Read on to find out:
- Where to start when choosing a platform?
- What are the characteristics of Shopify?
- What distinguishes Magento?
- Magento vs Shopify - which to choose in the end?
- On what scale are you currently operating and/or do you plan to expand your eCommerce?
- How much time and budget can you allocate to implement the platform?
- What are your needs in terms of basic functionality?
- Do you need to introduce custom solutions and external modules?
- To what extent do you care about being able to personalize and customize the platform to your needs?
- integrations with external business management systems such as CMS, ERP or PIM,
- management of multiple stores within a single administration panel (so-called Multistore),
- support of multilingual versions of the store,
- possibility to choose various forms of payment and delivery compatible with the platform,
- built-in analytical and marketing tools,
- adaptation to the mobile version of eCommerce,
- additional plug-ins and templates (often free), and support from the international Magento community.
Starting a new business? Entering the online world? A desire for further growth? Motivations for implementing a brand new platform for eCommerce can vary. Regardless of the reasons for this decision, the key is to ask yourself some key questions at the beginning. Knowing the answers to these will allow you to choose the solution that best meets your needs and expectations. Only then will you be able to accurately assess which platform is worth opting for. Consider, then:
Before you make your choice... Types of eCommerce platforms
You already know the key assumptions that the platform must meet - it's time to go one step further. Currently, there are 3 most popular types of software for creating online stores. What are the characteristics of SaaS tools (with Shopify at the forefront) and Open Source (which includes Magento) and dedicated web applications? We explain all the concepts below.
SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)
SaaS platforms are one of the most popular solutions. Why? They are often considered a good choice at the very start of one's eCommerce business in case one wants a quick and low-cost entry into the market. They also allow you to know your needs and requirements from the online platform. Their biggest advantage is the relatively short time needed to implement a store. Depending on the complexity of the project, the entire process can be completed in just a few weeks or even days. Boxed solutions are also cheaper than custom ones - maintenance of the platform most often requires fees in the form of a periodic subscription. However, the biggest disadvantage of a SaaS platform is the severely limited possibility of modification and expansion - if you plan to continuously grow your business you have to expect that reconciling it with the technical capabilities of an online store will cease to be possible at some point. The same may be the case with required unusual and complex integrations with external systems. Manufacturers of such solutions do not provide the code, so if the platform is no longer sufficient, you will have to start building the store from scratch.
Open Source
Open source or most simply - platforms built on an open license are also a frequent choice of eCommerce representatives. This includes Magento or Shopware, among others. In practice, an open source solution is one in which we have access to the code, with the possibility to make modifications. It allows development and customization of the software. The use of open source platforms in their basic version is in most cases free of charge (however, additional costs such as certain plug-ins, extensions or additional modules and other implementation costs should be taken into account). Open source code allows for any configuration and customization of the code, thus obtaining functionality and external integrations as needed. It also allows the platform to expand as needs grow. However, programming expertise is needed for integration and changes, and most often support from an external agency is required. An additional advantage of open source solutions is the community surrounding them and the ability to draw on the knowledge and experience of other users. Because it is easier to check the quality of the software and identify potential vulnerabilities in the code, it can be considered a safer solution.
Dedicated web apps
A solution that is created from the beginning with a particular project in mind. The code of dedicated web applications is written for a single sales platform and allows you to customize the solutions you need. Deciding on the so-called "dedicated", you are the one who chooses what functions and modules your store's website will have, so you are able to respond to all needs (both your own and your customers'). More often than not, however, the development process is prolonged (delaying your entry into the market), and the costs incurred in creating a site from scratch - high. Such a large investment is often a decision tantamount to tying oneself to one solution permanently, reducing later flexibility for change. The biggest obstacle for dedicated solutions, eCommerce representatives note, is the high dependence on their developers and the difficulty of expanding the platform after launch, especially if their time resources are limited.
You already know what the different types of platforms are - it's high time to face the final choice. ECommerce companies offer dozens of SaaS or open source platforms. In this article, we will consider the most popular of them, namely Shopify and Magento.
Shopify in a nutshell
More than 2 million active users, more than a billion orders placed and total business profits exceeding $300 billion globally - what makes Shopify one of the most popular solutions on the market?
Shopify is a solution offered by a Canadian company based on a SaaS model. It was established in 2004 and since then has been popular especially among representatives of small and medium eCommerce. The solution is particularly attractive to them because it allows simplified and automated management, does not require advanced technical skills, and allows them to quickly start from scratch while being able to personalize almost all elements of the website. How is this possible?
