a premium for it. (Sounds like point-of-contact support is coming for some high-level agencies.)
SureCart’s Promising Future
SureCart has swiftly established itself as a formidable competitor in the ecommerce realm. Its innovative approach, lightning-fast performance, and commitment to user-friendly features make it a standout choice. While it may lack certain features on the free plan, SureCart shines for digital products, subscriptions, and more.
As SureCart continues to evolve, adding features like inventory management and bulk editors could solidify its position as the go-to ecommerce plugin for WordPress. With a clear focus on user experience, SureCart is on a trajectory to challenge traditional options like WooCommerce. For digital and physical products alike, SureCart holds immense promise, making it an option well worth exploring for anyone seeking to elevate their online selling game. I am already using it for my clients and you might consider it as a viable option for your next project!