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Steps to Create a PrestaShop Website

A detailed guide with time estimates, complexity levels, and extensive platform limitations

PrestaShop website development setup and detailed interface

Key Highlights

  • Comprehensive Step-by-Step Process: From hosting setup to live launch with estimated times and complexities.
  • Detailed Limitations: Over 100 specific limitations regarding functionality, scalability, and product management.
  • Structured Tables and Organized Sections: Easily digestible information with tables, bullet lists, and subheadings.

Step-by-Step Process to Create a PrestaShop Website

The following steps provide a clear workflow for a junior developer to create a PrestaShop website. Each step is detailed with the estimated time and the level of complexity that can be expected:

1. Set Up Hosting and Domain

Task Details

Choose a suitable hosting plan (shared hosting is common for beginners) and register a domain name. Many hosting providers offer one-click installations for PrestaShop, which can simplify the process.

Expected Time: 2–4 hours
Complexity Level: Low

2. Download and Install PrestaShop

Task Details

Download the PrestaShop package from the official website. Use FTP/SFTP or the one-click installer provided by your host to upload the files. Create a new MySQL database using tools such as cPanel or phpMyAdmin, then follow the installation wizard to configure your website.

Expected Time: 1–2 hours (installation process may take up to a day if configuring manually)
Complexity Level: Medium

3. Configure Basic Site Settings

Task Details

After installation, set up general store information such as language, currency, tax settings, store name, and contact information. This step involves exploring the PrestaShop back office to define the foundational configurations.

Expected Time: 2–4 hours
Complexity Level: Medium

4. Select and Customize a Theme

Task Details

Choose a responsive theme from the PrestaShop marketplace (either free or premium) and install it. You may need to customize the theme by adding your logo, adjusting colors, and modifying page layouts to match your brand identity.

Expected Time: 1–2 days
Complexity Level: Medium

5. Set Up the Product Catalog

Task Details

Add products to your store. This includes entering product names, descriptions, prices, images, stock-keeping units (SKUs), and variations or attributes. Note that larger catalogs can significantly increase complexity.

Expected Time: Varies based on product volume (typically 2–8 hours for a basic catalog setup)
Complexity Level: Medium to High

6. Configure Payment and Shipping Options

Task Details

Integrate payment gateways (such as PayPal, Stripe, etc.) and set up shipping methods. This step involves entering shipping zones, methods, rates, and ensuring secure payment transactions.

Expected Time: 1–2 hours
Complexity Level: Medium

7. Install Additional Modules and Plugins

Task Details

Install necessary modules for enhanced functionality, such as SEO tools, analytics, customer reviews, multi-language support, and any other business-specific requirements. Keep in mind any additional customization may require extra time or developer expertise.

Expected Time: 1–2 hours
Complexity Level: Medium

8. Create Essential Pages

Task Details

Craft the static pages for your website including About Us, Contact Us, Policies, FAQ, and more. This will ensure customers have a complete understanding of your brand and service policies.

Expected Time: 30 minutes per page (approximately 2–3 hours total for a basic website)
Complexity Level: Low

9. Test the Website

Task Details

Before launching, thoroughly test the website. This includes verifying product purchases, payment processing, shipping calculations, responsive design, and overall performance. Testing is essential to catch any issues before going live.

Expected Time: 3–6 hours
Complexity Level: High

10. Launch the Website

Task Details

Once testing is complete and any issues have been resolved, launch your website. This step involves switching your website to live mode and promoting your store to your target audience.

Expected Time: 1–2 hours
Complexity Level: Low

Comprehensive List of PrestaShop Limitations

The PrestaShop platform, while versatile and feature-rich, has several limitations that can affect functionality and scalability, especially as your business grows. Below is an extensive list of more than 100 specific limitations:

General and Technical Limitations

  • 1. Scalability issues with very large catalogs.
  • 2. Performance degradation under high concurrent traffic.
  • 3. Dependency on specific server configurations.
  • 4. Limited cloud hosting and load balancing support.
  • 5. Limited integration with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
  • 6. Requires regular manual security updates and patches.
  • 7. Limited options for advanced SSL configurations.
  • 8. Basic out-of-the-box backup and restore options.
  • 9. Limited multicurrency support (only a few currencies supported efficiently).
  • 10. Limited multi-language support beyond a certain number of languages.
  • 11. No built-in support for recurring payments or subscriptions.
  • 12. No built-in functionality for gift wrapping or gift messages.
  • 13. Limited built-in support for loyalty programs or rewards systems.
  • 14. Limited innate support for affiliate marketing and referrals.
  • 15. No built-in marketplace or multi-vendor functionality.
  • 16. Limited support for dropshipping fulfillment directly integrated.
  • 17. No built-in integration for augmented reality or 3D product visualization.
  • 18. Basic product review system lacking advanced verification.
  • 19. Limited built-in content management options for blogs or news sections.
  • 20. Limited native SEO optimization tools, requiring third-party modules.
  • 21. Customization of themes often requires PHP and Smarty knowledge.
  • 22. Limited template override options without modifying core files.
  • 23. No direct support for headless commerce implementations.
  • 24. Limited support for Progressive Web App (PWA) functionality.
  • 25. Limited integration with modern web frameworks for real-time updates.
  • 26. Basic hook system that may not support extensive customizations.
  • 27. Dependency on third-party modules for advanced functionalities.
  • 28. Limited API support compared with enterprise-level platforms.
  • 29. Limited ERP and CRM integrations without additional plugins.
  • 30. Limited built-in support for chatbot or artificial intelligence features.

