In today’s highly competitive digital marketplace, choosing the right e-commerce platform can make or break your business. Popular tools like Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and WooCommerce offer powerful ways to launch and scale an online store—but they’re not without limitations.
If your business is growing or requires unique workflows, you may find yourself constrained by rigid features, high transaction fees, or costly plugins. Let’s take a closer look at these platforms, their advantages, where they can fall short—and how a custom-built e-commerce solution can give you a competitive edge.
Shopify – Online Storefront Builder
Shopify is one of the most widely-used e-commerce platforms in the world. Known for its ease of use and rapid setup, it offers:
- Beautiful, responsive themes
- Secure checkout and payment gateways
- Built-in SEO and marketing tools
- Inventory and order management
- App marketplace for extended features
It’s ideal for startups and growing brands looking for a streamlined launch.
Limitations:
Shopify’s templated system restricts deep customisation. Complex product structures, bespoke customer journeys, or unusual checkout flows may require workarounds. Additionally, recurring subscription fees and third-party app charges can add up quickly.
BigCommerce – Customisable SaaS E-commerce
BigCommerce offers a robust, hosted platform with slightly more flexibility than Shopify. It includes:
- Multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Facebook)
- Product filtering and advanced catalogue features
- Strong SEO tools
- Internationalisation and tax features
- B2B support options
It’s suitable for businesses scaling into multiple regions or sales channels.
Limitations:
While more flexible, BigCommerce still operates within a SaaS model—meaning deep backend customisations are limited. Certain design or integration changes may still require custom coding within a closed environment.
Magento (Adobe Commerce) – Open-source and Enterprise E-commerce
Magento (now branded as Adobe Commerce) is a highly customisable, feature-rich platform suited to enterprise-level e-commerce. It offers:
- Full control over frontend and backend
- Complex product and pricing models
- Integration with CRMs, ERPs, and PIMs
- Multi-storefront and international support
- Scalable infrastructure
It’s a favourite among large brands that need a powerful, tailor-made experience.
Limitations:
Magento’s flexibility comes at a cost—it requires a high level of technical expertise. Development and maintenance can be expensive, and performance optimisation is essential. For smaller businesses or those lacking an in-house team, Magento may be overkill.
WooCommerce – E-commerce for WordPress
WooCommerce is a popular plugin that transforms WordPress sites into full e-commerce platforms. It provides:
- Customisable product pages
- Plugin-based feature expansion
- Integration with Stripe, PayPal, and others
- Familiar WordPress CMS environment
Perfect for content-driven businesses or those already invested in WordPress.
Limitations:
WooCommerce relies heavily on plugins to extend functionality, which can lead to compatibility issues, slow performance, and high maintenance costs. It also lacks out-of-the-box scalability compared to more dedicated e-commerce platforms.
When It’s Time for Something Tailored: Why Custom E-commerce Wins
Pre-built platforms can get your store online—but as your needs become more specific, you’re likely to encounter friction:
- “Plug-in fatigue” from bolting on endless third-party apps
- Checkout processes that can’t be customised
- Poor performance during high-traffic events
- Integration headaches with your logistics, ERP, or CRM
- A generic user experience that doesn’t reflect your brand
At Shoothill, we build custom e-commerce platforms that let you control every part of your online journey—from product browsing and checkout to order fulfilment and customer engagement.
Shoothill: Custom E-commerce That Works the Way You Do
With a bespoke solution from Shoothill, you can:
- Create unique user journeys that convert better
- Integrate deeply with your internal operations and third-party systems
- Streamline stock, shipping, and customer service into one platform
- Ditch unnecessary subscriptions and plugin clutter
- Scale with confidence—without paying per feature
Build Your Ideal Storefront—Not Just the Closest Match
Why settle for a platform that almost fits your needs?
🔹 Partner with Shoothill to build a bespoke e-commerce system that gives you full control, future scalability, and a brand experience your customers won’t forget.
