Resources

Services

Image CDN

How to pick...

Blog

CS-Cart

How to pick a CS-Cart managed hosting solution for better sales

How to Pick a CS-Cart Managed Hosting Solution for Better Sales

CS-Cart

Antony Atkins

July 15, 2022

There are different hosting services out there-not all of them are suitable for hosting a CS-Cart-based online store or marketplace. Here’s how you choose the best CS-Cart web hosting that will take care of the technical stuff and help you grow your shop.

What is a managed hosting service provider?

When it comes to managing an online store there are options businesses can choose from. The first one is finding a hosting platform, installing all the necessary plugins, and getting the SSL certificates themselves. This will require hiring an IT specialist who’ll take care of all that or dedicating someone from the existing team.

The second option is much more convenient and cheap. A company can find a managed hosting agency and hand over all the administrative work to it. The managed hosting provider will set up the website, take care of all the security certifications, ensure the necessary speed, store all the media, and much more.

All that comes at a relatively low cost which is not to compare with a full-time salary of an employee that would have to be hired otherwise. With a managed hosting provider, the only difficult decision a business will have to make is to pick a trustable agency that understands its needs and goals.

How to Pick a Managed Hosting Provider for a CS-Cart-based Project

When picking a hosting provider for a CS-Cart business there are a few important things to check.

First and foremost, make sure the provider works exclusively with eCommerce projects. Managed hosting providers dedicated to online shopping platforms know all the pitfalls of setting up and operating websites similar to yours. They have a lot of experience in that niche and can save you a lot of time and money on trial and error.

By choosing a provider that specializes in eCommerce projects you ensure that all the IT infrastructure will be tailored for your online store’s needs.

Scalesta provides custom solutions to eCommerce businesses of any size - our professionals know everything about setting up and managing infrastructure for online shops and marketplaces. Moreover, Scalesta is a recommended hosting solution by CS-Cart software itself, so you can be sure that this will work for your business perfectly. Our servers are pre-installed for eCommerce projects that run on CS-Cart, which will save you a ton of time on the trial-and-error process when setting up your hardware for optimal speed and maximum performance.

Load speed is arguably the most important thing to check before opting for a CS-Cart hosting provider. Customers don’t like slow websites and abandon them before making a purchase. This means that having a slow website potentially loses you money.

Picture shows the difference between expected and tolerated web page load time

How long will customers wait for a page to load

A smoothly operated website, on the other hand, adds to your chances to attract more customers who are willing to pay for your products and, as a result, increase your sales. So make sure to pick agencies that provide fast hosting.

Another crucial factor for an online store is being online most of the time. Check if your potential provider is able to guarantee sustainable work of your website without interruptions. The period of time when your website is up and working is called uptime. Ask your provider what are their uptime guarantees.

Graphic shows most popular reasons for cart abandonment during checkout

13% of users don't process their purchase because of website errors

Note that it’s physically impossible to guarantee 100% uptime because no one is fully protected from hacker attacks, random errors and natural disasters. What a provider can do is guarantee up to 99% of uptime, continuous monitoring, and fast response to any arising problems. The uptime guarantee in Scalesta is 99%.

Moreover, we guarantee that your projects are monitored 24/7 and in case of any issues our team will start resolving them within 15 minutes by SLA. Security is another vital thing to check. Customers trust their personal and payment information to your website, and it’s very important to keep that information as safe as possible.

Your managed hosting provider should use all the latest versions of software that don’t have the vulnerabilities of their predecessors. Ask about security monitoring - secure hosting providers keep their projects under control!

When a website doesn't look trustable 18% of customers don't make an order

Tech support is also super important to check. You want to make sure that any issues with your CS-Cart project will be resolved as soon as possible. Uninterrupted technical support that is always available for you to call and/or text is necessary.

💡Being a partner to CS-Cart, Scalesta guarantees to provide the fastest feedback regarding the security and efficiency of the CS-Cart code.

One last thing to check is the backup system your managed hosting provides. Generally, online stores and marketplaces update their website very frequently as their assortment changes. In case of any crashes and errors, you want to always have the latest version of your website saved to be able to restore it easily. This will save you tons of time and resources. For instance, Scalesta offers daily backups to keep the clients’ data safe.

