E-commerce Platform Comparison

Quick Comparison Table

E-commerce Platform Technical Deep Dive

WooCommerce

Technical Architecture

Core Technology:

• Built on WordPress (PHP/MySQL)
• REST API (WP REST API + WooCommerce REST API)
• GraphQL support via WPGraphQL plugin
• Hook and filter system for customization

API Capabilities:

• REST API v3 (primary): /wp-json/wc/v3/
• Endpoints for products, orders, customers, coupons, reports
• Webhook support for real-time data sync
• OAuth 1.0a or API key authentication
• Rate limiting: 1000 requests per hour (configurable)

Headless Implementation

Approach:

• Decouple frontend using REST API or GraphQL
• Keep WordPress admin as content management backend
• Popular headless frameworks: Next.js, Gatsby, Nuxt.js

Technical Setup:

Frontend (React/Vue/Angular) ↔ WooCommerce REST API ↔ WordPress Backend

Composable Architecture

Modularity:

• Plugin-based architecture (40,000+ plugins)
• Microservices possible via API-first approach
• Action/filter hooks for custom business logic
• Third-party service integration via plugins

ERP/CRM Integration

Microsoft Dynamics 365:

• Integration Methods:
  • Direct API integration using D365 Web API
  • Middleware solutions (Zapier, Microsoft Power Platform)
  • Custom connectors using D365 Common Data Service
• Data Sync: Products, inventory, customers, orders
• Real-time sync via webhooks + Microsoft Flow

Oracle ERP:

• Integration Approaches:
  • Oracle Integration Cloud (OIC)
  • REST API connections to Oracle Fusion Cloud
  • Custom middleware using Oracle APEX
• Sync Capabilities: Financial data, inventory, customer master data

PIM Integration:

• Akeneo PIM via REST API connector
• Salsify integration through CSV/API imports
• Pimcore connection using REST endpoints

CMS Integration:

• Native WordPress CMS capabilities
• Headless CMS options: Contentful, Strapi via API
• Advanced Custom Fields for product content

Most Common Integration Approach

In practice, most WooCommerce implementations follow a hybrid approach where the platform remains fully coupled for smaller businesses, but larger enterprises typically implement a middleware layer using tools like Zapier or custom PHP scripts that run scheduled jobs. The most prevalent pattern involves keeping WooCommerce as the primary e-commerce engine while using REST API connections to sync data with external systems on a scheduled basis rather than real-time integration. For ERP connections, businesses commonly use CSV-based imports/exports combined with webhook notifications for critical updates like inventory changes. This approach balances cost-effectiveness with functionality, allowing businesses to start simple and add complexity as they scale.

Shopify

Technical Architecture

Core Technology:

• Ruby on Rails backend (Shopify-managed)
• Liquid templating engine
• GraphQL Admin API (primary)
• REST Admin API (legacy, still supported)

API Capabilities:

• GraphQL Admin API: Primary interface for app development
• Storefront API: GraphQL for custom frontends
• REST Admin API: 40+ resource endpoints
• Webhooks: Real-time event notifications
• Rate Limits: 2 requests/second (REST), complex cost-based system (GraphQL)

Headless Implementation

Shopify Hydrogen Framework:

• React-based framework optimized for Shopify
• Server-side rendering with Oxygen hosting
• Built-in Shopify integrations

Custom Headless:

Custom Frontend ↔ Storefront API (GraphQL) ↔ Shopify Backend
Admin Interface ↔ Admin API (GraphQL) ↔ Shopify Core

Technical Features:

• Multipass for SSO integration
• Shopify Scripts for custom checkout logic
• Shopify Functions for backend customization

Composable Architecture

App Ecosystem:

• 8,000+ apps in Shopify App Store
• Private apps for custom integrations
• Shopify CLI for development workflows
• App Bridge for embedded app experiences

Microservices Support:

• Shopify Functions (serverless backend logic)
• External API integrations via apps
• Event-driven architecture with webhooks

ERP/CRM Integration

Microsoft Dynamics 365:

• Certified Apps:
  • Dynamics 365 Business Central connector
  • CRM integration apps in Shopify App Store
• Integration Points:
  • Customer data synchronization
  • Inventory management
  • Financial reporting integration
• Technical Implementation:
  • Power Platform connectors
  • Azure Logic Apps for workflow automation

Oracle ERP:

• Integration Methods:
  • Oracle Integration Cloud adapters
  • Custom REST API connectors
  • Third-party middleware (Celigo, Boomi)
• Data Flow:
  • Real-time inventory sync
  • Order-to-cash process integration
  • Financial data consolidation

PIM Integration:

