So, you’ve decided to build an ecommerce website — great.

But have you given a thought to the tricky part: how do you actually build it?

Are you planning to go for a ready-made platform, a flexible open-source solution, or something more custom?

Also, how do you choose without getting lost in technical jargon?

In the guide on ecommerce website development, we quickly touched on the different options available for building an ecommerce website. Now, we will slow things down and look at those options properly.

In this section, we’ll break down each ecommerce website development category in simple terms, so you can understand what they offer, where they shine, and which one might be the right fit for your business.

A quick comparison table

1. Hosted ecommerce platforms (SaaS)

Hosted ecommerce platforms are popularly known as software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. They are cloud-based ecommerce systems where the platform provider manages everything for you, from website hosting to security to software updates to ongoing maintenance.

In this framework, businesses don’t have to install software on their own servers; they can access the platform through a web browser while paying a monthly or annual subscription fee.

Here are some popular examples:

• Shopify
• BigCommerce
• Wix Ecommerce

Key features

• Built-in hosting and security: The platform manages all, including servers, SSL certificates, and data protection.
• Automatic updates and maintenance: New features, bug fixes, and security patches are applied automatically.
• Pre-designed templates and themes: It comes with ready-made templates that help businesses create professional-looking stores quickly.
• Payment gateway integration: It supports popular payment methods such as credit cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later options.
• Mobile optimisation: Stores are designed to work smoothly across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

Advantages

• Businesses can start selling online in days rather than months.
• There is no need for coding or server management skills.
• The budgeting gets easier with subscription-based pricing makes budgeting easier.
• Most of the SaaS platforms offer support in terms of technical and documentation.

Best use cases

• Small and medium businesses that want a simple and reliable ecommerce setup.
• Businesses launching quickly and looking to enter the market without technical delays.
• Companies that prefer managed solutions, where hosting, security, and updates are handled by the platform, allowing them to focus on sales, marketing, and customer experience rather than technical maintenance.

2. Open-source ecommerce platforms

Open-source ecommerce platforms provide businesses with full access to the platform’s source code. It even allows them to customise almost every aspect of their online store. Unlike hosted SaaS solutions, these platforms are usually self-hosted, which means the businesses are held responsible for hosting, security, updates, and maintenance.
This approach offers greater flexibility and control, but it also requires technical expertise to set up and manage effectively.

Here are some popular examples:

• WooCommerce
• Magento Open Source
• OpenCart
• PrestaShop

Key features

• Access to source code: Businesses can customise the design and functionality completely.
• Flexible hosting options: Businesses can consider their performance and budget when choosing their own hosting providers.
• Extensive plugin and extension libraries: There are many features, such as advanced payments, shipping rules, and marketing tools.
• Custom integrations: It offers easier integration with ERP systems, CRMs, and third-party business tools.
• Scalability options: Can be scaled with the right infrastructure and development support.

Advantages

• There is a high level of customisation options that allow businesses to tailor to match their specific workflows and processes.
• Full ownership of data, code, and infrastructure is given.
• There are no such subscription fees: Core software is often free to use.
• Strong community support, documentation, and third-party extensions.

Best use cases

• Businesses that need custom features or unique workflows not supported by SaaS platforms.
• If your company has in-house development teams or has access to technical partners.
• Any growing ecommerce businesses that need flexibility and plan to scale over time.
• Organisations that want more control over data, integrations, and system architecture.

3. Website builders with ecommerce features

Website builders with ecommerce features are user-friendly platforms that allow businesses to create websites using drag-and-drop tools. It has all the basic ecommerce functionality built in. Designed for simplicity, this platform is considered ideal for users with little to no technical experience.

Unlike full-scale ecommerce platforms, website builders focus more on ease of design and content creation, with ecommerce added as a supporting feature rather than the core focus.

Popular examples:

• Squarespace
• Weebly
• Zyro

Key features

• Drag-and-drop website editors: The visual tools make it effortless to design pages without coding.
• Pre-built templates: There are professionally designed themes optimised for different industries.
• Basic product management: It comes with simple tools to add products, set prices, and manage stock.
• Built-in checkout functionality: It supports standard payment options for online transactions.
• Content and design flexibility: Offer easy management of pages, images, and branding elements.

Advantages

• Very beginner-friendly and ideal for users with no technical background.
• The stores can be built and launched in a short time.
• The start-up cost is lower and more affordable than custom or enterprise solutions.
• It put strong emphasis on visual presentation and branding.

Best use cases

• Start-ups and small businesses that have simple ecommerce requirements.
• Personal brands and creatives who sell digital products or a limited range of items.
• Businesses that are testing online sales before investing in a more advanced ecommerce platform.
• Companies that prioritise design and content instead of complex ecommerce operations.

