Retailers that wish to sell successfully their products online must consider website design and e-commerce solutions carefully. Not all solutions are of the same quality. Many vary drastically and may not work well with the needs of the business. When it comes to selling online, 99% of retailers choose between two options.
Most retailers choose between a hosted e-commerce solution and an open-source application such as Magento or WordPress powered WooCommerce. There are several hosted service providers such as Shopify and Volusion. Regardless of product and size of company, retailers choose between these two options for e-commerce. Some utilize services such as Yahoo stores, but established brands and companies will have their own store.
To help out with the decision-making, here are some additional details on open-source e-commerce vs. hosted e-commerce websites. A retailer and business has to decide what platform to use and then get a professional website design created for the e-commerce website. Professional designers can create a unique look (based on company branding) for a retailer for both platforms, open-source and hosted e-commerce.
Open Source And Hosted E-Commerce Websites For Retailers
Hosted E-Commerce Websites For Retailers
Hosted e-commerce websites and shopping carts are beneficial to certain retailers. Retailers that want to process their own transactions or own their website, use hosted shopping carts and e-commerce websites. Often these solutions are used for the retailer who wants very little to do with the online portion and does not mind leasing per say (hosted solutions are similar to leasing).
Hosted E-Commerce Advantages
– Low Upfront Cost Required
– Managed Processing & Merchant Services
– No Technical Knowledge Needed
– Automatic Support Structure
Hosted E-Commerce Disadvantages
– Leased Not Owned by Retailers
– Does Not Allow For Full Customization
– Additional Transaction Costs
– Lack Of Marketing Features
Open Source E-Commerce Website For Retailers
Open-source e-commerce website for retailers is the most preferred option by large and smaller businesses. The couple main reasons for this is the fact that an open-source application allows for full customization and ownership of the website. Often, retailers prefer to own their website and not lease it, like with hosted e-commerce solutions. Open-source allows retailers to get a fully custom website designed and developed on their own. A retailer can host the website with any of the major hosting companies such as GoDaddy.
Open-Source E-Commerce Advantages
– Full Control & Customizable
– Ownership of Website
– Complete Marketing Features
– Proper Website Scalability
Open-Source E-Commerce Disadvantages
– Larger Start-up Cost Required
– Website Maintenance Needed
– Less Supported with Customer Service
Regardless of the size of product line, customer database, and marketing budgets, every retailer has to decide what type of solution to use for the online shopping cart and e-commerce website. With either one option, retailers must use a professional created website design for best results.
