Ecommerce replatforming involves migrating an online store from one platform to another to improve performance, functionality, and scalability. Several reasons can cause a platform changeover, such as outdated technology, scalability issues, lack of features, and changing business needs.
Store heads turn to new or other platforms to seek enhanced performance, functionality, and flexibility. Ecommerce replatforming allows them to serve customers better and meet business goals.
9 Essential Ecommerce Replatforming Checklist
Here is a detailed ecommerce replatforming checklist with 9 essential steps every online store owner should follow to have a successful replatforming transition:
1. Business Case – The Replatforming ROI
Research and analyze the potential benefits and ROI involved in re-platforming factors such as reduced costs, increased sales, improved functionality, and enhanced customer experience. Enterprises should have defined goals and objectives to optimize the investment involved in replatforming.
2. Project Set-Up
The next step is to have defined project objectives, timelines, roles, and responsibilities for the re-platforming team members. Also, the requirements from the concerned stakeholders will be collected to assess the exacting needs and work towards them.
3. Project’s Budget
Focus on minimizing the cost of re-platforming, making sure it doesn’t become an expensive project. The ecommerce store has to consider every expense, from platform migration, development, customization, testing, training, and ongoing support.
4. Current Platform Evaluation & Business Requirements Capture
An expert team should assess and evaluate the shortcomings of the existing platform to determine the business needs and goals of the new platform. Acknowledging the pain points, limitations, and areas of improvement helps in knowing why change is required.
5. Complete replatforming project scope.
The scope of the re-platforming project needs to be evaluated in its entirety to understand the features, functionalities, integrations, data migration, and test requirements essential to go ahead.
6. Platform search and TCO evaluation
Before selecting a platform, detailed research and analysis of other platforms will help choose the right re-platforming solution. Gauge and decide if your online store should stick to the existing platform, think of migrating to a new platform, or get a customized option. The choices need to coincide with the long-term objectives of the ecommerce store.
7. Detailed platform evaluation
A comprehensive consultation with platform providers gives a complete insight into the platforms. Comparing the compatibility and suitability of the shortlisted platforms will have to match online store needs. They look into potential e-commerce platforms using trials and demos. Understanding each platform’s pros and cons becomes crucial before making the pick.
8. Ecommerce platform selection
Choosing a reliable ecommerce platform provider and implementation partner is a must-have for the success of any online store. Conduct thorough research on the expertise, experience, track record, and compatibility vis-a-vis the business needs.
9. Analyzing Risk and Contingency Plans
Making the switch is fraught with its own set of potential risks and challenges. A solid plan and feasible strategies must be implemented to mitigate them. These include contingency plans, communication protocols, and regular monitoring.
Also Read: Ecommerce Replatforming [Step-by-Step Approach]
Alternatives to Replatforming
Online store owners often hesitate to jump on the re-platforming bandwagon because of the cost, downtime, and learning curve issues. However, there are alternatives to ecommerce replatforming:
Rehosting Ecommerce Platform
Online stores may rehost their old platform because they are satisfied with the overall functioning of the platform. However, they would want to tweak the performance, security, and reliability. Ecommerce gets a new hosting environment without significantly changing the platform.
Reengineering or Refactoring the Ecommerce Platform
A significant modification of the codebase for the current solution is needed to ensure the required scalability and performance are achieved. Matching the recent tech trend requires substantial time and resources with the help of an expert.
Rearchitecting Ecommerce Platform
Some companies who seek long-term solutions employ a complete overhaul of the existing ecommerce platform with the help of modern technologies and architecture. The resulting platform meets the scalability, flexibility, and innovation requirements when you choose the best option.
What are the Key IT Drivers for Replatforming
Businesses choose ecommerce platforms to meet their needs and achieve strategic objectives. When these platforms fail to keep up with technological advancements, it becomes necessary to consider replatforming options.
- Legacy systems need to have updated infrastructure, so it’s necessary to bring in agile and innovative platforms at the right time.
- Scalability and performance take a hit due to increasing demands, which leads to choosing scalable architectures and cloud-based solutions that support growth and optimize performance.
- They are adopting technology stack modernization to allow newer programming languages, frameworks, databases, and development technologies to be at par with the competition in the long run.
- Integration capabilities are enhanced with robust APIs, allowing for streamlined workflows and data exchange.
- Security compliance is increased because of secure architectures, encryption, and access controls to safeguard and mitigate the risks.
- Data management and analysis are possible using advanced tools, data warehouses, and real-time processing capabilities, resulting in better decision-making and insights for forecasts.
- Operational efficiency is seen in streamlining processes, automating tasks, and optimizing resource utilization with reduced costs.
- Vendor support and decline in the platform can be resolved with platforming, which provides long-term viability and good vendor support.
Benefits of Ecommerce Replatforming
Ecommerce stores opt for re-platforming after a certain period to scale up their reach to customers while enhancing their experience. Some of the benefits of re-platforming are listed below:
- Replatforming has allowed several online stores to scale their business efficiently. They were able to handle increased demand providing an enhanced experience to the customers.
- Higher conversion rates are achievable when you guarantee performance and improved responsiveness, which leads to customer satisfaction.
- Personalized experiences, streamlined navigation, and optimized checkout processes are some of the things that enable customer traffic and retention.
- Replatforming allows for advanced features and functionality for the ecommerce store. The company can now handle omnichannel business, work on advanced analytics, and easy integration with third-party apps.
- Flexibility and customization are major advantages that new platforms offer. These features help to meet specific business requirements by aligning them with your brand and processes.
- Robust APIs are one of the most anticipated changes that ecommerce businesses seek, enabling better integration. When such a system falls in place, the workflows are seamless, giving scope for data accuracy and enhanced operational efficiency.
