What It Is | Why Use It | Best Platforms | Best Alternative | Conclusion
Microsoft first created ASP.NET to build modern-day web applications and services with the .NET extension framework. ASP.NET is ultimately an open-source web framework that is cross-platform and operates smoothly on Windows, Linux, Docker, and macOS. The .NET platform comprises tools, programming languages, and directories for building out distinct types of applications. This article will break down the best ASP.NET eCommerce Platforms in 2021.
ASP.NET offers plenty of valuable assets to the .NET platform, such as a base framework for processing web requests, web-page templating syntax, authentication systems, editor extensions, and libraries for frequent web patterns. The ASP.NET framework has a back-end code that uses logic and data written in the form of C#, F#, or Visual Basic. Due to the integrated .NET extension, users have access to a massive directory available to all .NET developers.
Using the web-page templating structure known as Razor, it provides dynamic web pages that utilize HTML and C#, which are then reviewed on the server while the consequent HTML content is sent back to the user. Additionally, ASP.NET is open-source on GitHub, with nearly 4,000 companies participating.
What is ASP.NET?
Essentially, ASP.NET uses Object Oriented Programming languages such as C# or VB.net to provide a framework and unique patterns for code organization. C# is a sought-after programming language that has repeatedly outranked some of the world’s most used programming languages. While ASP.NET is open-source and free to use, for the most part, it is all supported by Microsoft who is primarily invested in the development process and software. ASP.NET is a fantastic framework solution when creating websites that are cost-efficient and impactful.
Why use ASP.NET?
Among the several benefits of using ASP.NET, the most popular few are low cast, vast language support, and high responsiveness. Any website or applications built with ASP.NET are faster and more efficient than any other extension type. Overall, ASP.NET is a fantastic framework to use when it comes to developing web applications and websites that are fast, trustworthy, easy to use, and highly sought after. By integrating ASP.NET, you get complete control of the development process and can be spread across multiple projects no matter the size or type. Here are a few reasons why ASP.NET could be beneficial to the development of a website:
1. Fast, effective, and efficient
ASP.NET is much faster and more effective for website development than PHP. The applications are collated, which translates code into object code. While this process might take a few minutes at first, it is only a one-time occurrence that lasts a lifetime.
2. Cost-Savings
Never mind the intense software costs you used to use for developing a website. ASP.NET can be written in a simple text editor that is free. This reduces the costs for more profound development that is quite costly and not always necessary. In fact, it can sometimes slow down the responsiveness of a website which could result in loss of traffic. Therefore, a lesser ROI.
3. Strong Support
As Microsoft evolves, so does ASP.NET since the Microsoft team actively supports it. Microsoft is the world’s largest software company for a reason. The investment they have put towards their development platforms, software, and community demonstrates the passion for innovative technologies.
Selecting the best eCommerce platform is probably one of the biggest and most significant responsibilities to take on when launching an online business. With many platforms out on the market today, the decision can be a bit tough. It comes down to defining the goals for the online business, both long and short term. Consider important factors such as pricing, extensibility, features, and programming language. As a developer, the most crucial element is the type of technology the platform employs. To make the search easier, we have put together this handy list of the industry’s top ASP.NET-based eCommerce platforms.
Top 7 Best ASP.NET Ecommerce Platforms
1. NopCommerce
With over 12 years of dedicated professional industry experience in eCommerce, NopCommerce excels at holding the place of the most popular ASP.NET shopping cart in the world. NopCommerce is a free and open-source eCommerce platform based on Microsoft’s technologies. The software specializes in helping small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises. Whether it’s a quick and straightforward launch to help scale an online store with powerful functionality and integrations or using multi-vendors and multi-store functionality, NopCommerce offers the most. This platform also provides a flexible system to take your business globally through the use of multi-currencies, multi-languages, and integration with local services and providers.
The best part is NopCommerce is absolutely free with no transaction, monthly, or hidden fees. It provides unlimited customization, PCI DSS compliant, and features an incredible customer service team with a supportive community to be there when help is needed. Whether you are a developer or business owner, NopCommerce takes care of their own. Some of its most popular clients are Microsoft, Volvo, BMW Group, The North Face, and Herbalife. Its powerful integrations include top brands such as Amazon, Google, Stripe, Facebook, FedEx, and PayPal. Overall, NopCommerce is the best open-source eCommerce solution, and rightfully so. With over 1.8 million downloads, it has set industry standards for future ASP.NET platforms to come.
2. Virto Commerce
Virto Commerce is .NET eCommerce Platform that provides headless, modular, and cloud solutions with exceptional flexibility that supports and solves it all. From inventory, digital catalogs, contracts to the marketplace, Virto Commerce is a unique and API-driven platform. It is more than just the average eCommerce software. Backed by a team of experts and a global network of partners, Virto Commerce helps online businesses unlock their website superpowers. This software allows users to build mobile-optimized experiences, digital wholesale, sell directly to customers, and implement several marketplaces with the headless eCommerce feature.
Some key features include multi-store support, a content management system with out-of-the-box features, multi-step checkout, and responsive pricing engines that personalize the online shopping experience. As great as Virto Commerce is, they fall short with customization with only five themes available with limited advanced functionalities. They make up for it with their considerable amount of extensions in the Virto Commerce marketplace ranging from content management, customer management, inventory to payment gateways and more.
