PrestaShop is one of the most used platforms worldwide to create personalized online storesThanks to its flexibility and power, this E-commerce CMS is an ideal solution for small and large businesses. In this complete guide we will explain everything you need to know about PrestaShop, from how it works to its advantages and how to get started.
Discover What is CMS? PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is an open source content management system (CMS) aimed at e-commerce. It allows you to create and manage online stores efficiently, offering a wide range of functionalities to customize and manage your digital business. It is written in PHP and supports databases MySQL, which facilitates its integration and scalability.
How It Really Works PrestaShop?
PrestaShop operates through a modular system that allows users to add or remove functionality according to the specific needs of their business. This modular architecture makes it easy to customize the online store, either by using predefined modules or developing new ones. In addition, it offers an intuitive administration interface that allows you to manage products, orders, customers and other key aspects of e-commerce.
Advantages of Serving PrestaShop for your Ecommerce
PrestaShop offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for creating online stores:
Intuitive use: Its interface is easy to use, even for those without prior web development experience.
Simple installation: The installation process is straightforward, with guides that make it easy to get your store up and running.
Great offer of plugins and extensions: It has a wide variety of modules that allow you to expand the store's functionalities according to specific needs.
Changing templates without altering the content: It is possible to modify the appearance of the store by changing the templates without affecting the existing content.
Mobile device compatibility: The templates are designed to be responsive, ensuring an optimal experience on mobile devices.
Open source system: Being open source, it allows complete customization and an active community that contributes to its development.
Constant updates: The platform is kept updated with new features and security improvements.
Where it comes from PrestaShop? A Look at Its History
The origin of everything
PrestaShop was founded in 2007 by Igor Schlumberger and Bruno Lévêque in France, with the aim of providing an accessible and flexible e-commerce solution for small and medium-sized businesses.
Release of version 1.0 in 2007
The first version of PrestaShop was launched in 2007, offering a solid foundation for creating online stores with essential functionalities.
Development of versions 1.5 and 2.0
over time, PrestaShop It evolved, introducing new features and improvements in versions 1.5 and 2.0, adapting to the changing needs of the e-commerce market.
System vulnerabilities
Like any software, PrestaShop has faced security-related challenges. However, the community and developers have constantly worked to identify and fix these vulnerabilities, ensuring a secure platform for users.
PrestaShop currently
Currently, PrestaShop It is used by more than 250,000 stores worldwide and is available in 60 languages, establishing itself as one of the most popular e-commerce platforms.
PrestaShop vs Other Ecommerce CMS: Who Wins?
When choosing an e-commerce platform, it is essential to understand the differences between the available options. Below is a comparison between PrestaShop and other popular platforms:
| Feature | PrestaShop | WooCommerce | Magento | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| type | open source | Plugin from WordPress | open source | SaaS platform |
| Initial cost | Free (with hosting and module costs) | Free (with hosting and plugin costs) | Free (Community version); High (Enterprise) | Monthly subscription |
| Ease of use | Easy to use, but requires basic technical knowledge | Very easy for WordPress users | Complex, aimed at expert developers | Very easy for beginners |
| Personalization | Highly customizable with modules and themes | Customization limited to available plugins | Highly customizable, but requires advanced skills | Limited to integrated themes and features |
| Scalability | Suitable for SMEs and large-scale projects with optimization | Ideal for small shops; limited in large projects | Highly scalable for large enterprises | Suitable for small and medium stores |
| Native functionalities | Full functions for ecommerce from the beginning | Requires additional plugins for advanced functionality | Advanced built-in features (Enterprise) | Default, but limited functionalities |
| community | Great community of developers and users | Wide community thanks to WordPress | Active technical community | Official technical support, but no active community |
Advantages of PrestaShop respect other platforms
- Lower initial cost: It is completely free, with no monthly fees like Shopify, making it ideal for businesses on tight budgets.
- High level of customization: Allows you to modify the code and adapt your e-commerce to the 100% to your needs.
- Specialization in ecommerce: Unlike WooCommerce, which is a plugin from wordpress, PrestaShop It is completely oriented towards e-commerce.
- Large number of modules: PrestaShop Marketplace offers thousands of modules and templates to easily extend functionality.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with PrestaShop
Install PrestaShop
To start with PrestaShop, you will need to install it on your server. There are two main options:
Manual installation
- Download the software from the official site of PrestaShop.org.
- Upload the files to your server via FTP.
- Create a database MySQL for your website.
- Complete initial setup following the installation wizard.
to use PrestaShop.com
PrestaShop.com offers a hosted solution that eliminates the need to manage your own server. This option is ideal for those who want a quick setup without technical complications.
Migrate to PrestaShop: When and Why Do It?
- Advanced security: Thanks to its constant updates, PrestaShop offers a high level of security to protect your e-commerce.
- Complete control: As an open source platform, you have absolute control over your website and its functionalities.
- Usability and interface: Its interface is intuitive and easy to manage, even for non-technical users.
Hosting by PrestaShop: How to Choose the Best?
Select the best hosting for PrestaShop is essential to guarantee the performance and security of your ecommerce. A platform like PrestaShop, with all its features, requires an optimized server that meets the specific needs of a digital business. Here are the key points to consider:
1. Technical compatibility
The hosting must support the recommended versions of PHP i MySQL to ensure that PrestaShop function properly. In addition, it is important that the server allows for regular updates to keep your site secure and performing at its best.
2. Performance and speed
A good hosting should offer:
- Fast loading times, as a slow page can affect sales and user experience.
- Ability to manage high traffic volumes, especially during periods of promotions or special campaigns.
3. Security
Security is an absolute priority for any ecommerce. Your hosting should include:
- SSL certificate to ensure that your customers' data is encrypted.
- Automatic backups to quickly recover the site in case of problems.
