Business Analytics Proposal

Dear Client:
The purpose of this report is to offer you advice in making your decision about what business software you should choose for you new online Flower Shop. I will provide you with a choice of e-commerce platforms and business analytics software. I will recommend business software and also discuss the pros and cons and evaluate the similarities and differences compared to other business software.

OBJECTIVE: VOLUSION E-COMMERCE
This report will focus on the Linux Volusion E-Commerce Solution. Volusion will help your online business succeed by providing the most innovative, user-friendly e-commerce available. It has many features including product management/merchandising, administrative tools, marketing features, design suite, shipping options, payment methods, security protections, world class support, integrations, premium hosting, customer shopping tools, and live software updates. This software offers real time management, unlimited photos per product, full featured Customer Relationship Manager, free customizable ready to use templates, improved language settings, integration with all major shipping companies, multiple administrator log-in and many other features as well.

PRICES
There are a variety of software packages to choose from ranging in price. The options include a Steel, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum package. The Steel package is $24.99 a month and includes 25 products and 1GB data transfer. The Bronze package is $39.99 a month and includes 250 products and 3GB data transfer. The Silver package is $59.99 a month and includes 1000 products and 5GB data transfer. The Gold is the most popular package and is $99.99 a month and includes 5000 products and 15GB data transfer. The Platinum is $159.99 a month and includes unlimited products and 25GB data transfer. The pros is that this software offers a wide range of prices for your convenience and preference but the con is that it charges a $49 setup fee. However, the software packages also include professional templates, customer rewards feature, innovative marketing features, and step-by-step training videos. A major pro of this Linux software is that it is cheaper than other software such as Getelastic, Webtrends, and Clicktale (Just to name a few). These other online software programs were much more expensive so if you decide to go with Linux Volusion you are in for a good deal.

How to Get Started
If you decide to use Volusion Linux the first step you need to do is secure your products. In this case, your products would be flowers so step one is complete. The next thing you would have to do is get your domain. The good thing about Volusion is that it offers domain name registration for $7.99 a year so you can pick the perfect web address for customers to find you. You can also sign up for a free trial if you wish. However, one con to this is that the trial is only 14 days. Other software options do offer longer free trial periods. But with all the features Volusion provides, you shouldn’t need longer than two weeks to realize it is the right choice. Next, you would have to pick your plan. Volusion has an e-commerce plan that will meet your needs for your flower store. Each plan comes with many features to help your online business grow. This is definitely a major pro compared to other software options because this software offers more features than others I have seen. However, the plans are an additional cost of $24.99 a month. Volusion software does have several fees, but in the end the fees will be worth it because you will have an incredible online flower shop with top features only Volusion can offer. After you pick your store plan, you can finish creating your online store by loading your products and picking a template. A great advantage of this software is that they offer unlimited 24/7 in house phone support, along with tons of online training materials. Providing online training materials is a major advantage of choosing Volusion especially if you are new to the online business. Volusion also offers several methods for customer payment which is also a great advantage. You can accept customer payment via PayPal, Google Checkout, or by accepting credit cards directly on your site. Volusion credit card processing offers the ultimate payment solution and provides friendly support.

Services
Another pro of using Volusion is that it provides design, marketing and professional services. This software offers free template, premium templates, and custom design templates. These templates will catch the attention of your customers with an elegant professional look and feel. The templates are also organized and easy to manage which is an advantage compared to other software programs. This software also offers a professional services team to assist you with anything you need for launching your new online store. Volusion also has top-notch marketing services. Marketing services offered are Fast Track, Search Engine Optimization, Optimized Press Releases, and Site Analytics.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this is an excellent online e-commerce software and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. It is important to meet the needs of the customer and Volusion will do just that. They may charge more fees than other software, but like anything else it is an investment for the good of your business. The investment into choosing this software will be worth it because the top-notch features and easy to use templates will bring in the customers!