Shopify, WooCommerce or custom: choosing an e-commerce platform
Compare hosted, open-source and custom e-commerce on cost, flexibility, payments and maintenance to choose the right platform for your store.
- Published
- Reading time
- 1 min read
Key takeaways
- Hosted platforms trade some flexibility for less maintenance.
- Check local payment methods, shipping and tax needs before choosing.
- Custom builds make sense when your business model doesn't fit standard platforms.
Your e-commerce platform decides how you manage products, take payments and grow. The three common routes are hosted platforms, open-source platforms and custom builds.
Hosted platforms (for example Shopify)
The provider runs the software, hosting and security; you pay a subscription and often transaction fees.
Good for: most retail stores, fast launches and teams without developers on staff.
Consider: monthly and app costs add up, deeper customisation can be limited, and some features depend on paid apps.
Open-source platforms (for example WooCommerce)
WooCommerce adds a store to WordPress. You control hosting and can customise freely.
Good for: content-rich stores, businesses already on WordPress and teams that want full control.
Consider: you are responsible for hosting, updates, security and performance. Plugin quality varies.
Custom or headless builds
A custom front end connects to commerce services through APIs, or the whole store is built for your needs.
Good for: unusual business models, complex pricing or configuration, marketplaces, and stores where performance and unique experiences matter most.
Consider: higher initial cost and ongoing developer involvement.
Questions that decide it
- Payments. Does the platform support the payment methods your customers use, including local methods and cash on delivery where relevant?
- Shipping and taxes. Can it handle your shipping rules, couriers and tax requirements?
- Catalogue. How many products and variants? Do you need bundles, subscriptions or wholesale pricing?
- Operations. Does it connect to your inventory, accounting and fulfilment tools?
- Team. Who will add products, run promotions and handle updates?
- Total cost. Compare subscription, app, payment and development costs over two or three years, not just launch.
Don't forget the basics
Whichever platform you choose, product pages, site speed, mobile checkout and search engine optimisation make the biggest difference to sales.
Our e-commerce development service starts by mapping your requirements to the platforms that fit, before any build begins.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move my store to another platform later?
Yes, but it takes planning: products, customers, orders and URLs need migrating, with redirects to protect search rankings.
Which platform is best for selling in several countries?
Most major platforms support multiple currencies and languages. The deciding factors are usually payment methods, tax handling and shipping options in your markets.
