Smarter Macarthur B2B Summer Edition 2015

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Free vs. Paid e-Commerce Solutions: Which One is Right for You?

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By: Eng Ung

If you want to start an online shop, then you have two choices: opt for a free e-commerce platform or use a paid solution. There are many options available, from the Wordpress-based WooCommerce, to Zen Cart, Magento, PrestaShop and many others. Today, I’ll provide an overview of the options so you can determine which solution is best for your needs.

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t probably comes as no surprise that the e-commerce marketplace is booming! Consumers expect to pay less when they shop online, and that is what is driving the surge in online sales. According to NAB’s November 2014 report: “we estimate Australians spent $15.9 billion on online retail in the 12 months to September 2014”, this is 12.8% higher compared to online spending in 2013. The Set Up Process When it comes to creating your web shop with a free e-commerce shopping cart platform, you generally need to oversee the entire set-up process. Conversely, many paid e-commerce platforms tend to offer hosting and do much of the set-up process on your behalf. Paid Platform There are many pros and cons associated with a paid e-commerce solution for your web shop.


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