I need build a shop. What solution should I choose?

If you would like to create an e-commerce website or add this feature to the current one and sell products online, the first thing you'll need to do is choose which software you would like to use. But as we know choosing the right e-commerce software for your needs is never an easy task.

You'd like to start an online business. Whether you need a website or have an existing one, launching and running an online store is possible in a short time. But before you will start using one of the solutions you have to ask yourself/your client about several questions.

Pre-built or developed from scratch

There are many reasons why a pre-built eCommerce platform might sound more appealing to you than having to hire a web developer to build a brand new one for you. The main problem (and the most significant) is that development from scratch always causes unexpected bugs and issues that have to be found and fixed. There is also a risk of potential time delays in the project. So you never know when the project will end finally. In general development from scratch is not recommended unless you have a lot of money, time and patient.

Standalone or extension for CMS

If you’re also planning to build an eCommerce site, you may get confused which eCommerce fits your needs best. Standalone platforms such as Magento, Prestashop or OpenCart - are very good eCommerce software but by default, they are not integrated with your content management system like Joomla.  But if you're a big fan of those you can find Joomla extensions based on it or who works as a "bridge" between platforms. For example, you can download and use:

• Marco's PrestaShop plugin - allows to customers of a PrestaShop™ e-commerce to access the Joomla! site without a new registration. This is a fast authentication bridge between the two systems.
• Prestashop Products module - which displays new products from Prestashop on your Joomla! site.
• MageBridge  - serves as a bridge between the Joomla CMS and the Magento e-commerce shop. It allows for displaying Magento content within Joomla through a component and also adds further integration using various modules like the Custom Block module and the cart-module and products-module.
• JoomOCShop – Joomla extension which is the integration with Opencart. Users synchronization between Joomla and Opencart with a single login.  Opencart modules can be used as Joomla modules. Integrated with Joomla modules and Joomla templates as well.
• AceShop - native Joomla! component based on OpenCart - all OpenCart extensions (modules, payments etc. except themes) can be installed/used.
• MijoShop - is also an e-Commerce application for Joomla with OpenCart built-in.
• JCart - a Joomla e-commerce component which includes OpenCart features.

What you really need is a platform where the CMS and the e-commerce platform are on an equal footing. For this reason, I always recommend extension built for Joomla! from the beginning as the best solution. Below you will find a list of "all" shopping cart extensions for Joomla 3.x:

• VirtueMart 3
• HikaShop
• JoomShopping
• K2Store (project ended)
• J2Store  
• paGO Commerce
• PhocaCart
• Quick2cart
• Citruscart (it's a Tienda fork, but this project seems to be abandoned)
• RedShop (still online but have very low reviews, last update 2016)

Most of these shopping solutions are highly customizable to be used to sell all kinds of products or as a product catalog.

Very popular solutions like VirtueMart 3, HikaShop, JoomShopping and J2Store have plenty of contributors. Which means that you can find additional modules, plugins and templates easily. From our team, we can offer you ready QuickStarts with template and shop features built-in. All work with new versions of Joomla CMS.

Paid vs free

One of the most common questions I get asked by businesses who are evaluating various options to implement e-commerce software into their business is: Why should we consider a paid (Pro) version when there are readily available solutions built on open-source software for free? Well, this depends on how much effort you are willing to put into the development of your shop. Free (Freemium) versions mostly don't meet every need. The basic version of extensions always has fewer features, modules, payments plugins etc. When you pay for software, you generally get the support systems that go with it — regular upgrades, software publishers who are more interested in what you want to do with the software than what they want to do with it, and more responsive technical support.  If the business is focused on very selective clients and you offer a very high-quality service or content, you need support and all these extra features, then choose a paid version from the beginning.

Armed with these knowledge, you are now ready to take over the world of online business and build a nice brand for yourself. So in the end, use what suits you best.