eCommerce Replatforming: What It Is and Steps to Implement It
eCommerce Replatforming is the process of migrating an online store from its current platform to a new technological solution aimed at improving performance, functionality, scalability, and user experience.
When a company launches its eCommerce for the first time, it’s common to choose a basic yet functional platform. Simple technologies are selected for their ease of implementation and learning, often including various "ready-to-use" features.
This approach seeks to minimize costs and time, prioritizing the start of sales over having an advanced eCommerce or a sophisticated user experience. At this initial stage, the main goal is simply to launch an online store that starts generating revenue.
This solution is usually sufficient for the first few years and allows digital sales to grow. However, as the business evolves, needs become more complex. Eventually, the initial platform no longer meets the expectations of the business or its users.
Problems start to pile up: the site becomes slow or experiences frequent downtime, adding new features becomes expensive, redesigning the interface or improving the purchase flow becomes a challenge, and optimizing key aspects like search, payment methods, email marketing, or loyalty programs becomes complicated. Moreover, integrating new platforms or tools can be technically and operationally very difficult.
In this context, it’s common to hear developers say things like: "It’s not possible," "It’s too complicated," or "It will take months." These signals indicate that the time has come for Replatforming—a strategic move to migrate to a more advanced platform capable of supporting the business’s growth.
What is eCommerce Replatforming?
eCommerce Replatforming is the process of migrating your digital commerce application to a more advanced, modern, and business-appropriate eCommerce platform.
This change is made to enhance functionality, scalability, performance, user experience, or integration with new tools.
eCommerce Replatforming is a strategic decision that involves careful planning, requirement analysis, and thorough testing to minimize risks and ensure a successful transition.
Advantages of eCommerce Replatforming:
Improved user experience and conversion rates.
Greater flexibility for customizations.
Scalability to support business growth.
Optimization of site speed and performance.
Integration with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence or advanced data analytics.
Undertaking eCommerce replatforming not only solves current issues but also lays the groundwork for growth and sustained success in the digital marketplace.
10 Reasons to Undertake eCommerce Replatforming
eCommerce Replatforming is a key strategic decision for businesses aiming to optimize their digital presence and stay competitive in an ever-evolving market. Here are the ten main reasons a business might take this crucial step:
Business Growth: The current platform cannot handle increased traffic, sales, or product catalog size, limiting the company's growth.
Customer Experience: Enhance site speed, usability, and personalization to deliver a superior user experience that boosts conversions and loyalty.
Lack of Functionality: The platform lacks essential features like advanced search, modern payment options, or integrated marketing tools.
Performance Issues: Slow page loads, frequent downtime, or problems during high-demand periods.
Scalability Needs: Prepare infrastructure for future growth, such as international expansion or the addition of new sales channels.
Poor Integrations: Difficulty connecting the platform with key tools like CRM, ERP, analytics, or marketing solutions.
High Operational Costs: Excessive expenses for maintaining, customizing, or updating an outdated platform.
Adoption of New Technologies: Transition to modern solutions like headless architectures, omnichannel commerce, or cloud-based technologies.
Compliance and Security: The current platform fails to meet security standards or provide adequate protection against cyber threats.
Flexibility and Control: The need for greater customization and control without relying solely on developers or external providers.
Replatforming not only addresses current challenges but also prepares the business to tackle future obstacles and seize opportunities in a competitive digital environment.
Steps for a Successful eCommerce Replatforming
Migrating to a new platform is not just a technological shift but also an opportunity to optimize operations, enhance the customer experience, and prepare the business for future challenges.
Here are the key phases and steps for efficiently executing a replatforming process and achieving a successful digital transformation:
Phase 1: Analysis and Planning (1-2 months)
During this phase, the limitations of the current platform are identified, and the objectives of the replatforming are defined. It is essential to evaluate business needs, customer expectations, and internal team requirements to select the most suitable solution.
Audit the Current Platform
Identify technical and functional limitations.
Analyze performance, integrations, and security.
