When it comes to creating and building an eCommerce website, there are many options available for clients and web developers. Two of the most popular platforms are Magento and Miva. Both are widely used, both are effective, and both have high success rates when it comes to crafting a site. So, which one is the best to utilize for a build?
Looking at the details of both platforms, it’s a little difficult to see the differences. Both Magento and Miva offer online support, allow for customization, are relatively user-friendly, are PA-DSS validated and PCI compliant, and have methods of adding additional extensions and widgets to a site. It’s only when you look into the finer details and sift through them that the differences start becoming apparent.
Getting the obvious out of the way, Miva is not a free platform, although it is not terribly expensive. Magento Community Edition, however, is free to install and use. For those looking to program and build with Miva, a new programming language must be learned. Miva uses its very own, unique custom language, which could pose an issue with those unfamiliar with its code. Magento utilizes PHP for its code, which is well-known to those who regularly program web pages. On top of that, Magento has a user-friendly backend panel – or Admin panel – that allows for easy navigation and customization. Magento also makes it easy to create and manage multiple stores as well as create CMS pages in WYSIWYG mode.
Although both platforms offer technical support, Miva has better, faster support for its clients. Those who use Magento have held complaints about the slow response time from technical support. However, since both platforms are immensely popular and have been available for a long time, there are dozens upon dozens of “how-to” guides, videos, tutorials, and forums available to assist those who may be experiencing an issue or need to know how to proceed with a specific installation, build, implementation, etc.
Where Magento soars past Miva comes with the multitude of extensions available. Extensions are extra features that can be installed, added to, or implemented into an eCommerce site. Extensions can add specific rules to a shopping cart, enhance the checkout menu, allow for comments and reviews, add social media icons, etc. There are hundreds of extensions that can be added to a Magento store, and they are cost-effective. Miva does offer a similar form of extensions, but these add-ons are very expensive and may strain a budget. For example, Miva can have social media buttons installed for $199 and blogs added to a site for $999. In comparison, Magento allows users to add social media buttons and install a WordPress blog for free.
So, after looking at the finer details of these two platforms, which is better? While both are solid options, we believe Magento is the superior platform. We have great success building eCommerce sites with Magento, and our clients are satisfied with the product. The ROI and overall return for our clients also greatly increases after we create a Magento-based site. Even though the decision on which to choose does boil down to preference, we would recommend Magento over Miva.
This post originally appeared on the website of Creatuity Corp. as Magento vs. Miva: Which is Best?. Please visit us at Creatuity.
