But they could be better!
Over the years, I’ve noticed a common question from e-commerce brands: “Why would I change my e-commerce platform when sales are good?” It’s a fair question. If something works, why fix it? But the real question is—could it work even better?
Common e-commerce challenges for growing businesses
As I reflect on my time managing e-commerce for a sports teamwear retailer and working with eBay merchants, some recurring themes stick out:
- Operational Inefficiencies: “Our stock is not syncing correctly!” This is a logistical headache that can lead to frustrated customers and lost sales
- Cost concerns: For B2B models, “I don’t want to pay Shopify Plus costs ” is something I’ve heard time and time again. Scaling businesses often find Shopify’s premium solutions too expensive for what they need.
- Quick builds that don’t scale: “We didn’t consider operational demands.” Many brands start with a quick solution that doesn’t hold up as the business grows.
- Lack of team alignment: “Finance doesn’t use Shopify, and we need to sync with our accounting system.” When your e-commerce platform isn’t flexible enough to integrate across teams, inefficiencies creep in.
- Too many workarounds: “Our system stack is way too complex. Costs are through the roof!” Adding plugin after plugin to make your platform work often results in an expensive, unwieldy system.
Lessons learned from experience
Seven years running e-commerce for a sports teamwear retailer and three years working with eBay merchants, I’ve learned a lot about building efficient operations. It’s easy to chase quick sales and neglect workflows, but that approach always catches up with you.
A strong e-commerce setup isn’t just about making sales—it’s about optimising everything:
- Sales channels
- Fulfilment processes
- Returns management
- Marketplace integration
- Pricing tiers and invoicing
- Server response times
- Long-term costs
Shopify alternatives
Shopify has its place. It’s great for small to medium-sized businesses that need an out-of-the-box solution. But for scaling e-commerce businesses that need:
- Flexible customisation
- Improved integrations
- B2B functionality
It’s worth exploring shopify alternatives.
Why Medusa.js e-commerce development?
Flexible frameworks like Medusa (open-source commerce platform) offer proven e-commerce platforms that can grow with your business. They provide:
- The customisation you need without bloated costs
- Seamless integrations for finance, stock management, and more
- Scalable solutions that adapt to your operational demands
Let’s Chat
If you’re considering a switch or just want to optimise your current setup, feel free to arrange a call, it costs nothing.
I’ve been there, made the mistakes, and come out the other side with valuable insights.
Let’s see how we can make your e-commerce work better for you.