Choosing the right ecommerce software: Features, types, & benefits for online businesses

SendTech Staff Pitney Bowes
05/05/2025 Domestic Solutions

Choosing the right ecommerce software isn’t just about managing your store—it’s about setting your business up for long-term success. The right platform helps you work smarter by automating daily tasks, keeping everything in sync, and delivering the kind of smooth shopping experience that builds trust and drives repeat business.

From solo startups to scaling brands, a well-matched ecommerce solution adapts to your needs, supports your growth, and helps you stay competitive in a fast-moving market. It’s not just a tool—it’s a strategic advantage.

Table of contents

What is Ecommerce Software and Why Does Your Business Need It?

Ecommerce software is a digital solution that helps you manage your online store and all the moving parts that come with it—from one central place. The core features usually include product listings, inventory management, shopping cart tools, payment processing, shipping integration, and order fulfillment. More advanced platforms also offer things like customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), marketing automation, and analytics.

In other words, it’s the backbone of your online business. It brings all your day-to-day operations together, so you’re not juggling multiple disconnected tools. That makes it easier to get things done, reduces manual work, and creates a better experience for your customers.

And speaking of experience—how customers engage with your brand is shaped by your software. Things like mobile responsiveness, fast load times, smart product recommendations, and a smooth checkout all depend on the platform powering your store. A skincare brand, for instance, might use software that recommends products based on past purchases. Meanwhile, a B2B business might need features like custom pricing and bulk ordering.

So, choosing the right ecommerce software isn’t just about launching a store. It’s about building a smart, data-driven foundation that supports your sales, marketing, and fulfillment all in one place.

Types of Ecommerce Software Platforms

Ecommerce software comes in several forms, each designed to meet different business needs. The best fit for your store depends on your size, technical skill set, how much control you want, and your plans for growth.

Let’s break down the main types:

Self-Hosted Software

If you want complete control over your site—design, performance, and data—self-hosted software might be the way to go. Platforms like WooCommerce and Magento (Community Edition) are installed on your own server or through a third-party hosting provider. You’ll have full customization power, but you’re also in charge of managing everything from updates to backups and security.

This setup is ideal for businesses with a dedicated tech team or agency partner. While the upfront cost is often lower than enterprise platforms, ongoing maintenance and development can require more time and resources.

Open-Source Software

Open-source platforms take flexibility a step further by giving you full access to the source code. That means you can tailor your store exactly how you want—even for complex workflows or unique customer experiences. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Enterprise) is a prime example. It’s built to scale and offers advanced capabilities—but it also comes with a steeper technical learning curve.

This type of software is best for larger or niche businesses with strong development resources and very specific needs.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS platforms like ShipAccel, Wix, and Squarespace are designed to be simple and accessible. They’re hosted in the cloud, managed by the provider, and built for speed—letting you launch quickly without having to worry about infrastructure.

They typically run on a subscription model with pricing tiers based on features and volume. You won’t get the deep backend control of an open-source platform, but you will get ease of use, built-in security, regular updates, and support. That’s why SaaS is a go-to choice for solo entrepreneurs, small businesses, and brands scaling quickly.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Need a little more flexibility than SaaS but don’t want to manage your own servers? PaaS platforms offer a nice balance. Shopify Plus and BigCommerce Enterprise are great examples—they give you access to managed infrastructure while allowing your developers to build custom features, workflows, and integrations.

PaaS is perfect for growing businesses that need capabilities like multi-store management, custom APIs, or international expansion without giving up reliability and speed.

Headless Commerce Solutions

If you’re looking to build unique experiences across different customer touchpoints—web, mobile, kiosks, even voice assistants—headless commerce might be the answer. It separates the front-end experience from the back-end operations, giving you full creative freedom without sacrificing backend power.

Platforms like Commerce Layer and Vue Storefront make this possible. Just keep in mind that headless setups require a strong technical team and are best suited for enterprise or content-rich brands focused on innovation and performance.

Enterprise Ecommerce Platforms

For large, high-volume businesses with complex needs, enterprise platforms offer a robust, all-in-one solution. Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Adobe Commerce (at the enterprise level) support features like AI-driven personalization, multi-currency capabilities, advanced user permissions, and deep integrations with other systems.