4. All-in-one managed ecommerce platforms

All-in-one managed ecommerce platforms are comprehensive ecommerce solutions that bring everything needed to run an online store into a single, unified system. These platforms handle all, including website management, hosting, security, payments, inventory, orders, and customer data from one central dashboard.

Unlike basic SaaS tools, all-in-one platforms are built to support end-to-end ecommerce operations. So, this eliminates the need for multiple third-party tools and simplifies overall store management.

Popular examples:

• WebCommander
• Shopify Plus
• Shift4Shop

Key features

• Centralised dashboard: Everything from products to orders to customers to reports can be managed from one place.
• Integrated hosting and security: Platform-managed infrastructure ensures stability and protection.
• Built-in payment processing: It supports multiple payment methods without any complex setup.
• Inventory and order management: Real-time stock tracking and streamlined order fulfilment.
• Marketing and reporting tools: They include promotions, analytics, and customer insights.
• Scalable architecture: It is designed to grow with the business as order volumes increase.

Advantages

• Simplifies ecommerce operations by reducing system complexity.
• Minimises technical maintenance and infrastructure management.
• Compared to custom-built solutions, it takes less time to market.
• Minimises reliance on third-party tools and integrations.
• Maintains consistency across data, workflows, and customer experiences.

Best use cases

• For any growing ecommerce businesses that require more functionality than basic platforms.
• Companies that manage a wide range of products and orders.
• Businesses that look for a low-maintenance yet scalable ecommerce solution.
• Organisations that seek a balanced approach between control and simplicity.

5. Custom ecommerce website development

Custom ecommerce website development is about creating an ecommerce website from the ground up to meet any particular business requirements. Businesses don’t use pre-built platforms or templates; rather, every aspect of the website, from design to functionality to integrations, is developed specifically for the business.

Eventually, this approach offers complete control though it requires more time, budget, and technical expertise.

Here are some popular examples:

• Laravel-based builds
• Ruby on Rail

Key features

• Fully customised design and user experience: Everything, including the website layout, navigation, and customer journey, is built to match brand identity and business goals.
• Tailored functionality and workflows: Pricing rules, checkout processes, and order management can also be customised depending on unique business operations.
• Advanced system integrations: It offers hassle-free integration with ERP, CRM, accounting, and inventory systems.
• Performance and scalability optimisation: Developed to handle high traffic volumes and complex operations efficiently.
• Custom security and compliance setup: Security measures and compliance requirements are also implemented based on business needs.

Advantages

• Businesses get maximum flexibility and control over features and functionality.
• It offers the ability to create unique and highly differentiated ecommerce experiences.
• The scalable architecture is designed considering long-term business growth.
• There is no dependency on platform limitations or predefined features.

Best use cases

• Large businesses that have complex ecommerce workflows and requirements.
• Brands that need highly customised customer journeys.
• Organisations that require specialised integrations or compliance standards.
• Enterprises that have technical resources to support custom development.

6. Headless ecommerce solutions

Headless ecommerce solutions separate the front-end presentation layer from the back-end ecommerce system. The backend is what manages products, pricing, orders, and customers. And the frontend is built independently using modern frameworks.

These are the two layers that communicate through APIs and allow businesses to deliver ecommerce experiences across multiple channels such as websites, mobile apps, kiosks, and marketplaces.

Here are some examples:

• Commercetools
• BigCommerce
• Adobe Commerce

Key features

• Decoupled front-end and back-end architecture: In the headless settings, both the storefront and the ecommerce engine operate independently.
• API-driven commerce: It enables smooth communication between systems and external applications.
• Omnichannel selling capability: Supports websites, mobile apps, in-store displays, and other digital touchpoints.
• Front-end flexibility: Allows custom user interfaces using modern frameworks such as React or Vue.
• High performance and scalability: Optimised for fast loading speeds and complex ecommerce operations.

Advantages

• There is greater design and development flexibility.
• It offers the ability to deliver consistent experiences across multiple channels.
• It ensures Improved performance and faster page loading.
• There can be easier integration with third-party tools and services.

Best use cases

• Enterprise-level ecommerce businesses.
• Brands that want to deliver omnichannel customer experiences.
• Companies that need to deal with complex content and commerce requirements.
• Organisations that work with strong technical teams and development resources.

Final words

Eventually, each of the ecommerce website development categories has its own strengths and trade-offs, whether it’s speed, simplicity, flexibility, or long-term scalability.

As you’ve seen, what works well for a small business launching its first online store may not suit a growing or enterprise-level operation. By understanding these options in detail, you’re better equipped to match your budget, technical capabilities, and growth plans with the approach that supports your goals today and in the future.

Take enough time to evaluate these factors to avoid costly changes later and build an ecommerce website that grows alongside your business.