Varien (and I) have our first article over at Digital Web Magazine, and we’re super stoked about it. In it, we offer you some in-depth tips on what to look for in a eCommerce package to keep your business running smoothly, as well as help your online store grow and thrive. Here’s an excerpt regarding open-source eCommerce solutions (like Magento):

Choosing open-source eCommerce solutions for your online business is becoming a popular option, especially for companies seeking greater flexibility. If you decide to pursue an open-source application to manage your store, make sure to thoroughly research and examine your options. Is the project continuously updated, or has it been stagnant for a long time, with very few updates on the project and very little news as to where it is headed? Several open-source solutions are released every year. However, very few have the longevity that you will need to be used as a foundation for your online store. Examine the programmers behind it, and others who use the program. Will you be able to integrate your catalog, products, and orders into it successfully? With some research, open source could be exactly the eCommerce solution that you are looking for, allowing, in some cases, a flexibility you cannot find anywhere else.

If you like what you see, make sure to check out the whole article. I’m pretty proud of it, and I think that it can offer good advice to even the most jaded of eCommerce professionals.