PrestaShop is emerging as a leading alternative to Shopify for those who want to venture into e-commerce, providing a flexible and accessible tool for creating and effectively managing virtual stores, and this guide details how to set up an online store with PrestaShopfrom installation to customization and using additional services to achieve success in the digital space.
What is PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is a free and open source e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage online stores. It is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world, with more than 240,000 active stores worldwide.
PrestaShop offers a wide range of functions and features, including:
- Product management
- Orders management
- Customer Management
- Payment management
- Shipping management
- Online marketing
PrestaShop is a good option for businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations. It is a flexible and scalable platform that can adapt to the needs of any business.
PrestaShop installation
- Download and Unzip PrestaShop: Download PrestaShop from its official website. After downloading, you will have a ZIP file that you must unzip. You will find an index.php file, Install_Prestashop.html and another ZIP file
- Creation of a Database: Like other solutions like Joomla or WordPress, PrestaShop uses a file system and a database. You will need to create a database and write down details such as database name, username, password and host
- Upload Files and Start Installation: Use an FTP client to upload the files to your server. Then, start the installation by accessing your domain
- Initial setup: During installation, you will be guided through an installation wizard where you will configure basic aspects of your store, such as language, license agreement, store information, and database details
Initial Settings and Personalization
- Basic Settings: After installation, you can change basic store information such as name, demo data installation, language, and SSL certificate activation
- Access to the PrestaShop Back Office: To manage your store, you will need to access the back office, whose address is automatically generated during installation
- Localization and Translation: PrestaShop allows you to adapt your store to different countries and languages. You can import localization packages that include languages, currencies, measurements and rates
- Maintenance mode: It is useful to activate maintenance mode while setting up your store so that it is not visible to visitors
Management of Visual Aspects and Themes
- Themes and Logos: You can change the look of your store using themes. PrestaShop comes with a basic theme, but you can add new themes or change your company logo
- Module Management: Modules are extensions that add new features to your store. You can install, configure or deactivate modules from the back office
Content and Product Creation
- Static Pages and Categories: Create pages like ‘About’ or ‘Privacy Policy’ and assign each page to a category
- Main menu: Set up your store’s main menu so visitors can easily navigate through it
- Footer and Contact Information: Customize footer information and displayed links
- Product Management: Add and edit products in your catalog, including details such as product name, category, price and stock
Additional Settings
- Payment Methods and Currencies: Configure payment methods and add new currencies if necessary for your store
- Shipping Management: Configure shipping zones and create couriers
- Order and Invoice Management: Learn how to manage orders and handle invoices in PrestaShop
- Free PrestaShop: The free version of PrestaShop is a complete and powerful e-commerce platform that can be used to create and manage online stores of any size. The free version is open source, meaning it can be downloaded and used at no cost. However, the free version does not offer official technical support or automatic security updates.
- PrestaShop Ready: PrestaShop Ready is a pre-configured eCommerce solution based on the free version of PrestaShop. PrestaShop Ready offers a number of additional features and functions, such as professional design, integrated checkout, and support. PrestaShop Ready prices start at €249 per year.
- PrestaShop Premium: PrestaShop Premium is a custom eCommerce solution that is based on the free version of PrestaShop. PrestaShop Premium offers a wide range of custom features and functions, such as a custom layout, an advanced inventory management system, and integration with third-party systems. PrestaShop Premium prices start at €3,000.
In addition to the prices of the e-commerce platform, you also have to take into account the costs of additional services, such as the domain, web hosting, and development and design.
- Domain: A domain is the web address of your online store. Domain prices are usually around €10 per year.
- Web hosting: Web hosting is the space on a server that stores your online store files. Web hosting prices are usually around €50 per year.
- Development and design: If you are not familiar with PrestaShop, you can hire a web developer to create and design your online store. Development and design costs can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of your store.
Overall, PrestaShop prices are very competitive compared to other eCommerce platforms. The free version is a great option for businesses of all sizes looking to create and manage a basic online store. For businesses with more complex needs, PrestaShop Ready or PrestaShop Premium may be more suitable options.
Third Party Services for PrestaShop Installation and Configuration
When it comes to setting up an online store with PrestaShop, not all users have the time or technical expertise to handle the installation and configuration themselves, and believe us here, It’s not as easy as it seems with PrestaShop.
This is where the services of companies like PrestaPros, which can greatly facilitate this process. PrestaPros offers a range of options, from basic installation to advanced customization and technical support. Let’s explore what you can expect from this type of service and how they can help you launch your online store successfully.
How can PrestaPros help you?
1. Installation and Basic Configuration
- Professional Installation: PrestaPros offers PrestaShop installation services, making sure the software is installed correctly on your server. This includes configuring the database and verifying that all system components are working properly.
- Initial setup: In addition to installation, PrestaPros professionals can help you configure the initial PrestaShop options, such as language settings, currency, and payment and shipping settings.
2. Personalization and Design
- Themes and Design: While PrestaShop comes with default themes, a service like PrestaPros can help you install and customize themes to match your brand identity. This includes color adjustments, arrangement of elements, and creating a responsive layout.
- Custom Function Development: If you need specific functionalities that are not available in PrestaShop by default, PrestaPros offer custom development to meet your needs.
3. Support and Maintenance
- Continuous support: PrestaPros offers ongoing support to resolve any technical issues that may arise with your store.
- Updates and Maintenance: Keeping your store updated and secure is vital. PrestaPros technical support team can handle PrestaShop updates and perform regular checkups to ensure everything is running smoothly.
4. Training and Consulting
- Training for the Use of the System: PrestaPros offers training to teach you how to effectively use the PrestaShop backend, allowing you to manage your store independently.
- Strategic Consulting: In addition to technical assistance, you can receive advice on e-commerce strategies, digital marketing and SEO optimization to maximize the potential of your online store.
As you can see, creating an online store with PrestaShop requires familiarizing yourself with its back office and the various options and tools it offers. Fortunately, there are companies like PrestaPros that can do it for you and save you headaches and time.