Online store development – from idea to a stable and scalable platform

In short: A properly configured WooCommerce online store can also handle large catalogues if the hosting, database, caching and images are optimised. Products can be imported from Excel, supplier XML or an API, and you can move from Wix, Mozello, Magento or Shopify while keeping product descriptions, prices, categories and attributes.

Online store development today is no longer just about putting products online. An online store has to work together with sales, logistics, the warehouse, payments, analytics and the company’s other systems. A properly developed online store can automate part of the daily work, such as processing orders and updating stock levels.

For many companies, a suitable solution is a WooCommerce-based online store with custom functionality and optimised performance.

Just a few years ago, it was a common view that WooCommerce was suitable only for smaller online stores. A properly configured WooCommerce environment can also handle catalogues with tens of thousands of products. Whether a store will run fast depends not only on the platform but also on:

• the choice of hosting;
• database optimisation;
• the cache configuration;
• the structure of the product catalogue;
• image optimisation.

Before launching a large catalogue, it is advisable to test performance with real product data and the expected visitor traffic.

Companies are often wary of building an online store because they think all products will have to be entered manually. That is not the case.

We can:

• import products from Excel files;
• connect to an existing warehouse system;
• synchronise data with accounting software;
• import products from supplier XML or an API;
• migrate products from another e-commerce platform.

This means you do not have to enter everything again. Online store development can start with migrating existing data, keeping product descriptions, prices, categories and attributes. How to prepare an Excel file for import is explained in the article Importing products into WooCommerce from Excel.

Many companies reach a point where their current platform starts to limit growth. Building an online store on WooCommerce lets you move to a more flexible solution that you can adapt to your needs. A comparison of platforms is in the article WooCommerce, Shopify, OpenCart or Magento.

Wix is a convenient platform for getting started, but for more complex e-commerce needs its capabilities may not be enough. Common problems:

• limited integration options;
• a complex data export structure;
• limited customisability;
• dependence on the platform’s infrastructure.

By migrating to WooCommerce, a company gains full control over the system and the ability to adapt it to its business needs.

Mozello is a hosted platform with simplified functionality. It suits a small online store, but:

• deep customisation is not available;
• pricing logic is limited;
• there are no complex B2B solutions;
• integrations are limited.

Building an online store on WooCommerce lets you move to a full system with wider development options.

Magento is a powerful platform, but maintaining and developing it usually requires developers with specific Magento experience, so even small changes can be expensive.

A WooCommerce solution is often more cost-effective:

• lower maintenance costs;
• simpler administration;
• faster implementation of functionality.

Whether WooCommerce can replace a specific Magento store depends on its features and integrations — this is assessed before migration.

Shopify is a hosted platform: the system is not bought but rented. This means:

• a monthly plan fee;
• depending on the plan and payment solution — transaction fees;
• functional limitations;
• dependence on the platform’s terms.

By migrating to WooCommerce, a company gains complete control over its online store and its data.

Online store development also has to include technical optimisation:

• page speed optimisation;
• tidying up the database;
• image compression;
• the cache configuration;
• resolving plugin conflicts.

The aim is for the online store to work fast and reliably and be ready for a heavier load.

We can connect an online store with:

• a warehouse system;
• accounting software;
• payment gateways;
• delivery service providers;
• parcel locker systems.

In addition, it is possible to:

• save enquiries (leads) and pass them to a CRM;
• automate order processing;
• synchronise stock levels.

An overview of payment solutions is in the article The most popular WooCommerce payment integrations in Latvia. In this case, online store development becomes the digitalisation of business processes rather than just building a website.

• Hannu-pro — a WooCommerce store with an Erply integration and content in several languages.
• B2B online store with custom pricing — prices for approved customers only, prices for buyer groups and by order volume, shipping costs by dimensions and weight.
• Toptrail — a product configurator integrated into the WooCommerce product logic, with price calculation during configuration and worldwide shipping.

Online store development is a strategic step in a company’s growth. A modern WooCommerce solution can handle large product volumes, integrate with other systems and run reliably in the long term.

If you need online store development, migration from Wix, Mozello, Magento or Shopify, product import from Excel or a connection between your system and a warehouse and CRM, get in touch with CREATING.LV. The packages and what they include are on the page WooCommerce online store development.

Related: Online store development · WooCommerce or Laravel.