You're building an e-commerce store. What's the best content management system for you?

"Great summary of the key differences between standard CMS and e-commerce CMS! It's important to remember that the right platform can make a huge difference in running a successful online store." "This is a helpful reminder of all the crucial functionalities an e-commerce CMS should offer. Choosing the right one depends heavily on the specific needs of your business."

An e-commerce CMS (Content Management System) is a smart tool for online businesses. It helps manage and organize the content on your e-commerce website. Think of it like a digital helper that makes it easy to display and update your products, handle transactions, and keep your online store running smoothly.

There's no single "best" option, as each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. There are some popular choices to consider: Beginners: Shopify: Easy to use with a wide range of themes and apps, but limited customization options. Squarespace: User-friendly with beautiful templates, but not as powerful as other options for large stores. Wix: Drag-and-drop interface for easy design, but not ideal for complex stores. Advanced: WordPress with WooCommerce: Open-source and highly customizable, but requires technical knowledge. BigCommerce: Powerful platform with built-in features for large stores, but steeper learning curve. Magento: Enterprise-level platform with extensive features, but requires technical expertise and budget.

History has shown that HTML to dynamic content creation went one direction, catalog printing to eCommerce into another. This means that as of today there is no DXP or CMS that does both. However, there is the possibility to add JECIS, a true composable eCommerce framework into Adobe AEM, turning it into a "commerce DXP". Then there is a "true composable DXP" being worked on. It will be launched around Q4 of 2024 (DM me for more information). And who's interested in "true composable platforms" can join the LinkedIn group "Composable DXPs Collective: Innovate and Collaborate".

Having an e-commerce CMS is crucial because it simplifies managing your online store. It acts like a helpful digital assistant, making it easy to display and update products, handle transactions, and ensure your website runs smoothly. With an e-commerce CMS, you can efficiently organize and control the content on your site, providing a seamless and user-friendly experience for both you and your customers. It's like having a reliable partner that takes care of the technical details so you can focus on growing your online business.

There are various types of e-commerce CMS tailored to different needs. The two main categories are hosted and self-hosted platforms. Hosted platforms, like Shopify and BigCommerce, are managed by a third party, offering convenience but with less control. On the other hand, self-hosted platforms, such as WooCommerce (for WordPress) and Magento, provide more customization but require additional technical responsibility. Both types have their strengths, so choosing depends on factors like your technical expertise, desired level of control, and specific features required for your online store. It's like deciding between a ready-made solution and a more DIY approach based on your preferences and business requirements.

Don't get paralyzed by choice! While all those factors mentioned are crucial, focus on your specific needs first. Are you a tech newbie selling homemade crafts? Prioritize user-friendly platforms like Shopify or Wix. Scaling a fashion empire with international shipping? Magento's power and customization might be your match. Remember, your CMS should grow with you, not hold you back. Start simple, choose based on your current needs, and switch later if necessary. It's like picking shoes – comfy sandals for a stroll, sturdy boots for the mountain trek. Don't squeeze your feet into stilettos if you're building a store, not strutting a runway!

Here are a few more to add to the list WORDPRESS; which is an open-source (CMS). It's a popular tool for individuals without any coding experience who want to build websites. BIGCOMMERCE; is a full-fledged eCommerce CMS platform that combines the best of content management and eCommerce functionalities. OPENCART; is a free, open-source ecommerce platform that enables the selling and purchasing of online products. OpenCart's CMS is user-friendly, due to the the combination of their simple, core platform with a multitude of powerful extensions.

The only real commerce CMS is "DXPCommerce". It is a DXP based on OSGi/Apache Sling/Apache Oak and following the "true composable platform" conventions (see LinkedIn article "Composable - Demystifying a Buzz Word"). DXPCommerce lets you use, but also create, composable components to build enterprise, full-fledged commerce experiences. DXPCommerce will launch in Q4 of 2024. DM me for more information

Today major vendors recommend integrating CMS/DXP with eCommerce systems. However, those integrations are complex/cumbersome, very expensive and insanely time consuming. There is an initiative to define next generation platforms known as "true composable platforms". Join the LinkedIn group "Composable DXPs Collective: Innovate and Collaborate" and be part of the future!

There's are a few CMS you might want to try using WORDPRESS; which is an open-source (CMS). It's a popular tool for individuals without any coding experience who want to build websites. BIGCOMMERCE; is a full-fledged eCommerce CMS platform that combines the best of content management and eCommerce functionalities. OPENCART; is a free, open-source ecommerce platform that enables the selling and purchasing of online products. OpenCart's CMS is user-friendly, due to the the combination of their simple, core platform with a multitude of powerful extensions.