Definition

Prestashop is free, open source software for creating online stores, available in Polish. This platform helps you easily manage your online store, of course completely independently. Moreover, it is extremely extensive and therefore works successfully even in the largest businesses. 

How does Prestashop work?

First, download the software available on the official Prestashop website, which is completely free, and install it on your computer. The next stage will be to find hosting and a domain. These are necessary elements, but you have to pay extra to run a website with an online store. It is very important to make sure before purchasing hosting that it supports Prestashop software, as not all of those available on the market offer such options. The next stages of creating a store are adding products, selecting themes and further personalization, consistent with your vision. 

Prestashop has an integrated module that allows support in many languages. Thanks to this, your store will also be available to users abroad. Modern tools will allow you to sell both physical and virtual products, and thanks to many useful additions, the store can be expanded at any time. Prestashop also offers marketing tools that enable carrying out promotional and advertising activities, sending personalized e-mails, and even connecting to Google Analytics and analyzing the behavior of buyers and store visitors. Many of the available functions provide very advanced possibilities, thanks to which Prestashop allows you to run your business at a high level. 

Prestashop - costs

The software itself is completely free, but you have to pay for hosting, a domain, and sometimes an SSL certificate. Hosting, i.e. space on the server for our online store, costs from several to even several hundred zlotys per month. Likewise the domain, although you can find promotional offers that will be free. The SSL certificate can be found in the free version. It will need to be renewed every few months, but will ensure permanent security of all transactions. Free Prestashop plugins allow you to use the basic version of the platform for free. For some users this will be a completely sufficient solution.   

Prestashop – payment methods

Prestashop allows you to activate Blue Media payments directly in the administration panel, which is extremely beneficial because it provides access to the currently most popular, fast and safe online payment methods. 

Prestashop – shipping methods

Prestashop software can be connected to the Apaczka.pl service and thus manage all orders, generate transport documents, and supervise the entire delivery process until the parcel reaches the customer. Apaczka.pl is a functionality for the store, but also for the customer, who will be able to choose any delivery point. 

Prestashop – advantages and disadvantages

Looking at the popularity of the Prestashop solution, we can safely say that it is due to the fact that it has many advantages. Prestashop guarantees an extremely wide scope of operation, offering the possibility of selling physical and digital products virtually all over the world. 

Prestashop is basically free software, but some of the functionality is paid and this must be taken into account, especially when we plan to expand the store.

Trivia

Prestashop provides many tools and extensive modules, which is why this solution is often chosen by large and well-known brands that are looking for new, better places to run their online businesses.

Summary

Prestashop is one of the most popular solutions today, offering an online store that is very simple and intuitive to use, and at the same time has an extremely wide scope. Prestashop provides unlimited access to guides and training materials that facilitate independent operation, but also the implementation of new functionalities in the store. 

Related entries:

promotion tool, creative agency, branding agency, consulting agency, company vision, agency 360, strategic consulting, product strategy, strategic plan, business strategy