Choosing the Right Technology Stack for Your E-commerce Business

Guide to Choosing the Right Tech Stack for eCommerce Business

Starting an online business that succeeds requires you to make one important decision: picking the right e-commerce tech stack. Your tech stack is made up of all the tools, frameworks, and technologies you need to build and run your website. Your choice can really affect how your site works, how easy it is for customers to use, and how well it can grow with your business.

The right tech stack helps your site run smoothly, load quickly, and keep customer information safe. It also makes it easier to change things up when the market shifts or when your customers want something new.

What’s more? Well, an optimized tech stack improves security, provides regulatory compliance, and protects private consumer data. It also reduces the time needed to add new features and makes maintenance easier. Interesting, right?

You can keep reading the blog because here we will discuss:

  • Popular tech stacks for e-commerce website development
  • Factors to consider when choosing an e-commerce tech stack
  • Consequences of picking the wrong tech stack for e-commerce
  • Why third-party tech solutions are needed in the tech stack?
  • Tech stack used by e-commerce giants

Let’s get started!

[Also Read: Building a WordPress E-commerce Store: A Complete Guide.]

Popular Tech Stacks for E-commerce Website Development

You can build an effective and reliable online store when you know the best tech stack for an e-commerce website. But don’t worry if you are not aware of the right tech stack.

We have curated a list of popular tech stacks for e-commerce website development that you can go through to see which one best fits your business needs:

Popular Tech Stacks for E-commerce Website Development

1. Python-Django

Python-Django is a popular choice for building e-commerce websites. Django is a powerful web framework that uses Python and follows a structure called Model-View-Controller, making it easier to create scalable online stores.

Python-Django brings you unique features like an ORM that simplifies working with databases. It also comes with built-in tools for user authentication and security, along with reusable components to speed up development. Overall, it’s a great option for anyone looking to build a strong e-commerce site!

  • Web Server: Apache
  • Database Management: MySQL or PostgreSQL
  • Scripting Language: Python

2. LAMP Stack

The LAMP stack includes Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. It’s a widely used tech stack for e-commerce app development and web development. It also offers a stable environment for e-commerce apps and has a large community of developers. However, the LAMP stack is not scalable enough and is also low-performance.

  • Operating System: Linux
  • Web Server: Apache
  • Database Management: MySQL or MariaDB
  • Scripting Language: Perl / PHP / Python

3. MEAN Stack

The MEAN stack consists of MongoDB (NoSQL DB), Express.js (backend web framework), Angular (front-end framework), & Node.js (an open-source cross-platform server). This e-commerce stack is popular for its flexibility, real-time capabilities, and ease of development.

  • Database Management: MongoDB / MySQL
  • Backend Framework: Express
  • Web Application Framework: Angular
  • Backend Platform: Node.js

4. MERN Stack

MERN stack stands for MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. It helps create dynamic and high-performing e-commerce websites. This tech stack is known for its versatility, high performance, and ability to create dynamic and interactive web applications.

MERN Stack
    • MongoDB
    • A NoSQL database that uses a flexible JSON format.
    • Quickly handles large data sets.
    • Ideal for e-commerce sites needing real-time data.
    • Express.js
    • A lightweight Node.js framework for web apps.
    • Speeds up development with strong features.
    • Ensures smooth server-side operations.
    • React
    • A JavaScript library for creating user interfaces.
    • Lets you build responsive and dynamic front-end components.
    • Improves customer satisfaction with a smooth user experience.
    • Node.js
    • A JavaScript runtime for server-side programming.
    • Handles multiple connections, ideal for busy e-commerce sites.
    • Allows real-time data streaming.

[Also Read: Chatbots in E-commerce: Benefits + Use Cases Explained.]

Factors to Consider When Choosing an E-commerce Tech Stack

You can also consider the below-mentioned factors to find the best e-commerce tech stack:

1. Integration Options

When choosing a tech stack, you must think about how well it connects with other tools and services that you need. Good integration options mean you can easily connect your e-commerce site to payment gateways, shipping services, and marketing platforms.

This helps streamline your operations and makes everything run more smoothly. Plus, it saves you time and effort in the long run. So, make sure the tech stack you choose can work well with the systems you already use or want to use in the future.

2. Customizability

Customizability is important because every e-commerce business has its own unique needs. You should get a tech stack that lets you customize your website to fit your brand and meet your customers’ preferences.

Following this, look for frameworks and tools that allow you to easily modify features, design, and functionality. The more customizable your tech stack is, the better you can create a shopping experience that truly stands out from the competition.

