Choosing the right ecommerce platform

Choosing the right ecommerce platform is an important decision for any business looking to sell their products online. The three options below are tried-and-tested ecommerce platforms that are used by thousands of merchants.

WordPress + WooCommerce

WordPress is one of the most popular CMS systems around. WooCommerce is an open source e-commerce plugin for WordPress. It is designed for small to large-sized online merchants using WordPress, the plugin quickly became popular for its simplicity to install and customize and free base product.

• Catalogue: Small (less than 100 SKUs)
• Products: Single SKUs with more advanced customisation if required
• Plugins: Limited free and paid for plugins for more advanced functionality
• Custom Development: Scope for some custom development
• Themes: Themes and/or bespoke theme development

Shopify

Shopify is a complete commerce platform that lets you start, grow, and manage a business. Create and customize an online store. Manage products, inventory, payments, and shipping.

• Catalogue: Small/Medium (less than 500 SKUs)
• Products: Single SKUs with simple options (size/colour drop downs)
• Plugins: Limited paid for plugins for more advanced functionality
• Custom Development: No custom development
• Themes: Themes + limited custom code

Magento 2

Magento is an ecommerce platform built on open source technology which provides online merchants with a flexible shopping cart system, as well as control over the look, content and functionality of their online store. Magento offers powerful marketing, search engine optimisation, and catalog-management tools.

• Catalogue: Medium/Large (more than 500 SKUs)
• Products: simple SKUs, customisable products, and bespoke product pricing
• Plugins: Large collection of free and paid plugins for advanced functionality
• Custom Development: Scope for significant custom development
• Themes: Themes and/or bespoke theme development