Choosing the Right eCommerce Platform for Your Australian Business

Choosing an eCommerce platform is one of the biggest decisions when you start selling online. The right choice depends on what you sell, how much you sell and how you want to grow.

The main options

Hosted platforms (such as Shopify)

• Best for: businesses that want to launch quickly with less technical work.
• Pros: hosting, security and updates are handled for you; large app marketplace.
• Cons: monthly fees and app costs add up; less control over design and features.

Open-source platforms (such as WooCommerce)

• Best for: businesses with an existing WordPress site or content-heavy stores.
• Pros: flexible, with many plugins and no platform transaction fees.
• Cons: you're responsible for hosting, updates and security.

Custom-built stores

• Best for: businesses with unique products, pricing, workflows or multi-vendor marketplaces.
• Pros: built exactly for your needs; fast; you own the code.
• Cons: higher upfront investment.

Australian must-haves

• Prices and invoices that show GST correctly
• Australian payment options, including card payments, PayPal and buy now, pay later services
• Integration with Australia Post and other local couriers
• Clear refund and returns policies that meet the Australian Consumer Law
• Hosting close to your customers for fast loading

Questions to ask before you choose

1. How many products will you sell, and how often do they change?
2. Do you need to connect to inventory, accounting or a warehouse system?
3. Will you sell to other businesses with special pricing?
4. What are the total monthly costs, including apps and transaction fees?
5. Can you move to another platform later if you need to?

Not sure which platform suits you? We'll give you an honest recommendation. See our eCommerce solutions or get in touch.