• eCommerce platform for manufacturers

Best eCommerce platform for manufacturers

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By Vipul Uthaiah

COO, WeframeTech Headless Commerce Expert

03/04/2025

12 mins

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Who is this content for?

This article is specifically for professionals in the B2B manufacturing sector—especially CTOs, CIOs, and VPs of Engineering—who are frustrated with their current eCommerce tech stack. Maybe your existing platform is slow, doesn’t scale the way you need, lacks customization and flexibility, or comes with high licensing fees. If you’re actively looking for the best eCommerce platform tailored to the needs of a manufacturing business, this content is for you.

In this blog, we’ll share insights based on our hands-on experience working with enterprise manufacturing clients, covering:

  • Which eCommerce platforms are best suited for manufacturers

  • How pricing typically works

  • Which platform fits which stage of scale

  • How to choose the right one based on your business needs

  • The kind of ROI you can expect

  • And our opinion on what makes certain platforms stand out

The eCommerce space is large and often confusing—our goal is to help you cut through the noise and confidently choose a solution that aligns with your operational and technical goals.

Important note:

This content won’t dive too deep into technical comparisons. Every eCommerce platform has its own pros and cons, and if you’re looking for a purely technical breakdown, this might not be the right fit. This article is designed for business decision-makers who want to understand different perspectives, evaluate options clearly, and know when each platform makes sense.

Our goal is to give you the clarity and confidence to make the right call—backed by our experience and expertise working with manufacturers like you.

Best Headless eCommerce Platforms for Manufacturers: A Complete List

Before we get into the deeper analysis and share real-world insights from our experience, here’s a high-level overview of the leading headless eCommerce platforms tailored for manufacturers. This list will give you a solid starting point to understand what options are out there—so you can follow along with the comparisons and decide which ones are worth exploring further based on your business goals and challenges.

Medusa JS

Medusa JS — The Best headless commerce platform built on Node.js. It offers flexibility, zero licensing fees, and complete control over the codebase. Suitable for brands with complex requirements and custom data flows.

Commerce Layer

Commerce Layer — An API-first platform designed for brands looking to expand internationally. It supports multi-region operations and scalability, with a lower total cost of ownership for businesses seeking quick global reach.

Commercetools

Commercetools s — A platform focused on headless and composable commerce. It provides a modular approach, designed for enterprises needing scalability and customization.

 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce — A SaaS platform offering out-of-the-box features at a competitive cost. While budget-friendly, it has limitations in flexibility compared to fully composable solutions.

Unlike traditional platforms or even headless solutions, composable commerce allows businesses to select best-of-breed components and integrate them seamlessly, enabling unparalleled flexibility and customization.

When to Switch to Composable Commerce as a Manufacturer

For manufacturers exploring digital transformation, moving to a composable commerce setup can be a game-changer. It allows for more flexibility, modular architecture, and greater control over operations, product data, and distribution channels. Pricing remains a critical factor—both in terms of current costs and where your manufacturing business is headed over the next 5 to 10 years.

Let’s take an example: a mid-to-large manufacturer with $50M in annual revenue looking to scale operations across 15 new international markets, each with unique pricing, catalogs, and distribution models.

What would the total cost of ownership look like across platforms? Here's a breakdown:

Platform Annual License/Subscription Hosting Costs Support Min. Team (Tech Roles) Est. Team Cost (Annual)
Bigcommerce ~100–180k (custom usage-based plan; no GMV % penalt‪y)​ External – front-end hosting required (est. $60–180k/yr) Standard support incl.; premium available ~2–3 (front-end & back-end devs; +ops) ~$250–$300k/yr (2 Devs ~$200k; +Ops ~$80k)
Commerce Layer ~$50–100k (custom usage-based plan; no GMV % penalt‪y)​commercelayer.io External – front-end hosting required (est. $60–180k/yr) Standard support incl.; premium available ~2–3 (front-end & back-end devs; +ops) ~$200–$300k/yr (2 Devs ~$200k; +Ops ~$80k)
commercetools ~$138k (for 600k orders/yr)​commercelayer.io<br>*($11.5k/mo usage-based)*anually 250 to 300k External – must host front-end (est. $60–150k/yr) Standard support incl.; premium tier opt. ~3 (front-end, back-end, DevOps) ~$300k/yr (3 Devs/Ops ~$100k each)
Medusa.js (Open Source) $0 license (open source)
+$40k official cloud
External – self-host back-end & site (est. $60–150k/yr) Community support (no SLA); self-support ~2–3 (back-end & front-end devs; +ops) ~$250k/yr (Dev(s) ~$180k; +Ops/extra ~$70k)
 

Key Considerations for Manufacturers:

Scalability:

Manufacturers need a platform that can support complex operations across multiple regions, including varied product configurations, partner networks, and fulfillment models.

