Comparison of eCommerce SaaS platforms — BitBag

The eCommerce market offers many different platforms for different business models. Thanks to this, everyone, regardless of whether it is a small online business, a store selling abroad, or a large corporation, will find a suitable solution for themselves.

This blog will focus on the best eCommerce platforms based on the SaaS (Software as a Service) model, one of the eCommerce solutions that has successfully offered professional software for online businesses for years.

What is a SaaS eCommerce platform?

SaaS, or Software as a Service, is a type of software hosted in the cloud. This means that the client does not have the software on their servers but rents it from SaaS eCommerce providers who manage the hosting infrastructure and system and provide automatic updates. When deciding on a SaaS eCommerce solution, the owner doesn’t have to worry about system (and server) maintenance and data security. The SaaS platform works on a subscription basis. That is, as long as the user pays the subscription set by the provider, he can use such a platform.

How does SaaS eCommerce work?

The SaaS eCommerce platforms offer practically ready-made solutions. The business owner only has to personalize the store’s appearance using ready-made templates, introduce products to the online store and take care of the regulations and privacy policy.

Who should choose a SaaS eCommerce platform?

The companies that can benefit most from SaaS eCommerce software are mainly:

• Stores that are just starting their business.
• eCommerce companies are looking for a simple and intuitive tool that is easy to configure
• Shops that care about quick implementation.
• Companies that have a limited budget and no development team/technical knowledge.

Advantages of the SaaS eCommerce platforms

Low cost of implementation and fixed fees

The SaaS eCommerce solution is financially more advantageous than, for example, on-premise platforms. This is because SaaS platforms don’t require additional investments in installation, maintenance costs, and updates, as it is all included in the monthly subscription.

The subscription amount depends on the selected version. Still, apart from this fee, the business owner does not incur any other fees, e.g., related to the platform’s development or web hosting. In addition, it is possible to cancel the services at any time.

Quick and easy implementation

The SaaS platforms provide users with many ready-made graphic themes and integrations with external solutions, such as payment gateways. In addition, as we mentioned earlier, the business owner does not have to update the software or deal with web hosting. As a result, it makes implementing a SaaS eCommerce platform easier.

Security of data

Typically, eCommerce SaaS platforms provide Level 1 PCI compliance (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) to their users. It keeps all data secure, and store owners don’t have to worry about security. In addition, all new security updates and patches are automatically deployed.

Technical skills

When choosing a SaaS platform, the owner doesn’t need to have technical skills and knowledge regarding not knowing how to create and configure eCommerce websites. However, technical issues and support in the event of failures and other problems remain with the software provider. Typically, support is available 24/7. Contact is most often made via telephone, messengers, or e-mail.

Trial versions

Typically, SaaS platforms offer a free trial of their software that users can use before subscribing. It allows you to check whether a given platform fits the business model and meets the assumed business needs. In addition, the user can test the offered functionalities, tools, and templates without incurring any costs.

Scalability, integrations, and updates

SaaS eCommerce allow you to scale your business, thanks to which you can develop your business according to your needs. Typically, providers offer various subscription options that will work at different stages of online store development. Thanks to this, at the beginning of your business, you can opt for a basic package, which will also be cheaper, and over time, switch to a more expensive subscription that will offer advanced features.

SaaS users can also count on numerous integrations enabling the development of their online stores. Importantly, integrations are provided as part of a paid subscription.

The owners of the eCommerce SaaS platform don’t have to worry about updates because they are performed automatically by the software provider.

Disadvantages of the SaaS eCommerce platforms

No customization and personalization

SaaS users don’t have access to the source code, which means that the user cannot independently decide on the appearance of the eCommerce website and add functions that the given service provider doesn’t offer. It sometimes makes adapting the store to industries and customer experience difficult.

