What is open source?
Open-source software (OSS) is software that is available with a license to be used, changed, and distributed openly without any cost. Open source is typically created as a collaborative effort in which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within the community.
5 Major Reasons to develop eCommerce websites using open source
#1 Cost
One of the major benefits of using open sources is that they are available free of cost and can be used by anyone to develop an eCommerce system. All you need to do is, just download the setup, upload, and deploy it on your server and you are ready to upload your products to sell online.
Open source is a blessing for new eCommerce setups that can invest their funds in developing & executing their core business rather than spending a huge amount on eCommerce web development.
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#2 Reliability
Open-source software is considered more reliable as compared to those proprietary CMS systems. If you develop your online store using any of the proprietary CMS, you will always be worried about the development company’s skills to update the system regularly. On top of it, what will happen if those companies shut their business down?
Open-source systems are generally maintained by a community of developers who contribute to the development of the system. Since there is no proprietary company involved, open-source software is considered more reliable and independent as compared to proprietary CMS systems.
#3 Flexibility
Again, when you use proprietary CMS for building eCommerce websites, you don’t have full control over their systems. Every time, when you are required to scale up the functionality of your store, you have to rely on them and pay for the development charges.
However, in the case of open sources like WordPress, you have many options to extend the features of your eCommerce website. WordPress developers are available in abundance and you can hire them at an affordable price to make changes to your website.
#4 Regular Updates
Open sources come with another added advantage you don’t need to worry about updating the core setup of your eCommerce website regularly. The contributors in the WordPress community are there to take care of the system upgrade. Most open-source CMS like WordPress regularly provide updated versions to download and install on your existing websites to make them secure.
Not only core files but most of the plugins & themes can also be updated easily without having any need to hire web developers. So, when you build your online store with an open-source CMS, you don’t need to worry about regular updates and maintenance.
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#5 Popularity
Looking over the rise of open source CMS (such as WordPress, OpenCart, Magento, etc.) & their popularity, we know that they are here to stay for a long time. At the same time, with the rise of open sources, their developers are also increasingly available. Because of this reason, you can easily find and hire an affordable WordPress developer to set up, customize, or upgrade your eCommerce website.
Final words
Looking at the popularity, cost, and reliability of open-source systems such as WordPress, I don’t think there is any reason that you shouldn’t use them for your online shop development.