How to Build a Killer Ecommerce Tech Stack

My site can handle Black Friday traffic like a champ, and I can track every metric imaginable.

This could be you. With the right ecommerce tech stack, of course.

Having the right set of digital tools can make your online store run smoothly even on the busiest shopping days. It’s the glue that binds your digital operations and ensures seamless interactions at every user touchpoint.

In this guide, you'll learn what an ecommerce tech stack is, how to build one, and the best tools to use.

Pro tip: Use a localization management tool, Centus, to effortlessly localize your store and drive global sales. Learn more.

What is an ecommerce tech stack?

An ecommerce tech stack is a combination of software and services used to run an online store efficiently.

It’s the technical infrastructure behind your ecommerce business that enables website management, sales processing, customer relationship management, data analysis, and other critical functions.

Ecommerce tech stack is comprised of five components:

• Frontend: This is what your customers see and interact with. It includes your website's design, layout, and user interface.
• Backend: This is the engine of your ecommerce site, handling things like data storage, business logic, and integration with other systems — all behind the scenes.
• Middleware: This acts as a bridge, ensuring the frontend and backend can communicate and work together seamlessly. Examples of tools in this category are API managers and integration platforms.
• Databases: Repositories of your site’s information, such as product listings and customer data.
• Third-party integrations: Various tools and platforms that add payment processing, email marketing, analytics, or other functionalities to your online store.

Each part of your tech stack is crucial for your store's performance and management.

A good frontend setup keeps customers engaged, a solid backend ensures smooth operations, and the right middleware and databases keep everything connected and organized.

Additionally, integrating third-party software solutions can open doors to new functionalities, making your online store more versatile and easier to manage

How to build the best tech stack for ecommerce

Building a reliable and efficient tech stack for your ecommerce business is not something you enter into headfirst. There are multiple factors to consider and steps to take.

Here's how to go about it:

1. Write down your needs

• Business goals: Establish both short-term and long-term objectives for your online store. Identifying goals such as improving customer experience, increasing sales, or expanding to new markets will shape your tech stack decisions.
• Operational requirements: Evaluate the daily operations that need to be managed, like order processing, customer service, inventory management, and marketing.

2. Research and selection of tools

• Platform selection: Opt for an ecommerce platform that aligns with your business model and goals. Compare different platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento). Consider their features, ease of use, and scalability.
• Tool compatibility: Choose tools that are compatible with each other to avoid integration hassles later on. Most importantly, pick tools that are compatible with you. Check the learning curve and UI/UX reviews online.
• Expertise: Select tools from providers that offer comprehensive support including technical assistance, bug fixes, integration help, and custom development. This support ensures you have the necessary resources to tackle any issues or optimizations that may arise over time.

3. Integration considerations

• APIs and integrations: The right tech stack should play nice with other solutions. Pick tools that offer robust Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and integration options to ensure seamless communication among different systems within your tech stack.
• Complexity: Evaluate the complexity of the tech stack against the functionality it provides. While a complex tech stack can offer extensive functions, it may also increase operational costs due to maintenance and updates.
• Scalability: Opt for ecommerce solutions that can scale with your business growth. Scalable tools can accommodate increasing traffic and transactions as your ecommerce store grows, without a significant surge in costs or operational challenges.

4. Cost considerations

• Budgeting: Set a budget for building your tech stack. Consider the costs of software subscriptions, custom development, and third-party integrations. You might not need all the bells and whistles.
• Cost-benefit analysis: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis by comparing the costs against the potential benefits like time saved, increased sales, or improved customer satisfaction.
• Total cost of ownership (TCO): Calculate the long-term costs, including initial setup, subscriptions, maintenance, and upgrades.

For instance, if a tool costs $100 per month and requires an initial setup fee of $500, with an annual maintenance fee of $200, the TCO for the first year would be: ($100*12) + $500 + $200 = $1,700.

5. Implementation and training

• Deployment: Roll out the selected tools and make sure they are configured correctly to meet your requirements.
• Training: Organize software training sessions for you and/or your team. This is to ensure they can effectively utilize the new tools. Providing manuals or access to online resources can also be beneficial.

7. Security and compliance

• Data security: Choose tools and platforms that adhere to data security standards and regulations, ensuring the safety of your customer data.
• Legal compliance: Make sure your tech stack complies with legal requirements concerning customer data and privacy, especially that of the ecommerce industry.

6. Monitoring and optimization

• Performance monitoring: Keep an eye on the performance of your tech stack. Use analytics to measure its impact on your business objectives.
• Continuous improvement: Stay updated with the latest tech advancements, and be ready to tweak your tech stack to keep it optimized.

This structured approach will guide you in building a tech stack that not only meets your current needs but also has the room to grow alongside your ecommerce business.

Now that you know what factors to consider as you build your tech stack, let’s look at specific tools to add.

