Launching an online store is one of the highest-impact commercial decisions for a business, but choosing the wrong platform can compromise long-term growth. The right choice depends on your catalogue, order volume and expansion plans.
The market offers dozens of eCommerce platforms. From SaaS solutions like Shopify to open source platforms like PrestaShop or WooCommerce, through to fully custom developments. There is no universal answer: the best platform is the one that fits your business's current and future needs.
The prior questions you need to answer
Before comparing platforms, you need to be clear about some key variables: catalogue size (10 products vs 10,000 have very different needs), expected order volume, whether you sell B2C or B2B, whether you hold your own stock or do dropshipping, and what integrations you need with your ERP, CRM or accounting system.
It is also important to project growth: a solution that works perfectly with 100 orders a month may become a bottleneck with 5,000. Choosing with a 3-5 year vision saves a costly migration process in the future.
The four main market options
PrestaShop (open source)
Widely used open source platform in Spain. Flexible, with a large ecosystem of modules and local partners. Requires own hosting and technical maintenance. Ideal for SMEs with medium-sized catalogues and customisation needs.
WooCommerce (open source for WordPress)
If you already have a WordPress site, WooCommerce is a natural extension. Very easy to get started, with a huge community. Can become complex to manage when the catalogue and traffic grow significantly.
Shopify (SaaS)
All-in-one cloud solution. Easy to use, with no hosting or security concerns. Its limitations appear when you need advanced customisations or complex integrations with internal systems.
Custom development
For businesses with very specific processes, complex catalogues or advanced B2B needs that no standard platform covers. Higher initial investment, but total control and no limitations.
The most important decision criteria
- Catalogue size and frequency of product updates
- Current and projected monthly order volume over 2 years
- Integration needs (ERP, CRM, marketplaces, logistics)
- Total cost of ownership (licence + hosting + maintenance + development)
- Internal technical resources available to manage the platform
- B2B-specific requirements (customer pricing, segmented catalogues, minimum orders)
The most common mistake: only looking at the initial price
A free or low initial cost platform can become the most expensive in the medium term if it does not scale well or if necessary customisations require significant development investment. The total cost of ownership (TCO) must include licence, hosting, maintenance, additional modules, integrations and the cost of possible future migrations.
Customer experience also has a direct economic impact: a slow platform with a complicated checkout process or without mobile optimisation can cost more in lost sales than what is saved on licences.
"The best eCommerce platform is not the cheapest or the most well-known. It is the one that best fits how your business works and where you want to go."
Need help choosing the most suitable eCommerce platform for your business? Talk to our eCommerce team .