To host and run our online storefront www.ShopTJB.com . We used the Nexternal platform to create each landing page for our different products. The setup took many hours but once we got the hang of it, page creation became very easy. We have over 2200 different items on our storefront so there was a lot of creation.
Pros
Page layout.
Processing purchases.
Ease of creation.
Cons
We have made suggestions over the years and they have been implemented.
Right now, the system offers more options than we need to run our storefront.
Very happy with the system and how versatile it is for many different industries.
Likelihood to Recommend
When it started out is seemed to be geared towards storefronts selling wines but we felt it was a great fit for our simple storefront. It has evolved into a powerful eCommerce platform that can be tailored to many different industries. I would recommend this product to anyone looking to run a storefront online.
We use Nexternal's eCommerce platform solely for our web store. It syncs seamlessly with many tools that we use at Foxen making marketing, sales, customer satisfaction, analytics, compliance, and customer security a breeze.
Pros
I have complete control over the store, right down to the most minute detail. I can control shipping methods, discounts, coupons, customer security, compliance, and the list goes on. If you can think of it, Nexternal has already come up with a solution.
It's a very secure platform for our customers. In this day and age, uploading personal information on the web can be a bit nerve wracking, but our customers are protected by Nexternal's system. It allows our customer to update their personal account without having to share sensitive information over the phone or email.
It syncs perfectly with our marketing, social media, and sales tools. We use Mail Chimp, VinoVisit, VinNow, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and ShipCompliant. Nexternal communicates perfectly with all of them, making my life so much easier. Information has to be input once and it syncs everywhere. This saves me time and reduces error.
Cons
Honestly, I can't think of one! The only thing Nexternal doesn't sync up with that we use is GSO, but that is a small west coast shipping service, so I wouldn't expect them to integrate with them.
Likelihood to Recommend
If you want to sell online and need a platform, you should select Nexternal. If it is within your budget and you want to have success, Nexternal is the way to go. Since switching to Nexternal from Kreck, our online sales have more than tripled!
We have worked with Nexternal Solutions for over a decade, integrating their eCommerce platform into our clients' websites. Nexternal is ideal for both clients looking to get started in eCommerce, as well as those who are moving away from another eCommerce platform that no longer meets their needs. Nexternal provides a reliable, comprehensive platform with a robust tool set for achieving our clients' online goals.
Pros
Nexternal's customer service is the best in the business. Each account comes with a dedicated account rep who answers the phone when you call, and personally replies to your emails within a very reasonable time - sometimes within minutes!
Nexternal is consistently improving their platform with added tools and 3rd party integrations for everything from social sharing and email campaign management to search optimization tools and automatic product feed integrations such as Amazon.
Nexternal offers site security and PCI compliance out of the box. There is no need for an additional SSL, nor do you need to worry about the security of your clients' personal information.
Nexternal is scalable and grows with your business. We have more than a handful of clients who have been with Nexternal for more than 10 years. In web-speak, that's like 50 years!
The Nexternal shopping cart template can be customized to create a consistently branded experience from your home page throughout the entire shopping process.
Nexternal offers a host of API and XML toolsets that allow clients to sync data between their ecommerce platform and most any other third party platform, thereby coordinating the operations of your business and cutting down on management time.
Cons
Nexternal is hosted solution which means much of the source code is protected and inaccessible. For clients looking to fully customize the user experience, there are some limitations, with any hosted solution, that must be considered.
Nexternal doesn't have a built in wish list feature. They did partner with a 3rd party vendor, and now offer the base functionality; however, for clients whose needs center on the capabilities of a wish list, this feature must be closely considered.
Nexternal's monthly fees are structured in such a way that they scale based on sales. This can be an affordable set up for a majority, but a deterrent for others. That said, the phrase 'you get what you pay for' rings true for ecommerce platforms as well. As I've mentioned perhaps too many times already, the level of reliable support combined with the user-friendly, secure platform are worth it.
Likelihood to Recommend
Nexternal's customer service is the best in the business, and this support is especially important for a new online business. Their support can help alleviate the stresses common to starting an online business and learning the ropes of an admin platform. Nexternal isn't designed for any specific industry. Though they specialize in wine ecommerce sites, our Nexternal clients offer everything from army/navy gear and vegan products to supplements and mouth guards.
In most every scenario, if Nexternal doesn't offer the capability, they can determine an effective work-around.
We used to use Nexternal as our order system at a small winery. We would enter all purchase orders into Nexternal, which would then link to QuickBooks. We use it for all reporting as well.
Pros
The reporting is very clear and organized. You are able to report by outlet such as OMS, POS and online orders.
Cons
Nexternal needs a POS system that enables you to swipe credit cards. We switched to a different system because this was a limitation of Nexternal. At the point of purchase we used to have to write everything down and enter in later.
The shipping functionality is extremely basic. The shipping address check for each state never worked properly. Also, with our new system, the woman who does the compliance can pull all reports per state out of it. Nexternal does not have that capability.
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited if you do not have a point of sale scenario. It is great for companies that take any sorts of orders over the phone or web.