Top tools for your ecommerce tech stack

Kickstarting your ecommerce journey begins with a solid tech stack. Let’s look at the common tool categories, below:

Ecommerce store hosting platforms

Hosting platforms are crucial, as they store your website's data and ensure it's accessible to visitors around the clock. They significantly impact your site's speed, security, and scalability as your traffic grows.

Things to look out for in store hosting platforms include:

• Uptime reliability: Look for platforms with a high uptime guarantee, preferably 99.999% to ensure your site is always online.
• Load speed: Faster load times mean better user experience and SEO rankings. Check the average load time for that platform.
• Scalability: As your business grows, you'll need a platform that can handle increasing traffic and transactions smoothly.
• Security features: Ensure the platform has robust security measures to protect against data breaches.
• Customer support: Accessible and responsive customer support is crucial for addressing issues promptly.

Recommendations:

Shopify

• User-friendly with an intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners.
• Known for excellent uptime and load speed.
• Seamless scalability as your store grows.

BigCommerce

• Extensive customization options to align with your brand.
• Strong SEO performance to enhance your site's visibility on search engines.

Adobe Ecommerce (formerly Magento)

• Highly customizable, catering to specific needs. However, customization requires a technical background. Consider using a reliable Magento hosting provider that can handle complex hosting requirements.
• Ideal for large-scale enterprises due to its extensive feature set and scalability options.

Each platform caters to different business needs and sizes. Assessing your technical expertise, business goals, and budget will guide you in making an informed choice.

Ecommerce marketing tools

Marketing tools are your allies in attracting and engaging customers. They span across email marketing for personalized customer engagement, SEO tools for enhancing online visibility, social media promotion for brand awareness, and analytics for gauging your website's performance and understanding customer behavior.

Recommendations:

Mailchimp

• Unique features: Automation, audience segmentation, and multi-channel marketing.
• Pros: User-friendly, robust analytics.
• Cons: Higher pricing tiers are costly.

Ahrefs

• Unique features: Backlink analysis, keyword research, and competitor analysis.
• Pros: Extensive SEO data, user-friendly.
• Cons: Can be pricey for small businesses.

Buffer

• Unique features: Social media post scheduling and performance analytics.
• Pros: Simplifies social media management.
• Cons: Limited features on the free plan.

Selecting the right mix of marketing tools is crucial to effectively promote your store, understand your audience, and make informed decisions to grow your business.

Ecommerce social media tools

Social media tools are vital for managing your online presence, engaging with your audience, and promoting your products across various platforms. They help schedule posts, analyze performance, and monitor customer interactions.

Recommendations:

Hootsuite

• Unique features: Post scheduling, analytics, and social listening.
• Pros: Centralized social media management and extensive analytics.
• Cons: The interface might seem cluttered.

Sprout Social

• Unique features: Social CRM, post scheduling, and customer engagement tools.
• Pros: Comprehensive feature set and intuitive interface.
• Cons: Higher price point compared to competitors.

Later

• Unique features: Visual content scheduling, media storage, and multi-platform posting.
• Pros: User-friendly, especially for visual-centric platforms like Instagram.
• Cons: Limited analytics on lower-priced plans.

Managing your social media presence effectively is essential for ecommerce success. Selecting the right tools can streamline your social media activities, making it easier to engage with your audience and promote your products across different platforms.

Ecommerce CRM tools

CRM tools are your go-to platforms for maintaining and enhancing customer relationships. They help in organizing customer data, tracking interactions, and analyzing this data to derive actionable insights.

Features to look for include contact management, interaction tracking, lead management, and analytics. They can automate marketing campaigns, streamline communication, and facilitate targeted marketing, which is crucial for customer retention and driving sales.

Recommendations:

Salesforce

• Unique features: Extensive customer data management, automation, and analytics.
• Pros: Comprehensive feature set, highly customizable.
• Cons: A steep learning curve.

HubSpot

• Unique features: Contact management, email tracking, and lead generation.
• Pros: User-friendly, robust free version.
• Cons: Advanced features require payment.

Investing in a robust CRM tool can streamline your customer relationship management process by offering a centralized platform for all customer interactions and data. The use of such a platform can facilitate better communication and customer satisfaction.

Ecommerce customer service tools

Customer service tools are integral for managing customer inquiries and ensuring a positive customer experience. They centralize communication across email, chat, and social media.

Look for features like multi-channel support, automated ticketing, self-service options, and analytics. By using them, you can reduce response times, effectively process high volumes of inquiries, and analyze customer feedback to improve service quality.

Recommendations:

Zendesk

• Unique features: Multi-channel support, automated ticketing, and self-service options.
• Pros: Easy to use, scalable.
• Cons: Can get expensive as you scale.

Freshdesk

• Unique features: Omnichannel support, AI-powered chatbots, and self-service solutions.
• Pros: Intuitive interface, affordable pricing.
• Cons: Customization can be limited.

