Rating of the best CMS for online stores for 2024

The topic of online trading is as relevant as ever. This is a great opportunity to both start a business from scratch and avoid big financial losses for already operating companies. In addition, online shopping has become increasingly popular lately.

What is CMS

Content Management System, this is how the abbreviation CMS stands. Translated from English means: "content management system". To put it simply, it's just scripted software. Modern CMSs have broad functionality, are easy to install and can be used even by beginners who do not have special programming knowledge.

In fact, it is a constructor that can be supplemented or changed functionality depending on the needs, type of product. In paid versions, the necessary functions are built in by default. In free - installation of extensions or purchase of plugins will help.

Features of free engines, which one is better to choose

It all depends on the available budget and the required functionality. For beginners, free open source builders are fine. Firstly, you can create a full-fledged working website on your own, and secondly, it will be possible to evaluate the effectiveness of work, expanding the functionality if necessary.

What to look for when choosing

Several basic criteria to help you choose a CMS:

1. The popularity, the higher it is, the easier it is to find a programmer or freelancer who, if necessary, will modify or make changes to the site. By the way, it is almost impossible to find a specialist to refine "self-written" sites.
2. Editing function - admin panel. It is useful for beginners unfamiliar with HTML and PHP for editing, changing and updating content.
3. Design as well as a set of templates. Pay attention to the basic equipment. For example, some engines provide the ability to hide blocks (goods that are out of stock, promotions for which have already ended).
4. Availability of built-in support modules for popular payment systems and delivery methods. Plus the ability to add new ones.
5. When choosing, pay attention to engines with an admin panel with built-in SEO optimization. This will help search engines to correctly identify the online store (include it in the search results for key queries), increase the reach of the target audience, and control indicators. It is clear that in this case you should not rely only on the software capabilities. Interesting, eye-catching product descriptions, maximum information about characteristics, clear photos and useful reviews are no less important than autocomplete meta tags or page optimization for search engines.
6. The ability to add users - with the development of the store, new directions will appear, such as: consulting potential customers, processing orders, etc.
7. Cart optimization - here, the fewer fields you have to fill out when placing an order, the better. It should also be possible to save the selected items in the cart (for example, a pop-up window that prompts the customer to proceed to checkout or postpone the purchase).
8. Ease of management and basic functionality. If the control panel is complicated, the beginner will have to contact the programmers, and if the functions for the full-fledged operation of the online platform are not enough, they will have to buy plugins.

The minimum basic features should include:

• displaying information about the product (description, availability, current price);
• calculation of the total cost of goods in the basket, taking into account discounts, delivery.

And also the ability to work with popular payment services.

The advantages of free engines

• First of all, low financial costs. At the first stage, you can get by with a free engine and basic functionality.
• Easy to learn and work - no special knowledge is required to create and edit. Information about the engine, functions can be found on the forums. Fast data backup is available if necessary.

disadvantages

• Lack of technical support. If you don't know anything about programming, you will have to look for specialists and, of course, pay for their services. And to correctly explain what should turn out in the end, without special knowledge, is another task.
• "Free" options disappear with enviable regularity, so you will have to pay for the restoration of work again.
• Limited functionality - with the development of the store, you will either have to buy plugins or switch to paid engines. It will be more expensive, but you don't have to look for programmers or try to figure it out on your own.

To summarize, it turns out that free engines will fit only for novice businessmen, for creating trading platforms with a small assortment. In addition, you still have to invest in an online store. The amounts, of course, are not comparable to the purchase of a license for paid CMS, but still.

And one more thing - the activity of any online store must comply with the requirements of Federal and Tax legislation, so in addition to technical issues, you will also have to study legal ones.

Features of paid CMS

Suitable for medium-sized businesses as the cost of the CMS is decent. On average - from 10,000 per month. For this money, the user gets a ready-made online store with good functionality, integration with payment systems and delivery services.

Safety should be noted separately. Since when placing an online order, users leave personal data, information about payment cards. The level of protection against hacking of paid engines is much higher than that of free CMS.
Well, technical support. If, when installing a free engine, any changes to the site require either a thorough study of the forums or the participation of programmers, providers of paid CMS provide their users with prompt and qualified technical support.

Review of the best free CMS for 2024

WooCommerce

Based on WordPress, it is one of the most popular systems for online trading, including for building large trading platforms.

The basic configuration contains all the necessary functions for managing the store:

• creating catalogs and filters by category for easy navigation;
• setting up payment for goods (cards, e-wallets, payment systems);
• choice of payment method, delivery;
• setting up a discount system.

To promote the created online store, you will need to install the All in One SEO Pack plugins with an add-on for ecommerce. As for optimization, there are some peculiarities, but again, with a lack of finance, you can spend time studying manuals and setting up. If you can't figure it out on your own, you can look for information on specialized forums.

One more nuance - to organize the work of an online store, you need a plug-in "Wallet One Checkout". This is the only way to connect payment systems.WooCommerce may have problems with this, since the plugin was originally developed for the Western market.

WooCommerce is completely free to download through the WordPress Extension Library. You will have to pay extra for expanding the functionality.

• free installation and use;
• intuitive interface;
• easy installation;
• good functionality even in the basic version;
• Many developers are familiar with WordPress, so there is no difficulty in finding specialists;
• the ability to configure caching, install accelerated mobile pages.

• does not support the "Wallet One Checkout" plugin - beginners will definitely have to look for specialists to integrate it;
• possible extension incompatibility with the theme.