- Cost-effective in the long term as there are lowered maintenance expenses, operational efficiency, and increased sales and revenue. Thus, generating a higher ROI over time.
- Competitive advantage is achieved by adopting the latest technology, trends, and best practices.
Replatforming Challenges and Their Solutions
The complexity of the replatforming process can be overwhelming, leading to common mistakes. These errors can be costly for the company, leading to delays, cost overruns, and unsatisfactory outcomes.
Insufficient Planning
Not planning your overall replatforming process can lead to unforeseen challenges and setbacks.
Solution:
Develop a detailed re-platforming strategy before initiating the project to help ease the transition process.
Lack of stakeholder involvement
This can result in misaligned objectives and priorities and make it a long process.
Solution:
key stakeholders must be involved throughout the replatforming process to ensure buy-in and collaboration.
Choosing Platform
Choosing the wrong platform that doesn’t match your business requirements and objectives can lead to dissatisfaction and costly rework.
Solution:
Look for multiple platforms and research thoroughly to match your business needs and goals.
Data Migration
Underestimating data migration complexity can lead to huge issues regarding data loss, inconsistencies, and disruptions to business operations.
Solution
Perfect planning and team setup to migrate data with all the customer information, order history, and other essential data before embarking on this process.
User Experience
Neglecting user experience because you have focused only on the backend functionality will dissatisfy customers.
Solution
The front-end design is equally important for a seamless customer shopping experience.
Quality Assurance
Skipping testing and quality assurance or conducting it inadequately before the launch can lead to bugs, errors, and performance issues impacting usability and reliability.
Solution
Allocate sufficient time and funds for testing and quality assurance so that most issues are resolved before the launch.
Communication and Management
Poor communication and Change Management can lead to confusion and resistance among all the concerned parties during the re-platforming process.
Solution
A fool-proof communication plan throughout the re-platforming process should be in place to manage expectations and minimize disruption.
Search Engine Optimization
Neglecting SEO considerations can impact the organic traffic and rankings of the site.
Solution
SEO considerations are crucial and need to be integrated into the platforming strategy.
Support and Optimization
Overlooking post-launch support and optimization can lead to missed opportunities for improvement and underperformance of the e-commerce ecosystem.
When Should an Enterprise Replatform?
An ecommerce store has to make a complete checklist of the limitations of the existing platform that are causing impediments to the growth and success of the enterprise. Here is a list that tells you when to make the switch.
- Outdated technology hampers performance due to scalability, security, compatibility, and integration issues.
- Scalability issues regarding website traffic, product catalog size, and transaction volume delivery options.
- Limited functionality issues in omnichannel capabilities, advanced marketing tools, or personalized customer experiences.
- Poor user experience issues like slow page load times and navigation difficulties lead to decreased conversions, retention rates, and loss of customer trust.
- Integration challenges with third-party systems, payment gateways, ERP systems, and marketing automation tools result in inefficient workflows and data silos.
- Cost issues, including ongoing maintenance, licensing fees, and customization expenses for the ecommerce platform
- Security concerns like breaches, data leaks, compliance risks due to outdated security protocols, lack of regular updates, or unsupported software versions.
- Expanding the medium-sized businesses requires a more robust and adaptable e-commerce platform.
- To have a competitive edge through technological innovation, enhancing customer experience, or increasing market share.
- Futureproofing is possible and allows your business to adapt to emerging trends, technologies, and consumer preferences in a constantly evolving digital space.
Examples of Ecommerce Replatforming
Several online stores have implemented replatforming, such as the ecommerce giant Amazon. One of the recent re-platforming examples is the popular American online retailer Warby Parker, which took up re-platforming in 2021.
Warby Parker is an online eyewear retailer, including prescription glasses and sunglasses. Since its inception in 2021, they have witnessed rapid growth, but with time, their existing platform couldn’t handle customer expectations and demand.
The company did a comprehensive assessment to identify the pain points of the existing platform while drawing out a plan that defined its objectives and business requirements.:
- After evaluating various ecommerce platforms, they chose Shopify Plus because of its scalability, flexibility, and robust features.
- Warby Parker successfully followed the data migration process, customization, configuration, and all the other processes involved with re-platforming.
- Right from testing and quality assurance to training and documentation, it was efficiently carried out before the deployment and launch in March 2021.
- The initial launch days were carefully monitored to handle and post-launch issues, gather user feedback, and make iterative improvements.
The outcome of re-platforming provided a better user experience and increased conversions. Warby Parker was able to scale up operations due to Shopify Plus’s flexible architecture.
Higher satisfaction rates, advanced security features, and continued growth while delivering enhanced user experience are now part of its brand story, showcasing a successful transition to a new e-commerce platform.
Hire an Ecommerce Replatforming Agency
Klizer offers expertise to help you mitigate the complexities of replatforming effectively, ensuring a seamless and successful migration process. With over 15 years of experience in ecommerce development services, this can save you significantly more money than attempting to undertake a complex re-platforming project independently.
FAQ
What should I look for when choosing a better eCommerce platform?
Based on the features, scalability, customization options, integration capabilities, pricing, and support, consider your business needs and objectives.
What is the cost of Klizer’s ecommerce replatforming services?
The cost of Klizer’s ecommerce replatforming includes platform licensing fees, development and customization costs, data migration, training, and ongoing maintenance and support. This cost can range from $40K to $89K.
How long does the ecommerce replatforming process take?
The ecommerce replatforming process can take at least 6 months, and it all depends on factors such as project complexity, platform migration, customization requirements, and testing phases
What are some best practices for a successful ecommerce re-platforming project?
Thorough planning, stakeholder alignment, clear communication, rigorous testing, phased implementation, and post-launch support and optimization.
