What do you do if your small business has outgrown its website builder?

Evaluating website change or platform change is very important for business owners and with so many options available making a choice at the right time is even more difficult. Consider three critical levers to make this decision: 1. Order Volume? Has it grown exponential or you are not able to grow order volume exponentially due to website? 2. Sales Channel? Are you planning to add multiple sales channel and is your current stack API-first to support it? 3. Operating Time? How much time are you spending to manage your platforms or different apps/modules daily to keep your current operation up and running? Is it slowing you down?

Overhauling your website for every new trend in functionalities, like advanced product options or enhanced customer service features, isn't always necessary. Instead, focusing on simplifying your platform can sometimes yield better results, improving load times and making navigation more straightforward, rather than more complex. In a world where everyone is adding more, sometimes less is more. This minimalist approach can differentiate your business in a crowded market, potentially leading to a clearer brand identity and a more focused user experience.

VTEX is specifically designed to support the growth of businesses by offering a flexible, cloud-based structure that adapts to your expanding needs. It combines the features of a content management system (CMS) with advanced e-commerce capabilities, allowing you to manage content, integrate various payment systems, and handle complex inventory logistics all in one place. A key feature of VTEX is its composability model through VTEX IO, a development platform that allows you to build, integrate, and manage custom apps using a set of reusable, interoperable components. This approach not only enhances flexibility and customization but also ensures that your business can continuously evolve with technological advances and market demands.

1. Identify Limitations: Outline current platform issues like high fees, limited customization, and inadequate marketing tools. 2. Evaluate alternatives: List features that are non-negotiable, nice-to-have, and advanced. This might include custom branding, advanced e-commerce tools (inventory management, data analytics), marketing integration options (e-mail marketing), etc. Compare these across platforms like Shopify, Square, and Squarespace. 3. Plan Migration: Ensure efficient data transfer methods like CSV uploads are supported. Maintain URL structures for SEO rankings and re-directing current traffic. Assess costs of necessary plugins and features for both immediate needs and future growth.

Select a CMS that aligns with your business requirements and growth objectives. Popular CMS options include WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Shopify, Magento, and Squarespace. Compare features, pricing, ease of use, and scalability to determine the best fit for your business.

Staging Server: Set up a staging environment to test the migration process without impacting your live website. Parallel Run: Run both old and new websites simultaneously to maintain continuity and minimize downtime. Customer Testing: Invite select customers to test the new platform before launch to identify any issues. Selective Migration: Prioritize essential data transfer, such as product details and customer accounts, to expedite the process. Customization Migration: Pay attention to migrating custom features to maintain functionality and user satisfaction.

Provide training to your staff on how to use the new CMS platform effectively for content management, website updates, and maintenance tasks. Consider hiring external support or working with a web development agency for ongoing technical support, maintenance, and updates as needed.