Joomla is one of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMS), which enables users to build impressive web applications. Being an open source CMS, the simplicity embedded in developing such astounding websites makes Joomla one of the most preferred CMS after WordPress.
But the question is, can such a sought-after CMS, favor the nuances of an e-commerce website? Or what can we do to integrate an e-commerce solution into a current Joomla site?
We should keep in mind that an e-commerce website does not just contain static information of a person or a product or a company, it’s a transactional medium, a place where money is spent and profits/losses are made. There are a few basic questions that needs to be answered before a person begins his journey with an e-commerce site. Let’s try to answer these questions, this would eventually provide a clear picture on how an e-commerce space is built in Joomla.
1. What am I selling?
This is the most basic of all questions that one needs to answer in a business; the kind of product one intends to sell makes a significant difference to kind of website one needs.
a. Physical Products
For physical goods, the website needs features like product catalog, price, quantity, and payment. Joomla provides the following components for such needs.
- Complete e-commerce solutions like Virtue Mart and J2store.
- Open source solutions like Opencart.
- Turnkey solutions like Mijoshop and Hikashop.
There are few third party components which can bridge along with few other CMS, this includes PrestashopProducts for Prestashop, Magebridge for Magento and Jcart for OpenCart.
b. Digital Products
For digital products, the product will be delivered digitally through email or through download links. Selling Digital products is less complicated compared to physical goods. ZJFileseller, DigitalMarket and QuickFIleSeller extensions helps to achieve this in a seamless manner.
2. Who are my customers?
Defining your customer enables to identify their needs and satisfy them. An e-commerce website customer can broadly fall in one of the following categories.
a. B2C
Majority of the e-commerce sites come under this category. These websites needs to be more robust, since the amount of traffic running in these websites will be pretty high. Along with the basic features, these websites should allow to run campaigns and promotions which will persuade customers to the website.
b. B2B
These websites should be tackling on sheer volumes. The product availability, customer credit mechanisms, delivery schedule, supply chain are the processes that should be more concentrated on this website.
c. C2C or Marketplace
The best example of this business model is eBay. These websites are just moderators between the buyer and the seller. An efficient ranking mechanism, a reliable payment process and a swift dispute addressing system should form the core of these websites.
3. How much technical expertise is required?
Joomla e-commerce provides a unique opportunity to blend both the CMS and an e-commerce module in one place, so that if a customer is impressed by the product he might be on his way to purchase it. It’s always better to know what it takes to build a successful e-commerce platform. Joomla being a robust platform, integrating an e-commerce component into Joomla will take a lot of expertise in coding and in designing the user interface.
Most of the modern e-commerce platforms are acting as mere shops, where the customer gets to know only the price and the features. But Joomla E-Commerce sites acts a medium which can educate a customer and help him purchase the product.
DCKAP has been developing custom Joomla E-Commerce solutions across the world for Fortune 100 clients. You can reach us at info@dckap.com (or) 1-877-872-3252 (US) (or) +44(0) 144 250 6383(UK)
