Compare the top e-commerce platforms.

Actual share of ecommerce platforms worldwideActual share of e-commerce platforms worldwide (Click for live chart)
MAKING THE RIGHT E-COMMERCE PLATFORM CHOICE requires carefully assessing needs in advance, and making sure the platform handles your current and anticipated future commerce demands. There are many platform choices, from open source plug-ins, hosted bundles, and custom deployments. 


This chart shows the actual share of live sites worldwide. 

most used e-commerce platforms

An open and closed case for security

OPEN PLATFORMS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE of contributions from independent developers all over the world. There are lots of design templates, functional tools, and free plug-ins. Unfortunately, while some of those developers are very talented and provide an enormous value, others are sloppy, misinformed, and malicious. And there is no oversight or recourse for dysfunctional or even deliberately destructive code. As a result, we are cautioning clients about two of the most common open platforms:​
Wordpress with Woo CommerceWordpress
​Wordpress: Built for blogging, it has expanded to become the most popular website platform. However, the same approach that makes it easy to use for non-technical people also makes it very easy to hack, often without the owner having any indication. Lungfish recommends against using Wordpress, especially for transaction processing (in particular the legendary flimsy Woo Commerce plugin).
Magento ecommerceMagento
​Magento: Yes, the pioneering enterprise e-commerce platform has a hacking problem too. For big stores with high transactions, the potential exposure of credit cards and customer PII is serious. With so many high profile security breaches in the news (IRS and federal payroll records, among others), large e-commerce operators are wise to consider the consequences of appearing on the front page, and make sure to have security expertise on board. 

Best e-commerce platforms offer feature sets including:

  • Design "templates" (free and paid) with customization
  • Shopping cart/checkout using major credit cards (AmEx, Visa, MC, Discover) and/or Paypal, Google Checkout, cash, check, and wire transfer
  • Customer account structure, with contact info, login password, purchase history, and taxable status (with EIN number)
  • Vendor account structure, with contact info, realtime email notification, and wholesale prices on purchase orders
  • Administrator account structure, with access controls to a variety of permissions – eg: Mike has full privileges, Jerry can manage accounting reports but not product data, Chelsea can enter orders but can’t adjust discount codes, etc
  • Compatibility for all major browsers and operating systems
  • Ability to manually enter offline sales using the same systems, for automated fulfillment and centralized record-keeping
  • Real-time email receipts for purchasers, and companion email notices to 3rd party suppliers for backorder/re-order when inventory hits a trigger level
  • Items from multiple suppliers in the same purchase, with separate routing
  • PCI-compliant encryption (https:)
  • Integrated Content Management System (CMS) with SEO features
  • Ability to link specific products for purchase via product pages for promotion – eg: Get the "Smart Energy 2100 Switch Now!” and click directly to that item – as well as providing a traditional “browsing” experience based on reviewing categories
  • Support for physical inventory purchase, as well as download of software/media/PDF
  • Date-specific inventory, including "pre-order"
  • Code-level access to purchase confirmation page (s) for placement of conversion codes and analysis
  • Options for account checkout, guest checkout, and one-page checkout
  • Detailed and robust reporting
  • Site search
  • State-by-state sales tax “rules”
  • National/International shipping tools
  • Unlimited promotional codes for coupons, discounts, and gift cards, with compliance controls, expiration controls, and minimum purchase rules
  • 24x7x365 technical support via chat, phone, and/or online “ticket” system
  • Returns/RMA authorization.
  • Import/Export feature for management of inventory details
  • “Chat” functionality
  • Integration with social media – eg: email newsletter signup, individual product reviews, Facebook “Like” buttons, etc.
  • Integration with QuickBooks for easy accounting, CRM, and other business systems
  • Points-based loyalty rewards program
  • eBay, Amazon, Google, and other retail platform integration
  • Facebook and Google+ social integration
  • “Wishlist” functionality, where customers can select items they want for later purchase (primarily consumer/retail for gift giving)
  • Affiliate account structure with custom links by source and automatic commission tracking
  • "Responsive" design compatibility with all devices (NOTE: this is a fluid aspect as smartphone technology advances faster than associated industries can keep pace)