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SaaS or Custom: Which option to build an eCommerce platform?

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Build an eCommerce Platform: SaaS or Custom?

You want to build an eCommerce platform to launch (or accelerate) your online business, but you’re hesitating between a SaaS subscription solution and a custom build? This guide helps you choose based on your goals, budget, and project complexity.

First, an important clarification:

  • Online store (single seller): a classic eCommerce website.
  • Multi-vendor marketplace (multiple sellers): more complex (vendors, commissions, rules, back-office…)

Index

1) Market overview: available eCommerce options

There are several ways to build an eCommerce platform: hosted SaaS platforms, open-source solutions you host yourself, or a fully custom build.

A) SaaS platforms (subscription)

You create your store on a hosted platform: infrastructure, updates, and standard maintenance are handled by the vendor.
Examples: Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce.

B) Open-source platforms (hosting + maintenance to manage)

More control, but you manage hosting, security and updates (or delegate it).
Examples: PrestaShop, Adobe Commerce (Magento), WooCommerce.

C) Custom development

You build a solution tailored to your needs: customer journey, back-office, integrations (payments, shipping, ERP/CRM), performance and scalability.
If you’re looking for a strong implementation partner, explore our eCommerce expertise here: eCommerce Development Agency.

2) Building an eCommerce platform in SaaS: definition

SaaS (Software as a Service) lets you launch quickly by paying a subscription.
It’s great for validating a market and reducing technical overhead at the beginning. However, if you aim for a multi-vendor marketplace, advanced business rules, or complex integrations, you may hit limitations (customization, recurring costs, vendor lock-in).

3) SaaS advantages

  • Fast launch: go live in days/weeks depending on your content and catalog.
  • Simple hosting & updates: the vendor handles infrastructure.
  • Lower initial cost: less custom development upfront.
  • Ready-to-use features: payments, shipping, emails, admin dashboard…
  • Great MVP choice: ideal to test before investing more.

4) SaaS limitations

  • Limited customization: checkout, advanced rules, unique UX flows.
  • Recurring costs: subscription + apps/extensions + possible fees.
  • Vendor dependency: technical limits and roadmap constraints.
  • Multi-vendor marketplaces: possible via plugins, but often complex/costly long-term.

5) Custom eCommerce platform: who is it for?

Custom development is recommended if you have specific requirements such as:

  • advanced workflows (B2B, customer pricing, quotes, complex rules),
  • a marketplace project (vendors, commissions, validation, vendor dashboards),
  • high expectations for performance, security, and technical SEO,
  • integrations (ERP/CRM, carriers, local payment gateways, third-party APIs),
  • international growth (multi-country, multi-currency, multi-store).

If you’re planning a marketplace, see our marketplace approach:
Marketplace Solution.

6) Benefits of custom development

  • Perfect fit: your platform matches your business model (not the opposite).
  • Full control: data ownership, roadmap, hosting options.
  • Optimized UX: conversion, speed, mobile-first experience.
  • Advanced integrations: payments, shipping, CRM/ERP, automation.
  • Differentiation: unique features that create a competitive edge.

7) Drawbacks of custom development

  • Higher initial cost: discovery + UX/UI + development.
  • Longer timeline: compared to SaaS (depending on scope).
  • Maintenance: security, updates, monitoring, improvements.
  • Requires strong scoping: prioritize an MVP to avoid scope creep.

8) WordPress / WooCommerce: when it becomes limiting

WooCommerce can work for a small online store with a simple catalog.
But it can become limiting when you need:

  • too many plugins (compatibility/security risks),
  • high traffic & performance at scale,
  • a complex multi-vendor marketplace,
  • a highly customized back-office and automation.

9) 10 criteria to choose the right eCommerce solution

  1. Ease of use (catalog, orders, promotions)
  2. Customization (design, checkout, pricing rules)
  3. Security (transactions, data, compliance)
  4. Mobile-first (UX + speed)
  5. Performance & scalability (traffic spikes)
  6. Payments (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
  7. Shipping (carriers, zones, pricing)
  8. Integrations (CRM/ERP, accounting, email marketing)
  9. SEO (URLs, tags, speed, indexing)
  10. Total cost (subscriptions, modules, maintenance, evolutions)

10) Key steps to build your eCommerce platform

  1. Discovery: store or marketplace? B2C/B2B? countries? catalog size?
  2. MVP: define essential features (payments, shipping, admin, promos)
  3. Tech choice: SaaS vs open-source vs custom
  4. UX/UI: key pages + optimized checkout funnel
  5. Build + integrations: payments, shipping, CRM/ERP
  6. Testing: performance, security, mobile compatibility
  7. Go-live: monitoring + maintenance plan
  8. Optimize: SEO + conversion + analytics

11) Budget & timeline: useful benchmarks

Actual costs depend on scope, integrations, and complexity (marketplace, multi-country, B2B…).

  • SaaS: quick launch + monthly subscription (+ apps/extensions).
  • Open-source: variable setup cost + ongoing maintenance.
  • Custom: higher initial investment, but full control and scalability.

The best choice is the one that minimizes total cost of ownership (launch + operations + evolutions) over 12–24 months.

12) Marketplace option: multi-vendor with Cosmind.co

If your goal is to launch a multi-vendor marketplace quickly, a turnkey solution like Cosmind.co can be a strong option to start with a functional base.

For highly specific needs (custom UX, heavy integrations, complex business rules), custom development often becomes the best option mid/long term.

Conclusion

To build an eCommerce platform, SaaS is ideal if you want speed and less technical overhead. Custom development is better if you need advanced requirements, a marketplace, or long-term scalability.

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FAQ

What budget is needed to build an eCommerce platform?

It depends on your approach (SaaS, open-source, custom), features, integrations (payments, shipping, ERP/CRM) and the level of customization.

What’s the difference between an online store and a multi-vendor marketplace?

An online store has one seller. A marketplace connects multiple sellers with commissions, vendor dashboards, validation rules, and more complex workflows.

SaaS or custom: which is better for SEO?

Both can perform well. Custom usually gives more control (speed, structure, technical SEO), but a well-configured SaaS can also rank strongly.

How long does it take to launch?

SaaS is fast. Open-source is mid-range. Custom takes longer but is more flexible and scalable.

What are the minimum MVP features?

Catalog, cart, payments, shipping, order management, legal pages, admin panel, and a solid SEO foundation (clean URLs, tags, performance).

Need a custom technology solution? We’re here to help — contact us!

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