Discover why PrestaShop’s free, open-source platform is the perfect choice for building your online store. Explore its powerful features, free plan services, payment setup guide, and actionable steps to launch your e-commerce business in 2025.
Introduction
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, selecting the right platform is crucial for success. PrestaShop, a leading open-source e-commerce solution, empowers entrepreneurs and small businesses to create professional, customizable online stores without a hefty price tag. With over 300,000 stores worldwide and support for 60+ languages, PrestaShop is ideal for those seeking flexibility, affordability, and robust features.
This blog is designed for small to medium-sized business owners, new entrepreneurs, and e-commerce enthusiasts in Bangladesh and beyond who want to launch or grow their online stores. We’ll explore PrestaShop’s key features, detail the services included in its free plan, explain how to set up payment methods in the free plan, and provide a step-by-step guide to get started. Whether you’re selling fashion, electronics, or handmade goods, this guide will help you leverage PrestaShop for e-commerce success.
Why PrestaShop? The Power of an Open-Source Platform
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform that combines ease of use with powerful functionality. Here’s why it’s a top choice in 2025:
- Free to Download: No licensing fees, making it budget-friendly for startups.
- Highly Customizable: Over 3,500 themes and modules to tailor your store to your brand.
- User-Friendly: No coding skills needed for basic setup, with an intuitive dashboard and guided tutorials.
- Global and Local Reach: Supports 60+ languages, multiple currencies, and payment gateways like bKash, PayPal, and PagBank.
- Community-Driven: A vibrant community of developers and merchants offers support, resources, and add-ons.
- SEO-Optimized: Built-in tools to boost your store’s visibility on search engines like Google.
With PrestaShop 9.0 (released June 2025), you get enhanced speed, security, and features like the Hummingbird theme and Admin API, making it a future-proof choice for your business.
Key Features of PrestaShop for E-Commerce Success
PrestaShop is packed with features to help you build, manage, and grow your online store. Here’s a breakdown of its standout capabilities:
1. Store Design and Customization
- Themes: Choose from free themes like Classic or premium options on the PrestaShop Addons Marketplace to create a visually appealing store. The Hummingbird theme (included in PrestaShop 9.0) offers a modern, lightweight design.
- Mobile-Friendly: All themes are responsive, ensuring a seamless experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Customization Tools: Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts without coding, or use PHP for advanced customizations.
2. Product and Catalog Management
- Easy Product Setup: Add products with detailed descriptions, images, prices, and variations (e.g., sizes, colors) via the intuitive admin panel.
- Category Organization: Create categories and subcategories for easy navigation.
- Inventory Management: Track stock levels and set alerts for low inventory. Advanced stock management may require paid modules.
3. Payment and Shipping Integration
- Payment Gateways: Supports global providers like PayPal, Stripe, and PagBank, plus local options like bKash for Bangladeshi users. Free modules like Amazon Pay are available.
- Shipping Options: Configure flat-rate, free, or zone-based shipping with integrations like DHL Express Commerce.
- Tax Handling: Automatic VAT calculation for simplified tax compliance across regions.
4. SEO and Marketing Tools
- SEO Features: Built-in tools for meta tags, SEO-friendly URLs, and sitemaps to improve search engine rankings.
- Marketing Modules: Add-ons for email marketing (e.g., SmartrMail), social media integration, and abandoned cart reminders. Some modules offer free plans for small stores.
- Analytics: Track sales, customer behavior, and traffic with built-in analytics or integrate Google Analytics for deeper insights.
5. Security and Performance
- Security Features: Includes SSL/TLS support, anti-DDoS protection, and regular updates to protect customer data.
- Performance Optimization: The Hummingbird theme and caching options ensure fast load times, critical for user experience and SEO.
- Backups: Automatic backups are available with some hosting providers, ensuring data recovery in case of errors.
6. Community and Support
- Active Community: Access forums, GitHub discussions, and Slack channels for peer support.
- Resources: Free tutorials, documentation, and PrestaShop Academy videos help you master the platform.
- Paid Support: Optional support plans start at €300 for personalized assistance.
7. Headless Commerce and APIs
- REST APIs: Integrate your store with external systems or build a custom front-end using PrestaShop’s web services.
- Data Orchestration: Sync data across platforms without third-party tools, ideal for advanced users.
These features make PrestaShop a versatile platform for businesses of all sizes, from startups to established retailers.
What’s Included in PrestaShop’s Free Plan (Classic Offer)?
PrestaShop’s Classic Offer is the free, open-source version of the platform, designed for users who want full control over their store. Here’s what you get with the free plan:
- Core Software: Free download of PrestaShop’s core application, including the admin panel, catalog management, and basic checkout system.
- Free Themes: Access to basic themes like Classic, ideal for simple, minimalist stores.
- Free Modules: Limited free modules, such as Amazon Pay, DHL Express Commerce, and SmartrMail (free for up to 1,000 subscribers), to enhance functionality.
- SEO Tools: Built-in features for meta tags, SEO-friendly URLs, and sitemaps to boost visibility.
- Multilingual Support: Free translations in 60+ languages for global reach.
- Community Support: Access to forums, documentation, and PrestaShop Academy for self-help resources.
- Customizability: Full access to the source code for developers to customize as needed.
Limitations of the Free Plan
- No Hosting Included: You must secure your own hosting ($4–$14/month) and domain ($10–$15/year).
- Limited Free Modules: Most advanced modules (e.g., stock management, advanced search) are paid, ranging from $35 to $6,000.
- No Direct Support: Free plan users rely on community forums or must purchase support plans (€300+).
- Technical Setup: Requires some technical knowledge for installation and maintenance, or you may need to hire a developer ($50–$80/hour).
Note: PrestaShop also offers a Hosted Offer with a 14-day free trial, starting at €24/month, which includes hosting, support, and pre-installed modules. However, the Classic Offer is ideal for those comfortable managing their own hosting and seeking a free solution.
