Externally Hosted Shopping Carts

Hosted Shopping Carts

A hosted shopping cart/store probably the simplest type of online store to set up and is ideal for beginners.

This type of solution is provided by many website hosting providers as an alternative to simple web hosting, as well as by specialist shopping cart hosting companies.

The functionality offered by the various systems is more limited than that provided by a self hosted commercial shopping cart solution, but is usually more than adequate for small shops.

How it Works

You purchase a store package which is usually involves a monthly fee. The store is hosted on the provider's server and you manage the store via an admin panel using a web browser.

You don't have to worry about security, backups, upgrades etc as this is all done by the provider.

You will in most cases need to provide a domain name for your store before you can setup the store properly, and some providers support store setup on a subdomain so that you can keep your existing website (if you have one).

The shop comes with various templates which you can usually modify, how much modification is possible depends on the store.

Suitability

Small stores with small number of products (around 200).
Stores that don't require lots of functionality and advanced features like affiliate programs, customer reviews, newsletters, up selling and cross selling gift certificates etc.
New Website/store owners

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

All in one solution
No additional software required
Easy to use
No need to worry about technical details
Website and shop are in a single package

Disadvantages

Most expensive solution. (typical costs around £20-50 per month)
Not as Flexible as own hosted store or third party hosted.
Moving can be difficult.
May not be Search engine friendly

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