Can OpenCart be used as just a 'shopping cart'?

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InMotionFans
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I am currently using PayPal as my 'shopping cart'. I like the look of OpenCart features and I would like to use OpenCart as my 'shopping cart' so that I may offer discounts, sales, etc. upon checkout. However, I want to keep my current website as I have designed it. Is it possible to use OpenCart and retain my current website design as it is? Or will I have to use OpenCart as my website design using their templates/themes? Also, where would I install OpenCart (what file or subdirectory)to ensure that it will not interfere with my current live website while I practiced/learned the program?
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Scott
Hello AdorableBowCreations, If you are looking to replace the store itself and continue using PayPal itself for the gateway you can certainly do so. OpenCart is a great storefront program. You can also check into others such as OsCommerce, PrestaShop and others. We have a lot more information on OpenCart and PrestaShop than we do others right here on our Support Center. If you would like to check out the information we have as part of your decision process, just follow the two links below as they will lead you to the education channels we have created for them: OpenCart Channel PrestaShop Channel If you choose one of those options you will need to undergo a website change where at least part of the site is the shopping cart program. It can be tedious, but those types of carts are very robust and can allow a lot of features such as coupons, special offers, member groups, and other things that can enhance your store. Kindest Regards, Scott M
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Scott
Hello, Thank you for your question. I believe the term you are looking for is 'payment gateway'. This is what services like PayPal or Authorize.net offer. They are where the customers for your site will make the payments using their credit cards. OpenCart is an ecommerce program, meaning it is the actual website that displays the items for your customers, much like your current site does. Being a full ecommerce program, it does have some great features embedded within it. It cannot process payments by itself either, however. You would still need a payment gateway such as Paypal to process any purchased a customer would make from the OpenCart site. So the short answer is you can use either your site or OpenCart to make your store. If you use OpenCart you will need to use their design templates and themes. As for installation, you can install it either directly under the domain name, or you can use either a subdomain or a subfolder. Installation instructions can be found here. Remember, no matter whether you go with your current site or use OpenCart, you will still need to use a payment gateway such as PayPal or Authorize.net Kindest Regards, Scott M