OpenCart

It is used mainly for the implementation of large Internet projects. Quite good basic functionality, the ability to integrate 1 C (you need paid extensions).

Features of the latest version:

• built-in store of extensions (installation is the same as in WordPress from the admin panel);
• Crowdin (translation of site content into different languages).

OpenCart is easy to install from most hosting providers. The engine is resource-demanding, so free hosting for normal site operation is not an option.

By default, it comes with an English-language interface, later, after an update, the Russian-speaking community issues its version with changes and added integrations for Runet services.

From basic functionality:

• built-in filters by product categories that simplify navigation;
• payment and delivery options (regional features are also taken into account);
• generating reports on the work of the store (evaluating the effectiveness of the tools used);
• linking with Yandex services;
• management of promotional codes, bonus points that affect the final cost of the purchase.

Working with OpenCart is easy enough. The interface is intuitive. In order for the admin panel to be displayed in Russian, a localized version is installed. Any questions can be asked on specialized forums

• localized Russian version;
• built-in service-translator Crowdin;
• a full-fledged store even when installing the basic version;
• the ability to add additional functions (including free extensions).

• unfinished SEO tools (either manual configuration or purchase of plugins remains);
• duplication of pages is possible when filling in tags in several languages;
• inconvenient work with loading (in order to add one position, the administrator will have to load the whole assortment).

Joomla!

Suitable for creating any websites, including online stores. The open source engine is quite difficult to install and configure. Therefore, beginners will either have to figure it out for a long time on their own, or use the services of specialists.

As for the base, there are few template themes and free modules. You will have to pay extra for additional plugins to expand the functionality of the site. You will also have to fork out to adapt the Internet resource to the Runet - payment modules, integration with courier and delivery services.

SEO optimization is provided by built-in engine tools, as well as free multifunctional modules.

• many built-in tools, the ability to expand functionality;
• equally suitable for creating stores with a small assortment and large trading floors;
• frequent updates;
• there is no technical support as such, but users and developers independently create a kind of knowledge base, new plugins and templates.

• support for third-party extensions - when updating an old version there is always a risk that
• one or more extensions (templates) will malfunction;
• not suitable for creating non-standard sites, but only for solving typical tasks.

Best Paid Online Store Engines for 2024

Bitrix

According to statistics, every third trading platform in Runet is created on the 1C-Bitrix platform. Suitable for creating any online store.Wide functionality includes:

• selling landing pages with a feedback form;
• the ability to conduct sales analytics;
• uploading data;
• the ability to create a multi-price price list (for wholesale buyers, cumulative discounts);
• E-mail marketing - to inform the target audience about discounts and promotions.

Important: compliance with the requirements of Federal legislation for the activities of online stores (support for online cash registers with the ability to print receipts, a consent form with the processing of personal data is added to the order form automatically).

The cost of the basic package is 35,900 rubles.

• ready-made modules - to choose from;
• high level of security;
• easy scaling of stores;
• automatic generation of page metadata;
• integrates with 1C products;
• technical support (free).

• difficult to work with and install - you cannot do without the help of a programmer to configure and refine;
• demanding resources - you need a dedicated server or hosting with high performance;
• not very convenient admin panel.

CS-Cart

Suitable for small and medium businesses. Simple management and rich functionality even in the basic package (500 functions by default), plus integration with all Russian-language e-commerce services:

• Yandex (Analytics, Market);
• online payment and delivery services;
• products 1 C.

It is possible to install a demo version indicating the category of products (goods, services) that will be sold in the online store. Easy-to-use admin panel - training of employees will take just a few hours. You can customize your store for specific needs without any special knowledge. Any questions you may have will be helped by round-the-clock technical support.

The engine source code provides additional opportunities for adapting the site to your own needs - from developing a storefront theme to integrating with new payment services. According to the developers' assurances, built-in SEO tools bring CS-Cart sites to the top of search engine results in 2 months after registration.

Today there are 2 versions available: Standard and Ultimate. The latter gives access to an unlimited number of storefronts. Price - from 24,000 rubles per month.

• simple control;
• documentation and instructions for work are presented on the official website;
• safety;
• unlimited adaptive possibilities;
• technical support;
• frequent updates with patches of fixes of discovered vulnerabilities;
• integration with Russian payment systems.

• it is possible to create duplicate pages (when creating several layouts for one product);
• automatic generation of headings - often you have to redo it manually;
• not suitable for small shops.

UMI.CMS

One of the five most popular engines. Main characteristics: simplicity, functionality, reliability. Features:

• built-in toolbar - short messages (about new orders, for example) are displayed in the browser even when the site is closed;
• Ajax - for quick editing of the site structure;
• online editing - you can change the description, product photos in custom mode, without using the admin panel;

As well as integration with payment services, 1C products and advanced SEO optimization tools.
Another plus is adaptation for mobile devices. Compatible with major operating systems: iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7, which increases sales by increasing the target audience.
Programmers will be interested in an affiliate program with flexible terms - this is both a free license and inclusion in the list of developers.

Supplied in 6 editions. The cheapest of which, Start with limited basic functionality, will cost 19,000 rubles. The maximum cost for the Commerce edition is 29,000 rubles. And the development of an online store for the needs of the client - from 60,000 rubles.

• wide functionality - it is better to choose versions not lower than Lite;
• simple control;
• integration with popular services;
• technical support;
• safety.

• high price, even compared to Bitrix.

If you are planning to open your own online store, it is worth considering in advance what functions are required. Explore the technical capabilities, appreciate the ease of management (many developers offer a demo version), see the opinions of real owners of Internet sites on specialized forums ..