When considering the implementation of any SaaS ecommerce platform, you will want to analyze both its advantages and disadvantages before making a final decision. Understanding your needs and requirements will also help you tackle the pros and cons more comprehensively. That way, you’ll land on a solution that will completely meet your business needs, so read on to learn more.
Advantages of SaaS Ecommerce Platforms
In no particular order, here are the key advantages of using a SaaS ecommerce platform:
Easy and Fast Implementation
You can set up your online store in a couple of hours with a SaaS platform. You don’t have to worry about installation processes, building your own layout, or optimizing it for mobile. All of them come with pre-set themes you can customize and make your own, and you may not even need to hire a dedicated developer to help you. Most of the features are very easy to understand, and you can do it all yourself.
Cost-Effectiveness
A SaaS ecommerce platform is also more affordable than a custom solution. True, it may not have all of the features you need in the basic solution, and you may need to add plugins. But even then, you will likely end up paying much less than if you were to develop your own tool.
Ease of Integration
These platforms can also be integrated with other SaaS tools with just a couple of clicks. You can hook up your email marketing and social media tools, as well as a product and inventory management solution. Most often, you can also connect your productivity app.
Simpler Scalability
In order to stay competitive, companies should hire a high-quality SEO agency that’s familiar with SaaS to keep their online presence interesting and appealing. What this means to you, as a customer, is that there will always be something new in the works that you can benefit from.
The bigger your ecommerce platform becomes, the safer it will be. It will also be able to provide more solutions, as the brand will have more resources to invest in development.
Added Safety
Since your ecommerce solution is not actually hosted on your server or even on your computer, you won’t have to worry about security as much. True, hacks and breaches can happen even to the biggest companies, but they are rare.
The software you use will provide all the encryption you need to protect your user’s data privacy and personal data. You won’t have to worry about your own firewalls and the safety of your tech: someone else will handle it instead.
No Updates Required
Finally, you won’t have to worry about purchasing a new disk or the latest version of the software. You will automatically be notified when changes and improvements have been made. You can implement them on the spot, with no or very little disruption to your day-to-day operations.
Disadvantages of SaaS Ecommerce Platforms
There are, of course, some disadvantages to using a SaaS ecommerce platform. They include:
Lack of Customization
SaaS solutions come with pre-built functionalities and templates, which makes them so easy to use and get started with. But if you’re looking for a much more customized and personalized solution, all that can be limiting.
You will most likely be able to find a template you like that you can tinker with. However, you may end up frustrated with some of the limitations. For example, you may not be able to choose the colors of certain elements or rearrange their order.
This lack is understandable, as complete personalization would require much more time and effort. Naturally, it would also come with a higher price tag. When you compare a SaaS ecommerce platform with a custom one, the former wins in terms of safety and cost while it loses in customization.
Incompatible with B2B Sales Needs
While B2C and B2B sales do have a lot in common, there are still numerous functionalities that B2B marketplaces require not currently offered by SaaS ecommerce platforms. You can’t offer custom prices, for starters. Plus, you only have so many ways of setting up a sales funnel, and you can’t easily apply bulk rules or exceptions.
You can still use these platforms as long as you’re aware of their limitations and find a way to circumvent them. For example, you might close most of your deals off-platform. Another option would be to offer more extensive support to your clients that can help you further personalize your offers.
Wrapping Up
Using a SaaS ecommerce platform is often the simplest, most affordable, and easiest way to get started with ecommerce. While there are limitations and disadvantages you need to bear in mind, they do remain the fastest way to launch yourself into the ecommerce ecosystem. As your business grows, you’ll be able to afford the hefty price tags that come with full customization.
