Benefits of Hosted eCommerce (shopify) vs self-hosted (magento)

[2012]

Hi could someone help me, im looking for some advice what are the benefits of Hosted eCommerce (shopify ext) vs self-hosted (magento, opencart)

OK I can understand the hosting, and the setup costs but other then this ?

also what platforms would be good to look at ?

 

[arnydnxluk]

Shopify etc

Pros: Easier to get started with, low initial cost

Cons: Vendor lock-in, potentially higher long term cost

Magento, OpenCart, etc

Pros: Higher level of customisation, lower month to month costs depending on your website's traffic

Cons: Higher initial cost because you'll need a designer/developer, potentially more on-going developer costs depending on what work you require in future

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

To add regarding accepting payments. On the hosted solutions you generally find that there are less payment acceptance options vs open-source (Magento, OpenCart, WooCommerce etc). With open-source there will be more add-ons and extensions available to you.

 

[Tomybay]

We started with Magento for the reasons mention above, however, if I would start again I think Shopify will be my 1st choice. I found that its really expensive dealing with Magento developers, from building the site to updates, security patches etc. Its true that u have more customisation within Magento, however, unless you are a big retailer, u won't even use 10% of the options & extensions that r available. As well, regarding the monthly payment, if you are small-medium size, there won't be a big impact on your margins.

 

[antropy]

We started with Magento for the reasons mention above, however, if I would start again I think Shopify will be my 1st choice. I found that its really expensive dealing with Magento developers, from building the site to updates, security patches etc. Its true that u have more customisation within Magento, however, unless you are a big retailer, u won't even use 10% of the options & extensions that r available. As well, regarding the monthly payment, if you are small-medium size, there won't be a big impact on your margins.

Your mistake was not going self-hosted, it was choosing Magento.

You should have read this article first:
https://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/the-lure-of-magento/

 

[Page]

We started with Magento for the reasons mention above, however, if I would start again I think Shopify will be my 1st choice. I found that its really expensive dealing with Magento developers, from building the site to updates, security patches etc. Its true that u have more customisation within Magento, however, unless you are a big retailer, u won't even use 10% of the options & extensions that r available. As well, regarding the monthly payment, if you are small-medium size, there won't be a big impact on your margins.

And so would I

But then shopify has come a long way in the last two years

If you are massive and with specific requirements then Magento

If you are looking to get into ecommerce then Shopify and by a country mile

 

[antropy]

If you are massive and with specific requirements then Magento

Even then, not necessarily.

 

[webhostuk]

one benefit of hosted is upgrades are done and takecare by the provider, which incase of self hosting and for magento is not that easy.
But again the cost of hosted cannot be controller in long go. While in hosted you can keep control over your server spending.

 

[2012]

Sorry guys ive been having issues with my emails,

Other then the simple updated, and having the site hosted, do you get any benefits.

from the little research ive done you dont get anything major, the sites are built using web builder, most features are built in opensource platforms and the support would likely only do as much as a host would.

you sill need to design the site yourself, you need to add all the products and do the seo yourself.

So what are the benefits ?

Ive seen a few UK sites offer a little more but nothing that would say you need to get it.


Am i missing something?

 

[paulyh]

I think with hosted solutions, it depends on who you are with.

I have had stores with both bluepark and shopwired and what I found good was the support that both offered either via the phone or email. They were quick to answer any questions and if it was anything technical then it was resolved quickly.
The hosting for me is important as both the ones mentioned above have PCI compliant hosting as is shopify etc. I also found the speed of the sites to be quicker than I could achieve with woocommerce and as they do all the technical aspects such as updates, it meant I could focus on running the business rather than wasting hours sorting out problems with the website.