Which ecommerce solution is right for me?

[modware]

So I understand I'm going over old territory that many others also have but I've read a number posts in the ecommerce section of the forum including the choosing an ecommerce solution. All useful and have been a good read but I'm still undecided what is the right solution for me.

I want to use a solution that has on site payment options (not taken away from my site to pay), promotion options, customer grouping, shipping method choices (integration with parcels2go or similar) etc. In terms of designing the layout that I can do myself and with help from friends.

I'm currently somewhere between big commerce, shopify and megento as platforms I'm considering, I've looked at lots more but discounted them from my plans due to pricing, scalability or payment options. I've previously toyed with oscommerce some years ago but now that platform seems more outdated than other options.

After also reading a number of other reviews out there on various options I really want to head towards megento due to its scalability over the hosted solutions but I've not not much in the way in programming for some years so this leaves me as a beginner should I be looking to take on any dev work personally. This is the sticking point I have.

The site will also be run most of the time by my better half as I am employed and have other things that also need attention. So should megento require any work to be carried out would be left to me or asking someone else to run some dev work on the site. Of course I can setup a locally hosted example so any changes can be securely tracked for any issues on a micro server I have.

Just wondering what people's thoughts and experiences are. Down the line is it easy to transition from a hosted package to a bespoke solution? Installation wise I'm on a hosting package where I can easily implement magento and I have help in the form of the site design. Everything else in the setup will be down to myself and my other half. If there are other solutions you suggest let me know I may have already removed them from the process but no harm in re looking at these.

 

[antropy]

I want to use a solution that has on site payment options (not taken away from my site to pay), promotion options, customer grouping, shipping method choices (integration with parcels2go or similar) etc.

Pretty much all of them have this.

In terms of designing the layout that I can do myself and with help from friends.

Some are easier to build themes for that others.

I'm currently somewhere between big commerce, shopify and megento as platforms I'm considering, I've looked at lots more but discounted them from my plans due to pricing, scalability or payment options.

Have you looked at OpenCart or Prestashop?

I've previously toyed with oscommerce some years ago but now that platform seems more outdated than other options.

Yes it is.

After also reading a number of other reviews out there on various options I really want to head towards megento due to its scalability over the hosted solutions but I've not not much in the way in programming for some years so this leaves me as a beginner should I be looking to take on any dev work personally. This is the sticking point I have.

This is why I wouldn't recommend Magento:
http://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/the-lure-of-magento/

Installation wise I'm on a hosting package where I can easily implement magento and I have help in the form of the site design.

I can tell you now that this won't be as easy as you think.

 

[Claire Freshney]

Hello, I hope I can help.

I am web designer and expert on this. My boyfriend also has an ecommerce business, he sells tattoo supplies online.

For him we have chosen shopify. There are many pros and cons but shopify is such a user friendly platform, easy to work and customise. Magneto is great for super complex sites but has an ugly content management system.

I recommend shopify. We purchased a shopify theme for £100 and customised it to make it bespoke. This is the cheaper option. If you chose the right designer, yes you can improve your site and make bespoke in the future, there are some limitations with shopify but nothing major and it hasn't stopped us achieving results.

 

[James.C]

If you are not 100% sure about Magento you can find a lot of other alternatives here: https://www.getapp.com/website-ecommerce-software/a/magento/alternatives/

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

If you are familiar with WordPress then WooCommerce is extremely popular and well known for its global community. Shopify is also very popular, we have just completed integration for our Gateway and whilst it is early days we think it will prove a good option.

 

[rmmfree]

Hello, one easy solution is Shopify.

 

[Bradley Holmes]

Hi
I suggest you have a look at the documentation and the getting started guide for prestashop.
http://doc.prestashop.com/
The documentation for prestashop is really good.

 

[Mail Workshop]

Can recommend ekmPowershop, who offer better customer support than Shopify.

 

[fisicx]

The answer to your questions depends very much on what you are selling and to whom.

How many products in the catalogue? How big are they? Are you dropshipping or are you packing and dispatching yourself? Do you have a merchant account? Will you be offering telephone support or live chat?

If you are heading down the self hosted path then you will either need support or spend a lot of time learning how to do it yourself (it can take months to suite the knowledge). If you want to use a hosted solution it's a lot simpler but it can end up costing you a lot in extensions or ad dons.

Without more information it's difficult to suggest the right platform for you.

 

[modware]

Thanks for all your helpful replies guys. I've been back and to on this in my head so many times.
I think for now magento isn't the right solution for me, short term at least and a hosted package seems to be the simplest way to go forward.

I came across shopwired a couple of days ago which also looks an interestion option.

I'll check out ekmpowershop too.

It's key that any payment gateway options don't take away from the site like some of the entry level packages do for the customer experience.

 

[MarekBober]

I do not know your business and nature of what you sell online.
There is always a triangle: budget-time-features in case you cannot keep balance within it your online approach will fail. There is nothing like an ideal solution, there are only ideally utilized ones within certain time period and circumstances. Notepad is the great solution if all you want to say is the hello world, in case you want to write a book you need the professional application which is not user-friendly, has a lot of features in place but the little tiny difference- simply does its job.
Need help, drop me PM, happy to share expirience.