What is Ecommerce Platforms

An ecommerce platform is software that lets you build and manage an online store. It handles everything from displaying products and managing inventory to processing orders and payments.

Many platforms also include tools for marketing, SEO, analytics, and can integrate with third-party services like shipping carriers or marketplaces.

Main benefits

  • Reach your customers where they shop: Ecommerce platforms make it easy to launch an online store and expand to other channels, like marketplaces, social media, and mobile apps.
  • Simplify operations behind the scenes: Built-in tools for taxes, payments, shipping, and inventory let you manage everything from one place instead of stitching together multiple tools.
  • Stay flexible: A good ecommerce platform connects to your wider tech stack, so your product data, pricing, stock levels, and media stay up to date automatically.

Things to consider

Different ecommerce stores have different strengths. When choosing one, it’s worth considering:

  • What kind of business model do you have? Most ecommerce platforms are built to sell products to consumers, but a few are designed to support B2B sales, subscriptions, or digital goods. Make sure you choose the right platform for your needs.
  • How customizable is it? If you want a unique store experience, look for platforms with flexible design tools or support for headless ecommerce.
  • Does it have SEO capabilities? Most customers start their shopping journey with a search engine. Make sure the commerce platform you choose supports search engine optimization to help get your products seen.
  • Can it integrate with your existing systems? Look for easy connections to your PIM, ERP, payment gateways, logistics partners, or any other tools you’re already using.

A brief history

The first ecommerce platforms emerged in the 1990s, with pioneers like Amazon and eBay setting the stage. But early software was expensive and hard to implement, so it was mainly used by large companies.

In the 2000s, hosted platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce made ecommerce more accessible to smaller businesses. Around the same time, open-source platforms like Magento offered more flexibility for developers.

Now, modern ecommerce platforms come in all shapes and sizes, from plug-and-play SaaS tools to fully customizable headless architectures. They’ve evolved to meet the demands of omnichannel commerce, international sales, and increasingly complex product information requirements.

Popular providers

  • Shopify
  • BigCommerce
  • Adobe Commerce (Magento)
  • Salesforce Commerce Cloud
  • WooCommerce
  • Commercetools
  • Wix
  • Squarespace

How it fits into your tech stack

Ecommerce platforms are the customer-facing part of your product and sales experience. Behind the scenes, they need to integrate with whatever tools you’re using to manage your products, whether that’s a PIM (for accurate product information), DAM (for images and videos), ERP (for inventory and fulfillment), or marketing and analytics tools.

If you’re scaling or selling across multiple channels, strong integrations and the ability to automate sharing product information become even more critical. Look for platforms that support your broader stack or offer APIs for custom setups.

Know more

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an ecommerce platform the same as a website builder?
Not exactly. While some ecommerce platforms (like Shopify or Wix) include website-building features, ecommerce platforms are built specifically to support product listings, payments, inventory, and orders, something general website builders don’t typically do.
What’s the difference between a hosted and open-source ecommerce platform?
Hosted platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce run on the vendor’s servers and come with built-in support and maintenance. Open-source platforms like Magento give you more flexibility but require more technical work to set up and manage.
Do I need a developer to set up my store?
It depends on the platform. No-code tools like Shopify are designed for non-technical users. Open-source or headless platforms usually require development resources.
Does Plytix integrate with ecommerce platforms?
Yes, Plytix integrates with almost any ecommerce platform there is! You can automate sending your products to your ecommerce channel, so your listings are always accurate and up to date.