Bagisto

What is Bagisto

Bagisto is an open-source eCommerce platform built using the Laravel PHP framework. Its main purpose is to provide developers and businesses with a free, flexible, and scalable solution to create online stores. The platform is developed and maintained by Webkul, a software company known for its extensive work in the eCommerce ecosystem. Bagisto is designed to be highly customizable, allowing users to build not just standard online shops, but also complex systems like multi-vendor marketplaces, Progressive Web Apps (PWA), and headless commerce solutions. Its foundation on Laravel makes it a popular choice for developers already familiar with the framework, offering a robust and modern architecture for building custom eCommerce applications.

Bagisto Features

Bagisto offers a wide set of features designed for modern eCommerce. Here are some of the key functionalities:

• Open Source and Customizable: As an open-source platform, you have full control over the source code. This allows for deep customization to meet specific business needs.
• Multi-Vendor Marketplace: You can convert a standard store into a marketplace where multiple sellers can register and sell their products. This is ideal for creating platforms similar to Amazon or Etsy.
• Omni-Channel Selling: Bagisto supports a unified sales experience across different channels, including a standard website, a mobile app, and a physical Point of Sale (POS) system. Inventory and orders are synchronized in real-time.
• Headless Commerce: The platform supports a headless architecture, which means the front-end (the customer-facing part) is separate from the back-end (the business logic). This allows for faster performance and the ability to use any front-end technology.
• Progressive Web App (PWA): Transform your website into a PWA to give users an app-like experience directly in their web browser, with features like offline access and push notifications.
• Multi-Currency and Multi-Locale: Sell to a global audience with support for multiple currencies, languages, and regional settings.
• Access Control Level (ACL): Manage user roles and permissions effectively within your team, assigning specific access rights to different users.
• Built-in SEO Tools: The platform includes features to help optimize your store for search engines, improving visibility and organic traffic.
• Extensions Marketplace: A large marketplace offers numerous extensions to add new features, such as payment gateways, shipping methods, and marketing tools.

Bagisto Pricing Plans

Bagisto operates on an open-source model, which means the core platform is free to download and use. There are no monthly subscription fees for the software itself. However, running a Bagisto store involves other costs:

• Community Edition: This is the free, open-source version that includes all core functionalities. It is suitable for developers and small to medium businesses that have the technical resources to manage their own hosting and development.
• Paid Extensions: While the core platform is free, many advanced features are available as paid extensions through the Bagisto Marketplace. This includes modules for B2B commerce, specific payment gateways, and advanced marketing tools.
• Custom Development and Support: For businesses needing custom solutions or dedicated technical support, Webkul (the company behind Bagisto) offers paid development services and enterprise support plans.

Bagisto Free Plan

Bagisto is fundamentally a free platform. The Community Edition is completely free and provides all the necessary tools to build a fully functional eCommerce store. You can download the source code from the official website or GitHub repository and host it on your own server.

The free plan includes:

• Unlimited products, categories, and orders.
• Core features like multi-currency, multi-locale, and ACL.
• Access to the code for full customization.

Limitations are not in the software itself but in the resources required. Users are responsible for their own hosting, security, maintenance, and updates. Technical support for the free version is available through community forums.

How to use Bagisto

Getting started with Bagisto requires some technical knowledge, particularly of the Laravel framework and server management.

1. Server Setup: First, you need a web server with PHP, MySQL, and Composer installed.
2. Download Bagisto: Download the latest version of Bagisto from its official GitHub page.
3. Installation: Use Composer to install the required dependencies by running the composer create-project bagisto/bagisto command.
4. Configuration: Configure your database connection in the .env file and run the installer command: php artisan bagisto:install.
5. Admin Panel Access: Once installed, you can log in to the admin panel to start configuring your store. Here you can set up currencies, languages, tax rules, and shipping methods.
6. Add Products: Begin adding your products, organizing them into categories, and managing inventory.
7. Customize Storefront: Customize the look and feel of your store by modifying the theme or installing a new one from the marketplace.
8. Extend Functionality: Browse the Bagisto Marketplace to add extensions for payment gateways, marketing integrations, or other features.

With these steps, you can build and launch a powerful, custom eCommerce store.

Pros and Cons of Bagisto

Pros

• Completely Free and Open-Source: No licensing fees for the core platform, which lowers the initial cost.
• Highly Customizable: Full access to the source code allows for unlimited customization.
• Built on Laravel: Leverages the power, security, and large community of the popular PHP framework.
• Strong Marketplace Features: Excellent built-in support for creating multi-vendor marketplaces.
• Modern Technology Support: Supports headless commerce, PWA, and other modern web technologies.

Cons

• Requires Technical Expertise: Not suitable for non-technical users. Knowledge of PHP, Laravel, and server management is necessary.
• Self-Hosted Responsibility: You are responsible for hosting, security, updates, and performance optimization.
• Community-Based Support: Free support is limited to community forums. Dedicated support requires a paid plan.
• Cost of Extensions: While the core is free, many essential or advanced features require purchasing paid extensions.

Bagisto integrations

Bagisto integrations are primarily managed through its extensive Extensions Marketplace. You can find modules to connect your store with hundreds of third-party services. Common integration categories include:

• Payment Gateways: Integrations for major providers like PayPal, Stripe, Braintree, Razorpay, and many regional payment systems.
• Shipping Providers: Connect with carriers such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Aramex to automate shipping calculations and label printing.
• Marketing and Analytics: Extensions for Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and other email marketing or customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
• Social Media: Modules for social login (Facebook, Google) and integrating social media feeds.

Most integrations are installed as modules into the Bagisto application, and configuration is done through the admin panel.

Bagisto Alternatives

• Magento (Adobe Commerce): A very powerful and scalable open-source platform. It is more complex and resource-heavy than Bagisto, often better suited for large enterprises.
• WooCommerce: An open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It is easier to set up for those familiar with WordPress but is less of a standalone, developer-focused framework compared to Bagisto.
• Shopify: A leading SaaS eCommerce platform. It is much easier to use for non-technical users but offers less customization and control over the code. It also charges monthly fees and transaction percentages.
• PrestaShop: Another popular open-source eCommerce platform. It has a large user base, especially in Europe, and offers a wide range of features and themes, similar to Bagisto.

Bagisto API

Yes, Bagisto provides a comprehensive REST API for developers. The API is a core part of its headless commerce capability, allowing you to connect any front-end application (like a mobile app or a custom website built with React/Vue.js) to the Bagisto back-end.

The API allows you to manage products, customers, orders, carts, and more programmatically. As Bagisto is a self-hosted platform, you do not need to apply for an API key in the traditional sense. API access is controlled through Laravel's authentication systems, such as Laravel Sanctum or Passport, which you configure in your instance. You can generate API tokens for your applications to authenticate and interact with the API endpoints.

Here is a simple example of an API call to fetch products:

curl -X GET "https://your-store-url.com/api/products" \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN"

Developers can find detailed API documentation within their Bagisto installation or on the official Bagisto website.

Bagisto Affiliate program

Bagisto, through its parent company Webkul, offers a Partner Program rather than a traditional affiliate program. This program is designed for developers, agencies, and technology enthusiasts who work with the Bagisto platform. Partners can benefit from co-marketing opportunities, technical support, and potential revenue sharing on projects or extension sales.

To join, you typically need to apply through the Webkul or Bagisto website. The application process may require you to provide details about your business or your experience with Bagisto. Commission rates and payment details are usually discussed upon acceptance into the program. If you cannot find a direct application link, it is recommended to contact their sales or support team to inquire about becoming a partner.