Which e-commerce platform?

[ssh]

Hello,

Looking to get some input which platform to choose for e-commerce.

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution?
2. Which e-commerce platform you use?
3. Would you choose the same platform again?
4. What was the total cost of production?
5. What's your overall experience so far?

 

[adamo]

Self-hosted - many benefits, including not having to pay a monthly fee (apart from hosting).

Magento (Community)

Yes, definitely.

~£5k

Great. Has all the features needed and more. Perfect for startups that want to grow and benefit from the same features as major FTSE retailers.

 

[antropy]

Looking to get some input which platform to choose for e-commerce.

All depends what you're trying to achieve?

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution?

If you'll need to add custom functionality - things like a complex way to calculate costs of items like picture frames, or you may need to integrate with other software, or you'd rather have full control, self-hosted is the way to go.

2. Which e-commerce platform you use?

I reviewed quite a few of them and found OpenCart and Prestashop to come out on top:
http://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/shopping-cart-review/

3. Would you choose the same platform again?

As an agency that build a lot of ecommerce sites, yes we're happy with OpenCart. And we've built lots and look after lots of OpenCart sites.

4. What was the total cost of production?

Varies from £200 to £6000 or more depending primarily on the amount of design and branding work needed but also any functionality. For example this Chemical Compatibility search was complex: http://www.exactrubber.co.uk/index.php?route=product/selectchemicals

5. What's your overall experience so far?

Again only speaking as an agency rather than a merchant but OpenCart is a great piece of software to build ecommerce sites with.

 

[EcommerceTools]

Which eCommerce platform is such an open ended question and really depends on your personal and business requirements.

If you aren't technically minded, I wouldn't recommend Magento (this is just a personal opinion), it's generally designed for larger operations so is notoriously clunky and difficult to scale down. It can also be expensive if you need any custom work done to your store - but as I said before this is just my opinion from experience.

Our experience is you can't say one eCommerce platform is great for every single person out there looking to start an online store - we really go by specific requirements.

My eCommerce development company does free 1-on-1 expert eCommerce consultations, if you need any advice on starting out in eCommerce give me a PM for more details

 

[acornia]

If goes from Shopify/Volusion/BigCommerce/WooCommerce to Prestashop/Zen to Magento CE. Magento is technical so if you want to stamp your business on it then it will be expensive, however you can do a lot more with Magento. So we always have Magento installed with minimal changes, and spend effort running the business. Works much better, the online players can be classed as niche so your revenue is your time, with Magento you can automate more so you can grow faster, but most installs spend all their money adjusting it and never turn a profit given the amount of effort they spent installing the thing.

 

[Tejaswi Raghurama]

Hi All,

As EcommerceTools mentioned, this is an open ended question and the right choice depends on specific needs.

But to help move towards an answer, I went through one of the longest threads in this community about eCommerce platforms and counted the number of users recommending respective tools. Here's the count:

Magento : 11
Wordpress with WooCommerce : 08
Shopify : 08
Opencart : 04
Bigcommerce : 02

Pre build CMS : 02
Unamed other Open Source : 02
Custom Coding : 02

CashFlows, Joomla CMS, CS-Cart, Wix : 01

Source Thread: Choosing an ecommerce solution

 

[kingblinguk]

Preferably, Wordpress CMS with self hosting. It would be beneficial in the long run

 

[Paul Norman]

Hello,

Looking to get some input which platform to choose for e-commerce.

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution?
2. Which e-commerce platform you use?
3. Would you choose the same platform again?
4. What was the total cost of production?
5. What's your overall experience so far?

I usually avoid these questions, and advise that you review many, and gain a clear view of your own business requirements - I still believe this. But I am going to mellow and answer the questions! Bear in mind that we are a big ecommerce company - so these answers may not scan, for example, into a start up.