Customization:

The platform must offer deep customization to accommodate unique B2B workflows, pricing tiers, distributor relationships, and market-specific catalogs.

Cost Efficiency:

Minimizing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and IT maintenance is essential, especially when managing multiple systems like ERP, PIM, and inventory.
(Note: The costs provided below are estimates based on real-world implementations and recent industry benchmarks.)

Choosing the Right Ecommerce Platform for Manufacturers & B2B

When manufacturers explore ecommerce transformation, platform selection becomes a strategic decision. It’s not just about selling online—it’s about integrating complex supply chains, supporting distributor models, managing custom pricing, and enabling digital self-service for B2B customers. Here's how top ecommerce platforms compare, with a spotlight on Medusa JS as a leading solution for modern manufacturers.

When to Choose Medusa JS

Best Fit For:

B2B manufacturers with complex product configurations
Businesses requiring deep backend customization and integrations (ERP, PIM, WMS)
Teams looking to reduce licensing fees and gain full control of infrastructure

Why Medusa JS Works for Manufacturers:

  • Full Control Over Infrastructure — Built on Node.js, Medusa JS allows complete backend ownership and customization.

  • B2B Commerce Features — Supports purchase orders, volume-based pricing, and customer-specific catalogs.

  • Modular & Headless — Easily integrates with legacy systems or modern microservices (ERP, CMS, CRM).

  • Cost Efficient — No licensing or transaction fees; ideal for long-term scaling.

3 Real-World Use Cases for Manufacturers:

Custom Furniture Manufacturer — Configurable Products & Made-to-Order

  • Dynamic product builder (materials, sizes, features)

  • Custom checkout logic for complex purchases

  • Multi-warehouse shipping and production sync

B2B Electronics Manufacturer — Tiered Pricing & Purchase Orders

  • Custom pricing per customer group or distributor

  • API-driven B2B portal with quote requests and bulk ordering

  • Tight ERP integration for inventory and invoicing

Industrial Components Supplier — Regional Distribution Networks

  • Localized catalogs per market or distributor

  • Role-based access for procurement teams

  • Automated fulfillment via API with warehouse partners

When to Choose commercetools

Best Fit For:

Enterprise manufacturers with global operations and large product catalogs
Companies needing modular microservices architecture

Why It’s Useful:

  • High scalability and flexibility

  • Seamless integration with enterprise systems

  • Complex product and pricing logic supported out-of-the-box

Use Case Example:

A multinational manufacturer manages 50,000+ SKUs across different countries, each with unique pricing, tax, and logistics rules. commercetools enables custom workflows without performance tradeoffs.

When to Choose BigCommerce

Best Fit For:

Small to mid-sized manufacturers launching B2B ecommerce
Companies with limited development resources needing fast time-to-market

Why It’s Useful:

  • Built-in B2B features like customer groups, tiered pricing, and quote management

  • Easy setup and lower upfront cost

  • Integrates with many ERPs and inventory systems via apps

Use Case Example:

A mid-sized parts manufacturer uses BigCommerce to launch a distributor portal with gated pricing, minimum order thresholds, and net payment terms, all with minimal developer support.

When to Choose Commerce Layer

Best Fit For:

Manufacturers with global distribution needs and multi-market complexity
Teams needing flexible APIs for localized experiences and headless commerce architecture

Why It’s Useful:

  • API-first and headless — Ideal for composable architecture and front-end freedom

  • Multi-market support — Built-in capabilities for managing multiple catalogs, price lists, and languages

  • Localization and compliance — Designed to support regional tax, currency, and fulfillment regulations

  • Scalable and modular — Works well with JAMstack, ERP systems, and order orchestration platforms

Use Case Example:

A global manufacturer operating across Europe, Asia, and North America uses Commerce Layer to manage localized storefronts, price lists, and regional fulfillment partners while maintaining a unified backend infrastructure.

