9. ShopFast: Speeding up e-commerce
Category
Groceries
Overall impression and usability
ShopFast.com.au has a simple home page that makes it easy for the customer to decide where they should enter the site. It is also competitively priced, and its delivery fee is quite reasonable. The site is clearly branded and relatively simple to use. The initial page after going in through the "browsing" option was unclear and there were many areas on the site.
Payment can be made online, or to the driver on delivery.
Hits
- The homepage is geared towards regular customers, allowing direct login, and options to retrieve shopping lists, or the last order in progress. There is still an option for people who are just browsing, so they don't have to login, just to try them out.
- The site is very flexible in allowing specific customer choice. A customer can request for example, if they would prefer slightly green or yellow bananas, or if they prefer hard or riper tomatoes. This unique feature empowers the customer, giving them a great deal of control over the shopping process, whilst still enjoying the benefits of shopping online.
- The shopping trolley is clearly visible on the homepage, and provides clear feedback on what is in there.
- Delivery costs seem quite reasonable, ranging from AU$5.95 to AU$9.95, depending on the time of day of the delivery.
- Recipes are available on the site, and the we were able to purchase the ingredients of a particular recipe directly. This is a clever idea to assist the customer in deciding what they need, and then knowing what they can cook with it.
- Recommended shopping list are available for customers to use as a starting point for compiling their first order. For example, a recommended list for 2 adults and 2 children is available.
- Off-line contact details are available on the site.
- The customer can specify a 2 hour time period during which they would like to receive their delivery.
- The option of repeating an order or creating a basic template list to reuse is available for people making repeat purchases--this certainly makes it easy for the repeat customer.
- A keyword search facility is available.
- Organic foods are available for purchase.
Misses
- The first page inside the site was fairly cluttered and we had to search around for the "start shopping button".
- Registration is compulsory in order to submit an order.
- Images are not available for all the products.
- The site sells all of its products by units rather than by weight for fruit, vegetables and meat.
Purchasing procedure
- The checkout procedure was straightforward, and purchases can be made online, or you can pay the driver on delivery.
- A clear receipt is provided, with a list of items and an order number.
Security
- A statement ensuring the privacy and security of the customer is made, but does not make any mention of secure pages.
ePharmacy currently has 3 staff members. It proves that you do not have to have a massive business structure to have a successful e-commerce business.