In this post I want to explain in a very simple and understandable way what PrestaShop is. At the same time, I would like to expose which are the most relevant features and functionalities of this platform.
This platform for Ecommerces has some features and functionalities that make it one of the most used platforms for online stores worldwide and of course in Spain.
Firstly, PrestaShop originated in France, a neighboring country of Spain, and this proximity may have influenced the great penetration of this platform in our country.
On the other hand, in recent years consumer habits have changed, being more and more frequent the purchase of products and services online, as a result more and more companies make the leap to the online world.
This is a necessity, not only to adapt to this new trend of consumption increasingly established in society, but also to be able to compete on equal terms with competing companies online.
Table of contents
what is PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is simply a platform for Ecommerces or small to medium sized online stores.
In a more technical way it is a content management system equipped with an open source CMS, which gives us the possibility to create online stores, perfectly enabled for e-commerce, i.e. the sale of products online.
As PrestaShop is an open source CMS, it allows us to modify the source code of the web without any restriction because of the license, this will allow us to have freedom to modify our online store and optimize it.
In addition, the download of this platform is free, it is true that there will be other elements that will have a cost, such as hosting, domain name, the template you want to use can be paid, although we also have free and modules that add new features to our online store.
Key features of PrestaShop
Is PrestaShop a web application?
Yes, indeed, PrestaShop is a web application, which uses the PHP programming language, and it has to be installed on a web server to work.
Thus, it needs to be connected to a database and the web application will be accessible through the browser.
Like all types of web applications, PrestaShop has two main sections, a public part that will be visible to the public, called Front Office, and a private part, called Back Office, which corresponds to the administration panel of PrestaShop, in the image we can see the administration panel.
At this point, we already know that PrestaShop is a platform for online stores with CMS code, we also know that it is a web application and we know that this CMS code is open, which allows its modification.
Once we know what PrestaShop is , we are going to explain the most relevant features and functionalities and why it is so famous and used by Ecommerces all over the world.
PrestaShop local installation and web hosting
When we say that PrestaShop is installed on a local server, we mean that it is installed on a private computer, i.e. it is not necessary to host it on a private external server of a third party hosting or web hosting company.
This may sound contradictory, in the sense that I said before that the platform needs to be installed on a web server, so can it be installed on a private computer?
Let me explain.
First of all, we have to be clear that a web server is simply an application with the clear objective of serving web pages on the Internet, and can be installed on any computer.
For the online store to be visited by the users through the Internet search engines, it is necessary that it is installed in a web hosting and that a domain name is established and registered.
Thus, in order for the website to be accessible to users, we need a web hosting and a domain name.
In any case, we can install it in Local only, but our online store will not be seen by third parties, this can have the advantage that you will not be paying a hosting and hostings and you can use PrestaShop simply to learn and test, which can be very interesting.
What are Templates in PrestaShop?
The templates or Theme are default designs offered by this platform, ie, the final design of our online store in PrestaShop will be influenced by the template we choose at first.
Of course this will help us greatly to create the design or appearance of the web user, these templates are not fixed, they can be modified, adding new sections and features.
One of the best places to see the catalog of PrestaShop templates is in PrestaShop Addons.
What do we mean by modules in PrestaShop?
Modules are gadgets or extensions that allow us to add new features to our online store beyond those provided by the template we have chosen at the beginning.
Therefore, these modules are a fundamental element to not only have more control over our online store internally, with orders, sales and suppliers, for example, but also allow us to add new features for the user and the optimization of the online store for search engines, SEO.
Most of the modules are of payment, you can find modules for the creation of a blog, to incorporate content to your site, add new sections, analysis and specification of the stages of purchase, for the warning of Cookies, among others. There are many modules that can help us.
I encourage you to learn more about the essential modules for your online store.
Existing versions of PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a platform that is being updated and launching different software with some modifications, such as incorporating new features, security, design, etc..
It should be noted that a new version may not always be better for all online stores in a previous version, you have to make an assessment and the cost in terms of template change and what that may mean for our online store.
These are the most used versions in PrestaShop:
- PrestaShop version 1.4. This version was released in 2011 and was the first one with which PrestaShop started the recognition they have today.
- PrestaShop version 1.5. Released in 2012
- PrestaShop version 1.6. Incorporates for the first time the responsive version, adapted to mobile devices.
- PrestaShop version 1.7. Changes in style, now more minimalist, easier to use and much faster.
It should be noted that between one version and another, there are updates, these updates are minor changes in the application.
Key technical features of PrestaShop
As we already know, the basic functionality of this application is to enable the sale of products over the Internet, but not only that, but also to do so in the best possible conditions.
Therefore, in this section I want us to know the fundamental features that PrestaShop offers us.
Search Engine Optimization, SEO
SEO is one of the fundamental aspects to be addressed in any website dedicated to e-commerce, since a well optimized site will result in a considerable increase in online sales.
PrestaShop knows this, so it helps us enormously to do so, it offers us many facilities to perform these optimizations, from a quick indexing of the site, through the SEO modules mentioned above, to the possibility of modifying the code.
Fast loading times
This is one of the most important aspects for users. If a customer is waiting too long for the page to load, for example more than a minute, we are likely to lose him.
But also in order to have a good organic positioning in search engines, which will allow Google to index more URLs of our online store in less time.
If we choose PrestaShop to set up our Ecommerce, this guarantees us to have good loading times from the start.
User experience
The user experience plays a fundamental role and is closely related to the usability of the website. If it is pleasant for the user and encourages the purchase in a simple way, we will see how this has an impact on higher sales.
In this sense, PrestaShop offers many possibilities of design and aesthetic adaptation for this purpose.
As I have already mentioned, this platform offers you a multitude of different templates, with which you can create your e-commerce store. This will allow you a very good adaptation to your needs and those of your potential target audience.
The design of an online store in PrestaShop, adapts to any device, computers, mobiles or tablets.
As you may be thinking, this has a huge advantage, since we will not leave users because of the device they use at all times.
Security
It is important that the user feels safe in the online store and when placing orders, as well as for us as owners of the online sales platform.
PrestaShop provides the necessary legal content on specific pages to give both parties peace of mind.
Control of products in stock
One of the most important features of PrestaShop is the control it gives you over the products you put on sale.
Among other aspects, it gives you a meticulous control of the inventory of each product, allows you to create suppliers and carriers and associate them to each product, allows you a filtering option to organize both suppliers and manufacturers, etc..
In other words, the complexity of any Ecommerce is simplified in a very logical way in PrestaShop.
Different payment methods
As the owner of an ecommerce store, it is in your best interest to make things easy for your customers, so it is important to have several payment options for users.
PrestaShop makes this possible by offering different payment methods, both free and for a fee.
Conclusions
In this post we want to show you the most relevant functionalities and features of the PrestaShop online store platform.
The intention is to give you enough information so that if you are considering setting up an online store you can choose with certainty and knowing that PrestaShop offers very good features.
If you have any questions or clarifications, we look forward to your comments.
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