User:Tosaha/SEO Shopping Cart Classification System

The SEO Shopping Cart Classification System is an e-commerce platform categorization system which assigns a classification code to shopping cart solutions. The typology was devised by Brian Rotsztein in 2005 to be used as a quicker way for businesses to gauge the search engine friendliness of any given shopping cart. The system is most often used by web developers and business professionals to choose a suitable e-commerce option and to eliminate platforms that may not provide sufficient storefront Internet visibility, as computed by search engine algorithms.

History
The SEO Shopping Cart Classification System was devised at a time when there was an explosion of e-commerce solutions and the number of options made choosing a shopping cart software or hosted platform difficult to do. This was especially true when it came to analyzing search engine optimization (SEO) options and elements. Using the system was the only way to judge their usability and measure the potential effectiveness of their SEO integration. It required not only a verification of the options provided but also an analysis of how those options were implemented.

This was a tedious process for website developers, search engine optimizers, and business professionals since it required a lot of time to learn and assess its potential as a revenue-generating platform. With no guarantee that a particular software choice would be suitable, this process often led to hasty recommendations or intimidated web programmers. A classification system for online shopping carts was needed to be used as a guide toward the careful selection of a usable, search engine friendly e-commerce solution.

Originally this classification method was prepared for the visitors of SEOShoppingCarts.com but over time, being the only system of its kind, it eventually became a reference tool for its intended audience. The system has been quoted and used by web designers and developers since its inception.

Classification System
The classification system divides online shopping carts, both software and hosted solutions, into three defined Types. Within each type, there is a quantitative and qualitative aspect. In order to fit into the Type 1 category, a shopping cart must possess all of the features needed for SEO-friendliness but the extent to which a user can implement the technique will vary. For example, the ability to write a custom URL can be a powerful option but if the cart adds extra characters, folders, or words into it, that aspect is considered to be partially fulfilled since there is a limitation.

Adaptability
The system was well thoght-out in the sense that it can be adapted to on-going changes in search engine ranking algorithms. If a practice becomes dated, it may be dropped from the list and a Type 2 shopping cart can become a Type 1, and vice cersa.

Limitation
Since there is no absolute agreement about all important SEO-related features that should go into on-site SEO and the emphasis of each varies over time as search engines adjust their ranking algorithms, the classification system necessarily has a slight element of an arbitrary classification. Nonetheless, it is useful as a decision making tool since it covers the most commonly agreed-upon factors.