Opencart is a free, open-source ecommerce platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering features like product management, order processing, and multi-store support. It is user-friendly and supported by a large developer community, making customization easy and accessible. Overall, Opencart is an affordable and efficient option for those looking to build an online store with a range of built-in functionalities.

1. Is OpenCart A Good Choice For ECommerce?
When it comes to building an online store, there is a wide range of platform options available
to merchants. From fully-hosted platforms like Shopify to open-source options like
WooCommerce, the choices for eCommerce website development can be overwhelming. One
platform, with a 1.76% market share in the eCommerce industry, that is often overlooked but
deserves more attention, is OpenCart.
What Is OpenCart?
OpenCart is a free, open-source eCommerce platform that is designed to make it easy for
small and medium-sized businesses to set up and manage an online store. It is written in PHP
and uses a MySQL database to store data. OpenCart is designed to be user-friendly, with a
simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for merchants to handle tasks related to

2. running an online store. It is also supported by a large and active community of developers,
who are constantly creating new extensions, themes, and other resources to help merchants
enhance their online stores.
Primary Features Of OpenCart
Here are some of the main features of OpenCart:
1. Product & Inventory Management
OpenCart allows merchants to easily add, edit, and delete products, as well as manage
product categories and attributes. It also includes tools to help merchants manage their
inventory, including the ability to set up low stock alerts and track product quantities.
2. Order Management
OpenCart includes an order management system that allows merchants to track and manage
orders, including the ability to view and update order status, send invoices and shipping
notifications, and generate reports.
3. Payment Processing
OpenCart supports a wide range of payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal,
Stripe, and Authorize.net. It also includes support for multiple currencies and languages.
4. Customer Management
OpenCart includes features to help merchants manage their customers, including the ability
to view and update customer information, create customer groups, and send newsletters.
5. Marketing Tools
OpenCart includes a range of built-in marketing tools, such as support for SEO, an affiliate
program, and the ability to create discount coupons and gift vouchers.
6. Multi-store Support
OpenCart allows merchants to manage multiple stores from a single installation, which can
be useful for merchants who want to sell in different regions or who want to manage multiple
brands.

3. 7. Order Alerts & Notifications
OpenCart includes features to help merchants stay up-to-date on their orders, including the
ability to set up order alerts and notifications.
8. Mobile App Support
OpenCart has a mobile app that allows merchants to manage their store on the go, including
the ability to view and update products, process orders, and handle customer inquiries.
Read also: Should Your eCommerce Store Have an App?
9. Advanced Shipping Options
OpenCart includes advanced shipping options, such as support for multiple shipping
methods, weight-based shipping, and the ability to set up shipping zones and rates.
10. Customer Loyalty Programs
OpenCart includes support for customer loyalty programs, which can help merchants reward
their most loyal customers and encourage repeat purchases.
11. Multi-user Management
To effectively manage an online store, it is important to collaborate with various individuals
who hold different responsibilities. This becomes increasingly important as a business grows.
Even when running a small online store, at some point you will likely require the assistance
of a developer for maintaining the online environment. With OpenCart, you have the ability
to assign different roles and access levels to multiple administrators.
Advantages Of OpenCart
There are several advantages to using OpenCart as compared to other eCommerce platforms:
1. It is Open-source
One of the biggest advantages of using OpenCart as an eCommerce platform is that it is
open-source, which means that the code is available to the public and can be modified to suit
the specific needs of a business. This allows for easy customization of the platform by writing
custom code, such as adding new features or integrating with other systems. This can be a
great advantage for merchants who want to add unique functionalities to their online store,
or who want to fully customize the look and feel of their store to match their brand.

4. 2. It is User-friendly
OpenCart is designed to be easy to use, even for those who are not familiar with web
development. It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for merchants to add
and manage products, process orders, and handle other tasks related to running an online
store.
3. It is Widely Supported
As mentioned earlier, OpenCart is supported by a large and active community of developers,
which means that there is a wide range of extensions, themes, and other resources available
to help merchants customize and enhance their online stores.
It also has a large user base, which means that there is a wealth of resources and support
available for merchants who are using the platform. This can be especially helpful for
merchants who are new to eCommerce or who are not familiar with web development, as
there is a strong community of users who are willing to help and answer questions.
4. It is Lightweight and Efficient
OpenCart is a lightweight platform that is easy to set up and manage, even for merchants
who are not tech-savvy. It is also designed to be fast and efficient, which can help improve
the user experience for customers.
5. It is Affordable
OpenCart is free to use, which makes it an affordable option for merchants who are looking
to build an online store on a budget. In addition, it has a low cost of ownership, with no
recurring fees or commissions to worry about.
6. It has a Range of Built-in Features
OpenCart comes with a range of built-in features that can be useful for merchants, such as
support for multiple languages and currencies, a built-in affiliate program, and the ability to
create discount coupons and gift vouchers.
7. It has Strong Security

5. OpenCart is designed to be secure, with features like SSL support and the ability to set up
secure payment gateways to protect sensitive information. It is also regularly updated to
address any security vulnerabilities that may be discovered.
8. It has a Responsive Design
OpenCart is designed to be responsive, which means that it looks and functions well on a
wide range of devices, including smartphones and tablets. This can be especially important in
today’s mobile-first world, where many customers shop online using their mobile devices.
Conclusion
Overall, OpenCart can be a great choice for eCommerce development, particularly for small
and medium-sized businesses that are looking for an affordable and user-friendly platform to
build their online store on. If you’re thinking about building an online store, give OpenCart a
try – you might be surprised at what it can do!
Resource: https://www.webguru-india.com/blog/is-opencart-good-choice-for-ecommerce/
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WebGuru Infosystems
Y8, Block-EP, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091, India
Website: https://www.webguru-india.com/
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