3. Scalability

Another important factor you must consider when choosing your tech stack is scalability. Because it shows how well your technology can grow along with your business.

When your e-commerce site gets more customers and traffic, you need a system that can easily handle increased demand without slowing down. This way, you won’t have to worry about outgrowing your technology as your business grows.

4. User-Friendliness

A user-friendly tech stack is important for both your team and your customers. It should be easy for developers to work with and for users to navigate without any hassle. A simple interface helps reduce errors and speeds up development time, which is always a plus!

For customers, a smooth shopping experience leads to higher satisfaction and more sales, so it’s really worth considering. Make sure the tools you choose are easy to use because happy users are likely to return.

5. Cost

Cost is always a key factor when selecting a tech stack, so don’t overlook it. Along with the initial setup costs, you must also consider ongoing expenses like hosting, maintenance, and updates. And then look for solutions that fit within your budget while still meeting all your needs. By investing a bit more upfront, you can save money in the long run, as this will eliminate the need for frequent upgrades.

[ Read More: Complete Guide to E-commerce App Development: Cost & Features.]

6. API & Developer Resources

APIs are essential for connecting different software applications. A good tech stack should offer strong API support so developers can easily integrate new features or services as needed.

You must also check for developer resources like documentation, tutorials, and community support. These resources make it easier for your team to solve problems quickly and build new functionalities without getting stuck.

Consequences of Picking the Wrong Tech Stack for E-commerce

When you fail to choose the right tech stack for your e-commerce store, you might face challenges in terms of security vulnerabilities, limited integration, and more. In short, your decision to pick the tech stack decides whether your investment will bring in the desired results or not.

Below are common pitfalls of picking the wrong tech stack:

Consequences of Picking the Wrong Tech Stack for E-commerce

1. Limited Scalability

The technology stack you choose for your e-commerce site must handle more traffic, transactions, and a growing number of products. If it can’t keep up, your site will load slowly and perform poorly, which can hurt your ability to grow your business.

Imagine picking a tech stack that cannot handle heavy traffic during busy times like Black Friday. Thus, your website becomes slow and unresponsive, leaving customers frustrated. And it leads to abandoned shopping carts and lost sales.

2. Poor User Experience

Choosing the wrong technology stack can negatively impact the user experience on your e-commerce platform. Wondering how? Well, if your pages load slowly or the navigation is clunky, it can frustrate users and make them leave.

Providing a smooth and user-friendly experience is essential for keeping customers happy and engaged. After all, a great experience leads to better satisfaction and higher conversions!

3. Limited Customization

Every e-commerce business has its needs and features. It means when you choose the wrong tech stack, it can limit your ability to customize and adapt your platform to fit specific requirements.

This can further make it harder for you to provide a personalized experience, add the features you want, or stand out from your competitors. That’s why you must select a tech stack that allows you the flexibility to grow and meet your business goals!

4. Security Vulnerabilities

Selecting an outdated tech stack can put your e-commerce platform at risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and financial loss. That’s why you must focus on security measures and choose a tech stack that offers strong protection against cyber threats.

5. Inefficient Integration

An inefficient tech stack can make it difficult to connect your e-commerce website with third-party tools, services, or APIs. This includes payment gateways, inventory management systems, or shipping providers. When integration becomes difficult, it even leads to operational inefficiencies and increased manual work.

6. High Maintenance Costs

When you choose a tech stack without thinking about long-term maintenance and support, it can cost you more in the future. And if you go with outdated technologies, you will find that there isn’t much community support available, making it hard to find skilled developers or get timely updates and bug fixes. As a result, you can face higher development and maintenance costs down the line.

Why Third-Party Tech Solutions Are Needed in the Tech Stack?

When it comes to the e-commerce technology stack, third-party solutions play an essential role. Below are some of the most popularly used third-party web technologies:

Most Popularly Used Third-Party Tech Solutions

1. Payment Gateways

Your e-commerce platform should have a good payment gateway to offer your customers a safe and easy shopping experience. This ensures that the transactions go smoothly and deliveries arrive right at customer's doors, helping build customer loyalty and increase sales. Below are some common payment gateways you can choose from:

  • PayPal
  • Authorize.net
  • Ayden
  • Stripe
  • Braintree
  • 2checkout
  • Checkout.com

2. Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is all about using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your products or services. It’s becoming really popular among both researchers and businesses. This type of marketing helps boost brand awareness, drive more traffic to your site, and promote what you’re selling. Below are the commonly used social media marketing tools:

  • Hootsuite
  • Buffer
  • Marketing 360

3. Inventory Management Software

Inventory management refers to the process of planning, storing, buying, and selling stock, whether it’s raw materials or finished products. With good inventory management, you can keep track of what you have, save money, and reduce the risk of overselling. It also boosts profits and improves productivity. Below are popular inventory management software options:

  • Square for Retail
  • Lightspeed
  • NetSuite

4. CRM

CRM is a system that helps manage marketing, sales, and customer service activities. It collects and analyzes customer data, both structured and unstructured, so businesses can understand their customers better. It automates workflows and organizes data, making it easier for brands to engage effectively with their customers. Common CRM software options are:

  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • Nimble CRM
  • Zoho
  • InfoFlo
  • Microsoft Dynamics

5. E-commerce Analytics Tools

E-commerce analytics tools help business analysts gather insights through statistical tools, data mining, and predictive modeling. This helps businesses understand customer behavior and sales trends, allowing them to make smarter decisions. Some of the popular e-commerce analytics tools include:

  • KISSmetrics
  • Piwik
  • Hotjar
  • Woopra

Tech Stack Used by E-commerce Giants

Want to know what tech stack e-commerce companies that are ruling the market use? Keep scrolling!

1. Amazon

Amazon.com is a big American tech company that focuses on cloud computing, eCommerce, artificial intelligence, and digital streaming.

Tech Stack of Amazon

It's the largest online marketplace in the world, starting out by selling books but quickly expanding to offer everything from software and clothes to electronics and furniture. By the end of 2024, Amazon's sales are expected to reach between $138 billion and $143.5 billion.

2. eBay

eBay Inc. is a big American eCommerce company that lets people buy and sell items through its website.

Tech Stack of eBay
  • Users worldwide – 132 million active users
  • Live listings – 1.9 billion

3. Walmart

Walmart is a major American retail company that operates discount department stores, hypermarkets, and grocery stores.

Tech Stack of Walmart

It has over 10,500 locations in 24 countries, each under different names. Walmart started in 1962 when Sam Walton opened the first store in Arkansas and has since become the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the world, offering a wide range of products from groceries to electronics.

  • Revenue Worldwide – $648 billion
  • Net Sales Worldwide – $643 billion
  • Customers Worldwide – 240 million
  • Stores Globally – 10,000

4. Etsy

Etsy is an American eCommerce company that specializes in vintage and handmade items, as well as craft supplies.

Tech Stack of Etsygt

You can find a wide variety of products on Etsy, including bags, jewelry, home decor, clothing, and much more.

  • Gross Merchandise Sales – $13.161 billion
  • Revenue (in 2020) – $2.748 billion
  • Active Sellers – 105 million people

How Protonshub Technologies Can Help You With E-commerce Development?

Protonshub Technologies is a leading company, offering excellent e-commerce development services. We develop websites that match traditional business needs by using the best tech stack for e-commerce. Our team ensures that your online store is built by using the best stack for e-commerce websites.

Our talented individuals and teams work with front-end development frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.js, as well as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Likewise, we use robust back-end technologies like Node.js, Python, and PHP to keep your website secure and quick. Not to mention, we use databases like MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL to manage data.

When you partner with us, you choose a team of experienced professionals dedicated to helping you reach your business goals. We work with you to find the most advanced and suitable tech stack for your eCommerce website.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can use many technologies to build an e-commerce website, like WordPress, Shopify, and Magento. However, the best tech stack for your e-commerce site depends on the specific needs of your business and what your website requires.

Before designing your e-commerce website, think about a few important technical factors. Look at how scalable the technology stack is, how easily it integrates with payment gateways and other services, and the user experience design. It’s important to choose a tech stack that supports responsive design, works well, and has good security features.

Choose a tech stack that includes strong security features like SSL certificates, data encryption, and secure payment gateways to keep your e-commerce website secure. You must also follow best practices like regular updates and security audits to protect your website from cyber threats.

To know about the e-commerce platform that a site is using, head straight to the footer. You can find information about any e-commerce website by checking its source code. To do this, just right-click on the webpage and select "View Page Source" or "Inspect." This will show you the website's code, where you can look for the website's name and get the information you need.

There are lots of frameworks out there for building eCommerce websites, like Wix, Squarespace, and PrestaShop. But the right one for you will depend on what your business needs. So, be sure to check out all the options and choose the one that works best for you!

Ekta

Ekta Singh

"Senior Content Writer"

Ekta Singh is a rookie food experimentalist and k-drama fan with 4+ years of experience in writing. Bridging gaps between companies and customers through conversion-driven content is her forte. She believes in writing stories for a living and living life for exploring places.