Chapter 3. Catalogs and Stores
As we'll explore in this chapter, one of the most powerful features of Magento is demonstrated by the versatility and flexibility of creating a true multi-store environment. Very few e-commerce platforms provide this level of complexity. But what does this mean for you as a store owner?
While you may be just starting out with one online store, chances are that as you grow, you may want to:
- Create additional niche stores
- Sell in multiple languages to a global customer base
- Provide separate storefronts for different users, such as VIP or wholesale customers
While you could create multiple stores on other platforms, Magento uniquely provides the ability to create and manage several web stores within a single backend interface. Each store can appear independent to consumers, but with one login, you-and your staff-can access products, customers, orders, and content across all or any store.
In this chapter, we'll:
- Set up catalogs and categories for group products
- Set up multiple storefronts
- Review various store-specific configurations
- Learn how to manage multiple languages and currencies
We will help you learn and profit from what can be a complex issue by breaking it down into simple steps. First, however, we need to understand how Magento coordinates this hierarchy of websites and storefronts.