These platforms come with a higher price tag, but they also offer unmatched performance, scalability, and support—ideal for brands managing multiple storefronts, teams, and regions under one roof.

Key Features of Ecommerce Software Solutions

No matter which platform you choose, there are a few core features that every solid ecommerce solution should offer. These are the capabilities that keep your business running efficiently and help you scale with confidence.

Scalability

As your ecommerce business grows, your software should grow with you—without adding complexity. The right platform makes it easy to handle more traffic, more products, and new sales channels, whether you're expanding into marketplaces, international shipping, or even opening a physical retail space.

Ease of use matters, too. You shouldn’t need a tech background to run your online store. Look for ecommerce software with a clean interface, helpful support, and tools that simplify daily tasks—so you can spend more time focusing on customers, not troubleshooting.

Thinking of selling in more than one place? Make sure your platform supports multichannel and omnichannel strategies. That means syncing orders, inventory, and customer data across your website, marketplaces like Amazon, social channels, and even in-store—so everything stays connected and up to date.

The best ecommerce solutions are built to scale with your goals—not slow them down.

Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership

Don’t just look at the subscription fee. The real cost includes transaction fees, plugins, development expenses, hosting (if it’s self-hosted), and ongoing support. Understanding your total cost of ownership helps you make a smarter, long-term investment.

Customization

Your ecommerce platform should reflect your brand—not box it in. Whether it’s adjusting your site’s look and feel, tweaking the checkout flow, or building unique tools through APIs, flexibility is key to standing out and staying relevant.

Integration Capabilities

No business runs on one tool alone. Your ecommerce platform should connect seamlessly with your other systems—CRM, ERP, marketing automation, inventory management, accounting, and shipping. The smoother the integrations, the fewer bottlenecks you’ll have.

Security and Compliance

Trust is everything online. Your platform should offer built-in SSL encryption, PCI-DSS compliance for payment processing, GDPR support for data privacy, and fraud protection tools to help safeguard both your business and your customers.

Ecommerce Software Categories

Running a successful online store often takes more than one tool. Most businesses rely on a mix of ecommerce software that covers everything from website creation to delivery and returns. Here's a look at the core categories you'll encounter:

  • Ecommerce Platforms
    These are your base for website creation and store management. They let you build, customize, and run your entire shop—from product listings and checkout to marketing and inventory. Popular ecommerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
  • Shopping Cart Software
    Focused on the checkout experience, this software helps with tax calculations, discounts, and payment processing—ensuring a secure, user-friendly path to purchase and reducing cart abandonment.
  • Inventory Management Software
    Stay on top of stock with real-time inventory tracking, multi-location sync, and automated reorder alerts. It's critical for avoiding overselling and keeping customers happy.
  • Order Management Systems (OMS)
    These tools simplify order management by consolidating fulfillment, returns, and tracking. Many offer automated order processing to speed things up and reduce errors.
  • Shipping and Fulfillment Software
    From printing shipping labels to selecting carriers and tracking orders, this software handles logistics. Tools like ShipAccel help streamline your back end and improve delivery speed.
  • Payment Processing Software
    Secure, reliable payment processing is a must. These tools handle everything from credit cards to digital wallets and international payments. Stripe, PayPal, and Square are trusted names in this space.
  • Marketing & Analytics Software
    Use platforms like Klaviyo, Omnisend, and Google Analytics to manage email marketing campaigns, segment customers, and get insights that power smarter marketing. Includes both marketing software and analytics software.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
    CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce help personalize customer communications and centralize engagement across touchpoints.
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software
    ERP systems integrate finance, supply chain, and other internal operations, giving you full visibility into your ecommerce operations.

