Consider your Customer’s Experience

Finding the right eCommerce platform starts with understanding both your business goals and your customers’ expectations. Before choosing a platform, think carefully about the kind of online experience you want to provide.

You can begin by asking questions like:

• What features should our site offer?
• What do we want customers to see and do on the site?
• Where are our customers currently shopping, and how do they find us?
• What sales channels are they using now?
• How much customization do we need for our site design and functionality?
• What shipping options, order tracking, and status updates do our customers expect?
• What are our long-term plans — expanding to marketplaces, adding new stores, or pursuing an omnichannel strategy?
• How are new features added to the site, and how flexible is the platform?
• Can the platform handle our current order volume, and will it scale easily as we grow?

Answering these questions helps you create a clear list of requirements for your ideal eCommerce solution. Remember: the right platform isn’t necessarily the most popular — it’s the one that meets your unique business objectives and creates the best possible customer experience.

Consider your Budget

Understanding all potential costs involved in launching or upgrading your eCommerce site helps you plan and execute your strategy more effectively. Depending on the solution you choose, you’ll need to account for several cost categories.

1. Cost of the eCommerce Platform

Pricing models vary widely. Some platforms are open source and free to use, while others require subscriptions or transaction-based fees.
Investigate each provider’s pricing structure carefully. Ask how they charge, what factors can increase annual costs, and how changes in sales volume affect your expenses.

2. Design and Development Costs

Design and development expenses depend on your needs and technical skills.
Basic sites can often launch using free templates with minimal customization. However, most businesses need some level of professional help to create a polished, branded experience. The investment here depends on how much design work, development, and integration you require — and whether that expertise exists in-house or through a partner.

3. Maintenance and Improvement Costs

Different eCommerce environments require different levels of maintenance.

• Open source platforms demand more hands-on management.
• SaaS (hosted) platforms typically handle maintenance automatically but may limit customization.

Consider how site improvements and new features will be managed — open source gives you flexibility, while SaaS offers simplicity.

4. Transaction Fees

Each platform has its own transaction fee structure. Fees may vary depending on whether you use a preferred payment processor or an external gateway.
If a platform offers integrated payments, compare the rates carefully and ensure you’ll still have flexibility to use your current provider if needed.

5. Hosting Costs

Hosting requirements also depend on the platform type.

• SaaS platforms include hosting as part of the subscription.
• Open source platforms require you to arrange hosting separately.

Understanding these trade-offs will help you find the best balance between cost, control, and convenience.

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Consider the Types of eCommerce Environments Available

There are several types of eCommerce environments, each with its own benefits and trade-offs. In many cases, businesses find value in using more than one.

At the broadest level, environments fall into two main categories: self-hosted and hosted.

Self-Hosted Environment

A self-hosted eCommerce environment gives you maximum control and flexibility. You or your technical partners manage your own server, site updates, and feature development.
This setup allows complete freedom to customize and scale your site as you see fit — ideal for businesses with in-house technical capabilities or unique requirements.

Common examples: Magento, WooCommerce, and PrestaShop.

Pros:

• Full control over customization
• Freedom to install new features anytime
• Greater flexibility with integrations

Cons:

• Requires technical expertise
• You’re responsible for updates and security

Hosted Environment

A hosted environment (also known as SaaS) means the eCommerce platform provider handles server maintenance, updates, and security. You manage your storefront but not the backend infrastructure.

This option offers simplicity and reliability, making it a popular choice for businesses that want to focus on sales rather than technical upkeep.

Common examples: Shopify, BigCommerce, Amazon, and other online marketplaces.

Pros:

• Minimal maintenance required
• Regular automatic updates
• Quick and easy setup

Cons:

• Limited control over features and timing of updates
• Platform-dependent scalability

Get Expert Help Choosing Your eCommerce Platform

Selecting the right eCommerce environment can be challenging — but you don’t have to do it alone.

Kissinger Associates has extensive experience with a wide range of eCommerce platforms and business models. Our consultants can help you evaluate options, compare hosted and self-hosted solutions, and avoid costly missteps.

We also specialize in Sage 100 integration, helping you connect your eCommerce platform with your ERP system for a seamless flow of data, orders, and financial information.

With expert guidance, you can confidently choose a solution that aligns with your goals, supports future growth, and delivers the smooth, reliable experience your customers expect.

Conclusion

Choosing the right eCommerce platform isn’t just about features or price — it’s about fit. By carefully evaluating your customer needs, technical requirements, and total cost of ownership, you can find a solution that supports both short-term success and long-term scalability.

Whether you need flexibility through a self-hosted system or simplicity with a hosted one, the right choice will empower your business to deliver exceptional experiences and drive sustainable growth.

Kissinger Associates can help you navigate the options and build a connected, scalable eCommerce solution that works seamlessly with your operations — today and as your business evolves.