1. Our solutions sits on hosting that is managed by our web company.
2. OrangeBox. This is a complete inventory and order management system that also manages our website. This system is tried and tested, but in the interests of openness I declare that I am a shareholder in the company that supplies it.
3. Yes
4. The initial cost was £6k. We invest around £25k a month in software and website work on top of that initial cost. We change the look/feel around every 12 to 18 months (not included in the above figures)
5. Since moving to this platform some 3 years ago we have experienced a massive reduction in downtime, better support (especially out of hours/bank holidays, etc). During that time our turnover has increased by around 60% (not just because of the platform)

As you can see, many of those questions won't apply to your business. As ever, I advocate investing in your online presence as heavily as you can justify - if you are an ecommerce business it is so so important.

 

[ParcelBright]

Unless you are a very big business, I'd always go Shopify. Otherwise, Magento - but expect headaches and a big bill for the privledge.

 

[Leia Loung]

As we've run our OT Key software we started to work with many taobao agents who were requested taobao content on their e-shop. And you know, it was mostly Opencart based sites. We didn't come across to magento or Shopify, but we get Opencart integration requests quite often. Maybe it's connected with the business specific, but our clients say Opencart is easier and more clear than others.

 

[redredsue]

I started my own online shop and found the interface, pricing and personalisation options excellent with Supadupa.me - you can even have a free store with just a few items in it.

I'm not super technical and I do need to work on my SEO! But I'm getting regular orders in for £19 a month including coupons, banners and integrated social media marketing built in.

It's not self hosted though but very easy and flexible IMO. Worth a look maybe?

 

[Deleted member 243860]

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that CubeCart is now an open source option which is 100% UK based. Maybe you will look at this as spam as it's my company but it's just nice to know there are other options to Prestashop, OpenCart and Magento.

Lots of great solutions to choose from so I hope you find the one that works best for you.

 

[edmondscommerce]

Oh but you are asking for links...

well done for going open source though, will actually check it out

 

[Deleted member 243860]

eCommerce by CubeCart link can be removed no problem at all. Just comment outor remove the HTML in that file.

 

[Earplugsprotection]

Shopify, no problems so far. $29pm.

 

[zigojacko]

Hello,

Looking to get some input which platform to choose for e-commerce.

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution?
2. Which e-commerce platform you use?
3. Would you choose the same platform again?
4. What was the total cost of production?
5. What's your overall experience so far?

I'm curious, why do you think the answers to any of those questions will help you choose the eCommerce platform best for your business?

Surely you would be better off listing your requirements and nature of your business model and then seeking feedback on platforms based from others that operate a similar model?

You might be thinking in terms of the overall costs to get up and running in eCommerce but the total cost of the branding, wireframing, design, development, hosting and marketing of someone else's business that replies to you in this thread is completely meaningless to you.

There's hundreds of options when it comes to web software, having a thread-full of members throw a load of random recommendations and figures your way is as useless to you as asking everyone what car they would recommend without telling them your intended use, mileage etc.

 

[Pish_Pash]

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution? Yes
2. Which e-commerce platform you use? Opencart
3. Would you choose the same platform again? Absolutely not
4. What was the total cost of production? £100

After being won over by the simplicity of Opencart, I soon realised what a racket it is...it's all about giving you just enough functionality to sway you into using the platform (& as someone new, I was won over by its simplicity)...then you need to pony up again & again for extensions to make the overall customer shopping experience bearable ...some of these extensions suck wolf's cookies (from a reliability or compatibility perspective)

Then .....if you need help you have to ask on their forum (likely)..... if anyone actually answers your plea (unlikely) for the type of replies you get, you may as well be reading the service manual for the hubble space telescope. In short Opencart will likely only work for you if you love massively thick php reference books

 

[zigojacko]

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution? Yes
2. Which e-commerce platform you use? Opencart
3. Would you choose the same platform again? Absolutely not
4. What was the total cost of production? £100

After being won over by the simplicity of Opencart, I soon realised what a racket it is...it's all about giving you just enough functionality to sway you into using the platform (& as someone new, I was won over by its simplicity)...then you need to pony up again & again for extensions to make the overall customer shopping experience bearable ...some of these extensions suck wolf's cookies (from a reliability or compatibility perspective)

Then .....if you need help you have to ask on their forum (likely)..... if anyone actually answers your plea (unlikely) for the type of replies you get, you may as well be reading the service manual for the hubble space telescope. In short Opencart will likely only work for you if you love massively thick php reference books

I suppose the bottom line is 'what did you expect for £100' though?

