When starting a webshop, a lot of preparatory thinking goes into it. One of the questions you need to ask yourself is: do I want to buy or rent my webshop?
Now, not all beginning online sellers are aware that these two options existed. Maybe you also didn’t think that you could rent (or buy) a webshop.
At the end of this article I will give you the conclusion of all these aspects. Because in the end you will have to make the decision: do I buy the software for my webshop or do I prefer to rent it?
The difference between renting a webshop and buying a webshop
We start this e-commerce adventure with the most basic question: what is the difference between buying webshop software and renting webshop software?
Here’s the bottom line:
When you purchase the software, you (almost always) use open source software;
When you rent the webshop, you use a SaaS platform ( Software as a Service ). This is also called license software.
What is open source and what is SaaS?
With open source software, the entire code is public. Anyone who wants to can make changes to the source code of the web shop software themselves (without any restrictions!). Of course, knowledge of programming languages such as CSS, PHP and HTML is required to be able to do this.
If you do indeed have that knowledge, you may be more likely to opt for open source software. After all, you can customize your webshop completely, exactly as you envision it.
If you are not a programming prodigy, hire a programmer or a company that has knowledge of building webshops .
Is it less important to you that the webshop is 100% as you want it? With Our How to Phone Number data collected by human, and that is why we have 100% accuracy in our database. This Full database is a powerful tool which could give you the best results… We offer europe cell phone number list Up-To-Date Singapore Emails Database Leads! We also add to our database every week. ALL MY DATABASE ARE FRESH & RECENTLY UPDATED 2024 My all databases are GDRP base. so you can buy here at low price. open source webshop software there are plenty of possibilities to start with a template. Then you immediately have a basic webshop that you can expand in the future (when your shop starts generating income).
With Software as a Service (Saas), the code is not public. The software (and therefore the code) is managed by one party. Making changes to the source code is therefore not possible.
In most cases, with SaaS you choose from a number of templates that the software company has already created for you.
Is SaaS not customizable at all? Well. There are providers that allow you to make adjustments in the CSS. You can read what the CSS is here , but it is important to know that the CSS makes it possible to move some elements, adjust the dimensions and more of that kind of thing. If you do not understand this yourself, you need the help of the software provider. And that is not always cheap.
A licensed webshop is therefore a suitable solution to start your webshop. After all, you do not have to mess around with codes. But if you want a custom webshop design, you will more quickly choose open source.
The benefits of open source webshop software
For me, these are the four major advantages of open source webshop software:
The many extensions and add-ons . As a result of the publicly available code, there are often hundreds of extensions and add-ons for the software of your choice. This allows you to connect unknown payment platforms , logistics parties, comparison sites and other parties.
Always up-to-date. Because there are many programmers all over the world working on developing more possibilities for open source web shop software, there is a good chance that useful extensions can be added to your webshop continuously. With SaaS web shops, on the other hand, you are more dependent on the templates that the provider creates for you. And your contract with him continues even if he no longer updates the possibilities. With open source software, that problem does not exist.
Choose from thousands of templates. There are thousands of templates that you can apply (sometimes for a one-time fee) in your webshop. These templates can be freely adapted to all your wishes. With a modest investment of a few dozen euros, you have a basis for your online shop. Thanks to the large number of available templates, you will undoubtedly find one that fits the house style of your brand.
Possibility of self-development. Do you discover that a link does not yet exist? No problem! Because the code is freely accessible, you can develop a link yourself if you have the technical knowledge. Or if you are not satisfied with an existing link, you can adjust it.
The disadvantages of open source webshop software
As Johan Cruyff said: ‘Every advantage has its disadvantage’. And in the case of open source web shop software this is also the case:
Adjustments required. The renowned open source programs are set up internationally. This is ideal for entrepreneurs with international plans. However, if you only want to focus on the Belgian or Dutch market (and there is a good chance that you do!), then you will have to make adjustments to make the webshop suitable.
