Attack of the Killer TomatoCart!

Tomatoes from the movie invaded a town and did a lot of mess. So did TomatoCart. The platform entered eCommerce industry as an independent branch of osCommerce and once made people talk about and, what is even more important, use it. How did people at Wuxi Elootec Technology got such a prominent result?It’s simple, they created a truly professional solution with killer set of features and virtually unlimited customization options.

Basic Info

What was TomatoCart? It was a free open source PHP/MySQL based shopping cart. The platform forked from osCommerce as a separate solution that used Rich Internet Applications (RIAs), web 2.0 and Ajax technology. As a result, users got intuitive and desktop-like (similar to standard Windows and Mac interface) admin panel that was very easy to use. TomatoCart was undemanding and lightweight. As a result it could be installed on most servers and was a very fast solution. Built-in basic content management system helped users to publish articles, add FAQs and enable image slides, etc.

Pros

TomatoCart offered a wide range of eCommerce features that could help users build a competitive online store. Here were some key aspects:

• Store Management. TomatoCart had all the main functions that you would need to run your store. It supported any quantity and types of products. Order and customer management systems allowed users to run their shop effectively. To improve clients’ shopping experience multiple checkout options were available (one-page, standard, guest, etc.).
• Payment. TomatoCart shop supported all the major payment processors like PayPal, Authorize.Net, eWay, Western Union, and many other popular payment gateways. Credit cards and cash on delivery options were also available.
• Localization, Promotion and Statistics. Multiple languages, currencies and tax rates helped users adapt the platform to their specific needs. Various marketing functions like newsletter, coupon codes, discounts, cross-sells, wish lists, SEO friendly URLs, etc., could become a powerful tool to attract customers. And finally, the integration with open source web analytics program Matomo provided users with all the necessary business reports to lead their store in the right direction.

Cons

However, TomatoCart was not a perfect solution and it had some points to think about before establishing an online store:

• Lack of Extensions. TomatoCart shopping cart offered a great default set of features but in some cases it was not enough. So, users might need a module or a plugin which would add this specific function. Unfortunately, they would not be able to find a lot of them. Of course, users might develop something they needed on their own or hire someone to do it for them, but it would require some extra efforts or budget.
• Only Few Shipping Options. TomatoCart in its out-of-the-box edition didn’t support many shipping gateways, only USPS.

Bonus tips

At the end of this TomatoCart review we want to offer you some additional advice:

• If one had considered TomatoCart to start an online business then they would have needed to play around with the platform before starting a shop. What might have been intuitive and simple for someone might have been the opposite for them. And since the platform was totally free it wouldn’t have cost anything.
• If one had an online store built with another shopping cart but decided to move to TomatoCart, they could have made the process simple and fast with Cart2Cart. An online automated service would have helped them to get all the benefits of TomatoCart in less then a few hours without any programming skills necessary.

Monthly Update – November 2025

November 2025 marks the peak of the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner. E-commerce businesses should be in full optimization mode, ensuring their websites are not only capable of handling massive traffic spikes but also primed for conversion. Focus on real-time inventory updates to prevent overselling, implement clear shipping policies, and highlight irresistible deals prominently. Leverage personalized recommendations based on browsing history to enhance the customer journey and increase average order value. This month is also crucial for fine-tuning your email marketing and social media campaigns, making sure your messaging is consistent and compelling across all channels. Post-purchase, consider strategies for managing potential returns efficiently and retaining new customers acquired during the sales frenzy. Strengthening your customer service with quick response times and multiple contact options will be vital. Beyond immediate sales, analyze emerging trends and customer behavior from early November data to adapt your strategy for the remainder of the year and into 2026. Prioritizing site speed, mobile experience, and robust security measures will ensure a seamless and trustworthy shopping environment for your customers during this critical period.

For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.