We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Choose the Best Open Source E-Commerce Software?

By Alex Newth
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 6,574
References
Share

Open source e-commerce software gives online storeowners a way to sell products without having to buy a front-end selling system — and the freedom to modify the programming as necessary. The best e-commerce software — open source or otherwise — should allow for a broad range of payment methods, so the business owner can accommodate customers. E-commerce systems typically support the sale of physical products, but some also can handle the sale of downloadable items, which will be necessary for some business owners. Adding products to the website catalog should be easy for the user, so the e-commerce system should handle new items with ease and be able to accommodate a high number of product listings. Skinning, or setting a custom design, should be built using cascading style sheets (CSS) or a similar design code that is easy to manipulate.

All e-commerce websites have at least one payment method; that is how the owner makes money. The best open source e-commerce software will be able to accommodate many different payment methods, including credit cards, money orders and checks, along with international currencies. Broader payment methods will give customers more choices when it comes to paying for the products or services rendered.

Most online businesses focus on physical products, or products that are shipped to the customer after they are ordered. For many online business owners, open source e-commerce software that allows for the sale of physical items will be fine. Other businesses sell downloadable products, including books, craft patterns, online content and software, among other items. The best open source e-commerce software will be able to sell both types of products, so the business owner can add new items, regardless of whether they are physical or digital.

Aside from taking orders, a major aspect of open source e-commerce software is helping business owners add products to their online shop. The best systems will make this listing process easy and will give the owner fields in which to type a description, value, shipping amount and title. Along with easy updates, the system also should be able to store a high number of products — at least in the hundreds or thousands; an unlimited product feature is better and is an easy feature to find.

To make the store website look unique, the best open source e-commerce software will have a simple way of creating a new skin. The best systems frequently use CSS for skinning, because this code is used to design most websites. If the user cannot find a system with CSS, then finding one with a simple design system will make it easier to customize the storefront without needing advanced technical knowledge.

Unlike closed-source e-commerce programs, open-source versions can be manipulated by developers without restriction. This allows the developer to make new modules, to change the original product or even sell the modified system without legal problems. If the user is not a developer, the best system may have modules available for download that easily add new functions.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-open-source-e-commerce-software.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.