If you want to run an online store, you have plenty of options. Many aspiring entrepreneurs decide to start with a ready-made e-commerce platform. This option is reasonable from many perspectives \u2013 such platforms offer all the features and options that you need to sell products online, they are relatively quick to set and configure, and they don\u2019t require coding skills. In this article, we\u2019re going to show you two platforms that you can use to build a brand-new store \u2013 Magento (currently known as Adobe Commerce or Magento Open Source) and Shoper. Let\u2019s have a look at them.<\/b><\/p>\n

There are tens of e-commerce platforms out there. Some of them are available even for free (like, for example, WooCommerce, an e-commerce extension for websites built on WordPress). But if you\u2019re after a wide range of features and ease of use, there are better options. WooCommerce requires at least basic coding skills because the way this platform looks right after installing it is raw to say the least. WooCommerce requires coding, setting, and configuring everything the way you want.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want to spend time and money on that, you\u2019d be better off with ready-made platforms such as Magento and Shoper. But which one should you choose? Magento<\/a> is a creation of the global IT giant \u2013 Adobe. On the other hand, Shoper is a much smaller Polish e-commerce platform. Do we have a clear winner?<\/span><\/p>\n

Magento: Two platforms in one<\/b><\/h3>\n

For starters, we have to clarify one thing. When you think about Magento, there are, in fact, two different platforms. You see, Adobe offers one fully-fledged paid e-commerce platform called <\/span>Adobe Commerce<\/b><\/a> and one rather basic solution called <\/span>Magento Open Source<\/b>. We discussed the Adobe Commerce platform thoroughly in another blog post: <\/span>Adobe Commerce: How can you use it to upgrade your store?<\/b><\/a> We encourage you to read that post; it will tell you almost everything you need to know to make an informed decision. One of the biggest advantages of Adobe Commerce is that it comes with an extensive cloud ecosystem that you can use to grow your business.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the open-source version comes with just basic options and features, and these include:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
• Integrated checkout, payment, and shipping<\/span><\/li>\n
• Mobile optimized shopping<\/span><\/li>\n
• Global selling<\/span><\/li>\n
• Catalog management<\/span><\/li>\n
• Extended functionality via App Marketplace<\/span><\/li>\n
• Instant purchases<\/span><\/li>\n
• Site search<\/span><\/li>\n
• WYSIWYG Page Builder<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  <\/a><\/p>\n

  When it comes to the benefits of the open-source platform, users value it for almost unlimited editing and adjusting possibilities. Of course, you\u2019ll need a skilled Magento expert to tailor the free version to your needs. Magento Open Source comes with a convenient and intuitive dashboard that facilitates managing your store (or stores). And it\u2019s rather easy to make your Magento-based store SEO-friendly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

  When it comes to downsides, the major issue is that, like in the WooCommerce case, you need someone with coding skills to adjust every single element of your store, which can be pricey. Other experts say that the open-source platform requires really fast hosting to work properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

  We could sum up that if you\u2019re after a truly intuitive and versatile solution, you should pick the paid version.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Now let\u2019s talk about our second contestant \u2013 Shoper.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Shoper: A Polish e-commerce platform<\/b><\/h3>\n

  Shoper is a ready-made e-commerce platform which means that everything is almost ready to work. All you have to do is configure everything through an intuitive dashboard. On the downside, you cannot edit the code of your store, so there are limited editing options, which can be a problem when you\u2019re looking for tailor-made options and solutions. On the other hand, Shoper comes with a wide range of features and options, so the majority of online sellers should be satisfied with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Some of the most important features comprise:<\/span><\/p>\n

  \n
  • Good-looking themes for your online store<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Full tech support (the platform boasts that 91% of their users positively rate their customer service)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Integrations with marketplaces and third-party entities (e.g., carriers)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dedicated App Store where you can find many extensions and plugins for your store<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Internal payment engine that supports quick and mobile money transfers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/a>
    
    \n
    <\/p>\n

    However, some users report that if your store has many users and a large traffic every month, you may be forced to upgrade to Super Premium, a version that starts at 499 PLN per month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    So, which option should you choose? It all depends on your expectations and resources. If you\u2019re an English-speaking user and you intend to run a store in an English-speaking country, there is just one option for you \u2013 Adobe<\/a>. On the other hand, Polish entrepreneurs may want to opt for Shoper, primarily because this platform has been made from the ground up for the Polish market.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you want to run an online store, you have plenty of options. Many aspiring entrepreneurs decide to start with a ready-made e-commerce platform. This option is reasonable from many perspectives \u2013 such platforms offer all the features and options that you need to sell products online, they are relatively quick to set and configure, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7883,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[51],"yoast_head":"\n