I'm about to launch a few online stores and I would like to share my thoughts so everyone can benefit and also was wondering about your opinion related to the question: open-source eCommerce vs custom built.
I've been exploring some the existing solutions (Magento, OpenCart, OSCommerce, Xcart).
Advantages and cons:
Existing solutions:
Advantages:
- You don't maintenance the code.
- Plug and Play extensions.
- Support.
- Less code hours (not so sure about that anymore).
Cons:
- Hard to custmoize: custom templates, plugins, special needs has to be implented over an heavy code already (not a MVC fan).
- Too many features (could reduce performance).
Custom built:
Advantages:
- Easy theme customization (no limits).
- Lightweight.
- More secure (questionable: Minimal is more secure, though existing solutions has more pen-testers == Users/Coders).
- Easy work-around.
Cons:
- Hours, a lot of them.
- Lack of plugins, you need to craft everything yourself.
More things to consider:
- If I'm going for the custom built - which PHP framework would help me the must?
- Do you know any existing solution which is lightweight, has good plugins database, and is easy to customize?
at the moment I have to 'like' custom built more, since i'm going to built a network of stores and would like to get a customized solution, though wondering if I might be wrong.
Please, share from your experience and your thoughts related,
Thanks in advance, your help is appreciated.
Sagi.