Compare operating responsibility
List what your team will be responsible for: hosting, updates, integrations, troubleshooting, and the everyday publishing workflow. Ask each shortlisted provider or implementation partner to clarify ownership.
Create a shortlist using your team’s skills and required integrations. A flexible system creates value only when someone can maintain it.
Model the total cost of your scenario
Build a 12-month budget for the platform, hosting where applicable, themes, extensions, payment processing, developer time, and ongoing maintenance. Use current vendor quotes for your region.
Model the same catalog size, order volume, payment methods, and functionality on both options. Keep one-time setup costs separate from recurring operating costs.
Run a proof of fit
Build a sample product with your actual variants, shipping logic, tax treatment, and content needs. Test the staff workflow as well as the customer experience.
Can the team update products confidently? Do essential integrations use a consistent source of truth? What happens if an extension fails? Can key data be exported in usable formats?
Put it into practice
Make the assumptions visible. Use your own current costs in the free calculators, and read our evaluation methodology before using a recommendation.
This is a planning framework, not a scored product review or a report of first-hand testing. Verify current platform terms and product details with the provider before committing.