The B2B eCommerce market is quickly becoming an integral part of the global economy, and enterprises are constantly striving to find the best eCommerce platform to further their business goals. In the United States alone, the B2B eCommerce marketplaces went from 24.35 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 to 112 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. With the increasing demand for robust eCommerce platforms to cater to the growing B2B market, eCommerce platforms have evolved significantly over the past years. The two leading B2B eCommerce platforms in the market, Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus offer a range of features to help businesses grow. However, choosing between the two can be challenging, as each platform has its strengths and weaknesses. Thus, the debate of Adobe Commerce and Shopify are two of the most popular eCommerce platforms available in the market today. Thus, enterprises need to thoroughly identify the Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus features and functionalities to select the ideal solution that fits best the enterprise’s needs and goals.
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Looking to accelerate your B2B eCommerce digital transformation but don’t know how? Then get started with the robust ready-to-use Adobe Commerce connectors or Shopify Plus connectors from APPSeCONNECT and achieve end-to-end business process automation right out of the box, no matter what platform you are using. Get started with smarter automations and greater business success with APPSeCONNECT today!
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – Platform Overview
The B2B digital commerce growth has increased rapidly in recent years, with more businesses recognizing the importance of establishing an online presence to reach newer and more profitable markets. Thus, eCommerce platforms like Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus with their built-in B2B capabilities have come to the forefront as significant tools for such enterprises. These platforms offer a range of features and functionalities specifically designed for the B2B industry, and with their scalable infrastructure, both platforms provide enterprises with the necessary tools to succeed in this growing B2B eCommerce industry.
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, prior to its acquisition by Adobe in 2018 is a market-leading eCommerce platform that combines the new-age functionalities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced data-sharing capabilities to deliver end-to-end personalized eCommerce experiences. The eCommerce platform empowers enterprises to effectively manage both online B2B and B2C experiences with multiple channels and expand into new geographical regions, through a single platform that is flexible, extensible, and scalable. With the platform being designed to cater to the needs of both B2B and B2C businesses of all sizes, it provides a robust and scalable solution that can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of all types of businesses. The flexibility and feature-rich functionalities of Adobe Commerce make it a highly popular choice for enterprises looking to expand into the online B2B marketplace.
On the other hand, launched in 2014, Shopify Plus is a fully hosted eCommerce platform designed for hypergrowth enterprises that comes packed with robust eCommerce functionalities. The platform aims to deliver flexibility in operations to enterprises by offering a broad suite of features and tools to effectively manage their online store, streamline operations, and optimize their customer experience. The platform also comes packed with powerful customization options, allowing businesses to create a unique storefront that matches their brand and business needs. Furthermore, with Shopify Plus, enterprises benefit from a dedicated account manager to help them with every aspect of the business from advising on store setup to suggesting the best strategies for business growth. Currently, there are over 23,000 live websites across the globe leveraging Shopify Plus to manage their eCommerce operations.
The Key Differences – Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus
Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus are two of the most popular B2B eCommerce platforms available in the market today. Thus, enterprises planning to implement either of the platforms need to thoroughly identify the Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus features and functionalities to select the ideal solution that fits best for the enterprise’s needs and goals. The major differences to explore between Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus include the following:
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – B2B Features
With the installation and enablement of the B2B extension for Adobe Commerce, users can access the platform’s dedicated B2B functionalities. The features and functionalities include shared catalogs, advanced inventory management, automated purchase order approvals, and negotiated quotes. Furthermore, for customer management, the platform also offers powerful company accounts management tools, such as configuring how the customer company operates on the website, including the payment methods, pricing levels, the ability to negotiate prices and to create requisition lists.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus has also made significant strides in the B2B eCommerce space in recent years. It offers a range of features for B2B operations, including wholesale functionalities, customer-specific product publishing, customizable B2B logic, easy reordering capability, and conditional quantity rules. Shopify Plus also offers efficient self-serve purchasing online storefronts to better scale operations with hands-off purchasing and order tracking for easier account management.
There is a vast range of features offered by Shopify Plus, however, compared to Adobe Commerce, it may not offer the same level of range when it comes to B2B features.
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – Customizability and Flexibility
Adobe Commerce provides organizations with greater flexibility and customization capabilities through its modular core. It offers enterprises cloud-based scalability, headless commerce capabilities, and purpose-built extensibility tools. Adobe Developer App Builder, a serverless tool that automates the provisioning and scaling of compute, storage, and CDN resources, is another service provided by Adobe Commerce that enables developers to create business applications and event-driven, real-time integrations quickly.
While not as customizable as Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus offers businesses a range of options to tailor their eCommerce site to their specific needs. It offers a wide range of themes and templates that enterprises can use as a starting point to sell across multiple channels and markets through a single dynamic platform. Every major element that a company may need to customize, such as products, discounts, checkouts, and payments can also be effortlessly customized keeping in line with front-end and back-end requirements. Additionally, the user-friendly ecosystem of Shopify Plus allows enterprises to get started much faster as compared to Adobe Commerce.
Overall, the choice between Adobe Commerce vs. Shopify Plus, when it comes to customizability and flexibility boils down to a company’s specific needs and priorities. Businesses should carefully evaluate the capabilities of each platform and choose the one that best suits their needs.
