Re-platforming your ecommerce website

In the ecommerce world, robustness and stability are often touted as the watchwords. Then, why do businesses change platforms? Is it because they need to keep changing with the current trends? In simple terms, it could be said that the answer lies in our businesses’ endless quest for flexibility. As customer preferences keep changing, e-business platforms too, need to undergo change so as to reflect their priorities. But, there are many underlying factors that compel a business to change platform. In this article, we look the why and how of re-platforming and exactly what makes a strong ecommerce platform.

Why business re-platform

In 2013, more than 20% of businesses were planning an ecommerce re-platforming. One of the important reasons behind this is increased web complexity. As ecommerce channels grew rapidly, third party integrations too have grown at the same pace not wanting to be left behind. These third party integrations have risen to pose a challenge to the platforms currently implemented.

As we saw earlier, customer’s changing requirements regarding functionality and performance too, have compelled businesses to tinker with their platforms. This, apart from competitive pressures and vendor conflicts (Platform vendors who don’t support current versions) inevitable in any economy have driven businesses to change shop.

What to look for when you re-platform

• Performance Scalability

Optimization of Page load time and accommodation of multiple concurrent users specially at peak hours must be on top your list.

• Multi-Channel Integration

Catering to customers across every utilized channel such as web, shop, mobile, social etc.

• Enhanced User experience

This is the most important part. It is UX that decides whether a user stays or leaves a website. It is a combination of factors such as content, search, shopping cart listing, smooth checkout process etc.

• Platform flexibility

The new platform needs to be able to adapt to needs to future markets and also perform within its limitations.

How to avoid re-platforming?

If truth be told, a vast majority of clumsily done re-platforming exercises can be avoided if ecommerce site owners do a proper usability test of their current site before re-platforming. If you know where you stand, you can clearly decide where your business should go.

Re-platforming can be avoided(temporarily) if:

• The platform is ‘alive’ or in its nascent stages.
• The existing service provider is doing well or he can be replaced by someone better.
• The platform is flexible and provide optimum user experience.