Choosing the Right Enterprise Ecommerce Platform: Shopify Plus and Beyond

Selecting an enterprise ecommerce platform can feel overwhelming, much like choosing the right path at a fork in the road. While cost is a crucial factor, other aspects, like ease of use, scalability, and flexibility, are equally vital.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to selecting the right enterprise ecommerce platform, focusing on top choices beyond Shopify Plus. It delves into the advantages of enterprise solutions, explores different platform types, and outlines key questions to consider before making a decision.

Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing

Before embarking on your research, consider your priorities. What is your top priority in an enterprise ecommerce platform?

• Reducing costs
• Enhancing customer experience
• Achieving flexibility

Then, reflect on challenges you want to avoid. What pain points have you experienced in the past? What costly mistakes were made with previous platforms? Finally, identify integral features for your business.

Why Choose an Enterprise Solution?

Enterprise-level operations require solutions tailored to their scale. Enterprise ecommerce platforms offer several advantages over traditional platforms.

• Customer Engagement: Automate customer interactions to ensure timely responses and enhance satisfaction.
• Branding Consistency: Maintain brand consistency across your online store, reflecting professionalism and enhancing customer trust.
• Scalability: Grow your store seamlessly, accommodating increased demand and staffing needs.
• Efficiency: Streamline operations with automation and efficiency features crucial for large enterprises.
• Technical Advantages: Leverage robust technical features for a superior customer experience, including advanced automation and fast load times.
• Customer Experience: Create personalized recommendations and enhance the customer experience to boost sales and customer loyalty.

Types of Enterprise Ecommerce Platforms

There are three main categories of enterprise ecommerce platforms.

• SaaS: Easy to set up and use with readily available documentation and support, but flexibility may be limited. Shopify Plus is a popular example.
• Open Source/Self-Made: Offers complete control and customization but requires significant development resources and expertise.
• Headless: Combines SaaS features with greater control. Headless platforms provide the backend, allowing for custom integrations and front-end development.

Top Enterprise Ecommerce Platforms: A Deep Dive

Here are some of the top enterprise ecommerce platforms to consider.

• Shopify Plus: A robust enterprise version of the popular Shopify platform, offering extensive features, integrations, and support. Ideal for businesses seeking a reliable and user-friendly option with scalability.
• Magento Commerce: A highly customizable open-source solution favoured for its flexibility and scalability. A strong choice for enterprises that prioritize control and advanced features.
• BigCommerce Enterprise: A headless-ready SaaS solution renowned for its fast load times, intuitive features, and robust shopping cart capabilities. BigCommerce Enterprise caters to growing businesses seeking a balance of features and ease of use.
• Commercetools: A headless platform designed for companies with strong technical expertise, empowering developers to build customized ecommerce experiences. Commercetools caters to large enterprises requiring flexibility and scalability.
• Elastic Path: Another headless platform offering a flexible and scalable solution for businesses with extensive API needs. Elastic Path targets enterprises seeking customization and control over their online stores.
• Salesforce Commerce Cloud: A cloud-based platform that integrates with other Salesforce services, providing a unified customer experience. Salesforce Commerce Cloud is well-suited for businesses with complex workflows and a need for data integration.

Shopify Plus Alternatives: Comparing Features

Let's delve deeper into some of the top Shopify Plus alternatives.

Platform	Key Features	Pricing	Strengths	Weaknesses
Shopify Plus	Extensive features, strong integrations, user-friendly interface, excellent support	Starts at $2,000/month	Scalability, ease of use, robust ecosystem	Limited customization, potential limitations for highly complex integrations
Magento Commerce	Open-source, highly customizable, robust features, strong community support	Starts at $2,000/month	Flexibility, control, advanced features	Steep learning curve, requires technical expertise
BigCommerce Enterprise	Headless-ready, fast load times, intuitive features, excellent shopping cart functionality	Custom pricing	Scalability, user-friendliness, fast performance	Limited customization compared to open-source platforms
Commercetools	Headless, highly scalable, flexible API, powerful features for developers	Custom pricing	Flexibility, scalability, control for developers	Requires technical expertise, steeper learning curve
Elastic Path	Headless, flexible, scalable, strong API capabilities, customizable	Transaction-based pricing	Flexibility, customization, scalability	Technical complexity, potentially less intuitive for non-technical users
Salesforce Commerce Cloud	Cloud-based, integrated with other Salesforce products, robust features for customer experience	Custom pricing	Integration with Salesforce ecosystem, robust features, data-driven insights	Requires a commitment to the Salesforce ecosystem, can be complex to implement

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business

Consider your specific needs and priorities when selecting an enterprise ecommerce platform. If you have a strong technical team and require extensive flexibility, headless platforms like Commercetools or Elastic Path might be ideal.

For businesses seeking a balance between features and ease of use, Shopify Plus, Magento Commerce, or BigCommerce Enterprise offer robust solutions with pre-built features and solid support.

Ultimately, the best enterprise ecommerce platform for your business depends on factors such as:

• Scalability: How much do you expect to grow in the future?
• Customization: Do you need a highly customized platform or are you comfortable with a pre-built solution?
• Technical expertise: Do you have a strong technical team or will you need support from third-party developers?
• Budget: How much are you willing to spend on your platform?

Don't hesitate to reach out to the sales teams of the platforms you're considering. They can provide valuable insights and guidance on their features and capabilities.

Choosing the right enterprise ecommerce platform is a significant decision. It's essential to thoroughly research your options, compare features, pricing, and support. Make an informed choice to ensure your platform drives growth and success for years to come.