Which platform to choose for an online store? A complete guide for entrepreneurs

Introduction

Can your choice of platform for your online store weigh on the success of your business? Yes, and more than you think. Many entrepreneurs make the same mistake - they make a decision without thorough analysis, guided by fashion, price or random recommendations. The result? A site that doesn't meet expectations, limits the growth of your business or generates unnecessary costs.

I remember a conversation with one of my clients, the owner of a sporting goods store. At first he wanted a ready-made SaaS solution - "something simple just to get going." After a few months, as the store began to grow, he encountered a barrier: the inability to customize features to meet the specific needs of his customers. Migrating to another platform proved costly and time-consuming.

Choosing the right platform is an investment in the future of your business. In this guide, I'll show you the available options, their advantages and limitations, and help you choose the solution that best fits your business.

Types of platforms for online stores - which one to choose?

Every business is different - what works in one case may be a completely wrong choice in another. In the world of e-commerce, we have three main approaches to building an online store:

1. SaaS (Software as a Service) - a quick start, but with limitations
2. Open source platforms - more control, but requires more commitment
3. Dedicated solutions - full freedom, but higher costs

Each of these options has its pros and cons, so it's helpful to know what to expect.

SaaS (Software as a Service) - a quick start, but with limitations

If you want to start selling as soon as possible and don't have time to explore the ins and outs of technology, SaaS platforms may be the perfect solution for you. All you have to do is create an account, choose a template, add products and you're done - your store is online. Popular examples include Shopify, Shoper or Wix.

I once had a client who ran a local pastry shop and wanted to start selling his baked goods online. His priority was simplicity - he had neither the time nor the knowledge to manage servers or code his own store. In a few days we launched the site on Shopify and the first orders started coming in. It was a good decision to start.

SaaS Advantages:
✔ You don't have to worry about hosting, security or updates - everything is included in the package.
✔ Intuitive operation - no technical skills required.
✔ Ready integrations with payment and delivery systems.

SaaS disadvantages:
✗ Limited adaptability - if your business is growing, you may run into a wall.
✗ Monthly fees - cheap at the beginning, but costs can rise over time.
✗ Lack of full control over the code - you are dependent on the platform provider.

For whom?For startups and small businesses that want to quickly launch a store without technical complications.

Open source platforms - more control, but requires more commitment

If you want full control over your store, but don't want to build it from scratch, open source platforms may be the best choice. They offer flexibility, but require a bit more technical knowledge or working with a developer. Some of the most popular includeWooCommerce (for WordPress), PrestaShop, Magento and OpenCart..

I remember a client who sold exclusive leather accessories. Initially, he used a SaaS platform, but soon found that he was missing key features, such as advanced product configurations and custom delivery options. He moved the store to WooCommerce and suddenly the possibilities expanded - he could customize everything to his liking, without the limitations imposed by the service provider.

Open Source Advantages:
✔ Full control over the appearance and functionality of the store.
✔ No restrictions on development - you can add features that are impossible in SaaS.
✔ You don't have to pay monthly fees - you choose your own hosting and maintenance costs.

Open Source Disadvantages:
✗ Requires technical expertise or collaboration with a programmer.
✗ You take care of hosting, security and updates yourself.
✗ May require more initial investment than SaaS.

For whom?For companies that want to have more control and develop the store on their own terms.

Dedicated solutions (Custom Development) - full freedom, but also higher costs

This is an option for those who want an absolutely unique store, tailored to the specific needs of their industry. Here you don't use off-the-shelf platforms, but rather create a store from scratch - from the backend to the user interface.

One of my clients ran a B2B wholesaler with thousands of products and a specific ordering system. No ready-made platform met his requirements, so we created a dedicated solution. This allowed him to integrate the store directly with the warehouse, ordering system and automatic invoicing. It was costly, but in the long run it saved him time and money.

Advantages of a dedicated store:
✔ Full freedom in design - a store created exactly for your needs.
✔ Ability to deeply integrate with the company's internal systems.
✔ Scalability - you are not limited by any ready-made system.

Disadvantages of a dedicated store:
✗ High implementation costs - requires a team of developers.
✗ Long implementation time - compared to off-the-shelf platforms, implementation takes much longer.
✗ The need for ongoing maintenance and development - there are no off-the-shelf updates as in SaaS.

For whom?For companies with non-standard requirements, large B2B stores and entrepreneurs planning major growth.

How to choose a platform for your store?

Choosing a platform for an online store is a decision that will affect your business for years to come. It's a bit like choosing a location for a stationary store - you need to think about what kind of space you rent, where it's located and whether you have the ability to expand.

There is no single "best" platform - it all depends on your needs. Therefore, before you make a decision, answer some key questions.

Key questions before making a decision:

🔹How many products will you sell?
Stores with a few products can run on simple SaaS platforms like Shopify or Shoper. If you're planning hundreds or thousands of products, consider WooCommerce, PrestaShop or Magento, which offer more control over your catalog and sales processes.

🔹Do you plan to sell overseas?
If your goal is to expand into foreign markets, you need to make sure the platform supports multilingualism, different currencies and integration with international payment systems. WooCommerce, Magento and Shopify have extensive features for global e-commerce.

🔹What features are essential?

• Will you be selling physical products, digital products or services?
• Do you want automatic invoicing and integration with your accounting system?
• Do you need integration with a warehouse, ERP system or marketplace like Allegro or Amazon?