Why Shopify?
Platforms put on Shopify mainly rely on the Liquid template created in the Ruby programming language. When creating an online store on Shopify, its owner cannot interfere with the code (nor does he own it). The process of editing the site involves selecting a template and customizing it within the provided editing tools. In this way, it is possible to customize in some way, including the presentation of products, the configuration of payment and shipping methods or tax rates.
The range of possibilities varies depending on the selected plan. Shopify operates on a subscription model, which means that having a store on the platform involves paying regular fees (from $29 to $299 per month). Additional costs can also be generated by the desire to add add-ons or modules to the platform - each of them has to be purchased, and their integration with the basic version of the platform takes place through an API.
Keep in mind, however, that Shopify is not a fully customizable solution. If you plan to grow your business on a large scale in the future (e.g., expand your assortment or enter new markets), you need to keep in mind that at some point you will start to be limited by technological possibilities. Due to the fact that Shopify owns the code, if you want to move your store to a new platform, you will have to create the platform from scratch. The server, which is also hosted by the provider, may also prove to be a limitation - if there are performance problems, it will be up to the provider to fix them.
Magento in a nutshell
The history of Magento began in 2008, when the first version of the platform debuted. Since then, however, a lot has changed - many updates have been implemented, the second version of Magento 2 was released, and in 2018 the platform was bought out by Adobe, changing its name to Adobe Commerce. It is now available in open source and Adobe Commerce versions (we present the differences between them in a separate article). The constant development of the solution means that there is an ever-increasing number of customers who choose to put their online store on it. According to 2020 data, one in 10 online stores in the world uses this software. What distinguishes Magento from other solutions?
The Magento engine is built on the basis of the PHP language, and its capabilities are made available to users under an open source license. Here comes the first major difference between Adobe's solution and Shopify - just installing the tool (in the basic version) is free of charge, and most of the programming work and building the functionality of your own store rests with the platform owner. Precisely because of the possibility of scaling the e-store according to one's own needs, Magento is reached both by owners of large online stores from virtually every industry (including Samsung, Land Rover and Coca-Cola), and by medium-sized entrepreneurs betting on future growth. Why do they trust Magento?
Why Magento?
The freedom to create an e-store based on Magento is evident already at the first stage, that is, during the choice of hosting. The choice of a server and its maintenance lies with the store owner - he can choose from among third-party providers offering such services or use the Adobe cloud (as part of Magento Commerce). This way he gains more control over the speed of operation, security and possible technical support in case of problems. However, maintaining a server on your own account also requires costs. The cost of programming services should also be included in them.
Magento, being a highly flexible solution, provides almost infinite possibilities for code customization. Depending on the needs of your business, you can decide at any time to introduce new functionalities, modules, integrations or upgrades, or completely change the software house whose services you use, since in most cases you own the code.
Such an arrangement allows you to scale the capabilities of your online store at will, which is why Magento is used by entrepreneurs entering new trade segments (e.g. B2B sales), significantly expanding their offerings or starting their careers in foreign markets. Magento offers, among other things:
From store management issues to User Experience, Magento offers a wide catalog of possibilities at your disposal. Before starting work on your project, it is worthwhile to carefully analyze your future and current needs. In this aspect, it can be helpful to talk to a software house that specializes in such implementations and knows exactly what they are. This is exactly how we have been developing projects for over 13 years, and we will be happy to answer any doubts you may have!
Shopify vs Magento - who will win the final battle?
Your expectations, the needs of your customers, the type of products you offer, and finally the budget you can devote - there are a number of elements behind the choice of eCommerce platform. To make your choice easier, we've prepared a brief overview of the most important features of Magento and Shopify, which may prove helpful in making your final decision.
| Shopify | Magento | |
|---|---|---|
| Types of platform | ||
| Charges | ||
| Additional fees | ||
| Personalization | ||
| Ready-to-use templates | ||
| Use of developer support | ||
| Integration with external systems | ||
| Hosting | ||
| Support and service |
The final choice of eCommerce platform is up to you
You already know both the specifics of Shopify and Magento. You know that the first platform is most often reached for by representatives of small businesses (due to its low technical complexity and easy start). On the other hand, the second option is more popular among larger growth-oriented businesses (due to its high scalability).
Keep in mind that the right choice of eCommerce platform is an investment that will allow you to successfully run an online store for years. In the article above, we outline the most important elements you should pay attention to during your selection. If you still have doubts, consult with specialists in the industry - we will be happy to answer all your questions!
