5 Must Have Features for Web to Print Software

Whether you are waiting to see what new web to print products there might be at the next Graph Expo, or if you cannot decide between providers, here is a list of need to have features for a web to print software development. And remember, it is best to avoid a so called w2p solution that is just out of the gate. While every solution has to have a first year, it can sometimes be a 12 month cycle of ironing out bugs and breaks. Look for these must have w2p features. ONE: Must offer a variety of packages because one size does not fit all. A printing professional ought to be able to afford a web to print solution, even if they are a designer, broker or small shop. At the same time, larger print providers will invest more for a white label integration of the software feature they really need yet cannot afford to develop such as the design studio. If a larger company already has an ecommerce website and shopping cart, they do not want to duplicate efforts. Nor should they have to. TWO: Flexible features that allow a printer to continue a level of personal attention to his print customers, especially with a web to print software solution, is a must. One such feature is flexible payment terms with an enhanced purchase order system. After all, it is good to hold tight to existing customers, and many will already have payment expectations. Some will not pre pay before the order is processed. THREE: A great user interface is a must. Professional printers could invest days or weeks assembling their web2print store, but an end user will make a decision in minutes as to whether they will customize a template and order there. After investing in time and resources to draw online customers, the bottom line is whether a customer spends money, or not. FOUR: No hardware to install, and no technical experience required. Web store owners should not need to have internal tech support on hand just to have an online storefront. For usability, look for a w2p software solution that is designed by printers, for printers. With the right system, a printer can be ready for ecommerce within a few days. If the solution also has an easily customizable storefront, even better. The online storefront should quickly appear to be the printers unique site. Fields should be easy to populate, as should prices, content and available products. As a bonus, the site should have built in SEO features, such as metadata fields. FIVE: You must have an online print design studio with templates for customization. Real online print design is a have to have feature. Unlike PDFs that can be downloaded, a design studio is integrated with the presses, the shopping cart and the customer account. The one web to print software doing this must have feature, and other features well, is PrintSites.