The Best E-commerce Solution for Your Business: How to Choose the Right One?

In today's digital age, e-commerce is undoubtedly a key tool for entrepreneurs who want to reach a wider audience and increase their sales. However, deciding which solution to choose for your online store is not easy. There are several options on the market, each with its own specifics, advantages and limitations. In this article, we'll give you an overview of the available e-commerce solutions and help you navigate what to consider when choosing one.

What to focus on when choosing an e-shop solution

When deciding on the most suitable solution for your e-shop, it is important to consider several factors. Here are the most important ones:

1. Size of the e-shop
   Are you planning to sell tens or thousands of products? For a smaller e-shop with a limited assortment, a rented platform like Shoptet will suffice. But if you have the ambition to grow to hundreds or thousands of categories, consider an open-source system or a custom solution.
2. Optimisation options and site speed
   Leased solutions are usually optimized automatically, but their customization options are limited. Open-source platforms like WooCommerce offer more flexibility, but require some technical expertise or an external administrator. A bespoke solution gives you full control over both speed and optimization, but is one of the most expensive.
3. Support and links
   Do you need a connection to a warehouse system, marketing tools or payment gateways? Often, rental platforms have connections ready in advance. Open-source systems support them via plug-ins, but with a bespoke solution you have to have them programmed.
4. Budget
   Finances are often the deciding factor. Leased solutions are inexpensive to start with, but their cost increases as features expand. Open-source systems save on licenses, but you invest in administration and hosting. A bespoke solution is the most expensive, but for large and long-term projects it can pay off.

Which e-shop solutions to choose from

When choosing an e-commerce solution, you have three main categories to choose from:

1. Leased/boxed e-shop solutions
   These are off-the-shelf solutions that you rent for a monthly fee and do not require technical expertise. This includes platforms like Upgates, Shoptet or Shopify.
2. Open-source solutions
   These platforms are available for free, but their management and customisation require some technical skills. These include systems such as WooCommerce, PrestaShop, OpenCart and Magento.
3. Custom E-shop
   A bespoke solution is ideal for specific requirements that standard platforms cannot meet. However, it is more time and cost consuming.

Comparison of e-shop solutions

Let's now take a closer look at the different categories and the platforms they include.

Leased (boxed) solutions

Leased e-shops are ready-made platforms that you "rent" for a regular monthly or annual fee. The provider gives you a complete system including hosting, design templates, basic features and technical support. You don't have to worry about installation, servers or updates - everything is ready to use right away.

Leased or so-called box e-shop solutions are one of the most popular options for start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses or anyone who wants to launch their online store quickly and without the need for deep technical knowledge.

The most well-known platforms are:

1. Shoptet
   • Popular especially on the Czech and Slovak market.
   • It offers a wide range of templates, easy to use and many pre-made integrations (e.g. payment gateways such as GoPay, carriers such as Zasielkovna)
2. Upgates
   • Another local alternative with a strong focus on simplicity and interfacing with warehouse systems.
   • It stands out for its clear administration and fast technical support.
   • Priced similar to Shoptet
3. Shopify
   • A global leader with international reach.
   • Ideal for entrepreneurs who want to sell abroad, thanks to support for multiple languages and currencies.

Advantages:

• Quick start - you can have your e-shop up and running in a few days.
• Easy to use - intuitive interface does not require programming skills.
• Support and updates - the technical side is taken care of by the provider.
• Links to third parties - integrations with payment gateways, carriers or accounting systems are usually already in place.
• Low start-up costs - unlike cutom solutions, you don't need a large upfront investment

Disadvantages:

• Limited customisability - design and features are limited by the platform offering.
• Monthly fees - over time, costs can climb higher than with other solutions.
• Dependency on the provider - if the platform raises prices, adds unwanted changes or goes out of business, your e-commerce store will be at risk.

Open-source solutions

Open-source e-commerce solutions are open-source software developed by a community of programmers and available for free. Unlike rented solutions, you have to install them on your own hosting and manage them yourself. This brings more freedom, but also responsibility for the technical side - from maintenance to security. However, thanks to the wide community and available add-ons, you can customize your e-shop almost limitlessly.

These solutions are especially popular with entrepreneurs who are looking for flexibility, control and the ability to customize their e-commerce store without the limitations of leased platforms.

The most well-known platforms are:

1. WooCommerce
   • Plugin for WordPress, the most widely used content management system.
   • Ideal for smaller to medium sized e-shops, especially if you already have a website on WordPress.
   • It offers thousands of plugins and templates, easy administration and strong SEO support.
2. PrestaShop
   • A standalone e-shopping system with an intuitive interface.
   • Suitable for medium-sized shops, it offers a wide range of modules and designs.
   • Popular in Europe, especially in France and surrounding countries..
3. OpenCart
   • A light and fast system, easy to install and manage.
   • Great for smaller e-stores with limited budgets.
   • It has fewer add-ons than the competition, but is resource-efficient.
4. Magento
   • A robust solution for large and complex e-shops.
   • It offers advanced features such as multi-trade management and detailed analytics.
   • However, it requires powerful hosting and technical skills.

Advantages:

• Free access - the basic system is free.
• Customizability - thanks to the source code you can customize the e-shop according to your needs.
• Community and add-ons - lots of add-ons and support from users.
• Independence - you own the e-shop and can move it to different servers..

Disadvantages:

• Technical difficulty - you need at least basic knowledge or an external administrator.
• Additional costs - you'll pay extra for premium add-ons, hosting or customization.
• Updates and security - you have to take care of these aspects yourself.

Custom E-shop

A bespoke e-commerce solution represents the highest level of customisation in online commerce. Unlike rented platforms or open-source systems where you work with pre-made templates and features, a bespoke e-shop is built from the ground up to your specific requirements. This category is designed for entrepreneurs and businesses that need a unique solution that no standard platform can provide.

Advantages:

• Full control - the e-shop is exactly what you need - from visuals to
• Flexibility - the ability to implement specific features and design.
• Scalability - ideal for large projects with growth potential..

Disadvantages:

• High cost - custom development is expensive and time-consuming.
• Dependence on a team - maintenance and development require specialists.
• Longer start-up - it takes weeks to months to get started.

Conclusion

So which e-shop solution is the best? There is no clear answer. Choosing the right e-commerce solution depends on your needs, budget and long-term goals. If you're looking for a quick and easy launch, rental platforms like Shoptet or Shopify are a great option. For more flexibility and control, reach for open-source systems like WooCommerce or Magento. However, if you have specific requirements and enough resources, a bespoke solution will get your e-commerce store exactly as you want it.

At WebOptim, we are happy to help you analyze your needs and choose the best solution for your online store. Contact us and together we will find the way to your success in the digital world!