This publication allows you to look at some pros and cons of OpenCart, Magento and osCommerce software by the example of “Shopomania” ecommerce website theme.

1. How to compare Magento,How to compare Magento,
osCommerce and OpencartosCommerce and Opencart
sowtware by the example ofsowtware by the example of
Shopomania ecommerce web themeShopomania ecommerce web theme
Some practical pieces of adviceSome practical pieces of advice

2. This presentation allows you to compare three different websiteThis presentation allows you to compare three different website
templates with the same design. Products are based on Magento,templates with the same design. Products are based on Magento,
Opencart and osCommerce software. It is reasonable that theyOpencart and osCommerce software. It is reasonable that they
have their highs and lows.have their highs and lows.

3. Ok. Readers should understand that the choice between someOk. Readers should understand that the choice between some
versions of Shopomania website theme is related with features ofversions of Shopomania website theme is related with features of
the respective ecommerce platform. Thus you have to choose thethe respective ecommerce platform. Thus you have to choose the
decision that can match your project and business requirementsdecision that can match your project and business requirements
the most.the most.
First of all you should know that the common advantages ofFirst of all you should know that the common advantages of
each software are:each software are:
 free to download;free to download;
 open source;open source;
 SEO friendly;SEO friendly;
 multilingual and possibility to add as many currencies asmultilingual and possibility to add as many currencies as
you need.you need.

4. And now let’s analyze advantages and disadvantages of eachAnd now let’s analyze advantages and disadvantages of each
eCommerce solution.eCommerce solution.
“SHOPOMANIA” THEME BASED ON OSCOMMERCE SOFTWARE“SHOPOMANIA” THEME BASED ON OSCOMMERCE SOFTWARE
Pros:Pros:
 Simple arrangement of functions in admin panel. All featuresSimple arrangement of functions in admin panel. All features
are transparent to set.are transparent to set.
 Even newer in electronicEven newer in electronic commercecommerce will be able to arrangewill be able to arrange
main features of the website in a quick manner: They are:main features of the website in a quick manner: They are:
adding categories and products, changing logo, settingadding categories and products, changing logo, setting
languages, currencies, making configuration options etc.languages, currencies, making configuration options etc.
 Such template takes less free disc space on small servers.Such template takes less free disc space on small servers.
 ““Light” solution for low-cost servers: fast loading of a site,Light” solution for low-cost servers: fast loading of a site,
small database.small database.

5. Cons:Cons:
●● This platform is old and doesn’t have some security features asThis platform is old and doesn’t have some security features as
others. So, you should have an experienced hosting manager whichothers. So, you should have an experienced hosting manager which
can check security points of your website.can check security points of your website.
●● There are not so many features that you can see in admin. OnlyThere are not so many features that you can see in admin. Only
obligatory functions.obligatory functions.
●● Most changes of your site you will need to do manually in files. ToMost changes of your site you will need to do manually in files. To
do this you will need to have at least basic CSS and HTML skills todo this you will need to have at least basic CSS and HTML skills to
add some new features.add some new features.
So, this version is good for beginners who want to launch theirSo, this version is good for beginners who want to launch their
small business quickly and need something that can be easysmall business quickly and need something that can be easy
modified and be user-friendly.modified and be user-friendly.

6. “SHOPOMANIA” THEME BASED ON MAGENTO SOFTWARE“SHOPOMANIA” THEME BASED ON MAGENTO SOFTWARE
Pros:Pros:
•• Secure and stable structure of your website.Secure and stable structure of your website.
•• More SEO friendly features than others have.More SEO friendly features than others have.
•• Powerful back-end functionality that helps to adjust all existingPowerful back-end functionality that helps to adjust all existing
functions and add your own.functions and add your own.
•• Opportunity to organize some shops with different product catalogsOpportunity to organize some shops with different product catalogs
under one site.under one site.
•• Comprehensive functional to create additional pages, blocks, asComprehensive functional to create additional pages, blocks, as
many as you need, to change layouts of block for different pages onmany as you need, to change layouts of block for different pages on
your website.your website.
•• Cash management in admin panel, possibility to merge CSS andCash management in admin panel, possibility to merge CSS and
scripts and cash them for your front-end.scripts and cash them for your front-end.