3. Umbraco
Umbraco possesses one of the most sophisticated eCommerce platforms in the industry, Ucommerce. Unique features include multi-store support, a fully customizable checkout, and CMS features, among others. However, Umbraco is interesting in the fact that it doesn’t offer any themes whatsoever. The alternative is to partner with third-party vendors that design and develop themes specifically for Umbraco. On the other hand, Umbraco provides a sizable amount of plugins and more than 1,200 extensions for the Umbraco marketplace and community website. Pricing varies for Umbraco depending on the level of need for the online business. Starting from a free plan, Umbraco also offers a Pro version 2.499 EURO for medium-sized storefronts and an Enterprise plan for larger institutions starting at 4.499 EURO. Each plan is billed on a per-year basis.
Ultimately, Umbraco is a user-friendly CMS that supports responsive functionalities enabling any website to be easily accessed from mobile devices and desktops. It is also significantly easy to maintain and update with an intuitive interface that requires little to no coding experience. Consider it is based on .NET technology. There is at least some web development experience needed. Still, it is essentially an easy-to-navigate open-source platform that provides complete control over what online business owners can create.
4. Kentico
Initially founded in 2004, Kentico has become an official Microsoft Certified partner, which establishes its immense credibility in the world of eCommerce. Kentico features a responsive design with total control and tailored marketing features to help manage all marketing activities and customer statistics. Kentico has 13 website themes to select from, with only two dedicated to eCommerce websites. While Kentico may not offer a wide variety of themes, it does offer 21 powerful eCommerce extensions from payment gateways to currency converters and more. Considering Kentico is a fully integrated ASP.NET eCommerce platform, it provides reliable tools and resources necessary to get an online business launched successfully.
Kentico is also a content management system provider that delivers advanced marketing tools for businesses of all shapes and sizes. With the use of its apex technology, users can create stunning websites, community sites, and online stores that help scale their online business. A few key takeaways of Kentico are the surplus of benefits it has to offer. Its sophisticated features include media libraries, CSS stylesheets, UI personalization, web parts, widgets, modules, and so much more. Kentico is fundamentally an all-in-one software that is easy to use and provides out-of-the-box functionalities with reliable support.
5. Sitecore
Sitecore is another excellent platform built with enhanced content management, digital marketing, and eCommerce solutions at a high level. Sitecore offers four products that form the Sitecore Experience Cloud: Sitecore Experience Platform, Sitecore Experience Manager, Sitecore Content Hub, and Sitecore Experience Commerce. Each product offers various roles that work together to form the essential functions of the overall Sitecore platform. Such roles are categorized as storage roles, application roles, indexes, and cloud services.
Sitecore offers powerful commerce capabilities such as an innovative drag and drop interface, content management software features, embedded marketing automation, and integration with back-office systems. Sitecore, however, only offers two types of themes to work with: Site Themes and Base Themes. Site Themes have limited functionality, whereas Base Themes have a bit more advanced functionality. Additionally, Sitecore is equipped with over 800 plugins that pull from admin, optimization, setup and deployment, and much more.
6. Grandnode
Powered by NopCommerce, Grandnode is a versatile and free open-source eCommerce platform with an advanced ASP.NET Core framework making it a perfect choice for online business structures. It runs and operates smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux.com and supports Docker. Grandnode is more than capable of running with any type of online store of any size. Although, it is best suited for online stores that sell simple products dedicated to demanding customers. With Grandnode, users can create booking/reservation services, product kits, and auctions. It is a modern high-performance machine with impressive functionality and key features such as cross-channel, e-learning, permissions management, CMS features, and much more.
Grandnode is one of the most advanced open-source eCommerce platforms on the market and has the highest quality of code coupled with an elaborate testing approach that fuels the fire for success. Grandnode helps eliminate the hassle of managing several third-party plugins and provides an all-in-one solution for an online business to create the storefront they’ve always wanted. Some of their advanced integrations include Braintree, eBay, Klarna, UPS, PayPal, Amazon, and more. Its extensive B2B platforms help online businesses stand out in the crowd with a few essential features as possible to ensure a clean and modern user experience.
7. SimplCommerce
SimplCommerce is a cross-platform that places emphasis on scalability in a modularized eCommerce ecosystem with an ASP.NET Core. SimplCommerce is also free and open-source on GitHub. It’s packed with rich features such as creating a theme from scratch or importing one, localization, multi-vendors, and free shipping based on delivery addresses. SimplCommerce is one of the smaller ASP.NET eCommerce platforms but packs a powerful punch when it comes down to integrations.
Best ASP.NET Alternative
Shopify is a subscription-based software that provides a full ecommerce solution. In other words, it is not a singular product but a rather a host of products that come together as a total solution. Shopify allows anyone from anywhere to set up an online store and sell their products. It even integrates with existing physical inventory on location with Shopify POS. No matter which plan users choose, they always have access to Shopify’s core product which includes a storefront, payment processor, shipping partner, back office, and marketing headquarters all in one platform.
The Shopify App Store and hundreds of available APIs make customizing and building online stores a breeze. Stores are completely cloud-based and hosted, so users never have to worry about connecting to their store. Online storefronts can be viewed and managed from anywhere on any device with an internet connection.
Shopify groups all the necessary technologies for running an ecommerce business together. Users have access to their storefront, customer engagement, payments, shipping, finances, and operations all in one place. The Shopify App Store provides access to thousands of apps and features built by trusted third-party developers to help accomplish any task at hand. Users can count on their Shopify platform to grow with them as their business grows. Shopify makes it easy to upgrade a platform’s products and services at any time.
Conclusion
Depending on the level of need and customization for your online business, these .NET eCommerce platforms will help create memorable websites that leave a lasting impression on the customer. For the best in the industry, NopCommerce is hands down the best open-source eCommerce platform out there. SimplCOmmerce and Grandnode come in at a hard second and third palace, but ultimately, NopCommerce provides a great set of benefits over its competitors.