Who Is CS-Cart a Perfect Fit For?

CS-Cart is an excellent choice for businesses that need a reliable, scalable, and highly customizable eCommerce platform without the constraints of SaaS limitations. It works especially well for brands that want full control over their storefront, flexible architecture for custom features, and the ability to grow into a multi-vendor marketplace or a B2B portal when the business expands.

Whether you're launching your first store, migrating from an underperforming platform, or building a complex multi-store ecosystem, CS-Cart offers the structure and functionality to support ambitious eCommerce growth.

Below is a curated set of frequently asked questions businesses have when evaluating CS-Cart. As an official CS-Cart partner, Scalesta provides clear and reliable answers to help you understand where the platform excels and how it’s used across different industries.

Where can I find a list of companies currently using CS-Cart for their online stores?

You can browse active CS-Cart stores through several international resources:

The official CS-Cart Clients & Case Studies page, which highlights real stores and marketplaces built on the platform.

BuiltWith and SimilarTech, which track eCommerce technologies and provide lists of websites using CS-Cart across different countries.

These platforms offer a global snapshot of CS-Cart adoption.

What are the most popular top-level domains used by active CS-Cart stores?

There is no official global TLD report for CS-Cart specifically. However, based on international technology-tracking platforms like BuiltWith, CS-Cart stores most frequently use mainstream domains such as .com, .co, .net, .de, .in, .co.uk, .ca, and .au - reflecting its use in North America, Europe, Asia, and worldwide.

What are the current market trends for new CS-Cart implementations?

Across global eCommerce markets, several clear trends are visible:

Growing adoption of CS-Cart for multi-vendor marketplaces, niche vertical marketplaces, and B2B eCommerce portals.

Increased demand for platforms offering full ownership (non-SaaS), advanced scalability, and custom functionality - areas where CS-Cart continues to stand out.

Continuous migration from limited SaaS platforms to more flexible self-hosted solutions like CS-Cart.

Public CS-Cart case studies show active adoption across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

What industries most commonly utilize the CS-Cart platform?

Based on global case studies and marketplace examples published internationally, CS-Cart is widely used in:

Electronics & tech

Fashion, apparel & footwear

Home goods, furniture & decor

Tools, hardware & construction supplies

Beauty & personal care

Health & medical equipment

Toys & children’s products

Automotive parts & accessories

The platform is also popular among companies launching B2B eCommerce and multi-vendor marketplace business models.

Can I see examples of successful online stores built on CS-Cart?

Yes - the official CS-Cart website publishes a wide range of international case studies, featuring stores from Europe, North America, Asia, and other regions. In addition, technology trackers like BuiltWith often include notable CS-Cart stores across different industries and countries.

What are the best shipping carriers commonly integrated with CS-Cart?

CS-Cart supports a broad range of international and regional carriers, including:

DHL, UPS, FedEx, USPS, Canada Post, Australia Post

Carrier integrations available through the official CS-Cart Marketplace

Additional global delivery solutions supported by third-party add-ons

This flexibility allows merchants worldwide to configure logistics tailored to their target markets.

Types of server and hosting location for CS-Cart projects

After the reliable hosting provider is chosen there are still a couple of important decisions to make. For instance, you will have to pick your hosting plan. Reasoning your choice only on the price is not the wisest decision. The more important things here are the type of web hosting you’re going to get and the hosting location.

Scheme shows the difference of Shared, VPS and Dedicated hosting

Shared web hosting means that the CPU, disk space, and network of one server are shared between several companies. It’s kind of like living in a dorm with shared kitchens and bathrooms – you’re always dependent on your neighbors and their activities. If someone’s having a party, you won’t be able to enjoy your evening routines in peace. When a website that shares a server with you is having a heavy load the performance of your website will be affected.

Shared options are the cheapest but they are also the least reliable ones. We don’t recommend our clients using this kind of hosting and don’t include it in any of our plans.

VPS (Virtual private server) is a more reliable form of multi-tenant hosting option for businesses. Websites using the same VPS share the hardware they hosted on, but each of them has its own operating system, dedicated storage, CPU, scalable RAM, and bandwidth. So it’s more like living in a townhouse where everything is of your own, but some things, like sewer pipes and electricity cables you share with your neighbors.

