Overview of CMS CS-Cart features — pros and cons of the engine for an online store

There is an opinion among entrepreneurs that the development of a trading platform is an impossible task and they do not dare to create it. Thus, the entrepreneur loses a large number of potential buyers. In fact, the creation of a trading platform does not take much time and does not require special knowledge. Each trading resource functions with the help of a CMS for an online store. The main thing is to choose the optimal engine for yourself, with a clear interface and extensive features.

Any content management system has a number of differences. They consist in a set of standard functions, cost, level of complexity, hosting requirements and other parameters. In this review, the CS-Cart online store engine will be considered, as well as all its pros and cons.

Key features of CS-Cart
This system was created specifically for those who need a high-quality online store in a short period of time. This is due to its profile purpose and the speed of development. CS-Cart is a platform designed for commercial purposes only. The creators have been honing its perfection for years, analyzing it with competitors and not being distracted by creating third-party functions. This is a big plus, since the administration panel contains only those tools that an entrepreneur will need.

The platform was introduced to the general public in 2004 and immediately gained trust. At the moment, about forty thousand stores from different countries operate under its management. According to official statistics, CS-Cart projects are most adapted for mobile devices, including tablets, smartphones and other gadgets with Internet access. Consequently, search engines are friendly to such sites and raise them in the output. The number of buyers and the profit directly depends on this.

Like most engines, this system is written in PHP, and a MySQL database is used to store information. This indicates the flexibility and great potential of the platform. Such a bundle provides high performance, instant output of any information on request and creates favorable conditions for further development. In addition, the system has an open source, which opens up limitless possibilities for experienced developers. Changing and adding scripts allows you to improve the functionality and implement any solutions on the site.

Also, when choosing a CMS for an online store, it is worth remembering that CS-Cart is distributed only on a commercial basis. All users are given a trial period that lasts for one month. During this time, you can get acquainted with all the possibilities and launch your store by filling it with goods. After the end of the specified period, you need to purchase a full version of the platform or refuse to use it. The cost of a product with a lifetime license starts from 24,500 rubles. The company promises to refund the money to the user if, within thirty days of use, defects are identified or the CMS fails to cope with the user's requests.

CS-Cart Features

This platform is well optimized for trading. At the same time, the type of goods does not matter. The stores managed by the CS-Cart online store engine have all the necessary tools and provide customers with all the convenience for making an order.

Among the main features of the platform , it is worth highlighting:

Import and export. The administrator can quickly upload and move products to different categories. This allows you to effectively manage the project and significantly saves time.;
Mass editing. Through the admin panel, you can make changes simultaneously for an entire group of products. This may be a change in the cost, adjustments in the description, and so on.;
Product characteristics. This platform makes it possible to assign a wide range of characteristics to products, including brand, date of manufacture, country, weight, color, material and much more;
Filter. The tool is relevant for stores with a wide assortment. It is the filters that allow buyers to quickly find a product that meets personal requirements. All modern trading platforms use this opportunity;
Access rights. You can entrust the management of the store to individual employees by setting certain access rights for them. This can be adding a product, adjusting prices, managing order statuses, and so on. At the same time, the administrator will be able to track the actions of each employee;
Product options. With this functionality, the buyer can add accessories to the purchase of the main product, as well as change the configuration and characteristics. Thus, the customer can choose the color, material of manufacture, size and much more. This significantly increases the initial price tag and increases the entrepreneur's benefit;
Notifications. In order for the buyer to always be aware of the latest product receipts, current promotions and the status of the ordered goods, you can use notifications via e-mail or SMS messages. The first option is free, the second one will require financial costs, but it is more effective;
Search. To quickly find the right product, you can use an advanced search with many parameters;
Groups of buyers. The administrator has the ability to assign a certain status to clients. For example, VIP, wholesale, guests and so on. Depending on the status, you can offer discounts and other privileges;
Feedback form. Many customers want to ask questions before making an order. CMS for CS-Cart online store provides such an opportunity;
Notification of receipt. This platform has a convenient feature that allows you not to hide products that are currently out of stock. Such products will be provided with an additional field through which the buyer will indicate his email address and receive a notification of the receipt of the lot of interest;
Layout editor. Allows you to independently change the structure of the store in just a few clicks. You can add additional regions and blocks or edit existing ones directly from the administrative panel. Other CMS for the online store do not provide such an opportunity;
Tabs for the product. They allow you to accurately form all the necessary information about the product in the form of separate tabs. It can be "Description", "Features", "Photos", "Reviews" and so on;
Quick view. Thanks to this feature, customers can view the most important information about the product in a pop-up window without going to another page.;
SEO tools. The engine provides great opportunities for free promotion of an online store. This list can include meta tags, CNC, adaptive layout, site map, and so on.;
Personal account. An important tool for any buyer. With it, customers track the status of the product, view their purchase history and ask questions to store managers;
Watermarks. The online store engine can independently install a watermark on all graphic objects. This will protect unique images from being used by other companies, and in case of distribution, will provide an advertising effect.;
Stocks. With the help of special offers, you can increase the number of orders. This platform is equipped with a tool that allows you to use a promo code, discounts and other marketing solutions.
It's hard to believe, but this is only part of the functions that can be implemented using this control system. If necessary, the creators offer a number of modules that increase the potential of the engine.