Opencart is okay providing you work with developers that know Opencart and especially vqmod. It can work really well providing it is developed right thus eradicating the need for so many extensions (which I agree, are mostly poor).

 

[Pish_Pash]

I suppose the bottom line is 'what did you expect for £100' though?

More functionality...I've just installed Magento V1.9 ...and that's what I expect out the box (total cost of production thus far £0)

You may be right about pulling in developers (to get it to work as expected) ...but have you seen the cost of a developer's time - it's a bit much for everyone to be touting "use Opencart it's free" & then you have to spend £1,000+ keeping an OC developer in Nike Trainers.

 

[zigojacko]

More functionality...I've just installed Magento V1.9 ...and that's what I expect out the box (total cost of production thus far £0)

You may be right about pulling in developers (to get it to work as expected) ...but have you seen the cost of a developer's time - it's a bit much for everyone to be touting "use Opencart it's free" & then you have to spend £1,000+ keeping an OC developer in Nike Trainers.

You get what you pay for generally. Why should a good web developer, or one that specialises in Opencart (or any other language/platform) work for national minimum wage? Would you expect your plumber or electrician to come out and work for £40 per day?

Often it comes down to how much you value your business. If a business isn't prepared to invest in their website then that doesn't say much for what they truly feel about what they do. A decent website will generate more business and perform better. Usually the website investment can be made back within the first year of having the website online.

A few thousand pounds worth of investment into a decent website that is going to represent your business for years to come and keep gaining exposure or bringing your customers in is nothing. Every business should be trying to put aside money for this avenue.

 

[Pish_Pash]

I have no issue for OC developers wanting to earn a living (though the genre is akin to being an 'ambulance chaser'....cos they must surely know that anyone going the opencart route are going to need help!), my gripe is that Opencart is not up to the job 'out the box' (note: some border on evangelical regarding the product)...yet it's touted as free.

It would be more fairer to say of Opencart "Free, but you'll need to drop a couple of grand on adding functionality" ...I worked in IT for 20 years, so I don't consider myself wet behind the ears, but frankly Opencart really requires you to be a software geek ....IMHO cart software in the year 2015 should not require you to be that much of a geek.

 

[zigojacko]

There are a lot of developers out there that claim to know this platform and others when in actual fact, they are pretty clueless. It probably happens in many industries but in digital web niches, happens a lot due to the trades not being regulated.

Unfortunately, the hardest part for most businesses is identifying those developers that actually know what they're doing.

Depends what you need, sure Opencart is relatively basic but it does cater for most (and in many cases, all) of what many businesses require. On the flip-side, Magento is often far too much for other businesses. No platforms are perfect and in almost all cases, modifications are needed.

I'd say that Opencart is probably one of the simplest cart solutions to use. From a management perspective, a site owner should be able to manage everything from the admin panel. I don't feel they need to be a geek to use it. If they're having to dive into the files and code for anything then that comes down to working with a decent developer that can provide the necessary functionality in the admin panel.

 

[Pish_Pash]

I'd say that Opencart is probably one of the simplest cart solutions to use. From a management perspective, a site owner should be able to manage everything from the admin panel. I don't feel they need to be a geek to use it. If they're having to dive into the files and code for anything then that comes down to working with a decent developer that can provide the necessary functionality in the admin panel.