- Protection against DDoS attacks to avoid service interruptions.
4. 24/7 technical support
When it comes to ecommerce, every minute counts. A technical problem can mean lost sales. Make sure your hosting provider offers customer service. available 24 hours to resolve incidents immediately.
Daimatics: Hosting Solutions Optimized for PrestaShop
A Daimatics, we are specialists in hosting for PrestaShop. We offer solutions adapted to the needs of our customers, with services that include:
- Servers optimized for PrestaShop, with guaranteed compatibility for the latest versions.
- Exceptional speed and performance, ideal for managing large volumes of traffic.
- Advanced security measures, including automatic backups and SSL certificates.
- 24/7 technical support with experts in PrestaShop ready to help you.
If you want to ensure that your ecommerce is running optimally, contact us to discover how we can help you improve the performance and security of your website.
The Essential Modules That Can't Be Missing in Your PrestaShop
Some of the most recommended plugins are:
- A PrestaShop, modules are essential to extend the functionalities of your store and optimize performance. Below we present a selection of the most downloaded and best rated modules a PrestaShop addons, along with its usefulness:
1. Official PayPal Module
This module integrates PayPal as a payment method in your store. With PayPal, customers can pay securely and quickly, which increases trust in your ecommerce and reduces cart abandonment. It is essential to offer globally recognized payment options.
2. PrestaShop Metrics
This module is ideal for detailed tracking of your store's performance. It provides you with real-time data on traffic, sales, and customer behavior. With this information, you can make informed decisions to optimize your marketing strategy and increase conversions.
3. Mailchimp for PrestaShop
Mailchimp is a powerful tool for managing email campaignsWith this module, you can automatically synchronize your customer data and create personalized campaigns that foster loyalty and increase sales.
4. 1-Click Upgrade
update PrestaShop It's never been easier. This module allows you to update your store to the latest version with just one click, ensuring you always have the latest features and security improvements without any technical complications.
5. Cart Banners
This module allows you to add custom banners to the shopping cart. It is a perfect tool to promote special offers or complementary products at the key moment of purchase, helping you increase the average basket value.
6. seo expert
a good one seo is key to positioning your store in search engines like Google. This module automatically optimizes the metadata, friendly URLs and other technical aspects that improve your positioning, attracting more organic traffic to your ecommerce.
7. GDPR – Compliance with the Cookie Law
Ensure compliance with European data protection regulations with this module. Inform your users about the use of cookies and collect their consent in an easy and clear way, avoiding possible penalties.
8. HTML Custom Block
This module allows you to create and customize HTML content blocks in any section of your store. It is ideal for adding information, advertisements or special links without having to modify the page code.
9. Redsys POS Payment Gateway
This module facilitates payment with credit and debit cards through the Redsys gateway, one of the most used in Spain. With Redsys, you offer a secure and efficient payment option, increasing the trust of your customers.
10. Pretty URLs
This module simplifies the structure of your store's URLs, removing unnecessary identifiers or parameters. This not only improves the user experience, but also optimizes yours seo, helping you rank better on Google.
Optimize yours PrestaShop to Get the Most Out of It
- Make sure the theme is responsive: Verify that your store displays correctly on mobile devices.
- Keep your system and plugins updated.: This ensures that your store is protected and performing better.
- Module compatibility: Check that the modules are compatible with new versions of the system.
Common problems a PrestaShop and How to Solve them
All systems can have errors, but with a little preparation, you can easily resolve them. Learn how to handle the most common errors in PrestaShop, such as error 500 or database problems.
1. Internal Server Error (500)
- Solution: Check server configurations and file permissions.
2. Database connection error
- Solution: Check the database credentials and their availability.
3. Error 502 (Gateway Error)
- Solution: Upgrade your server or increase the available resources.
Real Example of Success: Ahorrototal.com with PrestaShop
Discover how Daimatics has helped Ahorrototal.com to develop and manage its online store using PrestaShopA combination of personalized strategy and technology that has brought great results.
Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions about PrestaShop
PrestaShop is one of the E-commerce CMS most popular in the world. It allows you to create personalized online stores, adapting to both small businesses and large ecommerce. Among its main uses are:
- Create a complete online store with thousands of products.
- Customize the user experience with themes and modules.
- Easily manage sales, shipments and promotions from one place.
Real example: Companies like Ahorrototal.com, managed by Daimatics, have grown thanks to PrestaShop.
To make it work PrestaShop correctly, you must make sure that your server meets these minimum requirements:
- PHP: Version 7.1 or higher, with extensions like
curl,gdizip. - Database MySQL: At least 5.6 or higher.
- disk space: 1 GB of free space recommended.
- SSL certificate: Essential to guarantee the security of transactions.
Tip: If you are not sure whether your hosting meets these requirements, a Daimatics we offer servers optimized specifically for PrestaShop.
Yes, PrestaShop it is free and of open source, which means you can download and install it at no cost. However, there are some associated costs that you should be aware of:
- Hosting and domain: You will need reliable hosting and a domain for your ecommerce.
- Modules and templates: Although PrestaShop includes basic functions, you can purchase premium modules (com seo Expert or Payment Gateways) to extend the functionality.
- Custom design: If you want a unique look, it may be necessary to hire a designer.
Practical example: Many businesses choose to start with the free features and add premium modules as they grow.
There are several options for getting support for PrestaShop:
- Official forum: The community of PrestaShop is very active and can help you solve common doubts. You can visit it here.
- Official documentation: You will find detailed guides to configure and use PrestaShop.
- Professional technical support: If you need personalized help, you can hire specialized services like the ones it offers Daimatics, experts in configuration, maintenance and optimization of online stores.
Tip: If you have recurring problems, a specialized agency like Daimatics may be the best option to ensure that everything works perfectly.
