PrestaShop is an open source eCommerce software solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises. A completely free shopping cart system, it powers online stores and retail shops all over the world.
PrestaShop offers businesses a fully functional online storefront, optimized for desktops/laptops as well as mobile devices.
PrestaShop allows users to have the software solution hosted via the cloud or downloaded from the website itself. The open-source online platform is a good online store starter solution geared towards small startups and SMBs wanting to delve into the world of online retail. The software solution has an extensive set of features and integration capabilities designed to help users build their eCommerce business.
PrestaShop Features
PrestaShop is a free open source shopping cart eCommerce platform—meaning it’s free to download and use. This, however, does not mean the solution is completely devoid of any expense for the user. Downloading the software solution, the user/business owner has to take care of web-hosting fees.
Moreover, businesses have to purchase a number of modules to allow them to integrate a variety of third-party solutions with their retail website. If the user has limited knowledge or experience with the technical aspects of web design and development, they might need to hire a professional web developer to help out.
However, even with all these possible expenses, startups and SMBs are still able to appreciate the fact that the eCommerce solution itself is free. That makes a huge difference when you’re trying to setup and manage an eCommerce business for the first time.
PrestaShop is an open source platform, which means users are able to obtain the source code and use it to tweak the system to fit their needs. Unlike other software solutions that are free, PrestaShop provides more comprehensive and reliable features to help build and expand your online business.
PrestaShop is available as a self-hosted platform and a cloud-based solution. Self-hosted PrestaShop is downloadable from the provider’s official website. They then connect the platform to a domain name and create their online retail store. This version allows businesses to choose their own hosting, which is important if they want their store servers to be situated in the same location as their headquarters or their customer base.
The PrestaShop Cloud, on the other hand, provides businesses with cloud hosting and the pre-installed PrestaShop engine. They are able to take advantage of the provided subdomain name or opt to connect their own domain name. There are, however, a few restrictions such as only being able to install official PrestaShop plugins and extensions or not having access to a database and the source code.
PrestaShop Benefits
PrestaShop offers quite a number of benefits for small and medium-sized businesses, enterprises, and startups. Perhaps one of the most apparent benefits is that it’s free. However, that is not the only reason why the open source eCommerce solution is ideal for most online businesses and those who are still in the process of moving their retail store online.
The solution is also open source, supported by a community of experts to help improve the system and keep it running. Another benefit is the ease of use. PrestaShop offers features and functions the average user could easily understand and operate. Building an online store from start to finish is relatively simple. Many of the online store components are customizable so businesses are able to bring in their own corporate elements and branding.
Users may also improve their online store and internal functions with a variety of add-on modules. Users of all levels of experience with similar software solutions are provided with expert and comprehensive training materials so they can make the most out of their PrestaShop online business. Features designed for managing various aspects of the online store are also available, such as payments, product listings, shipping, manufacturing, and supply chains.
In addition, PrestaShop also offers seamless integration with a number of business process solutions, services, and applications. The platform is available as a downloadable program—which the user needs to install—and as a cloud-hosted solution. PrestaShop is fully customizable and users are able to get their online stores up and running within minutes, without the licensing fees and/or revenue percentages other solutions typically charge.
PrestaShop is designed to empower retailers of all sizes and scales to build and manage a localized, fully customized eCommerce business with ease, scalability, and efficiency. With it being a global platform, the open source eCommerce platform offers good accessibility.
To make your business website unique, one that reflects your brand image, color scheme, and so on, PrestaShop offers full customization. Since the software solution is open source, it can be tweaked and tailored to meet your needs, match your branding, and provide you with a unique online presence.
PrestaShop offers competitive support to businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups that may have limited experience with the inner workings of running a successful online store. A team of experts will provide the help you need to handle technical issues regarding your website as well as some of the processes involved with an eCommerce platform.
PrestaShop Pricing
PrestaShop is an open source eCommerce platform and it’s totally free. It comes with two editions—a cloud-based system and a downloadable program the user has to install and set up. Check out the PrestaShop official website for more information about the eCommerce platform and its features and capabilities.
Conclusion
PrestaShop is a robust and easy-to-use eCommerce platform. It’s ideal for users who want to start an online store and entrepreneurs who need a stable and reliable solution to help them move their retail business over to the internet.
The open source eCommerce software is free to download and free to use, highly customizable, comes with numerous integrations, has good technical support, and is populated by a knowledgeable and innovative user community.
The drawback, however, is that customer support can be a bit expensive. Even though most of the platform’s functions are relatively user-friendly, setting up PrestaShop may require advanced developer expertise.