I agree that installing/operating vanilla opencart is simple...but when you get a problem (& you will!), you really have to be a geek to sort it (my main OC pain was 'extension A' being impacted by 'extension 'B' ...basically OC extensions are like the wild west!).

One thing I've found about Magento...is because the user base is far greater vs. Opencart , then it's likely someone else has hit the same problem ...therefore far easier to self support vs. opencart.

 

[edmondscommerce]

Magento extensions are often also a nightmare..

Any system lives and dies by the quality of the data and the quality of the code. Most modern e-commerce systems are, at their core, decent quality these days.

Extensions, themes and other dubious hacks are where it all starts to go wrong

 

[Pish_Pash]

Magento extensions are often also a nightmare..

Any system lives and dies by the quality of the data and the quality of the code. Most modern e-commerce systems are, at their core, decent quality these days.

Extensions, themes and other dubious hacks are where it all starts to go wrong

I realise that....it's not re the extensions why I'm migrating, I just felt that Magento was better out the box & has a larger community...it's also tightly integrated with a few other apps that I use. When I realised there was no upgrade path to OC 2.0 ...I decided it was time to make the jump.

 

[edmondscommerce]

...I decided it was time to make the jump.

I'm all for it, just trying to be balanced.

Some times I think people expect Magento to be a panacea when in fact it has pros and cons like anything. However, in the right hands, it is a great system.

 

[Pish_Pash]

I would like to go with Magento and OpenCart, because both of these are user friendly and users use these ecommerce platform as per their needs. For an example, if a user wants to setup a business on a small level, then Opencart is the best or if want to start a large level, then Magento is the best option.

So what happens if a "small" business chooses Opencart then starts gaining criticial mass & needs the next platform up? Faced with website migration & a major headache ...oops. Nope, IMHO it's better to start off thinking big...go with Magento....it's that much more of a learning curve vs. Opencart & frankly, if you can't install/configure Magento as a new user....you'd be better off running a whelk stall.

 

[RakeMark]

Hello,

Looking to get some input which platform to choose for e-commerce.

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution?
2. Which e-commerce platform you use?
3. Would you choose the same platform again?
4. What was the total cost of production?
5. What's your overall experience so far?

1. I would always recommend self hosted. Make sure you get a copy of your files and that you can get a database backup. With hosted, once you stop paying you loose your store. No flexibility.

2. I'm a .net developer so I really like NopCommerce. I haven't found anything I can't do with that yet and we're working on a really cool project right now.

3. NopCommerce, yes, every time

4. You can get NopCommerce up and running on your own for the hosting cost plus about £250 for install, set up and a skin. A more involved approach would be £900 and a full design brief with loads of revisions, install, config and telephone support is £1900

5. As NopCommerce has matured it is just getting better and better. If you want direct support from the developers its about $900 per year. Have a look at Magento and see how much priority support is direct from the Magento Devs (thousands)

For me, NopCommerce is the kiddy, not a lot of us about but we are growing in numbers all the time.

If I can be of any further help please don't hesitate to ask.

Good Luck
Phil

 

[tmanoj]

Ecommerce platform are:
1.Shoplfy
2.Magento
3.BIgcommerce

 

[buildmeashop]

I guess it's fair to say that the whole ecommerce market is still pretty much in its infancy a bit like typing using computers was 30 years or so ago (now called Word Processing!). To draw an analogy with the plethora of ecommerce platforms there are out there, be it self-hosted, hosted or whatever, just be mindful of the fact that any of them may not be around in 1, 2 or 5 years time! To clarify the point, how many word processing packages are there that are 'known' apart from Microsoft Word?

Just make sure that whichever platform you use, make sure you have your own backup of your data!

 

[LeeKnowles]

I'd advise for anybody without experience to go down the hosted platform route.

Shopify would be my recommendation, Easy to use, lots of support. Cheap.

