What's the best e-commerce platform for your business?

Today, an e-commerce platform is only 1 block in many connections. Marketing "engines" can manage your entire coupon/loyalty logic, your CS/CX is living inside something like Zendesk, and the list goes on. Pick something which YOU can easily extend and in which you can keep your core logic + serve as your single source of truth, pulling information from all the external platforms, or you won't get far. For me, that's something like Magento, given the usual scale of products on which I end up working.

The best way to think about an e-commerce platform is that it is a content management system. It points content (product data) to product pages, shopping networks, marketplaces, checkout pages, etc. e-commerce is about to get a lot more complicated as artificial intelligence will create optimizations at scale that take minutes to update an entire site. The days of simple storefronts are coming to an end. Advanced tools are going to accelerate e-commerce and you need a platform that can keep up.

Depends woo has the automated product listing, but shopify has way better api connections and easier building. It depends on what is needed.

From my point of view - your next E-commerce platform must do one thing excellent compare to others - adapt fast to changes - for example - Apple Pay / Google Pay has huge succuss today e-commerce lifecycle but some of the platforms aren't integrate with them...

I’m a huge advocate for Shopify! Within the big range of available options, Shopify fits within the SaaS self-hosted solutions. Why is that so awesome? - super scalable - no hosting or security headaches - ongoing innovation brought into the platform without additional costs - no vendor-lock - 10K+ plugins to help expand its functionality - rich ecosystem of partners to support your growth And much much more. It’s been rare to see a business which wouldn’t fit within the Shopify’s solutions.

I think both have merit here. Some things to consider: How much money do you have upfront to custom build something that will then also rely on a developer to maintain or make changes to? Do you know your strategy when it comes to merchandising and site navigation is going to be effective? Are you planning to rely on other integrations for things like AOV boost, conversion, email capture etc- and how these things integrate? A custom build is a great solution when you have a strategy that is tried and true, needing minimal adjustment on the regular. A hosted platform will give you access and flexibility to discover and find this sweet spot with minimal cost commitment upfront.

Choosing between self-hosted and hosted e-commerce platforms hinges on your business needs, technical acumen, and resources. Our company thrived with a self-hosted solution, allowing significant command and customization, facilitating custom features and a tailored customer experience. Yet, self-hosting demands technical competency for site management and security. For those lacking tech skills or resources, hosted platforms offer an intuitive interface, customer service, and handle site maintenance and security. Thus, if you need customization and have tech resources, opt for self-hosting. Otherwise, a hosted platform, requiring less management, could suit you better. Always consider your specific needs before deciding.

There is a difference between shared web hosting, hosting your own virtual server and managed e-commerce hosting plans. E-commerce takes up a lot of resources, so if you can't dedicate your own server or virtual server, it's necessary that you have a managed e-commerce hosting plan. Wordpress.com offers the best option for Woocommerce, Shopify.com is the best for Shopify, and Adobe Experience Cloud provides managed services for Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento). Features that are crucial to consider: allotted bandwidth, unlimited space for images and video, CDN and image optimization, dedicated staging and testing environment, DDOS and fraud protection including WAF, automated data backup and disaster recovery, and handling capacity.

Nowadays, the best is to go with a self hosted solution, so you can focus your resources efficiently in what matters most - your business, not the IT infrastructure. There are a few cases where it makes sense: - if you have a huge business with complex needs that requires you to have 100% control of all your backend processes - if you have the resources needed to have (ideally in house) people fully dedicated to IT If that’s not your case, just use Shopify

Open source is your best bet for extension. Ask yourself - how unique are our needs? What type of solution do we intend to bring to the market? If you want to build for long-term, SaaS will be your blocker. If you want to move fast, open-source is your blocker. If you want to do both, open-source is the only way to go.

Choosing between open-source and SaaS e-commerce platforms largely depends on your business size, resources, and unique needs. Our experience with an open-source platform has been excellent, offering us customization, scalability, and integration capabilities crucial for large businesses. However, it demands technical expertise for maintenance, security, and updates. SaaS platforms, while user-friendly and reliable, may restrict customization and scalability. Yet, for SMEs with limited technical resources, the convenience and simplicity they offer are compelling. In summary, larger businesses may find open-source platforms more suitable, while SMEs could benefit from SaaS.

