Foundation · 3 min
What you need to know
Start with the jobs you do every week
List what the store will need to do. Check that you can change stock, update prices, show delivery options, answer customer questions, and refund an order when necessary. Ask each provider to show those tasks in its actual dashboard.
Write down any need that would stop you from selling if the platform could not handle it. Keep features you might use someday on a separate list so they do not distract you from launch.
Understand hosted and self-hosted stores
A hosted platform runs the store software and its hosting as a service. You sign in and manage products while the provider operates the underlying website service. You still own the work of keeping your product details, policies, and order process accurate.
With a self-hosted store, you arrange a hosting company and are responsible for how the store software is installed, maintained, and updated, even if you hire someone to do that work. Ask exactly who handles security updates, backups, downtime, and technical support.
Understand SaaS and open source
Software as a service, or SaaS, means paying to use software that a provider runs. Open source means the software’s code can be inspected and changed under its license. These terms describe different things: how software is supplied and how its code is licensed.
The practical question is who does the work. If you need a developer to update plugins and resolve hosting issues, count that time and cost. If a hosted service limits a feature you need, check its approved apps and customization options.
Compare the total cost and the exit path
Ask for the full cost of the plan, payment setup, apps, hosting if separate, and help with design or maintenance. Try exporting products and orders and ask what data you can take with you if you leave. Keep copies of your product photos and descriptions outside the platform too.
A low starting price does not tell you how the bill or workload will change after you begin selling.
Test support before you commit
Look for help with a problem you could actually face. Ask how to investigate a payment that failed and an order that did not reach the seller dashboard. Note whether you get a clear answer, a self-service article, or a route to a person.
Foundation · 2 min
Frequently asked questions
Which platform is best for a beginner?
There is no single best choice for every store. Pick one you can use for your essential selling tasks, that supports your products and selling locations, and whose full cost and support you understand.
Is an app or plugin the same as a platform feature?
No. An app or plugin is an added piece of software. Check its cost, who supports it, and whether it will keep working when the store software changes.
Can I change platforms later?
Usually, yes, but moving products, customers, orders, URLs, and integrations takes work. Check what data you can export before choosing a platform.