 

[antropy]

I agree that installing/operating vanilla opencart is simple...but when you get a problem (& you will!), you really have to be a geek to sort it (my main OC pain was 'extension A' being impacted by 'extension 'B' ...basically OC extensions are like the wild west!).

One thing I've found about Magento...is because the user base is far greater vs. Opencart , then it's likely someone else has hit the same problem ...therefore far easier to self support vs. opencart.

I'm afraid this is just total nonsense and very misleading to someone looking for a cart to choose.

Both platforms will have issues if you install a lot of different extensions that try and modify similar parts of the system - that's just the nature of software.

You might find a few more articles about any given Magento problem but I can almost guarantee those issues will be far, far more complex to solve than any given OpenCart issue and here's why: http://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/the-lure-of-magento/

 

[Pish_Pash]

I'm afraid this is just total nonsense and very misleading to someone looking for a cart to choose.

You come to this from an angle of selling opencart support, I come to this from the angle of an end user... hmmm.

It's not nonsense, Opencart support is scant patchy (if you want to self support)...the model is as follows - ask a question on a forum & hope...& because the Opencart userbase is comparitively small, you may never get an answer. Magneto as a product on the other hand is massive, there's a much higher likelihood that someone will have already asked the question & got an answer...this is what I meant. if you're en end user type that is happy to pay for support, then Opencart is probably ok...but if you intend integrating with Liinworks, Opencart sucks...walk on by.

 

[antropy]

You come to this from an angle of selling opencart support, I come to this from the angle of an end user... hmmm.

Correct but you have to ask yourself why we choose not to work with Magento despite being asked to all the time?

It's not nonsense, Opencart support is scant patchy (if you want to self support)...

The forums are pretty busy and there are also plenty of answers to common questions all over the web and on Stack Overflow.

the model is as follows - ask a question on a forum & hope...& because the Opencart userbase is comparitively small, you may never get an answer. Magneto as a product on the other hand is massive, there's a much higher likelihood that someone will have already asked the question & got an answer...

Maybe but with Magento it's likely to be a pretty complex answer that you can't implement unless you're an experienced developer.

this is what I meant. if you're en end user type that is happy to pay for support, then Opencart is probably ok

So you're saying that OpenCart is the more expensive option? You're saying that you'll get free support for Magento because the forums are so big?!

...but if you intend integrating with Liinworks, Opencart sucks...walk on by.

And this is just not true. Plenty of our clients use Linnworks with OpenCart and we've had very few problems. Linnworks has an automatic installer - you just give it the FTP details of your OpenCart install and it does the rest.

 

[Matt Thorpe]

As some on here have already said, it really depends on your business requirements. The key thing to note is that you don't need to spend a fortune having a flashy, all-signing, all-dancing website from the start. I've have people approaching me saying they have spent £20k on a new web platform and they have no sales. They then want me to deliver sales on next to no budget. Some web agencies just want the initial pay-day and don't hand-hold the client once the build is complete.

In my personal experience:

1. Do you use hosted or self-hosted solution?
Hosted is fine if you are a small business. It's cheap and you need to keep a lid on costs until you have made money to invest further.

2. Which e-commerce platform you use?
- Shopify is fantastic value for money. It's a basic platform that doesn't what it needs to do and you can buy additional functionality if you need to at quite a low cost. Perfect for small businesses and the theme designs are stunning.

- Magento is good but can be very frustrating. I currently work with 7 clients that have Magento sites and they all have their own bugs. The problem with open-source stuff is that the extensions that deliver the additional functionality often conflict with other extensions. You then have a bit of a mess unless you have developers on call. I have lots of hair with Magento!

- Bespoke Builds are fine but can be expensive and you are then reliant on the people who built it to keep it updated. Code is a bit like handwriting (i.e all different) so don't expect a PHP developer to just suddenly want to pick up another developers code. They would rather work from scratch.