Limited control

In the SaaS model, you, as a user, have limited control over the platform. You can only manage and control the services and data, but control over the application and system belongs to the SaaS system provider who owns it. It also has access to the data you collect. It should be considered when choosing an eCommerce SaaS platform.

Monthly subscription

When deciding on a SaaS eCommerce solution, the need for a monthly subscription fee should be considered. Failure to pay the fee may result in the store’s closure, possibly resulting in financial losses to your eCommerce business.

Risk of withdrawal from the market

When choosing a SaaS platform, it should be borne in mind that the software provider may withdraw from the market (or increase the subscription), which users have no influence on. Such a situation will involve migration to another platform, which may also be associated with difficulties. Therefore, it is worth having a plan B prepared, which you will use in the event of such a situation, e.g., to secure data and make a backup.

SaaS eCommerce vs Open-source eCommerce

Implementation and service of online business

SaaS: This solution’s users’ tasks include setting up an account, purchasing a domain, and configuring the eCommerce site based on ready-made templates and functions. The part related to the correct operation of the system, performance, updates, and integrations lies with the service provider. You don’t need to have programming skills or hire developers.

Open-source: Business owners who choose this model must take care of the implementation, updates, integrations, and hosting themselves. In the event of problems or failures, they also have to seek help on their own. On the other hand, open-source platforms have an active community, which usually detects and fixes potential bugs quickly. Choosing open-source involves hiring an eCommerce development company or developer (freelancer).

Flexibility

SaaS: The development of the platform lies with the service provider. Stores using the same platform usually look very similar because they use the same base of ready-made templates and functions.

Open-source: This model is highly customizable. It is possible to extend the eCommerce platform with additional modules, integrations, and plugins.

Technical Support

SaaS: Help desks are available at least 5 days a week (often 24/7 support). Contact is made by phone, e-mail, and chat.

Open-source: The service provider usually does not offer free technical support. Getting help directly from the supplier — usually requires paying an additional fee. People who use open-source usually use the help of developers, communities or their technical skills, if they have any.

Cost

SaaS: The costs are there from the beginning because, as we mentioned, users have to pay a subscription every month. Its amount depends on the selected provider and license.

Open-source: No licensing fees, but that open-source eCommerce doesn’t mean a full free eCommerce platform. If you don’t have programming skills or your development team, you’ll probably need to hire an agency or freelancer for the implementation and maintenance of the platform. Moreover, some integrations will require the purchase of special plugins, which generate additional costs.

Website design

SaaS: In this case, users use a website builder where they can choose from ready-made templates. They can change the color, customize the layout of their eCommerce site, and upload a logo or other proprietary elements.

Open-source: Choosing the open-source eCommerce platform gives you the opportunity to create a unique eCommerce website design, thanks to which it is possible to adapt the site to your needs.

Comparison of leading eCommerce SaaS platforms

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a robust customer relationship management (CRM) solution that runs in the cloud. The platform helps marketing, sales, commerce, services, and IT teams work as one person from anywhere — thanks to this, it provides a unified shopping experience, which helps to engage customers across all sales channels.

This solution will benefit medium and large companies from the B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to customer) areas.

Key functionalities

• Account hierarchies
• Custom product catalogs
• Contracted pricing
• Personalized offers for individual consumers
• Support for large order sizes
• Flexible shipping dates and locations
• Multiple payment options
• Product, pricing, and catalog management
• Merchandising and marketing tools
• Campaigns and content management
• Site search and guided navigation
• AI-powered personalization
• Responsive, data-driven site design
• One-touch mobile payment options
• Multisite management and localization
• Global scalability, security, and performance

Pros

• Easy to use
• Efficient
• Good after-sales service
• Provides a good user experience.
• Support in many languages: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and Swedish

Cons

• Essentials — €25 /user/month
• Professional — €75 /user/month
• Enterprise — €150 /user/month
• Unlimited — €300 /user/month

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a platform that allows you to create a professional eCommerce website. Thanks to all the tools offered and high flexibility, users can create a high-level online store. BigCommerce provides search engine optimization, hosting, and marketing activities.