If you have a solid IT internal team, definitely explore some open source solutions - there are some great ones out there. It doesn’t mean they’re the best for you, but you may consider them when doing an analysis of potential options. If you don’t want to be and IT company, choose SaaS, but be careful - so your own diligence. Not all SaaS solutions are built the same. Squarespace for example is light years away from Shopify, regarding Ecommerce.

Consider a platform featuring a vibrant and engaged community that will offer a wealth of resources and invaluable support as you embark on your journey as a merchant. Solid and well-maintained documentation and a blooming ecosystem of integrations are other make-or-break factors when selecting the e-com platform tailored to your brand's needs.

Ease of Use and User Experience: Evaluate the platform's user-friendliness and overall user experience. Is the dashboard intuitive? Can you easily customize the design and layout? Look for user reviews or conduct a trial to gauge how user-friendly the platform is for both administrators and customers. Design and Customization: Examine the platform's design options and customization capabilities. Does it offer a variety of templates? Can you easily tailor the design to match your brand's identity? A visually appealing and unique storefront can enhance customer engagement.

One of the biggest factors is whether your website serves other purposes than e-commerce, and if these functions need to be integrated with each other. Use cases involving a CMS, CRM, company intranet, e-learning and/or mobile app, may opt for E-commerce platforms which are part of suites like Adobe Experience Manager, Oracle Cloud Applications or Salesforce. Certain platforms are likewise more suitable for DTC and B2C over B2B, or even B2B2C. Whichever the platform, it is most important to take a headless commerce approach.

Honestly- ask people who have done it. People (founders/owners particularly) love connecting with their peers. Be open about your intent to connect, and ask questions. This can give you valuable insight into what worked and what didn't- while also allowing you to build/form a relationship in the meantime. I understand this isn't always possible, but start with the businesses around you that are already doing what you want to do.

To choose an e-commerce platform, you need a plan that takes into account your specific needs and resources. Start by making a list of your business needs, such as technical needs, the size of your inventory, logistics, customer management, and GDPR compliance. Think about how easy it will be to integrate with your current systems and evaluate your technical and financial capabilities. Take note of customer support availability. Make a table with the pros and cons of each possible platform, based on your needs, so that you can compare them quickly. Remember that the platform you choose should not only meet your needs now, but also grow with your business. Always keep scalability in mind.

In my experience in e-commerce, one key takeaway I'd emphasize is that every business is distinct, with varying needs and resources. This cannot be overstated when choosing an e-commerce platform. The solution that works best for one company may not be the right fit for another, which is why an individualized approach is critical. Understanding your unique business needs is the first step. Followed by an in-depth study and comparison of the potential platforms against these needs. Explore forums, reviews, and case studies for additional insights. The decision you make will significantly influence your e-commerce venture's success. The goal is not just to find a platform that works, but one that empowers your business to grow and thrive.

An important aspect in selecting an e-commerce solution for our clients is the regulatory compliance factor, in particular to data privacy laws. Consider which (SaaS) company will be processing your customers name, email, delivery address and payment information, and how this is kept secure. In particular when your organization is based in the EU, stringent GDPR regulations are in place to protect such data. With the right frameworks and contracts in place most SaaS providers can be used, but in more sensitive industries (pharmaceuticals, adult toys, anything religious, etc) an organization should be a lot more careful about where this sensitive type of purchase data flows to, and may revert to self-hosting or a local provider.

There are several popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. However, the best platform can vary based on your specific business needs, budget, technical expertise, and scalability requirements. Begin by conducting research, comparing options, and identifying the platform that best suits your needs.

This is a question that either the client or developer needs to ask. Understanding the specific needs and goals of the business helps to move onto the next steps. It's vital to determine the level of tech-savviness of the business owner. Are they comfortable managing the backend for orders and handling technical aspects. On the other hand, they may prefer a user-friendly, hosted solution with a simple interface. Defining the role of e-commerce in the business is vital. Is it a supplement to the core business, alongside physical stores, or is it the primary focus? If supplementary, a platform that integrates seamlessly with existing systems is crucial. If it's the core, scalability, and robust features become top priorities.

I would like to add the difference between B2B, B2C and B2B2C. The type of business can be very important to take any decision on the best platform to use.