🔹What budget do you have for startup and maintenance?
The cost of a platform is not just the subscription or implementation price - there are sales commissions, hosting fees, SSL certificate and possible integrations. Some platforms are cheap to begin with, but expensive to maintain in the long run.

Comparison of popular platforms in terms of key factors

Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. Below you will find a comparison of the most important ones.

1. ease of use

• SaaS (Shopify, Shoper, Wix). - Very intuitive, ready to use after a few clicks.
• Open Source (WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento). - require configuration, but offer greater flexibility.
• Dedicated solutions - fully customized, but dependent on the development team.

2. costs

• SaaS - Monthly subscription (Shopify: from $29, Shoper: from $69/month).
• Open Source - No subscription, but need to pay for hosting and developer.
• Dedicated solutions - Costs from several thousand zlotys upwards.

3. scalability

• SaaS - Easy start, but limited expansion options.
• Open Source - Good scalability, but requires server power and adequate resources.
• Dedicated - Full control over scalability, but higher maintenance cost.

4 Integration opportunities

• SaaS - Built-in integrations, but sometimes paid extra.
• Open Source - Extensive customization and addition of new features.
• Dedicated - Full integration with any systems, but requires programming.

If your company is just starting out, SaaS may be a good option. If you plan to grow and become more personalized, it's better to consider open source or a dedicated solution.

Costs of running an online store on different platforms

The cost of running an online store depends on the chosen platform and its operating model. It is worth knowing what to pay attention to in order to avoid hidden expenses.

SaaS platforms - what are the real monthly expenses?

✓ Subscription fee (Shopify: from $29, Shoper: from $69/month).
✓ Commissions on sales (Shopify: 2%, Shoper: 1-2%).
✓ Cost of additional applications (average $10-50 per month)

Hidden costs: If you want to customize your store, many features require paid apps or more expensive plans.

Open source - hidden costs of hosting, SSL certificates, developers

✓ No monthly platform fee
✓ Cost of hosting (from £100 to £1,000 per month)
✓ SSL certificate (£100-300 per year).
✓ Possible cost of developer (several thousand zloty for implementation)

Hidden costs: If you are not familiar with IT, you may need the help of a specialist for updates and technical problems.

Dedicated solution - when is it worth investing more money?

✓ Ability to customize your store to 100% of your own needs
✓ No monthly platform fees

Costs: Implementation is a £20,000-£100,000 investment, and maintenance requires programmer support.

Examples of best practices and mistakes when choosing a platform

The decision to choose a platform for an online store can have long-term consequences. Some entrepreneurs make a decision too hastily, guided by momentary trends or low start-up costs. Others, on the other hand, carefully analyze their needs and avoid pitfalls.

The most common mistakes when choosing a platform

Choosing too complicated a platform for a small store
One owner of a small handmade jewelry store decided to go with Magento because "it's a professional solution that big companies use." After a few months, it turned out that his needs were much smaller - he had a dozen products and little traffic. Magento required server resources, regular updates and developer support. After a few months, migrating to WooCommerce proved a necessity.

✓How to avoid it? If you run a small store, choose a simpler platform, such as WooCommerce or Shopify.

No consideration of future business development
In contrast, another entrepreneur who started with just a few products on Shopify found after a year that his store had grown, and the commissions and limitations of the SaaS platform began to limit him. He wanted to add custom features that Shopify didn't support without expensive apps. Moving the store to PrestaShop was costly and time-consuming.

✓How to avoid it? If you have ambitious growth plans, choose a flexible platform that will allow you to scale without migration.

 Omission of additional costs (e.g., maintenance)
One customer opted for WooCommerce because "it's a free solution." After a few months, he found he had to pay for hosting, an SSL certificate, premium plugins and technical support, which cost more than he anticipated.

✓How to avoid it? Always take into account the hidden costs - not only the platform subscription, but also hosting, add-ons and possible technical support.

Improper integration with payments and logistics
The owner of a clothing store invested in a platform that did not support his favorite payment provider or an integrated shipping system. Customers complained about the lack of convenient payment methods, and each delivery required manual processing. The result? A drop in conversions and frustration for the owner.

✓How to avoid it? Make sure the platform supports all the key integrations for your business before you make a decision.

Bottom line - which platform will be best for your business?

There is no one perfect platform for everyone. The choice depends on your needs, budget and development plans.

A brief recommendation depending on your business profile

 Small store with few products
➡Best choice: Shopify, Shoper or WooCommerce (if you want full control).
➡Why? Quick setup, simple operation and low cost of entry.

 A medium-sized store with a growing assortment
➡Best choice: WooCommerce, PrestaShop.
➡Why? They give greater flexibility and expandability without high subscription fees.

 Large e-commerce with thousands of products
➡Best choice: Magento, a dedicated solution.
➡Why? Scalability, advanced features, full control over the system.

 B2B store with custom requirements
➡Best choice: Dedicated solution or PrestaShop with additional modules.
➡Why? Customizable for specific B2B sales, integration with ERP systems.

Tips for those who are still hesitant

If you still have doubts:
✔ Test the platform - most offer demos or free trials.
✔ Think about what features you will need not only today, but also in a year or two.
✔ Consult experts - choosing a platform is an important decision, so it's a good idea to get help from a specialist.