Today, all an online merchant or dealer needs is a smooth-functioning shopping cart integrated into a sophisticated eCommerce platform. A shopping cart is not only essential for an online merchant but also for the buyer.
Shopping carts are pieces of software that let a buyer select any product or service and keep them reserved in a trolley-like symbol before actually purchasing it. When it comes to choosing shopping cart software, there are primarily two options available: open-source shopping carts and hosted shopping carts.
Let us discuss both of these shopping cart systems here.
Open-Source Shopping Carts
An open-source shopping cart is one where the original source code is readily available. When you own an open-source shopping cart, you can enjoy more control over the design and functionality of the cart. You enjoy control over your website, yet you do not have to pay any licensing fees.
While open-source shopping carts provide you with freedom, the liberty comes with the need for more technical resources to implement and maintain the site. The most popular open-source eCommerce solutions we know are OpenCart, PrestaShop, Magento, and WooCommerce.
Hosted shopping carts
As the name suggests, hosted shopping carts are software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. Contrary to the open-source shopping carts, these are hosted and maintained by a third party. One of the most popular examples of hosted shopping carts is Shopify. Shopify owners do not need to download any plugins because the shopping cart is already integrated into the eCommerce platforms and present on the cloud.
Additionally, the shop owner is not responsible for data security, maintenance, server backups, or upgrades. All of these are catered to by the SaaS provider. Hence, hosted shopping carts are hassle-free and have been adopted by several online store owners.
Not only are hosted shopping carts easy to set up, but maintaining these platforms is also a breeze. Users can create a shopping cart without any technical knowledge or coding skills. Remember that your online store is operating in a highly competitive environment. Any hiccup in the store experience can make your brand fall behind its competitors.
In recent years, plenty of SaaS platforms have emerged in the eCommerce market and are becoming popular amongst online store owners due to their simplicity of operation and great customer support. Some of the top-notch hosted shopping cart builders are Shopify, Bigcommerce, SquareSpace, and 3DCart.
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Open-Source vs Hosted eCommerce Platforms – Comparison Points
1. Cost of Ownership
The cost of open-source and hosted shopping cart software can vary significantly depending on the kind and size of your business.
Plenty of open-source shopping cart software is available, and you can install it without incurring any extra cost. It will keep the initial investment in your business low, but you will need to pay for a domain name or SSL certificate.
On the other hand, a hosted eCommerce platform operates on a tier-based model. A store owner must pay a monthly subscription, and the fees will vary depending on your gross revenue or the requirements of your eCommerce platform. All the leading SaaS companies provide an enterprise version of their core software, for instance, BigCommerce and Shopify.
2. Build Time
Open-source shopping carts are a bit difficult to install because they require coding knowledge and technical skills. You must prepare for hosting and security and build your own theme. If you are planning to build your online store from scratch, the process is incredibly complicated, and it is impossible to achieve without seeking help from any web agencies or developers.
On the other hand, with hosted shopping cart systems, eCommerce sellers can start selling much faster. They come with built-in themes and user-friendly interfaces that can help you set up your store quickly. Once you sign up for an account, you can easily navigate, set up, and edit your store by simply clicking on all the available options.
3. Maintenance and support
Open-source shopping carts are available for download free of charge. You can easily install and develop your site yourself, depending on the available guides. This is how you can keep the cost low, but you will also need dedicated support for your customers, such as phone and email support.
Most of the SaaS solutions are popular for their outstanding customer support. These platforms offer 24*7 support to customers via phone calls, instant messaging, emails, and more. Hosted eCommerce carts are popular because the hosted provider already outsources website maintenance.
Wrapping Up
Depending on the budget and requirements of your online store, you can choose between open-source and hosted shopping carts to initiate your online business. Keep in mind that choosing the right platform can improve your business performance and customer experience.
You must equip your online store with all-in-one shopping cart software that will help you achieve your revenue goals and keep your customers satisfied.
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