3. Would you choose the same platform again?
My experience on Shopify has been good so far. I would recommend again.

4. What was the total cost of production?
This depends on the requirements really. If there is some bespoke development involved then it can cost £5-7k but if it's a basic set-up then you could do it for £3k and that would included search engine optimisation.

5. What's your overall experience so far?
Impressed with Shopify. Volition was ok too. Magento is a vast system with great functionality but very frustrating.

Would be happy to discuss further if anyone needs a steer.

 

[Pish_Pash]

And this is just not true. Plenty of our clients use Linnworks with OpenCart and we've had very few problems. Linnworks has an automatic installer - you just give it the FTP details of your OpenCart install and it does the rest.

I use Linnworks & Opencart....if you receive an order in a non default currency, then Linnworks retrieves that order in the original sterling amount .....example: you have a product on opencart priced at £10, you also configure US$ on Opencart so you sell the same product on Opencart for $15, in Linnworks any order in US$ will appear as $10!!!!

Linnworks say speak to Opencart, Opencart (forums!) say it's a Linnworks issue...me? I don't know, but I do know that if there was a dedicated Linnworks integration script it would just work...but there isn't a dedicated script of Opencart (you have to use a generic one, that's behind the times a bit), but there is a dedicated Linnworks integration for Magento.

Like I say safety in numbers ...by going the way of opencart, is the equivalent to going a bit off-piste...fine if you're very experienced or have a good guide, but if you self support....nope, not the way to go, unless you find massively thick PHP manuals mildly arousing.

But then again, I don't have any Opencart support service to sell (just tellin ' it how it is), so your opinion likely differs!

 

[antropy]

I use Linnworks & Opencart....if you receive an order in a non default currency, Linnworks retrieves that order in the original sterling amount .....example you have a product on opencart priced at £10, you also configure US$ on Opencart so you sell the same product on Opencart for $15, in Linnworks any order in US$ will appear as $10!!!!

I'm familiar with the issue. All you need to do is adjust one small part of the query in Linnworks so that it always assumes order values are in the default currency.

Linnworks say speak to Opencart, Opencart (forums!) say it's a Linnworks issue...me? I don't know, but I do know that if there was a dedicated Linnworks integration script it would just work...but there isn't a dedicated script (a generic one, that's behind the times a bit), but there is a dedicated Linnworks integration for Magento.

It's probably a Linnworks issue but it's quite easy to fix. Have you ever used the Linnworks integration for Magento? Can you confirm it's 100% bug free? Because as far as I'm concerned no such thing exists in any piece of software.

Like I say safety in numbers ...by going the way of opencart, is the equivalent to going a bit off-piste...fine if you're very experienced or have a good guide, but if you self support....nope, not the way to go, unless you find massively thick PHP manuals mildly entralling.

I can't deny that a large community is a massive plus point and it does mean that you're more likely to find answers online and in the forums. However it sounds to me like you haven't used Magento much? Correct me if I'm wrong?

Because with any platform where different developers are writing code that affects the same parts of the system there are going to be conflicts. The sheer number of extensions means that there will be no way that someone will answer every possible issue that could come up between every possible combination of extensions.

 

[hwkiani94]

It depends on what you want in it and how customisable fo you want it. I prefer hosted one that you can change around. As a web developer its what i recommend to my clients

 

[antropy]

I use Linnworks & Opencart....if you receive an order in a non default currency, then Linnworks retrieves that order in the original sterling amount ...

Send me the query and I'll take a look

 

[Pish_Pash]

Thanks for the offer of help, but I'm bailing on Opencart so no need to expend effort on this one for me. That said, if you want to replicate it, it's very easy.....

In Opencart, set your default currency as £
Add US$ as a currency to opencart too
Buy something as a 'test sale' in US$ on your opencart site

View the associated retrieved order in Linnworks....the order value (& shipping cost) will have been pulled in wrong (it will show the underlying sterling value but with a $ sign instead! Therefore for a £10 item being sold for $15, the sale will show as $10 within Linnworks)