VPS is a good fit for small and mid-sized businesses, it allows enough power and flexibility and is easily scalable.

Dedicated servers are the most reliable and, naturally, also the most expensive ones. As the name applies, a dedicated server is used only by one company. This means that you don’t have any neighbors to worry about at all. All the resources are yours. But it is quite a costly option and therefore it’s used mostly by large companies.

Finally, pay attention to where your server will be located. Your data center should be in the same area where most of your orders come. This will ensure faster loading and fewer latencies because the smaller the distance between your server and the user the more reliable and fast the connection is. That’s why we work with the 15 most trustable data centers from all over the world.

Map shows Scalesta data centers and servers

Scalesta hosts projects at 15 data centers from California to Sydney

Scalesta is a high-end managed hosting provider for multi-vendor and single-vendor eCommerce projects. We guarantee top performance, security, and expert support to a business of any size. Our team consists of developers, SysOps, and DevOps engineers who work with eCommerce platforms on a daily basis and make projects better, faster, and more effective. Scalesta engineers comply with strict CS-Cart requirements.

At Scalesta, we make sure that our clients don’t have to worry about any technical issues and can focus on their business. We take care of your servers, and you take care of your growth.

At Scalesta, we make sure that our clients don’t have to worry about any technical issues and can focus on their business. We take care of your servers, and you take care of your growth.

Get a Free Consultation

FAQs

What factors should you consider when choosing a CS-Cart hosting provider?
When choosing a CS-Cart hosting provider, it's essential to consider several critical factors. Scalesta offers pre-configured servers specifically tailored for CS-Cart, providing a range of benefits. With these ready-to-go servers, you can launch your online store quickly and reliably, often within just one day.

This ensures a seamless setup process, eliminates the hassle of configuring the server yourself, and allows you to focus on your business growth without worrying about technical challenges. The result is a faster, more efficient, and dependable store setup that gets you up and running in no time.

Why choose a hosting provider that specializes in eCommerce?
Specialized eCommerce hosting providers understand the unique challenges of online stores and have the expertise to optimize your website's performance, saving you time and resources.

What types of servers are available for CS-Cart projects?
Options include VPS (Virtual Private Server) and dedicated servers. VPS is suitable for small to mid-sized businesses, while dedicated servers are ideal for large businesses requiring maximum reliability.

Which agencies offer ongoing maintenance and support for CS-Cart websites?
There are several international agencies providing long-term CS-Cart maintenance, performance optimization, custom feature development, and technical support. Notable examples include:

Scalesta - an official CS-Cart partner offering full managed hosting, ongoing maintenance, security updates, performance improvements, and continuous ecommerce support.
MakeShopify / EComLabs - agencies providing CS-Cart development, technical support, and troubleshooting services.
CartTuning - offering theme adjustments, marketplace enhancements, and technical maintenance.

These companies specialize in long-term CS-Cart operations and can support both single-store and multi-vendor setups.

Where can I find pricing information for professional CS-Cart themes or templates?
Professional CS-Cart themes and UI kits are primarily sold through:

The official CS-Cart Marketplace - the go-to source for premium themes, marketplace templates, and UI frameworks. Each theme includes transparent pricing, feature lists, and user reviews.
ThemeForest - which occasionally lists CS-Cart–compatible designs or multipurpose templates.
Third-party agency stores (e.g., MakeShopify, EComLabs, Simtech Development) where custom-designed premium themes are available.

Pricing typically ranges from $69 to $249 depending on complexity, features, and licensing.

Are there any recent comparisons between CS-Cart and other eCommerce solutions?
Yes, several reputable international tech and eCommerce review platforms have published comparisons that include CS-Cart. These comparisons typically evaluate CS-Cart against platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, and OpenCart. Notable sources include:

G2, Capterra, and GetApp, which feature customer-driven comparisons and side-by-side ratings.
BuiltWith and Wappalyzer, which analyze technology usage and market positioning.
Independent eCommerce blogs and industry analysts that review CS-Cart’s strengths for multi-vendor marketplaces and self-hosted eCommerce.

Most recent comparisons highlight CS-Cart’s advantages in ownership, scalability, customization, and marketplace functionality, while also noting that SaaS platforms may be easier for beginners but more limited long-term.