Summary

Platform Comparison

Platform Ideal For Key Strengths TCO
Medusa JS Manufacturers needing deep customization Full control, zero license fees, B2B flexibility Low
commercetools Enterprise manufacturers with global complexity Composable, scalable, highly modular Medium-High
BigCommerce Smaller manufacturers launching quickly B2B-ready, fast setup, good app ecosystem Medium
Commerce Layer Manufacturers with multi-market operations API-first, localized pricing/catalogs, headless flexibility Medium

 

Why We Don’t Recommend Shopify or Shopify Plus for Manufacturers

While Shopify Plus is a popular choice for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, it falls short for manufacturing businesses—especially those operating in B2B environments or dealing with complex workflows, custom pricing, or regulated products.

Key Limitations for Manufacturers:

1. Limited Native B2B Functionality

Shopify is built for retail-style ecommerce. Manufacturers often need:

  • Customer-specific pricing

  • Volume-based discounts

  • Purchase orders, quote requests, and net terms

  • Bulk ordering workflows

  • Invoice-based payments

These features are only available through third-party apps, leading to patchwork solutions that often lack the flexibility or depth required for industrial use cases—and can become fragile at scale.

2. Poor Fit for Custom Workflows & Infrastructure Integration

Manufacturers rely on tight integration with backend systems like ERPs, WMS, MES, and PIMs. Shopify’s closed ecosystem and limited backend access make it difficult to support:

  • Real-time inventory sync from multiple warehouses

  • Advanced order routing logic

  • Custom product configuration or BOM (Bill of Materials) management

Additionally, Shopify’s hosted architecture and API limitations create challenges for deep integration with custom logistics software or legacy platforms.

3. Multi-Store Complexity for International or Distributor Markets

Shopify requires creating separate store instances for each region or partner group. This adds operational overhead and increases cost and complexity when managing localized catalogs, pricing, and compliance.

4. Difficulty Handling Complex Product Structures

Manufacturers often deal with large SKU counts, multi-variant configurations, and dependency-based pricing. Shopify’s native product architecture isn't built for:

  • Configurable products

  • Dynamic BOM logic

  • Conditional variant pricing based on configuration inputs

5. Restrictions Around Regulated or Specialized Products

Shopify Plus enforces strict compliance rules, which prohibit or heavily restrict the sale of many product types commonly found in industrial manufacturing, including:

  • Industrial tools with weapon-adjacent applications

  • Medical equipment or regulated components

  • Export-controlled or restricted parts

Real-World Example: Why Shopify Didn't Work for Our Australia-Based Client

We worked with our Australia-based client, the number one welding machine supplier in the country. They approached us after struggling to make Shopify fit their business model. Their key challenges included:

  • Integrating with ERP and PIM systems

  • Managing a complex SKU structure with numerous variants

  • Supporting export workflows and custom product configurations

Despite building multiple proofs of concept (POCs), we consistently encountered platform limitations. In the end, Shopify couldn’t meet their operational complexity or technical requirements—a common issue for manufacturers pushing beyond basic ecommerce needs.

 

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Appendix 1 — How to Shortlist Vendors?

So how can you distill the best Composable Commerce Platform down?

In some ways, it is a pretty challenging task.

You’ve probably exhausted a lot of energy winning the traditional (monolithic) vs. modern (Composable) commerce battle and now you have to go again?

Firstly — a lot will depend on your role. Technology leaders and marketing leaders will likely have very different views as to what best looks like.

  1. Market Leaders: You could go for one of the market leaders — but if you do, that needs to come with a health warning as claims and evidence of ‘price gouging’ are rampant (especially on Reddit forums).

  2. Agency Recommendations: You can rely on your agency partner to suggest a preferred platform. However, keep in mind that enterprise commerce providers like SAP and Salesforce have agency partnerships, meaning agencies often receive 10–15% of the revenue from each client through these platforms. So, it’s worth double-checking whether their recommendation truly aligns with your business needs or if it’s influenced by commission incentives..

  3. MACH Alliance Listings: You could refer to the MACH Alliance listings for Composable Platforms.

  4. G2 and Capterra Reviews: G2 and Capterra reviews can also help you shortlist your chosen criteria.

  5. New Entrants: Finally, you can assess if any of the newer entrants like Medusa JS offer some unique characteristics that appeal.

Best Tech Stack for Headless Commerce

When building a headless commerce solution, selecting the right tech stack is crucial for ensuring scalability, flexibility, and performance. Here’s a detailed look at the best tech stack components:

CMS (Content Management System)

Looking to choose the best headless CMS for your eCommerce store? Check out this dedicated article to help you make the right decision!