CRM and customer service tools are the backbone of customer interaction and support in ecommerce. They not only streamline the process but also provide valuable insights into customer behavior and satisfaction.

Ecommerce web development tools

Web development tools are crucial for building, designing, and maintaining your ecommerce website. They ensure your site is functional, user-friendly, and visually appealing. Look for tools that offer customization, support responsive design, and have robust security features.

Recommendations:

Shopify

• Unique features: User-friendly design, secure payment gateways.
• Pros: Extensive customization, large app marketplace.
• Cons: Monthly fees can add up.

WordPress with WooCommerce

• Unique features: Extensive customization, large community support.
• Pros: Scalable, SEO-friendly.
• Cons: Requires more technical knowledge.

In conclusion, choosing the right web development tool is crucial for creating a user-friendly and efficient ecommerce platform.

Ecommerce payment processing tools

Payment processing tools are essential for handling transactions on your ecommerce site. They should be secure, reliable, and offer a smooth checkout experience. Look for tools that support various payment methods and currencies, and have low transaction fees.

Recommendations:

Stripe

• Unique features: Customizable payment flows and support for multiple currencies.
• Pros: Secure, developer-friendly.
• Cons: Per-transaction fees.

PayPal

• Unique features: Trusted by consumers, straightforward setup.
• Pros: Wide acceptance and additional financial services.
• Cons: Fees can be high for small transactions.

A payment processing tool is one of the first tools to add and test on an ecommerce platform. They not only contribute to a seamless user experience but also ensure the security and reliability of transactions on your site.

Ecommerce inventory management tools

Effective inventory management is vital in maintaining the right balance of stock in your warehouses. Ecommerce inventory management tools help you monitor your stock levels, manage orders, track sales, and forecast future demand.

They offer real-time data on your inventory, provide alerts on low stock levels, and automate reordering processes to prevent stockouts or overstock situations. Effective inventory management can save costs, enhance customer satisfaction by ensuring timely deliveries, and provide valuable insights into sales trends.

Recommendations:

Shopify Inventory Management

• Unique features: Real-time tracking, automated restocking.
• Pros: Integrated with Shopify platform, easy to use.
• Cons: Less flexible for non-Shopify users.

Zoho Inventory

• Unique features: Order management, automated reordering.
• Pros: User-friendly, affordable.
• Cons: May require additional apps for full functionality.

Selecting an inventory management tool that aligns with your ecommerce needs can significantly streamline operations, reduce costs associated with stock discrepancies, and enhance customer satisfaction through timely order fulfillment.

Shipping and logistics tools

Shipping and logistics tools are central to fulfilling the promise of timely delivery to your customers. They facilitate the process from the moment an order is placed to its delivery to the customer's doorstep.

These tools help in automating shipping processes, managing returns, comparing shipping rates among carriers, and providing tracking information to customers. They ensure that the logistics operations are efficient, cost-effective, and customer-centric.

Recommendations:

ShipStation

• Unique features: Centralized shipping, automated label creation.
• Pros: Integrates with many ecommerce platforms, efficient shipping solutions.
• Cons: Monthly fee, setup can be complex for beginners.

Shippo

• Unique features: Discounted shipping rates, easy label printing.
• Pros: User-friendly, cost-effective.
• Cons: Limited international shipping options.

Investing in good shipping and logistics tools can drastically improve your delivery efficiency, reduce shipping errors, and provide a transparent tracking system for both you and your customers.

Ecommerce analytics tools

A good analytics tool will offer a variety of data visualization options to help you understand your metrics at a glance and should also provide real-time data to keep you updated on your store's performance as it happens.

Recommendations:

Google Analytics

• Unique features: Real-time data, audience insights.
• Pros: Comprehensive data, free to use.
• Cons: A steep learning curve for beginners.

Hotjar

• Unique features: Heatmaps, session recordings.
• Pros: Visual insights, easy to use.
• Cons: Limited historical data.

Having the right analytics tool helps you know how your store is performing. It clarifies what's working, what's not, and what you can improve to enhance customer experience and boost sales.

Ecommerce localization tools

When expanding your ecommerce business globally, localization tools are your best friend. They help translate your website content into different languages, adjust prices to local currencies, and even ensure that your site complies with local legal and cultural norms.

Look for localization tools that support a wide range of languages and regions, and ensure they offer an easy way to update localized content as your product offerings evolve.

Recommendations:

Shopify Plus

• Unique features: Multi-currency, local payment methods.
• Pros: Seamless integration, easy to use.
• Cons: Monthly fee, primarily for Shopify users.

Centus

• Unique features: Comprehensive localization, multi-language support, regional compliance assistance.
• Pros: Easy integration, robust language options, dedicated support, affordable.
• Cons: Subscription-based.

Localization tools pave the way for your ecommerce store to seamlessly fit into new markets. They handle the language and currency tweaks, making your products appealing to a global audience, and ensuring smooth operations across borders.