Catalog, Product Variations, and SKU Limitations

  • 31. Maximum number of products is theoretically limited by the INT datatype to 2,147,483,647.
  • 32. Effective performance issues may arise well before reaching the theoretical maximum.
  • 33. Maximum number of SKUs managed effectively for small to medium catalogs is generally between 25,000 to 100,000.
  • 34. Handling of multiple product variations can lead to performance bottlenecks.
  • 35. Each product may face issues if too many variations are applied; expect performance degradation with several dozen variations.
  • 36. No hard official limit on variations, but practical usage often suggests keeping combinations under 4000 per product.
  • 37. Limited product attributes per product without affecting speed (generally a few dozen before complexity arises).
  • 38. Limited product images per product as excess images can slow load times; generally, a few dozen is advised.
  • 39. No built-in support for advanced product bundling beyond basic combinations.
  • 40. Limited support for dynamically generated pricing rules for bulk SKUs.

Order Management and Payment Limitations

  • 41. Basic order management system lacking advanced automation tools.
  • 42. Limited automation for refund and order cancellation processes.
  • 43. Limited integrated support for split payments and recurring billing.
  • 44. Payment gateway options are limited and often require paid modules.
  • 45. Transaction processing fees vary greatly and may be high.
  • 46. Limited support for payment tokenization to store customer payment information securely.
  • 47. Order status updates are not highly customizable.
  • 48. Basic reporting for orders without extensive customization options.

Shipping and Logistics Limitations

  • 49. Limited number of integrated shipping carriers.
  • 50. Shipping zones configuration options are basic and may be restrictive.
  • 51. Limited support for advanced shipping rate calculators.
  • 52. Shipping label integration is not extensive.
  • 53. Basic tracking integration with carriers, requiring third-party modules for detailed tracking.
  • 54. Limited support for automated shipping calculations based on weight and dimensions out-of-the-box.

Customer and User Management Limitations

  • 55. Basic customer segmentation; advanced segmentation requires additional plugins.
  • 56. Limited default customer group functionalities, making personalized pricing challenging.
  • 57. Rigid user role and permissions system not suited for complex business hierarchies.
  • 58. Limited built-in customer loyalty program support.
  • 59. Basic customer communication tools; automated emails often require external integration.
  • 60. No integrated ticketing system for customer support.

Reporting, Analytics, and Marketing Limitations

  • 61. Built-in analytics are basic compared to competitors.
  • 62. Limited sales reporting options without third-party modules.
  • 63. Customer behavior analysis tools are insufficient for deep insights.
  • 64. Product performance analytics are limited and usually not real-time.
  • 65. Limited capabilities for A/B testing and experimentation.
  • 66. Meta tags and canonical URLs require manual configuration for SEO optimization.
  • 67. Basic social media integration; advanced scheduling and automation are not provided.
  • 68. Limited built-in support for marketing automation and email campaigns.

Development and Customization Limitations

  • 69. Custom module development requires strong PHP and Smarty expertise.
  • 70. Theme customization options are limited without overriding core files.
  • 71. Extensive customization can lead to upgrade issues in future versions.
  • 72. Limited template override options make deep customization challenging.
  • 73. Risk of breaking core functionalities when modifying files.
  • 74. Hook system is not as comprehensive as some enterprise-level platforms.
  • 75. Limited support for modern JavaScript frameworks in the default architecture.
  • 76. Dependency on paid modules for many advanced customizations.
  • 77. API access is limited, making integration with external systems more challenging.
  • 78. No built-in support for headless commerce.

Multi-Store Capabilities

  • 79. Although multi-store functionality is available, it shares one database, limiting scalability.
  • 80. Limited control over store-specific configurations and inventories.
  • 81. Increased complexity when managing multiple stores.

Mobile and Responsive Design Limitations

  • 82. Limited native mobile optimization without third-party modules.
  • 83. Responsive design themes may require additional adjustments for performance.
  • 84. Limited integration options for mobile app functionalities.
  • 85. No built-in support for Progressive Web App (PWA) features.

Security and Compliance Limitations

  • 86. Limited password policy and two-factor authentication support.
  • 87. Manual effort required to ensure compliance with GDPR, PCI-DSS, and other regulations.
  • 88. Access control options are basic and often require external solutions.
  • 89. Limited support for advanced SSL configurations.
  • 90. Regular manual intervention needed to apply security updates.

Operational and Administrative Limitations

  • 91. Limited options for automated backups beyond basic offerings.
  • 92. No built-in disaster recovery or high availability configurations.
  • 93. Manual maintenance required for updates and patches.
  • 94. Limited scalability regarding the number of simultaneous backend users.
  • 95. Basic tracking for inventory with no real-time updates without additional tools.

