Start with the way you sell.
Choosing a platform involves more than visual design. Product variations, pricing rules, stock management and order handling matter as much as the number of products. Selling standard items from one warehouse is different from B2B sales with dealer-specific prices and approval steps. Start by documenting your current operations and what you want to change.
When is an existing platform a good fit?
An existing platform can be a good starting point if its product, checkout, payment and shipping workflows fit your needs. Review its management tools and integration options. Subscription fees, transaction charges, themes and extensions vary by provider. Before deciding, check whether each essential feature is included or requires an additional payment.
When does custom development make sense?
Custom development may be appropriate when standard platforms cannot support your pricing, order approval or operational rules. Design freedom alone is not a sufficient reason. You need an ongoing plan for development, testing, hosting, security updates and maintenance. Identifying what the first release truly needs helps keep the project manageable.
List the specific integrations you need.
The exact product and version matter when connecting payment providers, shipping services, accounting software or an ERP system. An available integration does not necessarily support every workflow. Assess order cancellation, partial refunds, stock updates and invoice transfers individually. Clarify provider access and fees before requesting a proposal.
Consider portability and the full cost.
The ability to export product, customer and order data affects future migrations. If you are moving an existing store, include old product URLs and redirects in the plan. Compare annual licences, integrations, maintenance and operating costs alongside the initial setup fee. The right solution meets your needs and is one your business can sustain.
Before you decide: a checklist
- Which sales rules differ from a standard workflow?
- Which integrations are essential from day one?
- Can you export product and order data?
- Are setup fees and annual costs listed separately?
- Will mobile purchasing and returns be tested?