7. Cons:Cons:
• “• “Heavy” template: files and database that needs powerful hosting.Heavy” template: files and database that needs powerful hosting.
•• Very expensive support and cost of additional extensions inVery expensive support and cost of additional extensions in
comparison with the others.comparison with the others.
•• Complicated admin management resulting from big quantity of theComplicated admin management resulting from big quantity of the
options and their variations. If you see Magento back-end, you mayoptions and their variations. If you see Magento back-end, you may
be frightened of what to do first, which options should you set etc.be frightened of what to do first, which options should you set etc.
•• Complicated and therefore expensive developer’s work. To changeComplicated and therefore expensive developer’s work. To change
something manually yousomething manually you need to have not only basic CSS and HTMLneed to have not only basic CSS and HTML
skills, but basic php, XML skills.skills, but basic php, XML skills.
Not good solution for small business because many resourcesNot good solution for small business because many resources
need to be driven on your site. At the same time very useful forneed to be driven on your site. At the same time very useful for
large corporations, which have a lot of E-Shops with hundreds oflarge corporations, which have a lot of E-Shops with hundreds of
goods.goods.

8. “SHOPOMANIA” THEME BASED ON OPENCART SOFTWARE“SHOPOMANIA” THEME BASED ON OPENCART SOFTWARE
Pros:Pros:
• “• “Light” system, which doesn’t require much free disc space for yourLight” system, which doesn’t require much free disc space for your
website and database.website and database.
•• Speed loading of the site, images cashing.Speed loading of the site, images cashing.
•• Enough security with SEO friendly options.Enough security with SEO friendly options.
•• Easy setting of main options, adding of categories, products inEasy setting of main options, adding of categories, products in
back-end even for beginner.back-end even for beginner.
•• Creating of new blocks, pages,Creating of new blocks, pages, arranging layouts for website’sarranging layouts for website’s
pages in admin panel is transparent for person who doesn’t have anypages in admin panel is transparent for person who doesn’t have any
developer’s skills.developer’s skills.
•• Not very complicated structure of the files meaning less expensiveNot very complicated structure of the files meaning less expensive
support in comparison with Magento.support in comparison with Magento.

9. Cons:Cons:
•• Not so comprehensive functionality as in Magento. As a result, youNot so comprehensive functionality as in Magento. As a result, you
will need to make changes manually or to hire web-developer to dowill need to make changes manually or to hire web-developer to do
this for your project.this for your project.
Nevertheless, “Shopomania” version based on OpenCart is a goodNevertheless, “Shopomania” version based on OpenCart is a good
solution for both: small business and large companies. This websolution for both: small business and large companies. This web
design solution balances between simple osCommerce anddesign solution balances between simple osCommerce and
complicated Magento systems. On one hand, it includes manycomplicated Magento systems. On one hand, it includes many
catalog’s options and wide range of payment and shippingcatalog’s options and wide range of payment and shipping
systems. On the other hand, it’s ansystems. On the other hand, it’s an easy version with a friendlyeasy version with a friendly
back-end.back-end.
Source of the publicationSource of the publication

10. Cons:Cons:
•• Not so comprehensive functionality as in Magento. As a result, youNot so comprehensive functionality as in Magento. As a result, you
will need to make changes manually or to hire web-developer to dowill need to make changes manually or to hire web-developer to do
this for your project.this for your project.
Nevertheless, “Shopomania” version based on OpenCart is a goodNevertheless, “Shopomania” version based on OpenCart is a good
solution for both: small business and large companies. This websolution for both: small business and large companies. This web
design solution balances between simple osCommerce anddesign solution balances between simple osCommerce and
complicated Magento systems. On one hand, it includes manycomplicated Magento systems. On one hand, it includes many
catalog’s options and wide range of payment and shippingcatalog’s options and wide range of payment and shipping
systems. On the other hand, it’s ansystems. On the other hand, it’s an easy version with a friendlyeasy version with a friendly
back-end.back-end.
Source of the publicationSource of the publication