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Tracking and Analytics

  • Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Provides comprehensive tracking and analytics for understanding user behavior and optimizing marketing strategies.

  • Segment: A powerful tool for collecting, managing, and routing data to various analytics and marketing platforms.

  • Mixpanel: Offers advanced analytics and user behavior tracking, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.

Advanced Analytics

  • Metabase: An open-source platform for creating custom dashboards and visualizing data.

  • Tableau: A robust analytics platform for in-depth data analysis and visualization.

  • Power BI: Microsoft’s business analytics tool for creating interactive dashboards and reports.

Custom Dashboard

  • Snowflake: A cloud-based data warehousing solution that provides scalable and secure data storage and analytics.

  • Looker Studio: A powerful tool for creating custom dashboards and visualizing data.

  • Metabase: An open-source platform for creating custom dashboards and visualizing data.

User Behavior Tracking

  • Hotjar: Provides heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback tools to understand user behavior.

  • FullStory: Offers comprehensive session replay and user behavior analysis.

  • Amplitude: Focuses on product analytics and user behavior tracking.

Fast Delivery and Caching

  • Content Delivery Network (CDN): Services like Cloudflare, Akamai, or AWS CloudFront for fast content delivery.

  • Caching Solutions: Tools like Redis or Varnish for improving performance and reducing load times.

A/B Testing and Optimization

  • Optimizely: A leading platform for A/B testing and personalization.

  • VWO (Visual Website Optimizer): Offers comprehensive A/B testing and optimization tools.

  • Google Optimize: An integrated tool for A/B testing and personalization with Google Analytics.

 



User Search Queries

  • Algolia: A powerful search engine that provides fast and relevant search results.

  • Elasticsearch: An open-source search engine that offers advanced search capabilities.

  • Typesense: A modern, open-source search engine that is easy to set up and use.

Customer Queries

  • Zendesk: A comprehensive customer service platform for managing customer queries.

  • Intercom: A customer messaging platform that helps businesses engage and support customers.

  • Freshdesk: A customer support software that offers robust ticketing and support features.

Payment Processing

  • Stripe: A popular payment gateway that offers robust APIs and extensive features.

  • PayPal: A widely-used payment solution that supports multiple payment methods.

  • Braintree: A payment gateway that provides flexible and secure payment processing.

These components form a robust tech stack for building a headless commerce solution, ensuring that your platform is scalable, flexible, and optimized for performance.

Our Recommendation: Why Medusa JS is Best

Medusa JS stands out as the best composable commerce solution for several key reasons:

  1. Open Source Leadership:

  • Many of the world’s best software solutions powering global infrastructure are open source. Examples include:

  • Linux: Powers NASDAQ, top 500 supercomputers, 96% of web servers, NASA missions, and major cloud providers.

  • Docker, TensorFlow, Git, Kubernetes: All leading technologies are open source, enabling global developer collaboration, code transparency, and full control.

2. Flexibility and Scalability:

  • Medusa JS is a leading Node.js-based open-source composable solution that provides unmatched flexibility over code and data flow.

  • Its architecture supports complex integrations with POS, ERP, and custom manufacturing systems, making it ideal for brands with diverse SKUs and complex requirements.

  • Scalability with Medusa JS is virtually endless, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) is the highest among its competitors.

For businesses seeking full control over their commerce stack, minimal transaction fees, and extensive customization capabilities, Medusa JS is the future-proof choice.

What’s the Cost to Build a eCommerce Site Like This?

It's difficult to provide an exact figure without detailed requirements, but to give you an estimate, let’s assume a typical client profile we often work with:

A manufacturing business generating around $20M in revenue, operating in three countries, currently using outdated systems like an old version of Salesforce, along with legacy ERP and PIM systems. If such a company wants to transition to a modern direct-to-consumer (D2C) eCommerce platform, the project would typically involve:

  • Full product data migration

  • URL redirection and SEO-safe migration of all indexed pages

  • Handling over 2,000+ products with multiple variants and SKUs

  • Integration with ERP, CRM, PIM, and offline sales channels

  • Maintaining continuity across multiple platforms and sales systems

In India, projects of this scale usually take 6 to 7 months—these are not simple websites. Working with manufacturers, we bring deep market understanding and subject-matter expertise to manage complex integrations and data migrations smoothly.

For a project like this, costs in India typically range from $80,000 to $150,000+, depending on the complexity. Please note, this estimate does not include a B2B portal, which is often a separate requirement for manufacturing clients.