Keeping an eye on updates. Open source software usually comes with a major update once a year. You have to perform this to keep the webshop safe and functional. The same goes for plug-ins, for example. You have to keep an eye on the available updates and that takes time. For entrepreneurs, this can be a disadvantage.
Adjustments. As mentioned, adjustments will have to be made to make the software suitable for your market and target group. If you do not have the know-how or the time to do it yourself, you should count on about €3,500 to €5,000 to set everything up. (Tip: do not do business with companies or builders who offer this work for less. Many disappointed entrepreneurs can tell you that parties that are too cheap do not deliver a high-quality web shop. Cheap is expensive.)
I’ll give you the three most defining benefits of SaaS webshop software:
Updates. Updates for a simple WooCommerce are often included in the hosting (for example, this is the case with WPorters ). But as soon as the webshop is a bit more extensive and there are extra plug-ins, you have to take costs into account. Licenses of plug-ins have to be maintained, the plug-ins have to get updates. This quickly costs between € 100 and € 300 per year.
Problems cost money. With open source software, there is no customer service you can contact if you encounter problems. You will have to solve the situation yourself or find a programmer. That costs money, but you can’t avoid it. It never hurts to have a few freelance programmers or a reliable web agency in your contact list.
SaaS web store software
The benefits of SaaS webshop software
Relatively low start-up costs. It takes little time and money to get a webshop online with SaaS. Because the software provider has already made all the important connections, you can often start selling within a week.
Focused on the Netherlands and Belgium. There are many SaaS providers located in the Netherlands or Belgium. As a result, they often have standard integrations with important Dutch and Belgian parties such as PostNL, DPD, iDeal, Bancontact and BPost. You often only have to check the name of the party and the associated functionality is directly integrated into your webshop. Another advantage: the software is designed for the Low Countries. Dutch and Belgians shop differently than British, American or Chinese. The functionality of the webshop must be tailored to the target group. This is the case with SaaS.
Updates are done for you. With SaaS, you never miss an update because you don’t have to pay attention to it. The software provider does this for you. That is: if your provider is any good. Before you choose a provider, you should definitely read reviews or ask fellow entrepreneurs who already have a webshop for advice.
The disadvantages of SaaS webshop software
Not everyone likes to rent. For the same reason that some people don’t like to rent content types guide re are entrepreneurs who feel reassured by knowing that the software is in their possession. Also consider this: the e-commerce world is developing so quickly that in a few years most webshop software will no longer have much value. If you invest thousands of euros now, you will have to write it off within three to four years. (What does have value, by the way, is your (domain) name and customer base. Both can be taken with you when you switch to another provider.)
Of course, SaaS also has some disadvantages:
The system is limited. SaaS webshop software has limitations. Not all SaaS providers give you aob directory the same number of functions. And even if the function is there, it depends on the provider how far it has been developed. Do you want to go for SaaS? Then take a provider that has already proven itself, but at the same time is still working hard on its software.
There is not always an API available. Some providers do not offer an API. An API gives you the possibility to develop applications that communicate with the software. It is a fact that with SaaS you cannot make changes to the code, but thanks to an API you can import and export all data.
The costs can quickly add up. A florist from Antwerp recently asked me if I could expand his existing Shopify webshop with additional features, such as extensive delivery options. Unfortunately, with Shopify the costs increase significantly with additional plug-ins, so it may be a better decision to switch to a SaaS provider that offers more features as standard, or to open source software. (The latter was ultimately the choice of the florist, who switched to WooCommerce.)
Loss of SEO position. If you switch to another system with more possibilities, you will have to make extra costs in order not to lose your SEO position. And you have to make those costs, because losing your SEO position is for a webshop about the same as changing your home address without telling your friends and family: they will no longer be able to find you.
The costs of SaaS webshop software
Most providers have different packages to choose from, usually costing between €10 and €100 per month.
A small warning is in order: don’t go for the cheapest party. For SaaS software that is good, you will spend at least €40 per month. You will undoubtedly receive some functions that you do not need yet (such as an API or multilingualism), but that is better than having to look for a new provider after a year because the current one is too limited.
