In the second installment of our trending e-commerce platform review series, we delve into the comparison between PrestaShop and OpenCart. As your trusted IT consultancy firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, E-Startups Kenya provides insights to help you navigate the complexities of selecting the ideal platform for your online store. Let’s explore the key factors that differentiate PrestaShop and OpenCart to aid in your decision-making process.
An Introduction to PrestaShop and OpenCart
PrestaShop and OpenCart are both powerful open-source e-commerce platforms tailored to meet the needs of SME businesses. While PrestaShop boasts a customizable front and back office interface, OpenCart offers simplicity and ease of use with its intuitive design. Both platforms run on PHP with MySQL Database, providing a solid foundation for building your online store.
User-Friendliness
OpenCart stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to non-tech-savvy users and store owners. With quick setup and a responsive interface, OpenCart simplifies store management tasks, even for users with limited technical knowledge. In contrast, PrestaShop offers a customizable front and back office interface, coupled with a wide range of modules for enhanced functionality. While PrestaShop requires some basic technical understanding, its intuitive dashboard makes it suitable for users of varying skill levels.
Price and Extra Costs
Both PrestaShop and OpenCart are free to download and use as open-source platforms. However, additional costs may arise for hosting, domain registration, and SSL certificates. OpenCart users may incur expenses for various extensions to enhance their store’s functionality. Similarly, PrestaShop users will need to invest in web hosting, with hosting fees varying depending on the provider. Overall, while both platforms offer cost-effective solutions, users should budget for essential expenses to ensure optimal performance.
SEO Optimized
PrestaShop and OpenCart offer robust SEO features to improve the visibility of your online store on search engines. PrestaShop allows for extensive customization of meta tags, SEO-friendly URLs, and Google sitemaps, empowering users to optimize their store for better search engine rankings. Similarly, OpenCart provides basic SEO features, including meta keywords, descriptions, and SEO-friendly URLs, to enhance the discoverability of products and categories.
E-commerce Templates and Design
Both PrestaShop and OpenCart offer a wide selection of professionally designed and responsive themes to customize the look and feel of your online store. OpenCart boasts a vast array of themes available on third-party platforms like ThemeForest and Template Monster, providing users with ample options for creating visually appealing stores. Meanwhile, PrestaShop’s official marketplace offers over 1,500 templates, catering to diverse design preferences and store aesthetics.
Customer Support
OpenCart distinguishes itself with dedicated support services, including free community support and commercial support options. PrestaShop also offers various support plans with different levels of assistance, although the support fees may be relatively higher. Additionally, PrestaShop provides migration/update services, support tickets, and starter packs to cater to the needs of store owners.
Trends
According to Google Trends, PrestaShop has garnered greater popularity compared to OpenCart, with significantly higher search volumes. This trend underscores PrestaShop’s growing prominence as a preferred choice among online merchants.
In conclusion, while both PrestaShop and OpenCart offer compelling features and functionalities, understanding their differences is crucial in selecting the right platform for your e-commerce venture. With insights from E-Startups Kenya, you can make an informed decision to propel your online business to success.
