Web Developers

Ecommerce Shopping Cart Solutions

As a supplier of various different websites ecommerce shopping cart for customers around the world, there is a particular question that I get asked over and over: “Should I use a shopping cart free e-commerce or a hosted solution “. My answer is always the same: "It will depend on your specific needs."

I've always said that there is an e-commerce solution can cater for all individual clients’ individual needs. We will all have different needs, and we will try to achieve different end results.

I wanted to take a look at the pros and cons of these two different types of e-commerce options.

What are the differences?

Usually with a shopping cart ecommerce free you have to do everything yourself. From choosing your domain name, to the selection of hosting , installing your ecommerce software , designing it , etc.

With a provider of ecommerce solutions hosted many of the steps and are served by you. You still have to choose and register your domain name, but Hosting is run by the e-commerce company you choose.

Hopefully taking a look at the pros and cons of each will help you decide which best suits what you want.

Free Ecommerce Shopping

With a free platform, you must first decide on the platform you would like to use. Zen Cart and OS commerce are popular, but are aging and becoming less compatible. Magento, Presta Shop and X mark are the choice of professional, but have a steep learning curve.

Pros

It's free! - You cannot get any cheaper than getting something for free ay?

No tie- ins - There are no commitments to free e-commerce solutions. If a particular platform is not working for you, usually you can just start over in another e-commerce platform.

You have full control - The great thing about hosting and managing their own e-commerce store is that you have total control over all aspects of your store and so can be a little more flexible. Some people may find a hosted solution rather restrictive.

Cons

Little or no direct support - You usually prudent in their own support when it comes to free e-commerce solutions. So if something goes wrong, you need to either check the forums to answer yourself, or outsource and hire a developer to fix things for you.

It is more difficult to install a new theme - Depending on the ecommerce solution you choose, installing a new theme can be a complicated process. Usually need to access their websites core files and upload your new theme via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software as filezilla.

Ecommerce SolutionsUpdates - Generally, be on your own to ensuring its software shopping cart is updated. Some updates for the software you are using may include important security patches or bug fixes.

Security - How safe is your website from hackers is up to you and only you.

Hosted Ecommerce Shopping

There are several companies out there that do not provide a hosted monthly fee for a reasonable solution. Each company has its pros and cons, and the different features are concerned. You have to invest time deciding which best suits your needs. Great trade, Volusion and actinic are popular choices.

Pros

Free themes - Several themes are available for free hosting solutions ecommerce are usually only a click away to install.

Better support - Most hosting solutions Ecommerce helpful team will support the company that you can avail if you are having trouble with your store.

Updates - The e-commerce company you choose usually ensure that all clients are running the latest versions of their software.

Security - No company would ecommerce platform - a website or customers being hacked. Most will do everything possible to reduce the chances of this happening.

Easy installation - more organized solutions is very easy to configure. Usually it is just a case of entering your data.

Cons

Not as flexible - Those who prefer spread its wings and experiment with your shop can find a hosted solution rather restrictive.

You are tied to a monthly fee - Whether your website instantly becomes profitable or not , you are bound to pay a monthly fee that will range anything from $ 10 - $ 8:00 p.m. .

No access to core files - For safety reasons no hosted solutions give you access to their websites the raw code . Instead, make all aspects of your store using editable carving a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get ) .

So as you can see , the choice when it comes to e-commerce is not an easy task . I personally prefer the flexibility that free ecommerce platforms can provide, but I can also see why hosting solutions for e-commerce are becoming more and more popular.

8webcom are Indian base Ecommerce Web Design Company and we are in to services like E-Commerce Services