Custom E-commerce
Building a custom e-commerce solution means developing the shopping experience from scratch rather than using platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, or Magento.
When to Build Custom
Custom e-commerce makes sense when:
- Unique business model: Subscription, marketplace, or hybrid models
- Complex integrations: Deep ERP, PIM, or legacy system connections
- Unusual product types: Configurable products, services, or digital goods
- Performance requirements: Need for extreme optimisation
- Competitive advantage: Shopping experience is a core differentiator
Architecture Options
Monolithic
Traditional full-stack application handling everything:
- Simpler deployment
- Shared codebase
- Suitable for smaller scale
Microservices
Separate services for cart, checkout, inventory, etc.:
- Independent scaling
- Technology flexibility
- Higher operational complexity
Headless with Commerce APIs
Custom frontend with third-party commerce backend:
- Best of both worlds
- Faster time to market
- Still maintain frontend control
Key Components to Build
| Component | Complexity | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Product catalog | Medium | Categories, variants, attributes |
| Shopping cart | Medium | Guest carts, persistence, calculations |
| Checkout | High | Payment integration, fraud prevention |
| Order management | High | Fulfillment, returns, refunds |
| User accounts | Medium | Auth, order history, wishlists |
| Inventory | High | Real-time stock, multi-warehouse |
| Payments | High | PCI compliance, multiple providers |
What We Like
- Complete control: Build exactly what you need
- No platform limitations: No workarounds for missing features
- No transaction fees: Own your margins
- Scalability: Architect for your specific needs
What We Don't Like
- Development time: Months vs weeks with a platform
- Ongoing maintenance: You own security, updates, and bugs
- Cost: Significantly higher upfront investment
- PCI compliance: Payment handling adds complexity
Our Recommendation
Before building custom, consider:
- Can a platform meet 80% of requirements?
- Is the custom 20% truly a differentiator?
- Do you have ongoing budget for maintenance?
- Is your team equipped for e-commerce security?
Often, a headless approach using BigCommerce or Shopify as a backend with a custom frontend provides the best balance.