Magento homepage
Magento is an Open Source ecommerce web application launched on March 31, 2008. It was created by Varien, building on components of the Zend Framework.
Magento is available under the Open Software License version 3.0. Since version 1.1.7 some parts are licensed under the Academic Free License version 3.0.
Magento Enterprise Edition, a paid for version of Magento aimed at larger companies, was launched on April 15, 2009.
Magento supports installation of modules through a web based interface accessible through the administration area of a Magento installation. Modules are hosted on the Magento eCommerce website as a PEAR server. Any community member can upload a module through the website and is made available once confirmed by a member of the Magento team. Modules are installed by entering a module key, available on the module page, into the web based interface.
Obviously a free, full-featured, shopping cart and e-commerce solution is great concept. I mean, really, one can’t bitch too much about something that is free (notwithstanding, say, venereal diseases or OScommerce…)
Magento’s feature list is comprehensive: coupons, specials, multiple checkout and shipping options, tiered pricing, layered navigation, etc. Unfortunately, when you are neck-deep into anything, you get a better sense of the minor and major flaws lurking just under the rosy surface. Take a look after the jump at some of its more vexing problems.

  • Homepage: http://www.magentocommerce.com/
  • Demo: http://demo.magentocommerce.com/
  • ACP (username is admin and password is 123123)

    http://demo-admin.magentocommerce.com/

Installing Magento

  • Linux or another UNIX-compatible operating system
  • Apache web server (1x or 2x)
  • PHP 5.2
  • MySQL 4.1
  • A sendmail- compatible Mail Transfer Agent (MTA)- if not Megento connects to SMTP server.

Magento’s documentation could use some work. Installation instructions do not come with the download and the directions for installing Magento on their website are not accurate or complete. It took me a while to get Magento to install.
Magento installed without difficulty, but it requires users to experience.

Search Engine Optimization

  • 100% Search Engine Friendly
  • Google Site Map
  • URL Rewrites give full control of URL's
  • Meta-information for products and categories
  • Auto-generated Site Map for display on site
  • Auto-Generated Popular Search Terms Page

Magento is ready to go for SEO. The cart makes SEO as simple as any cart I’ve used and that’s a major plus. You have complete control over the product URLs and that’s amazing. And it’s not an file edit, you can change the URL in Magento’s administrator access panels. However, in a short time experiment test the efficiency of the process is not really clear.

Site Management and Style

Magento's usable interface allows for efficient management of your online channel. Manage multiple stores from one administration panel, including the ability to manage localized/international versions of your sites.
Magento's one-click upgrade process allows for seamless upgrades to new Magento version, while the Web Services API and pre-packaged integrations allow Magento to fit the way you do business.

These are a few summary comments after a very brief trial time. So, there you have it, like it or not, my first reaction to Magento Commerce. Overall, I’m excited to see what’s to come, it looks very promising, and I can’t wait to transition some sites.