[ Ecommerce platform · Full playbook ]
// 13 / 20The buyer's playbook.
The working reference behind Shopify vs WooCommerce vs Custom Ecommerce 2026: what to ask, what to watch and how to run the first 90 days.
← Back to the guide[ RFP questions ]// 01
Questions that reveal real capability.
Ask for a relevant example, the decision made, the result or learning, and the person who would own the work.
- 01Which requirements are truly differentiating?
- 02What is native, configured, extension-based or custom?
- 03How do transaction, payment and app fees change with growth?
- 04Who owns hosting, security, updates and incident response?
- 05How will integrations recover and reconcile?
- 06What capability is needed to launch changes safely?
- 07What are migration and SEO-protection requirements?
- 08What is the three-year downside, base and growth cost?
[ Risk ]// 02
Make failure visible before signature.
| Risk | Early warning | Control |
|---|---|---|
| App/extension sprawl | Overlapping tools | Architecture register |
| Platform ceiling | Core workflow workarounds | Proof critical scenarios |
| Custom-code burden | Few maintainers | Standards and documentation |
| Cost surprise | Fees scale with revenue | Scenario worksheet |
| Migration loss | Data and URLs differ | Rehearsal and reconciliation |
[ Value case ]// 03
Measure outcomes—not activity.
01Three-year ownership costBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
02Conversion and contribution marginBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
03Release lead timeBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
04Order exception rateBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
05Integration reconciliationBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
06Platform availabilityBaseline ________
90-day target ________
90-day target ________
[ First 90 days ]// 04
Move from evidence to operating rhythm.
01
Days 1–30
Requirements, economics, workflow map and shortlist
Exit evidenceBaseline, owners, approved requirements and risks
02
Days 31–60
Prototype critical journeys and complete cost worksheet
Exit evidenceWorking outputs, evidence and decision record
03
Days 61–90
Select, contract, migration plan and operating governance
Exit evidenceMeasured result, operating owner and next backlog
[ Reference desk ]// 05
Speak the same language.
| Term | Plain-language meaning |
|---|---|
| SaaS commerce | Vendor-hosted subscription platform. |
| Open source | Software whose source can be inspected and modified. |
| Composable | Commerce capabilities assembled as services. |
| Payment fee | Charge applied to transaction processing. |
| Extension | Added third-party platform functionality. |
| TCO | Total cost of ownership. |
[ Playbook in hand? ]