Benefits of Using Ecommerce Software

The right ecommerce software doesn’t just help you manage your store—it supports your entire Choosing the right mix of ecommerce solutions can simplify your day-to-day and drive long-term growth. Here's how it delivers real value:

  • Operational Efficiency
    Automate tasks like inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping updates. That means fewer errors and more time to focus on growth.
  • Better Customer Experience
    From fast-loading pages and intuitive navigation to smooth payment processing and branded emails, the right software helps create a shopping experience that builds loyalty.
  • Revenue Growth
    Tools like upselling, smart product recommendations, and abandoned cart recovery help lift conversion rates and increase average order value.
  • Room to Grow
    Whether you’re expanding into new markets, adding products, or scaling your team, modern ecommerce platforms grow with you—no rebuilding required.
  • Actionable Insights
    With built-in analytics software, you get a clear view of performance. Use data to refine your strategy, improve email marketing, and make better decisions at every step.

How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Software for Your Business

There’s no one-size-fits-all platform—the best ecommerce software is the one that fits your business, your team, and your goals. The key is to start with a clear understanding of where you are now and where you want to go.

Here are a few questions to guide your decision:

What’s the size of your business today, and how fast are you growing?

Are you a solo entrepreneur launching your first product, or a growing brand managing warehouses and high order volumes? Your current scale—and your plans for the next 12 to 24 months—should guide how much flexibility and infrastructure you need.

Do you need something plug-and-play, or a fully customizable setup?

If you want to move quickly with minimal technical setup, a SaaS platform is a great fit. If your business has more complex workflows or specific customer needs, a customizable solution like PaaS or open-source software may be worth the investment.

What other tools does your store need to connect with?

Think about your existing stack—CRM, ERP, inventory management, marketing platforms, fulfillment systems. Choosing a platform that plays well with others can save you a lot of time and technical overhead down the line.

What’s your budget—now and later?

Don’t just consider the upfront cost. Look at long-term pricing, including transaction fees, plugin or app costs, developer resources, and support. A lower price today might not scale as cost-effectively tomorrow.

What level of support and security matters most to you?

Some platforms offer built-in compliance and 24/7 support; others may require more hands-on management. Know what your team is equipped to handle—and what you’d rather offload to your provider.

And here’s one more thing: Think ahead.

Don’t just solve for today’s needs—plan for what’s next. Your ideal platform should evolve with you and support emerging tools like AI-driven product recommendations, dynamic pricing, or even AR-based product visualization as your business grows.

How ShipAccel Can Optimize Your Ecommerce Operations

ShipAccel is a powerful ecommerce shipping and fulfillment platform built to take the stress out of logistics. It connects directly with your online store and helps you:

  • Compare Carrier Rates: Instantly find the most cost-effective shipping options from top carriers.
  • Automate Fulfillment: Batch print shipping labels, sync inventory, and route orders to the right warehouse.
  • Track Deliveries in Real Time: Send branded tracking pages and delivery updates your customers will appreciate.
  • Save on Shipping Costs: Cut expenses with discounted rates and smarter routing decisions.

For growing businesses, ShipAccel offers the tools to scale order fulfillment, lower costs, and improve the post-purchase experience.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ecommerce software can make everyday operations smoother and help you grow more efficiently. With so many options out there, it’s worth taking the time to match your platform to your business goals, technical needs, and customer expectations.

Whether you're launching a new store or rethinking your current setup, the right solution can make a real difference in how you run your business—and how customers experience it.

Ecommerce Software FAQs

How much does ecommerce software cost?

Prices vary a lot. Entry-level SaaS platforms like Shopify start around $29/month, while enterprise platforms like Adobe Commerce or Salesforce Commerce Cloud can exceed $1,000/month. Don’t forget to factor in hosting, plugins, support, and development costs.

Do I need a developer to use ecommerce software?

SaaS platforms are built for non-technical users and are pretty plug-and-play. But open-source and headless solutions usually need developer support.

Can I migrate my store from one ecommerce platform to another?

 Yes, you can migrate your online store from one ecommerce platform to another. This process involves moving data like products, customers, orders, and settings to the new platform. Many platforms offer built-in migration tools or apps, and you can also hire a developer to help.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:

  1. Data Analysis – Identify what you need to move: products, customer info, order history, etc.
  2. Data Preparation – Export your data in a compatible format (often CSV).
  3. Platform Setup – Configure your new store (themes, plugins, payment settings).
  4. Import & Test – Upload data, test functionality, and fix any issues.