Now released is Ballyhoo Commerce 1.9.5, the latest version of our e-commerce software. While, as usual, there are a number of minor bug fixes and updates to make the system work more smoothly, the biggest new feature is that Ballyhoo Commerce is now operating the SagePay Server Integration payment option.
Other major new features include product reviews, a returns request facility and new content and user management features.
SagePay server integration
Ordinarily, a customer buying a product on your online shop will be directed to a page outside your website to complete their transaction. While these pages are somewhat customisable with your branding it is very obvious that your customer is now on another website which unfortunately doesn’t give a very professional image.
However, if you are a SagePay (formerly Protx) merchant using the new version of Ballyhoo Commerce your customers will never be directed away from your website. The SagePay Server Integration allows inline payment processing meaning that communications with SagePay take place behind the scenes. The payment page is fully customisable and will look exactly like a any other page on your website ensuring your customer experiences a fluid payment process.
To take advantage of this great feature you will need to become a SagePay merchant as well as have an SSL certificate installed on your website.
Returns requests facility
In the unlikely event that a customer is unhappy with their purchase from your e-commerce website they will now have the facility to go into their account and request a return from their account area rather than email you directly.
Customers simply have to click on the ‘Returns’ option beside their recent order and they will be asked to specify what it is they are returning and the reason for their dissatisfaction (see below). You will then be sent an email detailing this and can choose to refund the item at your discretion.
Product reviews
A feature recently requested and implemented is Product Reviews. Customers can now review your products and give them a 5-star rating.
While viewing a product, if a customer clicks on ‘Review This Product’ they will be directed to the above page where they can give the item a rating out of five and optionally leave their name and further comments. If the customer does not wish to leave their name ‘Anonymous’ will appear beside the review.
The average rating appears below the product’s image on each category page. On the individual product page a full list of reviews is available to read.
Good reviews are a great way to encourage unsure customers to buy a product and you will benefit by knowing how your products are perceived and liked.
Content management
While using your e-commerce software we want you to have full control over the way your site operates. So with this release we have included new content management features which will allow you to have more control than ever before.
You will be able to nest pages within your site to make your website more easy to navigate. Just as you can make categories and unlimited sub-categories, you will now be able to do the same with content pages. For example, you could create a page called Contact Us and within that have a page with your contact details, another for a contact form and a further page for a map of your location.
It is also possible to create multiple content lists. This means you can create a main navigation for the top of your website with all of the most important pages, for example Products, Services, Contact and About Us, and also have a navigation at the bottom of your site for less important pages such as Terms & Conditions, Site Map and Privacy. This aspect of your site is now completely under your control.
User management
Also with this version you can manage multiple users on one Ballyhoo Commerce account. You are free to add as many users as you wish – each member of your organisation could have a unique username and password to access the e-commerce system.
As administrator for your account you can also distribute access rights to each user. For example you may want an employee to be able to mark orders as dispatched without access to content of your website.
If you have any queries or are interested in upgrading to this version of Ballyhoo Commerce please contact us.
