Online Shop Hosting Providers Compared

Online shopping is as popular in Germany as never before. In recent years, every second German has already bought something on the internet. Therefore, more and more companies offer their goods online.

Modern online shop systems make it increasingly easier for users to operate their own online shop. Even without extensive programming knowledge, the business can be set up in no time on the internet. To ensure the shop runs smoothly, powerful and reliable online shop hosting is required. Basically, an own online shop can be realised in two different ways. The first option is to use the complete service of a large hosting provider. Many of the well-known companies like 1&1, Strato, or Hosteurope offer complete online shop hosting packages. This is a kind of modular system that allows customers to set up their own shop easily. The second option is to rely on a professional online shop application that is set up separately from the hosting provider.

Pre-built Shop Hosting with Modular System

The pre-built online shop hosting packages do not require any programming knowledge from the customer. The shop system itself is already pre-installed by the host and the setup assistant can be accessed via a web interface. Configuration and setup, such as adding products and customising the design, can be done directly through a modular system. Another advantage is that by using the provider's own software, the entire package is provided from a single source. The hosting provider not only takes care of server operation, but also ensures that the online shop application runs flawlessly at all times and is kept up to date with security updates. Through the provider's support, the customer not only receives assistance with web space-related questions but can also seek advice on issues with the online shop software. As convenient as the all-in-one solution may be, on the other hand, it naturally brings a very strong dependence on the hosting provider. Since each pre-built shop system is operated by a specific host, transferring data to another provider is excluded from the outset. Additionally, each pre-built shop system has its own limitations. Settings can only be made as far as the provider allows, both in terms of functionality and design. For example, as there is no open-source code available for the systems, deeper changes cannot be made.

Advantages

• Easy configuration
• Low maintenance effort
• All-in-one solution

Disadvantages

• Dependency on the hosting provider
• No possibility to migrate
• Limited configuration options

Hosting Providers for Pre-built Online Shop Systems

Three of the largest web hosting providers in Germany have added a special online shop hosting to their range, allowing customers to create an online shop using an easy-to-use modular system. All packages offer a convenient WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editor that allows for easy customization of the shop's appearance and provides numerous pre-configured design templates. Depending on the planned size of the online shop, various tariffs are available. The cheaper tariffs are more suitable for beginners looking to create a small shop with a few items, while the more expensive tariffs offer many more features and should be used for extensive online shops with a large number of products. For example, customers can carry out search engine optimisation with the larger online shop packages to ensure the shop ranks highly in Google search results. The integration of advanced payment options via PayPal or various other payment providers is also appealing for professional online shops.

For detailed information for comparison, refer to the following table:
 

More Information
https://www.hosteurope.de/de/Online-Shop/
http://hosting.1und1.de/ecommerce-tariff?linkOrigin=onlineshop-erstellen&linkId=ct.btn.ecommerce-tariff#stage-end
http://www.strato.de/webshop/

Shop Hosting with Separate Online Shop Applications

The use of a separate online shop software offers customers a wide range of possibilities. First and foremost, the choice of the right shop system is crucial. The number of shop systems available is now seemingly endless. The suitability of a particular software depends on various criteria. These include, for example, the planned scope of the shop, the available budget, as well as the technical skills of the customer. Additionally, the different systems are marketed in various ways, allowing for the use of open-source products or licensed products. Typically, the shop systems are available in both a free community version, which does not offer support from the manufacturer, as well as alongside a paid maintenance contract. With the free versions, it is important to have a good understanding of the subject matter oneself, or at least have someone on hand to assist with the setup and configuration. In case of any issues or questions, these products only offer community forums as a source of support. On the other hand, paid offerings with licenses provide comprehensive support from the manufacturer, assisting customers with both setup and ongoing maintenance. Customers can customise the online shop applications down to the smallest detail. With open-source products, savvy programmers can expand the existing shop with any imaginable function, precisely meeting the requirements and desires of the shop owner. As extensive and diverse as the modification options are, they naturally require corresponding expertise. For those who are not well-versed, incorrect configuration or extension of the software can quickly lead to a crash of the entire shop. Due to the complex operation, specialised knowledge is essential, so either the shop owner knows what they are doing or collaborates with individuals who can expertly manage the shop.

Advantages

• Freedom to choose the software
• Unlimited configuration options

Disadvantages

• More complex operation
• Specialised knowledge required

Hosting Providers for Separate Online Shop Applications

Some web hosting providers have included special online shop hosting packages in their range. These web space packages are tailored for the use of online shop software. They provide all necessary functions such as specific PHP settings and databases. The installation of the desired shop software can be conveniently done through the administration interface of the web space package. Typically, various applications like Magento, OXID eShop, xt commerce, or Shopware are offered. For smaller online shops with few products and features, a cheaper tariff is usually sufficient, while more extensive online shops should be implemented on the larger web space packages. Some providers include an SSL certificate in their tariffs, ensuring the secure transmission of customer data and payment information.

For detailed information for comparison, please refer to the following table:
 

more information
http://alfahosting.de/vergleich-onlineshops/
http://www.webspace4all.eu/shophosting
http://www.estugo.de/shophosting

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