Best Shop Software - any recommendations?

[AdamB]

Hi all,

I need to set up a couple of shops and wanted to know if there was any recommendations from anyone using/having experience in any?

I can do we design so that side of things isn't a problem. I can do joomla etc so I can add a shop into a site using that but it's all about time really and how long it will take to set it up.

Ideally, I'd like to have a shop that can intrigrate payments but I know this will mean my hosting package will need to be on a secure server so I am looking at other options including just using PayPal as this will take people to PayPal for the check out.

I'd very much like to hear peoples views/recommendations - I have been looking at prestashop ................ anyone used it?

Or even recommend a seperate site with server that I build the shop up and are charged monthly for it?

Adam

[JSR]

I still use ZenCart, but I'd be very interested to hear of your experiences with Prestashop if you go with it.

I understand it's quite new, so it should be quite interesting.

[DREAMGLASS]

Zen is a rock solid platform, although it is getting a little long in the tooth and the overlong checkout process can put some buyers off. Prestashop is ok, although half the forum entries are in French.

Others to consider are OpenCart, AgoraCart and PayPal Shop Maker.

[JSR]

Zen is a rock solid platform, although it is getting a little long in the tooth

Agreed. That's pretty much why I'm interested in the newer ones that don't have years of baggage behind them (particularly the free ones!).

[Mugsman]

cubecart all the way

[Mattie]

we use prestashop, think it's a great system never had any problems and can add upload function so customers can add photo's and text.

[mrs maggot]

i use prestashop im waiting to have it updated as the newest version is not fully supported at the moment, my main gripe would be customers have to register to buy, there is no one stop click shop, but thats available on the new upgrade. i host with servage, who i have found to be excellent, email and everything, good response to problems that i have encountered (my fault not theirs)

[Paul]

I had a look at prestashop and I realy likr the way it look and work. all nice and very simple but... I am selling digital downloads. Prestashop allow to sell digital downloads but when you adding new product you have to upload file to the server :( it wont allow me to use external link from secured server :( so this is NO for presta shop at the moment from me.

[AdamB]

we use prestashop, think it's a great system never had any problems and can add upload function so customers can add photo's and text.

Who are you hosted with Matthew if you don't mind me asking?

..... my main gripe would be customers have to register to buy, there is no one stop click shop ....

What? You mean a customer has to register with Prestashop before they can purchase?

[DREAMGLASS]

A lot of shopping carts require you to register. Some won't even allow you to see what the shipping costs are until you register. Probably explains why shopping cart abandonment can be as high as sixty percent on some sites.

Most customers just want to add items to a cart, then go straight out to PayPal or similar WITHOUT filling out pages of forms to get there.