Custom vs. standard platform
Custom platform vs. Shopify
When is Shopify enough, and when does a custom platform pay off for a webshop?
Definition
Shopify is a standard webshop platform; a custom platform is a bespoke webshop built precisely around how a business sells.
Comparison
| Shopify | Custom platform | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Standard webshops | Webshops with specific needs (B2B, CRM, integrations) |
| Time to launch | Fast | Depends on scope |
| Ownership | Runs on Shopify's platform | Fully owned by the business |
| Long-term costs | Ongoing subscription + apps | Built once, no forced subscriptions |
| Extensibility | Limited to available apps/plugins | Unlimited, exactly what's needed |
Shopify is a fine start for a simple webshop. A custom platform pays off as soon as more is needed than a standard product catalogue — think a B2B portal, CRM functionality, or integrations with other business systems.
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