CS-Cart Multi-Vendor vs. LemonStand (Discontinued)

For quickly setting up a most intuitive online marketplace, CS-Cart Multi-Vendor is the best one. The software is very well suited for those who have some basic knowledge about backend customization, installation, server setup, proper server configuration etc. Though I'm sure the support team will get you up and running. Only few third-party service providers are very professional, provide honest service and will help you to run your business smoothly. I would highly recommend to use CS-Cart Multi-Vendor.

Incentivized

• Good alternative to Shopify and similar services.
• More than basic template adjustments will require programmer hours.
• If you want a slick store with great features LemonStand's for you.

Incentivized

• Quick and easy set up of a multi-vendor marketplace
• Very easy-to-use page designer
• Huge marketplace of add-ons to cover pretty much anything you need

Incentivized

• LemonStand is cloud based on AWS.
• You get: Instant deployment whenever you choose to publish, automatic software updates, Site-wide SSL, and PCI/DSS compliant infrastructure.

Incentivized

• The high cost of the platform itself and plugins.
• Unavailability of the mobile application in the basic version of the platform.
• Relatively difficult process of installing updates if you are new to IT.

• LemonStand has a limited number of templates. Each template has a different set of features that can be modified in the back office theme customization area.
• LemonStand claims their templates are highly customizable. To accomplish this, they expose individual web page code in page templates and widget blocks. These are windows into the template where you can modify, add and delete html code. However, as in all PHP/CSS/HTML templates, even those written with Twig as LemonStand templates are, the coding goes very deep through many files. I don't think it would be cost or time effective for a small company to attempt more than superficial customization. This is pretty much the same for Shopify and PrestaShop. As a store front and blogging platform, LemonStand is elegant but it is not a website development tool like Wix, Weeble or even Squarespace.
• LemonStand manages this expectation with excellent email support. There is no user forum and no third party templates for LemonStand, and this is a good thing. When I wanted to modify a specific aspect of the template, I emailed the issue/question to LemonStand support and consistently received advise including instructions on how to adjust the widget or exposed page code to resolve my problem.
• Documentation is out of date and could use a good proofread. Videos and tutorials are too simple to be really helpful.

Incentivized

The software consists of most of all e-commerce related features. Also, there are plenty of third party addons are available in the market which can improve our business. There are a lot of powerful themes available in the cs cart market which improve the look and feel on the front store. If CS-cart adjusted the price on their software license cost, controlling the third party addon cost and provide more freelancers with cheaper hourly rate for the customization on the cs-cart multi vendor software, the cs-cart company can be a master among other e-commerce software companies in the world.

inside of the support subscription, they give me all the time a fast answer and you can ask in a community forum also other users. But i miss a free support/chat like other solutions.

Incentivized

Mostly extremely easy to implement, both back-end logic as well as styling. Great addon marketplace helped, particularly around payment options.

Incentivized

It's a one-time payment and the entire CMS is in your control, can list unlimited products and vendors. no need to depend on an e-commerce platform to pay huge commissions. promote your own brand globally. change the looks of your listing with multiple themes, there are vast add on and page themes to enhance look and controls.

I looked closely at every e-commerce product I could find.

• LemonStand had very high satisfaction from current users.
• Email support is polite, accurate and fast.
• Company is located in Canada.
• Refund policy appears to be ethical.
• Shopping experience is sharp! I like it a lot.

Incentivized

• Positive impact in learning to set up a shopping cart
• ROI is questionable, as we are still building our business model
• Positive impact on our business model and direction

Incentivized

• I expect ease of use and mobile look and feel will increase customer sales.

Incentivized