There are solutions for both the B2B and B2C sectors for small and medium-sized businesses.

Key functionalities

• Multicurrency
• Website builder “drag and drop” (ready-made templates)
• 24/7 technical support
• Unlimited employee accounts
• Sales channels (including eBay, Amazon, and POS)
• Coupons, discounts, and gift cards
• Real-time shipping quotes
• Integration with payment gateways (PayPal)
• SEO optimization

Pros

• Dedicated solutions
• Flexibility and scalability
• Necessary integrations
• Stability
• Hosting
• Built-in CMS
• Free trial version for 15 days
• Technical assistance

Cons

Commercetools

Commercetools is a flexible, comprehensive, and scalable headless eCommerce platform based on microservices architecture. I offer many functionalities that can be adapted to the business needs of the company. It is built on the principles of MACH. It provides an attractively visual per-user experience that aligns with the brand.

This eCommerce solution will be good for B2B, B2C, and D2B companies that have complicated and advanced business processes.

Key functionalities

• Headless Platform API
• Catalog Management
• Unified Cart
• Order Management
• Machine Learning
• Merchant Center
• Developer Tooling
• Omnichannel

Pros

• Performance and reliability
• Security
• Scalability
• Maximizing working time
• Advanced eCommerce features

Cons

• Free trial for 60 days
• For more information, the user has to contact of them

Shopify

Shopify is an easy-to-use, flexible, and fully customizable platform. It offers a point of sale, enabling the integration of a physical store with an online one and the possibility of having a mobile application to manage the company.

It is designed for small businesses, medium and even large enterprises from the B2C sector that are thinking about selling products abroad, want to sell on multiple platforms, and have a mobile-friendly store.

Key functionalities

• Free (and paid) templates
• Free (and paid) apps on the Shopify App Store
• Your payment provider
• Enterprise plan for merchants with high volumes who want to reduce transaction fees for third-party payment providers.
• Shopify blog
• Experts from around the world who can help set up, design, and promote your store
• Dedicated support team
• The ability to sell via social media or the Google Merchant Center search engine using the Shopify integration

Pros:

• Fast process of setting up a store
• Intuitive and easy to use
• Customizable templates
• Extensive app store
• Security and performance
• Everything in one place (from marketing and payments)

Cons:

• Free trial for 14 days
• Basic — $24/month
• Shopify — $69/month
• Advanced — $299/month
• Shopify Plus — $2000/month

SAP Hybris (SAP Commerce Cloud)

Sap Hybris is a multi-channel platform that provides comprehensive possibilities regarding reach and customer service. SAP Hybris is perfect for omnichannel because it gives you the ability to manage multiple sales channels from one place. Hybris allows you to adapt the website to mobile devices. Development environments (Hybris Mobile APP SDK) for iOS and Android are available for developers.

This eCommerce solution will be good for international companies and corporations with a wide range of products (several brands and online stores) and many sales channels from B2B, B2C, and B2B2C sectors.

Key functionalities

Pros

• One platform for B2C and B2B users
• Omnichannel
• Support for business internationalization
• Adapts to all devices
• Scalability
• Flexibility and extensibility
• Quick implementation time
• Stable and efficient technology
• Easy integration with existing systems

Cons

Sap hybris offers three versions. The prices of individual variants are set individually (price upon request).

Want to make sure your business vision is appropriate? Take advantage of our Vision-To-Plan eCommerce Workshops >>

Summary

The SaaS market offers many eCommerce platforms with interesting and useful features that provide growth opportunities. As we have written many times before, the choice of platform is crucial in online business. Before choosing, you should carefully consider what features are critical and needed in your industry, and then choose a platform that provides them. A well-chosen solution gives you development opportunities and an online store tailored to the needs of your business.

Originally published at https://bitbag.io on December 8, 2022.