Choosing the right platform is the most consequential decision in an e-commerce project. Migrating later is expensive, so Lookup Marketing helps clients pick correctly the first time. Here is an honest comparison for Indian SMBs.
WooCommerce (WordPress)
Best for businesses that want full ownership and flexibility. You control hosting, data and design. Strong plugin ecosystem for GST invoicing, Indian payment gateways such as Razorpay and shipping integrations. Costs are mostly one-time development plus hosting of a few thousand rupees per year. The trade-off: you are responsible for updates and security, which is why our maintenance plans exist.
Shopify
Best for speed to market and simplicity. Hosting, security and updates are handled for you, and the checkout is excellent. Monthly subscription is charged in addition to payment gateway fees, so recurring costs in INR are higher over time. Deep customisation and some India-specific requirements can require paid apps.
Custom Development
Best when your model does not fit templates — multi-vendor marketplaces, B2B pricing tiers, complex inventory or ERP integration. Highest cost and timeline, but nothing is forced to fit someone else else-shaped mould. We recommend custom builds only when a clear requirement justifies them.
How We Help You Decide
- Catalogue size and how often products change
- Monthly order volume today and projected in 12 months
- Budget split between one-time build and recurring costs
- Integrations needed: payments, logistics partners, WhatsApp notifications, accounting
- Who will manage the store day to day
Every e-commerce build from Lookup Marketing includes mobile-first design, payment gateway setup, GST-compliant invoicing configuration, basic SEO and training for your team. To discuss which platform fits your business and budget, call +91-8800-567676.