So for a B2C eCommerce platform tailored to a manufacturing business with complex product structures and high-volume operations, this would be a realistic range.

What About the Same Project in the U.S. or Other Western Markets?

In contrast, the same project in the U.S. typically costs between $600,000 and $1 million or more. Agencies specializing in composable commerce and enterprise headless solutions often charge well into the millions, especially when building fully custom integrations with ERP, PIM, CRM, and OMS systems.

Interestingly, despite these high fees, up to 80% of the actual development work is often outsourced to developers in Asian countries—including India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. So while clients may be paying enterprise-level fees, much of the execution is still being handled offshore.

This creates a major opportunity: by working directly with expert teams based in these regions (like ours), manufacturers can access the same technical expertise and architectural standards—at a fraction of the typical cost charged by Western firms.

When Will a Headless Ecommerce Project Start Delivering Value for Manufacturers?

For manufacturers, shifting to a modern headless ecommerce platform isn’t just about building a better website—it’s about improving efficiency, reducing costs, and creating a foundation for long-term growth.

Based on our work with industrial and manufacturing companies, we typically see ROI within 3 to 5 months after launching a headless setup. And in many cases, the benefits begin even sooner.

Realistic Scenario: What the Numbers Look Like

Let’s say your manufacturing business earns:

  • $5 million per month in revenue

  • With a 20% profit margin, that’s $1 million in monthly profit

You’re currently using a traditional ecommerce platform that costs:

  • $1 million per year in licensing and fees (~$83,333/month)

After migrating to a more efficient headless system:

  • Your platform costs drop to $80,000 per year (~$6,667/month)

  • Your operational costs drop by 40% due to better automation, flexibility, and integration

  • Your conversion rate improves by 20% from a better-performing site

What Does That Actually Mean?

With these improvements:

  • Monthly profit increases by $150,000

  • Operational savings hit $800,000/month

  • Platform fee savings are $76,666/month

Total Monthly Financial Benefit: $1,026,666
Annual Added Value: Over $12 million

Even if your migration costs $100,000 or more, it pays for itself within 3 to 5 months.

Why Manufacturers See ROI Faster Than Other Industries

Manufacturing is different from retail:
You don’t need millions of website visitors or one-time shoppers.
You need just a few right-fit buyers—distributors, wholesalers, or B2B customers.

Here’s what we’ve consistently seen:

  • The cost per acquisition (CPA) is much lower than in consumer ecommerce

  • If your website helps even 3 to 5 new B2B buyers find you per year...

  • And each of them places $50K to $200K+ in bulk orders annually...

That’s hundreds of thousands in new revenue from just a few high-value leads.

With a strong site, tailored workflows, and a fast B2B buying experience, your ecommerce platform becomes a powerful tool for lead generation, quoting, and long-term customer relationships—not just order processing.

Final Takeaway

If you’re a manufacturer looking to scale, digitize your sales channels, and reduce technical overhead:

  • You don’t need a massive audience—just the right few customers

  • You’ll cut costs, streamline operations, and boost profits

  • You’ll be positioned to grow your distributor or wholesale network online

  • And you can expect to see value in just a few months

Summary

Transitioning to a headless commerce platform can significantly boost your conversion rates, reduce operational costs, and lower the total cost of ownership. By investing in a headless commerce solution, you can expect to see substantial returns within 10 to 12 months, making it a worthwhile investment for businesses looking to enhance their e-commerce capabilities.

About Us

We are Weframe Tech, the world’s leading open-source-based composable solution development company. Our mission is simple: to be pioneers in open-source composable technologies.

Our Vision:

To be the world’s most trusted and innovative leader in open-source composable technologies.

Why Work with Us?

  • Expertise in Building Solutions with Open-Source Tech: Our team has extensive experience in developing solutions using open-source technologies.

  • Proven Track Record: We’ve helped brands generating over $100M in GMV significantly cut costs — reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) by over $1M annually through lower licensing fees and maintenance costs. Additionally, we’ve boosted conversion rates (CVR) by up to 20% and slashed operational expenses by over 40%.

  • Customized Planning and Execution: We tailor our solutions to meet your specific business needs.

Contact us for detailed planning and consultation.

About the Author

Vipul Uthaiah is the COO and Founder of Weframe Tech, a global leader in open-source headless commerce and composable development solutions. With years of experience in helping brands scale through innovative solutions, Vipul is passionate about open-source technologies and digital transformation.


 

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