osCommerce
If you haven't any exposure to cms, but would wish to water resistant an uncomplicated and convenient web store solution, you must think of osCommerce. This method is known for a set of two basic features needed in view of an e-commerce store and is particularly quite simple to make use of. Everything you should do could be to developed a template, search through a super easy installation process, enter your items list, along with your store comes to an end and running which is in a position to meet potential customers. Eventhough it is simplier than other shopping cart software solutions like Zen Cart, Magento, or Mambo, OsCommerce continues to be most desired free ecommerce engine for any nice beginning of services. Advantages
* Has a large community of developers and users to help you with any question or problem
* A whole lot of addons are for sale to download
* Is suitable for PHP5 and MySQL 5
Disadvantages
* Some technical knowledge and time essential to install the addons you must have with regards to your shopping cart
* There isn't a graphic template system, so that it's not at all really easy to change the design
* Updates are usually not very frequent. Another update has been made more than a year ago
Zen Cart
For an flexible management interface, you must think of a lot more advanced ecommerce tool-ZenCart. The computer allows its users to only change configurations around the intuitive admin interface. The in-built system of sub-pages management really helps to easily add more knowledge about marketing. Furthermore, with their couple of payment system modules, ZenCart leaves an option at your discretion in regards to what payment alternative to include for the e-store.
Advantages
* Is distributed in the GNU Community License (GPL)
* Has a large community and multiple addons, including those needed for the update from osCommerce stores
* Has an intuitive interface to learn features than osCommerce
Disadvantages
* osCommerce addons may not be in combination with Zen Cart unless they're just re-developed
* In certain areas, the admin interface looks a bit messy, but this actually an issue with a lot of addons a customized tool to any specific needs.
Comparison Chart
Software solution:
- osCommerce Online Merchant v2. 2: The engine that have an in-built template (MS 2. 2), HTML, PSD, database
- Zen Cart 1. 2. x/1. 3. x: Plug-in templates, HTML, PSD, database
Templates system:
- osCommerce Online Merchant v2. 2: No Zen Cart 1. 2. x/1. 3. x: Yes
Design change
- osCommerce Online Merchant v2. 2: PHP-code modification during the engine's executable files
- Zen Cart 1. 2. x/1. 3. x: On the templates system inside admin interface
Languages
- osCommerce Online Merchant v2. 2: English, German, Spanish. There's a simple possible ways to add other languages
- Zen Cart 1. 2. x/1. 3. x: English as the default langugage. Other languages are around for download on the official Zen Cart website
Installation of both OsCommerce hosting and Zen Cart hosting is quite easy. But if your hosting provider offers Fantastico De Luxe package inside of your hosting account it will need a few clicks to put together. There are a great deal of companies offering Zan Cart hosting and Os commerce for competitive and 24/7 support.