CS-Cart is an online shopping cart software solution with a wide array of features for customization and optimization. It comes with several add-ons and integration options to help ensure each user runs a successful online shop. Users are also given an admin panel for complete control over their store, even if they don’t possess any CSS or HTML experience.
CS-Cart Features
CS-Cart is a shopping platform where users can create an online store under their complete control. It can be hosted on their own server, or anywhere else they choose. The solution has an in-depth customization suite with several add-ons and third-party extensions. Shipping and payment services can be integrated for smoother order processing and store management.
Shop Customization
The platform allows users to customize their shop to their fullest potential. CS-Cart comes with several layout templates and storefront themes. Users can modify the HTML or CSS code at their own discretion. An admin panel is also available, acting as a comprehensive dashboard for users to monitor their online shop. This admin panel is the primary management tool to control every single category and catalog in the shop.
Users can add and arrange their products based on their own preferences. There is a content management mode for users to run their catalog to suit their needs. Products can be modified in terms of price, description, and variations for sale.
Overall, CS-Cart is vast in customization options with a range of engines, editors, and options available for the appearance and content of the shop. It comes with a surprisingly wide depth, with functions such as a theme visual editor, layout manager, layout editor, admin panel, and a catalog inventory manager.
The range of customization doesn’t stop at one single storefront. Higher tier accounts in CS-Cart include the option to add several storefronts and vendors. Each vendor and marketplace includes its own set of customization options to create a virtual economic sandbox for all users and clients.
The main issue with CS-Cart is its sheer scale. Since users are given complete control of their shops, users are also given much to do before they finish making their ideal website. Those inexperienced in web design are recommended to download and observe the CS-Cart detailed video tutorials to learn how to build the site on their own. Otherwise, the depth of features could easily confuse them and hinder their business.
SEO Optimization
One essential feature missing in CS-Cart is an in-depth statistics tool. By prioritizing better customization, CS-Cart neglects actual informative reports for progress in terms of audience and purchases. To compensate for lack of a comprehensive analytics feature, CS-Cart focuses on streamlining a shop for SEO ranking.
To increase publicity for their shop, users have access to a powerful SEO system in CS-Cart. Companies can modify their shop URLs for search engine-friendly terms. The shopping cart has access to organic Google searches to utilize the most common terms and phrases to create higher SEO rankings for their store.
Aside from URLs, CS-Cart has 301 redirects and sitemaps to modify the shop for higher ranking. With built-in blogs, Google snippets, and meta information that can be edited, users can update their shop to gain more customers and encourage loyalty.
Fast and Responsive Sites
CS-Cart uses a user interface that’s been designed to create a faster experience for shoppers. The shop can be accessed via a wide array of devices, from 4K televisions, smartphones, desktop and laptop computers, among others. All of these devices can access your site and can render it properly.
One good advantage of the CS-Cart faster, responsive sites is the SEO advantage. Search engines are inclined to give responsive sites higher rankings, as these are rated as more user-friendly.
Bug Fixes and Online Security
CS-Cart has a dedicated team of full-time software programmers to fix any bugs in the platform. This team updates CS-Cart six times every year to improve the efficiency of each shop. This means that you can access the development timeline to see if there are any upcoming changes in the platform and the statuses of these upcoming changes.
In case actual technical support is required outside of the upcoming updates, the CS-Cart support team can be contacted to fix specific issues on your site. The only issue in requesting this is that you need to provide payment via support credits. Aside from this, there’s also an official forum run by their online community that can help with your service issues.
Third-Party Integration
CS-Cart lets you accept payments over a variety of options and third-party services. The platform has over seventy different outlets for payment, including PayPal, 2Checkout, and eWay. By integrating payment services like these into the system, it will help your customers pay their purchases in the most convenient of ways.
Aside from payment services, CS-Cart also provides you with a variety of shipping options. Companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL can all be tapped, should you need their services. Thanks to the large scope integration options, customers belonging to different regions or providers will have an easier time purchasing items from your CS-Cart store.
CS-Cart Benefits
Thanks to an immersive customization design, the CS-Cart shopping platform service is easier to work with. Virtually everything can be edited about your shop, from the URLs to the products in stock. CS-Cart provides full access and control over your business. The only drawback to this depth is a lack of a user-friendly interface. Detailed video tutorials can be viewed on the CS-Cart website to learn how to edit your shop according to your liking.
The third-party integration in CS-Cart lets you localize your shop, and accept local shipping and payment services. There are around 70 different services that can be integrated without additional payment or development.
CS-Cart Pricing
Purchasing CS-Cart comes with a one-time deal for all deals. Before doing so, there is a free online, personal demo to practice with the software. Should you want to purchase, CS-Cart has three separate service tiers.
The first tier is priced at $385, and includes all the features for customization and optimization. The second tier is called the “Ultimate” deal which allows users to create an unlimited amount of storefronts for different products. The third tier is the “Multivendor” deal for users who want to create an online marketplace wherein multiple vendors can conduct business, which offers users access to one storefront.
Regardless of what deals are purchased, CS-Cart gives users access to all the following features:
- Widget mode – A smaller interface designed for easier access, especially for mobile devices.
- SEO tools – With built-in blogs, a sitemap feature, and URLs that can be edited to help improve the rankings of each site.
- Layout manager and built-in layout editor – For editing the front page of your shop.
- 200+ storefront themes – A wide variety of customizable themes designed to help build a unique look for your store.
- Admin panel – The admin panel is a dashboard that can adjust the CS-Cart services and the appearance of your site. There is also a mobile version for those who bought the Ultimate or Multivendor deals.
- Built-in content management – This inventory management system allows users to properly brand and categorize your products.
- Catalog inventory management – Can help with restocking your shop.
- Downloadable products ready – For those of who are selling digital products.
- Full control of export and import – Makes it easier to move all of your data from CS-Cart to another service, and vice versa.
- Natural customer checkout – Sets up a one-page checkout form that makes it easier for your customers to check out your items.
- Variety of payment and taxation options – Sell to your customers with the option to send money via wire transfers, bank transfers, and checks.
- Sell on Facebook, eBay, and Google Shopping – While eBay is already a household name for online shopping, most platforms don’t consider Facebook or Google as viable selling channels. CS-Cart provides access to these.
- Multi-channel commerce – In connection with the previous item, products can be sold on several avenues to increase your products’ exposure.
- Testimonials and product reviews – Collect customer feedback to encourage other customers to buy from you.
Conclusion
CS-Cart is an in-depth platform that’s perfect for building custom-made shopping sites. If you have a creative flair, this software offers access to a vast set of features for site-building. It also features great integration for a variety of payment and shipping services worldwide. Problems in the platform usually stem from the depth of features that may intimidate you, especially if you’re inexperienced in web design. There’s also a marked lack of meaningful statistical tools. However, users can easily learn how to navigate through the depth of the product thanks to video tutorials prepared by the CS-Cart team, and made available to all of their customers.