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – Omnichannel Capabilities
Adobe Commerce provides robust omnichannel capabilities that allow businesses to create consistent customer experiences across multiple touchpoints, including brick-and-mortar stores, online marketplaces, and social media channels. With Adobe Commerce’s Progressive Web App (PWA) functionalities, businesses can also effortlessly offer a robust and unified mobile commerce experience. This makes Adobe Commerce a great fit for businesses that prioritize a comprehensive omnichannel strategy.
Similarly, Shopify Plus also offers robust omnichannel capabilities to help businesses manage operations across multiple channels. One of the standout features of Shopify Plus is its powerful point-of-sale system, Shopify POS (Point of Sale), which provides businesses with a seamless channel to place orders and receive payments from offline and online platforms. The platform enables brands to seamlessly sell their products and services across multiple channels, including in-store, online marketplaces, social media platforms, and other channels.
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – Customer Support
Adobe Commerce has a strong community of developers and partners who can help with technical issues and customization. Additionally, Adobe Commerce offers dedicated customer support through phone, email, and chat, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base and online community forums. Businesses can also purchase support packages that offer additional services, such as training, implementation, and site performance analysis.
Shopify Plus also offers a range of customer support options, including 24/7 phone and email support, a help center, and a community forum. Moreover, Shopify Plus also provides businesses with dedicated account managers who can assist with technical support, site optimization, and other issues. This personalized approach ensures that businesses receive tailored solutions and support, enabling them to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – Pricing
Adobe Commerce offers Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services versions of its platform, with pricing depending on the number of users, products, and transactions. With Adobe Commerce Pro, users get an all-in-one eCommerce solution, while with Managed Services, users gain additional expert-level managed services for the eCommerce site. Additionally, Adobe Commerce offers a range of features and customization options that may require additional fees, such as custom extensions, support packages, and implementation services. The advantage of Adobe Commerce’s pricing is that there is no fixed cost and the final charges the enterprises must pay depend on the closing price negotiated. The customized pricing for the enterprise by Adobe Commerce offers flexibility for companies to get started with the platform with only the functionalities they need and then expand based on their growing businesses and resource availability.
In contrast, starting at $2,000 USD per month or a variable fee for higher volume businesses, Shopify Plus offers a flat monthly fee that includes access to all its features and services, regardless of the number of products or transactions. This can make it a more cost-effective option for businesses with smaller budgets or simpler eCommerce needs. However, businesses may still need to pay for additional services, such as custom development or design work, which can add to the overall cost eventually.
Understanding the Best eCommerce Platform for B2B Growth
Selecting the right eCommerce platform is critical for B2B eCommerce growth and requires a thorough understanding of a business’s unique requirements. When comparing Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus, it’s important to consider factors such as the business’s budget, level of customization required, and specific eCommerce needs. For instance, if a business requires a high degree of customization and extensive integration with third-party systems, Adobe Commerce may be the better option. In contrast, if a company values quick deployment and ease of use, Shopify Plus may be a more suitable choice.
In addition to these factors, businesses should also evaluate the scalability and flexibility of each platform, as well as the level of support and security provided. While Adobe Commerce may offer a higher level of customization, it also requires a higher level of technical expertise, which may not be suitable for all businesses. On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers a user-friendly interface, easy integration with popular tools, and a wide range of third-party apps, making it an excellent choice for businesses that require a simpler eCommerce solution. The selection of an eCommerce platform should be based on a careful evaluation of the specific needs and objectives of the business, ensuring that the chosen platform can provide the necessary tools and features to support long-term growth.
Importance of Integration for Both Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus
When it comes to Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus, both platforms offer a wide range of B2B functionalities along with their own unique set of features to allow enterprises to meet their B2B growth success. However, deploying an end-to-end integration through a robust low-code BPA platform is essential to maximize the potential of these platforms for B2B operations.
What is the Role of a BPA Platform in Enabling B2B eCommerce Growth?
A robust BPA platform can streamline the integration process, enabling businesses to connect Adobe Commerce quickly and easily or Shopify Plus with other systems and applications, including ERPs, CRMs, and supply chain management tools. This can help to reduce the complexity of B2B operations, increase efficiency, and enable better data management and analysis.
Furthermore, deploying an end-to-end integration through a low-code BPA platform can also help businesses to leverage automation to further optimize their B2B processes, reduce manual errors, and free up resources for higher-value tasks. Ultimately, deploying an end-to-end integration through a robust low-code BPA platform can help businesses fully leverage the power of Adobe Commerce or Shopify Plus and gain a competitive edge in the B2B market.
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus – The Bottom Line
Both Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus offer powerful B2B functionalities and unique features that can help businesses to achieve their growth goals. However, the choice between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus ultimately comes down to the specific needs of your business. Adobe Commerce is a more established platform with robust B2B capabilities, while Shopify Plus offers a more intuitive interface and flexibility for customization. The decision should be based on your business’s specific needs, budget, and growth objectives. Whichever platform you choose, make sure to leverage the power of B2B functionalities and explore opportunities for integration with other systems through a robust low-code BPA platform. By doing so, you can maximize the potential of Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus and drive success for your B2B operations.
Looking to accelerate your B2B eCommerce digital transformation but don’t know how? Then get started with the robust ready-to-use Adobe Commerce connectors or Shopify Plus connectors from APPSeCONNECT and achieve end-to-end business process automation right out of the box, no matter what platform you are using. Get started with smarter automations and greater business success with APPSeCONNECT today!