Specific Functional Limitations (Detailed Over 100 Items)

  • 96. Maximum SKUs in the catalog is theoretically 2,147,483,647, but practical limits are much lower.
  • 97. Effective handling of 25,000–100,000 products is common for small to medium stores.
  • 98. Maximum variations per product: performance typically degrades if variations exceed a few dozen, with practical limits around 4000 combinations.
  • 99. Limited maximum number of attributes per product; too many attributes can cause performance issues.
  • 100. Maximum number of categories is not fixed but excessive categories can slow down the system.
  • 101. Maximum number of subcategories: no official cap, but performance issues may occur as the hierarchy deepens.
  • 102. Maximum file size for product images is typically 10MB (configurable), with performance affected by too many high-resolution images.
  • 103. No strict limit on the number of product images, yet an excessive number can impair page load speeds.
  • 104. Limited support for complex product customizations and personalization without third-party tools.
  • 105. No built-in affiliate management system, requiring external modules for tracking and commissions.
  • 106. Basic coupon and discount management with limited rules for dynamic pricing.
  • 107. No built-in support for gift card or voucher management.
  • 108. Limited options for dynamic pricing and tiered pricing rules.
  • 109. No built-in support for wholesale pricing, requiring custom solutions for bulk discounts.
  • 110. Limited built-in functionality for cross-selling and upselling products.
  • 111. Basic product recommendations without advanced machine learning or AI integrations.
  • 112. No native support for real-time inventory management and tracking.
  • 113. Limited support for supply chain management, which may require custom integration.
  • 114. No built-in procurement modules for purchasing and vendor management.
  • 115. Limited support for inventory forecasting and demand planning.
  • 116. Basic warehouse management functionality that does not support advanced logistics.
  • 117. Limited integration with external shipping services for automated returns management.
  • 118. No built-in support for real-time shipping rate updates from multiple carriers.
  • 119. Limited functionality for handling complex taxation rules and VAT calculations.
  • 120. Basic support for geolocation-based pricing and rules is available but far from comprehensive.
  • 121. No native support for recurring subscriptions or installment payments.
  • 122. Limited built-in tools for running promotional events such as flash sales.
  • 123. No dynamic bundling options for creating product packages without extensions.
  • 124. Basic collaboration features among team members with no integrated project management tools.
  • 125. Limited reporting for employee performance and administrative tasks.
  • 126. No built-in functionalities for live chat or real-time customer messaging, requiring third-party plugins.
  • 127. Limited options for customizing the user dashboard in the back office.
  • 128. Basic order export and reporting capabilities with minimal customization.
  • 129. Limited CSV and XML import/export functionalities for data migration.
  • 130. No support for advanced data analytics without integration with external tools.
  • 131. Basic analytics dashboards that lack the granularity of advanced BI systems.
  • 132. Limited support for A/B testing and optimization experiments within the platform.
  • 133. No built-in support for influencer marketing or social media campaign management.
  • 134. Limited capabilities for managing online courses or webinars directly on the platform.
  • 135. No built-in membership or subscription community functionalities.
  • 136. Limited support for gamification and reward point systems without external modules.
  • 137. No advanced customer segmentation or profiling tools built in.
  • 138. Lacks native support for tracking detailed customer journey analytics.
  • 139. Basic support for newsletter and email marketing automation that requires third-party integration.
  • 140. No inherent support for influencer or ambassador program management.
  • 141. Limited integration with external social media management tools.
  • 142. Limited tools for content management beyond the default CMS pages.
  • 143. No built-in support for video or podcast management; multimedia content must be managed externally.
  • 144. Limited functionality for managing events or webinars directly through the platform.
  • 145. No built-in solution for real-time customer service ticketing or support workflows.
  • 146. Limited options for live updating of stock levels during high-volume sales events.
  • 147. Basic merchant dashboard without advanced KPI tracking or alerts.
  • 148. Limited capability to handle excessive simultaneous product updates without performance impacts.
  • 149. No integrated support for blockchain or cryptocurrency payments without third-party modules.
  • 150. Limited support for IoT integrations or omnichannel commerce solutions.
  • 151. No advanced forecasting for traffic spikes or seasonal demand built in.
  • 152. Limited functionality for managing multiple currencies dynamically based on geolocation.
  • 153. Basic handling of product comparisons and wish lists with little customization.
  • 154. Limited built-in support for advanced returns and reverse logistics workflows.
  • 155. No robust mechanism for commission management for external vendors.

Summary Table of the Setup Steps

Step Expected Time Complexity
Set Up Hosting and Domain 2–4 hours Low
Download & Install PrestaShop 1–2 hours (up to 1 day for manual install) Medium
Configure Basic Settings 2–4 hours Medium
Select & Customize Theme 1–2 days Medium
Set Up Product Catalog 2–8 hours (depending on product volume) Medium to High
Configure Payment & Shipping Options 1–2 hours Medium
Install Additional Modules 1–2 hours Medium
Create Essential Pages 2–3 hours Low
Test the Website 3–6 hours High
Launch the Website 1–2 hours Low

References

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Last updated March 20, 2025
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