14 Aug 2026 · 7 min read
Start with your operating model, not the platform
The right platform depends on how your business actually runs: how many products you carry, whether you sell wholesale as well as direct, how your stock is managed, and which systems already hold your customer and order data. Listing those requirements first turns a subjective platform debate into a straightforward comparison.
Write down the non-negotiables — subscriptions, tiered wholesale pricing, batch and lab-result publishing, age verification, multi-currency — and treat anything else as a preference.
Hosted platforms: speed and simplicity
Hosted platforms such as Shopify remove server management, handle updates and offer a large app ecosystem. That suits teams who want to launch quickly and keep technical overhead low. The trade-off is less control over the underlying stack and ongoing platform and app fees.
Self-hosted: control and ownership
WooCommerce on WordPress gives you full ownership of the codebase, database and hosting, and unrestricted customisation of catalogue, checkout and content. In exchange, you are responsible for hosting, updates, security and performance — which is why a maintenance plan should be part of the budget from day one.
Custom builds: when nothing off the shelf fits
A custom platform makes sense when your operating model is unusual — complex wholesale approvals, manufacturing data, or internal tooling that must sit alongside the store. It is the largest investment and should be justified by process requirements, not aesthetics.
Compliance sits above all of it
Whichever route you take, product claims, payment processing and advertising remain subject to applicable laws, regulations, platform policies and payment provider requirements. Confirm what your chosen platform and processor permit before building around a feature.