opensource web stores

knowledge base

Webshopovername Handboek
Ben Koppenens Door: Ben Koppenens
Techniek & Platform

Opensource Software

As shown in the overview of all webshop platforms, there are also many opensource platforms. Opensource has been very popular in recent years. For many applications, from small to large, software packages are available which can be used free of charge in principle. That the package itself is free, of course, does not mean that the costs are 0. You still need hosting, and if you are not an IT or have an IT service, you must hire IT consultancy for development and support.

Features Opensource

  • Free available
  • Many plugins, themes and customizations (online) available (note: plugins are not always free)
  • Completely manage yourself
  • Responsible for stability, backups etc.
  • Possibly low costs
  • Easy to start with

Known Software

Almost all platforms require a web server with PHP, a familiar opensource scripting language. Although almost all software is developed by English-speaking programmers abroad, there are also many plugin developers around the world. Each platform is actually suitable for a webshop (in the Netherlands). You must have real and list of specific features to make a choice based on the features. On several websites, you can watch demo's from the back end, and you can choose a platform that suits you most.

  • Magento
    Magento is one of the largest and best-known opensource packages. The possibilities are endless, there's actually nothing impossible with Magento because all is customizable. This also makes the system vulnerable: a layman, or untrained programmer, can cause irreparable damage with an incorrect update or incorrect programming code. At Magento it is important to have a really good IT partner. Even the hosting requirements are: fast hardware is needed to make things go well. If you want to customize a lot and want a big shop, Magento is a good choice. Magento also integrates with large business ERP applications.
  • Woocommerce (Wordpress)
    Wordpress is currently the most famous and popular website CMS. Woocommerce is an (extended) plugin that adds webshop functionality to Wordpress. How nice Wordpress & WoCommerce also work, the package is not as mature as a dedicated webshop package like Magento. However, the learning curve is very small and you have lost time with IT support, especially if you are already familiar with Wordpress. Woocommerce also has sufficient extensions for the necessary adjustments.
  • Opencart
    Opencart is iets makkelijker te installeren en configureren als Magento. Er zijn wat minder opties dus de setup en inrichting is wat makkelijker. Ook als zelfstandig (IT)-beheerder is het wat makkelijker te overzien. Qua SEO heeft deze eenvoudigere aanpak wel het gevold dat er wat minder mogelijk is. 
  • Virtuemart (Joomla)
    Opencart is a bit easier to install and configure as Magento. There are less options so the setup and layout is a little easier. Also, as an independent (IT) administrator, it is easier to overlook. In SEO, this simpler approach has meant that less is possible.

Providers

The separation between SaaS (software as a service) and opensource packages is not so easy to do in practice. Of all the above packages, managed service providers are also present in the market. You then rent such a shop and pay a monthly fee for hosting, management and the like. The amount of support that depends on the amount of products you buy.