Define Objectives
Establish the purpose of the replatforming (scalability, performance, new functionalities, UX).
Identify key goals such as sales growth or conversion rate optimization.
Select the New Platform
Evaluate options (e.g., composable commerce, SaaS, headless solutions).
Validate compatibility with business needs.
Map Requirements
Product catalog.
Payment and shipping methods.
Integrations (ERP, CRM, PIM, marketplaces).
Specific functionalities (advanced search, personalization).
Budget and Timeline
Estimate costs (infrastructure, hosting, licenses, development, migration, support, marketing, logistics, monitoring, and security).
Create a realistic timeline with milestones and deliverables.
Phase 2: Preparation (1-2 months)
Organize and clean the data to be migrated, including product, customer, and order information. Anticipate technical challenges and ensure data security throughout the migration process.
Form the Team
Internal: Stakeholders, PM, technical and marketing teams.
External: Technology partners, specialized agencies, freelancers.
Define KPIs
Metrics to evaluate success (load time, conversion rate, NPS).
Backup Data
Export and secure product, customer, and order data.
Design the Architecture
Choose an approach (monolithic or headless).
Ensure compatibility with future technologies.
Create wireframes and prototypes based on current experience and new goals.
Phase 3: Development (2-4 months)
Configure the new platform according to business requirements. Customize the design, integrate external tools like CRM or ERP, and develop specific functionalities. This phase builds the foundation for the eCommerce operation.
Technical Implementation
Set up the development environment.
Develop critical integrations (ERP, CRM, PSP).
Functional Testing
Validate core modules (checkout, search, catalog).
Data Migration
Transfer products, users, orders, and configurations.
Ensure data integrity.
Customizations and Extensions
Develop tailored functionalities to meet business needs.
Security Testing
Conduct vulnerability tests and ensure compliance.
Internal Training
Train teams on the new platform.
Phase 4: Testing and Launch (1-2 months)
Conduct thorough testing to ensure everything functions correctly, from navigation to payment processes. Once stable and meeting quality standards, launch the platform, preferably during low activity periods to minimize risks.
Quality Assurance Testing
QA across browsers, devices, and user scenarios.
Validate integrations.
Performance Testing
Stress testing to evaluate the platform's capacity.
Production Migration
Final implementation of data.
Verify correct functioning in the production environment.
Soft Launch
Controlled release for a small user segment.
Official Launch
Announce to customers and partners.
Monitor in real-time for the first 48 hours.
Phase 5: Post-Launch (Ongoing)
After launch, monitor the new platform’s performance and gather user feedback. Implement continuous adjustments and optimizations to fix issues, enhance experiences, and ensure long-term platform efficiency.
Monitoring and Support
Resolve bugs.
Monitor initial KPIs.
Continuous Optimization
Implement changes based on feedback.
Plan new iterations and improvements.
Project Evaluation
Analyze results vs. initial objectives.
Document lessons learned.
This structured approach ensures that replatforming is a smooth process, reducing risks and maximizing value for the business and its customers.
eCommerce Replatforming: Crucial for Your Business Success
eCommerce replatforming can be crucial for your business’s success because it allows you to overcome limitations that impact performance, customer experience, and growth potential.
Migrating to a more modern and efficient platform provides the flexibility and tools necessary to optimize operations and respond to the demands of a competitive digital market. Additionally, it can help reduce operational costs, ensure the security of your transactions, and comply with current regulations.
This strategic change not only resolves immediate issues but also positions your brand to seize new opportunities and remain relevant in the long term.
We understand that some digital leaders have concerns about undertaking a full replatforming due to:
High initial costs.
Time requirements.
The critical importance of choosing the right platform.
Increased business complexity.
Fears of errors and setbacks.
But there’s no need to fear; it’s part of the natural evolution of any business. If replatforming is necessary, it means digital commerce is growing, which indicates the business is doing well. And if we don’t adapt for the future, the future will come to us, and the business won’t be ready to face the new market needs.
