Embedded Web Store for Macintosh
Universal Binary Sales Solution |
F.A.Q. | Downloads |
At MacWorld 2006 in San Francisco, Apple introduced their new Intel-based computers to the Macintosh community. eSellerate had concurrently recognized a need for a Universal (universal binary) sales solution and subsequently released a public beta of our next-generation in-application technology, the Embedded Web Store (EWS) for Macintosh. EWS is designed specifically for Macintosh software and will run natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Mac computers.
The Embedded Web Store empowers the developer to add all of the features of eSellerate's Custom Web Store right into your applications. A simple call from within the software launches a familiar web-based interface taking your customers through an online sales process that is more recognizable to them. Upon completion of the purchase, serial number information can then be passed directly back into the application, automatically making it a fully registered product.
Different from a simple "Buy" URL placed within your application, the Embedded Web Store allows you to talk directly with the eSellerate servers and perform additional tasks such as checking for product updates or provide product activation.
Some of the many benefits of using EWS as an in-app sales solution include:
- Complete branded sales experience with web store customization
- CD ordering and fulfillment with eCD
- Purchase protection with eSellerate’s Download Service (eDS)
- Up-sell opportunities
- Multi-quantity cross-sell opportunities
- Inclusion of PayPal as a payment option
- Increased security and fraud protection
- Third-party tracking capabilities such as pixel tracking and Google AdSense
| EWS for Macintosh Frequently Asked Questions |
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Is eSellerate ready to support Intel-based Macs?We feel that we are at the forefront of universal binary application development. Apple’s commitment to deliver Intel-based Macs by mid-year 2006 left many software developers surprised when Apple actually delivered production hardware at Macworld in January 2006. We have been working on universal binary solutions since Apple announced its move to Intel processors at WWDC in the summer of 2005. Now that release hardware and software are available from Apple, we will be able to finish our universal binary development. We are testing our universal binary solutions on environments that actually replicate what purchasers of Intel-based Macs will have. |
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What does the browser-based solution offer that the legacy integrated solution does not?Advantages of the browser-based solution over the legacy integrated solution include:
- The user interface is completely customizable, through eSellerate's HTML-based Custom Layouts
- Accepts PayPalOffers
- CD ordering and fulfillment (eCD)
- Offers eSellerate Download Service (eDS)
- Up-selling
- 1x1 pixel tracking
- Better connectivity through firewalls and proxy servers
- A more extensible platform for allowing eSellerate to develop future upgrades
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Why should I deploy an in-application purchase process like EWS for Mac?Some benefits of using EWS for Mac include:
- EWS for Mac is a Universal (universal binary) solution that runs natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs.
- The user interface is completely customizable, through eSellerate's HTML-based Custom Layouts.
- All of eSellerate's advanced sales features, including cross-selling, up-selling, coupons, 1x1 pixel tracking, product activation and PayPal integration, are available with EWS for Mac.
- Your customers can purchase the retail version of your product directly from a demo version.
- Your customers can use your retail software to check for newer versions, and upgrade directly from the application when a newer version becomes available. These new versions can be free or purchased upgrades.
- Product registration can occur automatically, so your customers don't have to wait for serial numbers, or enter them into your application.
- eSellerate Product Activation can occur automatically, which will protect your application against casual piracy.
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Is EWS for Mac secure?EWS for Mac uses 128-bit SSL, the same standard encryption technology that our web stores use. |
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How does EWS for Mac work?EWS for Mac uses Apple’s WebKit (the framework that Safari uses) to display a customizable Embedded Web Store within your application. A single call to one of the SDK functions displays a window containing a WebView within your application, which allows the user to step through the purchase process. Once the process is complete and the user closes the window, a result data pointer is filled in with information about the purchase, such as user information, SKUs purchased and serial numbers generated. |
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What is the size impact of EWS for Mac?The EWS for Mac static library, which will be linked directly into the application, is approximately 80 KB. The EWS engine, which should be included in your application's Resources directory, is approximately 150 KB.
The legacy integrated solution is larger in comparison, with a static library that is 40-52 KB, and an engine that is approximately 316 KB. |
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Is a web store required for EWS for Mac? What about the need for Custom Layouts?When you integrate EWS for Mac into your application, one of the components that you will need to set up in the eSellerate Sales Manager is an Embedded Web Store eSeller. (An exception to this rule is explained in the Product Activation/serial number validation topic listed below.) There is no need to create a standard Web Store eSeller, unless you want to also sell through that type of online store.
You will also need to set up a Custom Layout to use with your Embedded Web Store eSeller. The Sales Manager provides a number of default layouts that you can use as a starting point for your own Custom Layout.
NOTE: Because all Custom Layouts start out as functional layouts, the changes that you make to the default settings can be as minimal as replacing the default banner graphic with one of your own. |
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What do you recommend doing when my customer’s computer does not support EWS for Mac?Your customers can use EWS for Mac on any system that meets the minimum requirements, which are Mac OS X v10.2 or greater with Safari installed. The EWS for Mac SDK provides a way to check the target system for these requirements. If the check determines that the system does not support EWS for Mac, we recommend launching a standard eSellerate Web Store to allow your customers to complete their purchases. |
| EWS for Macintosh Downloads |
Embedded Web Store SDK for Macintosh v1.0.1.31
Includes: Technical Documentation & Demo Application (GeckoSoft) with sample code
 Normal Installer (10.5 Mb) REALbasic Plugin (11.5 Mb)
Pre-release, ready-to-use custom layouts
Instructions are found in the "ReadMe" document included in the ZIP file
LEARN MORE ABOUT ESELLERATE
To learn more about eSellerate, feel free to browse around the site. If you still have questions, you may contact us at 888-477-3269 or send us an e-mail at sales@esellerate.net. If you would like an eSellerate representative to contact you, please submit this form.
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