I have written several times about multistore functionality in the PrestaShop platform, but many clients still have numerous questions about using the platform. This post will try to answer the main questions about these relatively new but useful features.
What is multistore functionality?
Multistore functionality manages multiple online stores with different addresses (domains) within a single PrestaShop administration environment. For example, you can have online stores with different top-level domains: www.myshop.lt and www.myshop.com. Regular visitors won’t even suspect that the online stores are managed on a single platform. Multistore functionality does not significantly impact Google search systems or other search engines.
What are the main advantages of multistore functionality?
The main and greatest advantage is probably managing several online stores at once. Everything is managed in one system by a single administrator. Previously, it was necessary to install the same system multiple times, copying and synchronizing data.
The ability to have the same product list while providing different information. Products can be identical PrestaShop system, but accordingly for each sub-store you can:
offer different prices;
create different descriptions;
display some products in one online store and others in another, while everything is managed in one place;
upload different images;
mark common or different stocks, distribute them across different warehouses
Overall, by having a sub-store, you can additionally:
set different languages and currencies depending on the online store. In one store, you activate Lithuanian and English languages, in another – Russian and Latvian, etc. For example, in a store aimed at the UK market, you can display product prices only in pounds, and for the Lithuanian market – only in euros;
register different carriers and delivery methods;
provide different payment methods;
select different modules, display, for example, depending on the country, show featured products on the homepage of one online store, and the latest products in another sub-store, etc.;
change the entire functionality, for example, it can be set to show only the product catalog in one country, while allowing purchases in another, etc.
Orders with multistore functionality are processed exactly the same as without it, but it allows for either common or different users across all online stores. If you set and choose to have shared users, a customer registered in one of your network stores can log in to another without registering again.
Connecting an additional sub-store to the system is easy and quick. If you already have a certain structure of multiple sub-stores prepared, connecting a new one usually does not cost much and does not take much time.
Using different templates. You can use a different or modified template for each sub-store. Although the same template is usually used with just a changed logo, there remains a practical possibility to have completely different designs for online stores.
PrestaShop modules and their operation using multistore functionality
The PrestaShop system is designed so that each module usually can support multistore functionality. Each module can have different settings depending on the sub-store. This means that by using Paysera or any other payment method, you can assign different Paysera projects for collecting payments – this will facilitate work and optimize fees for transfers in the local market.
Certain modules can be hidden or displayed in a specific sub-store.
Suitable and high-quality modules usually consider the technical and architectural differences when using multistore functionality.
What are the disadvantages of multistore functionality?
There are few significant drawbacks, apart from slightly more complex management and the need for technical support from developers. When working with multiple online stores, you must manage the system more carefully, always checking which online store you are managing to avoid changing information where it is not needed.
Preparing the system for the development team also takes a bit longer.
The entire system must be on one server and one installation. It can be complicated to have a US-based online store on servers located in the US and a Lithuanian one in Lithuania, as the Internet and the system operate differently.
Although there is an official option provided that users can have the same cart in several different online storesconnected through multistore functionality, in reality, this is only possible if your stores are created under the same address (domain). For example, manoparduotuve.lt/shoe-store and manoparduotuve.lt/clothing-store. In this case, it is quite easy to integrate a shared cart among several sub-stores. The functionality between different top-level domains in the PrestaShop system has not yet been properly implemented.
