Configuring JoomShopping and VirtueMart for an Online Store on Joomla
Joomla has two mature e-commerce extensions: JoomShopping and VirtueMart. Both exist for more than ten years, have similar basic functionality, but differ in architecture, code quality, and plugin ecosystem. The choice between them is the first question on any project.
JoomShopping vs VirtueMart: component choice
JoomShopping — Russian development, actively maintained, simpler to configure, well documented in Russian. Cleaner architecture, easier code to extend.
VirtueMart — older, more users worldwide, richer out-of-the-box functionality (especially for taxes and multi-currency). But the codebase is significantly more complex and partly outdated.
| Criteria | JoomShopping | VirtueMart |
|---|---|---|
| Russian documentation | Excellent | Weak |
| Setup without developer | Easier | More complex |
| EU taxes / VAT | Basic | Detailed |
| Extensibility | Good | Complex |
| Joomla 4/5 compatibility | Yes | Yes (from 4.x) |
| Development activity | High | Medium |
For most CIS projects — JoomShopping. For international stores with EU VAT — VirtueMart.
JoomShopping installation
Extensions → Install → Upload Package File
→ Upload com_jshopping.zip
→ After installation: Components → JoomShopping → Settings
Basic configuration in Settings section:
- General: store name, email, default country and currency
- Products: show weight, size, EAN
- Checkout: enable guest registration, number of steps
- Email: email templates (order confirmation, status change)
JoomShopping catalog structure
Hierarchy: category → subcategory → product → attributes.
Creating a category:
JoomShopping → Categories → Add
→ Name: Office Chairs
→ Alias: office-chairs
→ Parent: Furniture
→ Image: upload image
→ Meta Title / Description: for SEO
Creating a product:
JoomShopping → Products → Add
→ Name, Alias, Category
→ Price: 1499.00
→ Old price: 1999.00 (strikethrough)
→ SKU: CHAIR-BLK-L
→ Quantity: 15
→ Weight: 12.5 kg
→ Images: multiple images with preview
→ Description: via WYSIWYG editor
→ Attributes: Color, Size (created separately)
Product attributes in JoomShopping
Attributes are properties that affect price:
JoomShopping → Attributes → Add
→ Name: Color
→ Type: Select (dropdown)
→ Attribute options:
Black [code=BLK, price=+0]
White [code=WHT, price=+0]
Red [code=RED, price=+150]
For variations with separate inventory (different sizes have different quantities) — use attribute type "Extra field" with subtype "Product combination".
Shipping configuration
JoomShopping → Shipping methods → Add
→ Plugin: Standard (fixed cost / by weight / by amount)
→ Price: 0 (free when > 2000)
// Conditional free shipping
→ Plugin: Standard
→ Free shipping: Yes
→ Free shipping from amount: 2000
For integration with transport companies — plugins (CDEK, Russian Post):
In Joomla Extension Directory: "JoomShopping SDEK"