• Akeneo: Direct connector available
• Salsify: Native Shopify integration
• Pimcore: REST API integration
• InRiver: Certified Shopify connector

CMS Integration:

• Contentful: Official Shopify app
• Sanity: Real-time content sync
• Strapi: Custom API integration
• WordPress: Headless content delivery

Most Common Integration Approach

The majority of Shopify merchants leverage the app ecosystem rather than building custom integrations from scratch. For ERP connections, businesses typically install pre-built connector apps from the Shopify App Store, with the Dynamics 365 Business Central connector and various Oracle NetSuite apps being the most popular choices. These apps handle the complexity of API authentication, data mapping, and error handling automatically. For larger enterprises, the pattern involves using Shopify Plus with a combination of certified apps and Shopify Flow for automation, supplemented by custom scripts when needed. Most implementations avoid fully headless setups initially, instead opting for theme customizations and gradual adoption of the Storefront API for specific features like mobile apps or custom checkout experiences.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Technical Architecture

Core Technology:

• Java-based platform (Demandware acquisition)
• SFRA (Storefront Reference Architecture)
• Open Commerce API (OCAPI)
• Einstein AI integration

API Capabilities:

• Shop API: Customer-facing storefront operations
• Data API: Administrative data management
• Meta API: System configuration and metadata
• Einstein API: AI-powered recommendations
• GraphQL support in newer versions

Headless Implementation

Progressive Web App (PWA) Kit:

• React-based PWA starter kit
• Pre-built components and hooks
• Mobility and performance optimized

Custom Headless Architecture:

Custom Frontend ↔ Commerce API ↔ Commerce Cloud Backend
Mobile Apps ↔ Einstein API ↔ AI/ML Services
Admin Interface ↔ Business Manager ↔ Core Platform

Technical Features:

• API-first architecture
• Real-time personalization
• Global deployment capabilities

Composable Architecture

Microservices Support:

• Service-oriented architecture
• Independent scaling of services
• API-driven integration points

Component Library:

• Reusable commerce components
• Standardized integration patterns
• Third-party marketplace (AppExchange)

ERP/CRM Integration

Microsoft Dynamics 365:

• Native Integration:
  • Salesforce Connector for Microsoft Dynamics
  • Pre-built synchronization templates
  • Real-time data exchange
• Integration Architecture:
  • Customer 360 view
  • Order management synchronization
  • Marketing automation integration

Oracle ERP:

• Integration Platforms:
  • Salesforce MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
  • Oracle Integration Cloud connectors
  • Custom SOAP/REST API integration
• Data Synchronization:
  • Master data management
  • Financial reconciliation
  • Inventory management

PIM Integration:

• Akeneo: Enterprise connector available
• Salsify: Native Commerce Cloud integration
• InRiver: Certified connector
• Pimcore: Custom API integration
• Technical Approach:
  • Bulk data import/export
  • Real-time product updates
  • Digital asset management sync

CMS Integration:

• Native Capabilities:
  • Built-in content management
  • Experience Manager integration
• External CMS:
  • Adobe Experience Manager connector
  • Contentful integration via API
  • Custom headless CMS connections

CRM Integration:

• Salesforce CRM: Native integration (same platform)
• 360-degree customer view
• Marketing Cloud integration
• Service Cloud integration

Most Common Integration Approach

Salesforce Commerce Cloud implementations almost universally start with the native Salesforce ecosystem integration, leveraging the shared customer data model across Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud. This provides immediate value through unified customer profiles and automated lead-to-revenue processes. For external ERP systems, the most common pattern involves using MuleSoft Anypoint Platform as the integration layer, particularly for Oracle ERP connections where pre-built connectors handle the heavy lifting of data transformation and synchronization. Enterprises typically implement a hub-and-spoke model with Salesforce as the customer data hub, while ERP systems remain the source of truth for product and financial data. Most organizations avoid fully headless implementations initially, instead using the standard SFRA templates with customizations, gradually adopting PWA Kit components for mobile-first experiences as their digital maturity increases.

Integration Best Practices

General Principles

1. API-First Design: Prioritize REST/GraphQL APIs for flexibility
2. Event-Driven Architecture: Use webhooks for real-time synchronization
3. Data Governance: Establish clear data ownership and flow patterns
4. Security: Implement OAuth 2.0, API keys, and rate limiting
5. Monitoring: Set up API monitoring and error handling

Common Integration Patterns

• Master Data Management (MDM): Central hub for customer/product data
• Event Sourcing: Track all changes for audit and replay capabilities
• CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation): Separate read/write operations
• Circuit Breaker Pattern: Handle API failures gracefully