Monday, November 27, 2023

The true benefits of custom eCommerce technology and why SaaS (software as a service) is a gimmick

In the current era, eCommerce is not only an optional sales channel but a necessity for every business that aims to expand its reach globally. With the rise of online shopping over the last decade, businesses are investing in eCommerce platforms and technology to provide a seamless shopping experience to their customers. However, not all eCommerce platforms are the same – many businesses require custom eCommerce solutions that are fully tailored to their unique needs. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of a custom eCommerce platform and why it can be a game-changer for your business.

Customised to Your Business Needs
One of the biggest advantages of a custom eCommerce platform is that it can be fully customised to meet the unique needs of your business. Unlike off-the-shelf eCommerce platforms, custom eCommerce solutions are tailored around each client, allowing you to design an online storefront and a back office admin solution that is unique for your brand, customers, and business processes. With a custom eCommerce platform, you have complete control over every element of your digital business, including the design, layout, features, and functionality of your online storefront, allowing you to create a seamless shopping experience that aligns with your brand image and values – instead of relying on templates and limited layout options.

Enhanced User Experience
A custom eCommerce platform can significantly enhance the user experience of your online store. By tailoring your eCommerce solution to your customers’ needs, you can create an online shopping experience that is intuitive, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Custom eCommerce solutions also allow you to integrate advanced features and functionalities that are not available in off-the-shelf eCommerce platforms, such as personalised product recommendations, advanced merchandising functionality, real-time inventory tracking and stock information, and advanced search capabilities. By providing a seamless shopping experience, you can increase customer satisfaction and retention, leading to higher sales and revenue.

Scalability and Flexibility
Another benefit of a custom eCommerce platform is that it can be designed to be scalable and flexible. As your business grows, you need an eCommerce solution that can grow with you and be a few steps ahead of you. Custom eCommerce solutions can be designed to handle high traffic volumes on-demand, complex product catalogues and configurations, and multiple payment gateways. Additionally, custom eCommerce solutions are flexible and can be easily integrated with other business systems such as warehouse/stock solutions (WMS), customer relationship management (CRM), order management systems (OMS) and shipping and logistics, allowing you to streamline your business processes and improve operational efficiency.

Higher Security
Security is a major concern for online shoppers, and any data breach can lead to significant financial and reputational damage to your business. Custom eCommerce solutions are more secure than off-the-shelf eCommerce platforms because they are built with security in mind from the ground up. With a custom eCommerce platform, you have full control over the security protocols and can implement advanced security measures such as two-factor authentication, encryption, and regular security updates to protect your customers’ sensitive data. Unfortunately, many common off-the-shelf solutions are identical by nature, meaning that they all share the same security flaws. There are widely known critical security vulnerabilities which require regular patches, regularly costing retailers large development charges.

Competitive Advantage
In today’s crowded eCommerce market, businesses need to differentiate themselves to stand out from the competition. A custom eCommerce platform can provide you with a competitive advantage by allowing you to create a unique online store that is aligned with your brand identity and values. By providing a seamless shopping experience, a multichannel approach with matched customer journeys across all channels, you can differentiate yourself from the competition and attract more customers to your online store.

Better ROI
Investing in a custom eCommerce platform is a very similar upfront cost to purchasing an off-the-shelf solution, but it can provide a better return on investment (ROI) in the long term. With a fully tailored  eCommerce platform, you can reduce your operational costs, improve customer retention and loyalty, and increase sales and revenue. Moreover, a custom eCommerce platform is more flexible and scalable, allowing you to adapt to changing market conditions and business needs. By providing a better ROI, a custom eCommerce platform can help your business thrive in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

SaaS or PaaS
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) has three main challenges, which for many, make it a gimmick and not a viable business option. Interoperability with existing applications and services can be a concern since many SaaS apps are not designed for open integrations. SaaS services typically allow minimal customisation for features, capabilities and integrations. This restriction means that revenue growth is hampered. And then ultimately, lack of control: businesses often have to hand over control to the third-party service providers — giving them the keys to functionality, performance and even data. You will want to ensure that you trust the provider used or have the ability to review your information remotely. In comparison, platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solutions are often the most cost-effective and time-effective way for developers to create unique applications and experiences.

In conclusion, a custom eCommerce platform can provide your business with a competitive advantage by providing a seamless shopping experience, enhanced user experience, scalability and flexibility, higher security, and better ROI.

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