Re-platforming: things to consider.

What is re-platforming? In simple terms, it is the process of changing from your current platform to another. In practice – things get a little trickier. In this blog, we’ll cover some of the things you need to know and think about to get started.

You might need your business applications to integrate with new technology for improved functionality and better results, not just for yourself – but to provide a better experience for your consumers too. Perhaps you have been asking what your plans are for growth. Or maybe your current system is holding you back.

Have you outgrown your eCommerce platform?

If you’re considering re-platforming, there is almost always one primary reason that is motivating you to make a change. Some popular platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, and Wix, might be a convenient choice when launching your business. Still, you might find that you quickly outgrow the convenience, get tired of paying a premium for what should be a basic offering, and are fed up with the accumulating costs and hidden transaction fees.

Or, perhaps functionality, visibility, and brand portfolio diversification, like going global, is becoming a struggle within the rigid limitations of platforms designed for the masses and not your business and brand. If you fail to choose a platform with effortless, exponential scalability for your growing needs, can your business stand to potentially lose revenue, stability and even credibility with your customers.

If you realise you need a better solution that is tailor-made for your specific business requirements, but your current platform is falling short of your expectations.

Its time for you to re-platform, and the sooner, the better.

Your Checklist

You may think the next step is to think big and to ask yourself a series of questions to determine the goals you want to achieve, what your competitive edge will be, and what success will look like when you get there. But those are the big picture results that come from the everyday benefits, such as better functionality, scalability, mobile optimisation, checkout performance, and convenient payment options. Start small and ask about functionality.

Can it offer multiple payment solutions?

Enabling all major payment methods, such as Klarna means that you have more control over end-user functionality which will increase your conversion rate.

Does it have performance-tested solutions?

It would be a mistake to choose a platform without knowing how it tests for performance. Performance test such features as the checkout process.

How does the platform perform at checkout under high traffic?

Test it to its limits, not just at your current traffic levels. Imagine it is Black Friday with fantastic deals, or you are having a New Year’s sale. If site speed slows down, this will hinder the checkout process, and you will lose sales.

What’s the mobile experience like?

Also consider mobile optimisation, among other features and tools. If a platform cannot ‘mobilise’ (mobile optimise) your checkout page, studies show that you stand to lose from 55-80% of conversions from abandoned carts.

Are you getting an ‘End-to-end’ solution?

At BetterCommerce, clients work with us because we offer a stellar enterprise-grade omnichannel platform package with standalone modules of e-commerce, PIM (product information management), OMS (order management system), Planner, POS (point of sale), Analytics, and more. Together, this offers you the capabilities you should have for your business at your fingertips.

This is not an extensive checklist just a few key areas to consider.

It’s important to think about the business as a whole to ensure you are getting all the elements you need – not just now, but for the future.

Even if you need to start with a basic package, BetterCommerce offers the most out-of-the-box standard features available to you than any other e-commerce platform.

The standalone modules can be used independently or intuitively together, providing you with all the core benefits you require from an e-commerce solution. This includes integrated elastic search, quick and smooth checkout, unlimited variants, personalised bundles, powerful order management, product ideation, financial forecasting, flexible payment options, eReceipts, and customer 360 views, to name a few.

In summary

Re-platforming can be an expensive venture, but getting the decision wrong can cost you your business. If you find your business is being impeded by your current platform, processes, and systems, the question is no longer if you should re-platform, but with whom should you re-platform, because staying with your legacy system is not a viable option. The best piece of advice is to settle on a solutions suite that has the extra capabilities available if and/or when you grow into them.

If you are a retailer, wholesaler, and/or a brand that is ready to push forward full speed ahead, and you know you want a fully managed, cloud-based PaaS (platform as a service) with all the bells and whistles of a B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer) global commerce solution replacing your legacy systems, programs, processes, integrations, and plugins, then consider BetterCommerce.

We’d welcome the chance to discuss your requirements and challenges.