E-Commerce Architecture: Understanding Your Options
1. Monolithic (Traditional) Commerce
A tightly integrated platform where all commerce features—product management, pricing, checkout, content, and presentation—are managed in one system.
Pros:
- Simple to set up and manage
- Lower technical complexity and faster time-to-market
- All-in-one solution with built-in features and plugins
- Consistent user experience
- Lower initial implementation cost
Cons:
- Limited flexibility and scalability for complex needs
- Harder to customize or integrate with external systems
- Upgrades and changes can impact the whole system
- Restricted technology choices for frontend and backend
Examples: Episerver Commerce (Optimizely), Shopify
2. Headless Commerce
The backend (product, pricing, order management) is decoupled from the frontend (website, app, POS). Content and commerce data are delivered via APIs, enabling omnichannel experiences.
Pros:
- Highly flexible and scalable for enterprise needs
- Omnichannel selling across web, mobile, in-store, and more
- Freedom to use any frontend technology
- Faster innovation and adaptation to new channels
- Better performance and security with separated systems
Cons:
- Requires more technical resources and integration work
- Higher initial implementation cost
- More complex architecture and maintenance
- Content and commerce teams may need new workflows
Examples: commercetools, BigCommerce, Shopify (Headless), Commerce Connect
3. Composable Commerce
A modular approach where best-of-breed services (CMS, search, payments, PIM, etc.) are integrated via APIs. Enables maximum flexibility and scalability for rapidly evolving business needs.
Pros:
- Best-of-breed solutions for every business function
- Rapid adaptation to new requirements and channels
- Scalable and future-proof architecture
- Easy to replace or upgrade individual components
- Supports true omnichannel commerce
Cons:
- Most complex to implement and manage
- Requires strong technical leadership and integration expertise
- Potential for higher long-term costs
- Vendor management and interoperability challenges
Examples: commercetools, BigCommerce, Commerce Connect
Our E-Commerce Platform Expertise
Vanitech provides implementation, integration, and support for leading e-commerce platforms across all architectures:
- Episerver Commerce (Optimizely): Enterprise-grade platform for traditional and hybrid commerce, with strong CMS and e-commerce integration.
- Commerce Connect: Flexible solution for integrating multiple commerce and content systems, supporting headless and composable strategies.
- BigCommerce: Cloud-based platform supporting both traditional and headless commerce, with extensive API capabilities for custom integrations.
- commercetools: Leading headless and composable commerce platform, built for scalability and flexibility via API-first architecture.
- Shopify: Popular for its ease of use in traditional commerce, but also supports headless and composable approaches for advanced use cases.
Why Choose Vanitech for E-Commerce Implementation?
- Deep expertise across modern commerce ecosystems
- Custom architecture design tailored to your business strategy
- Seamless integrations with CMS, analytics, and CRM platforms
- Long-term support and optimization
