Proprietary vs. Open-Source CMS Platforms
Using a Proprietary E-Commerce Platform
Platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix provide ready-to-use solutions that are easy to set up, but come with major limitations:
✅ Quick setup with minimal technical skills.
✅ Prebuilt templates and payment systems for convenience.
❌ Provider: Hosting services predominantly in the USA
❌ Ownership Issues: Your store and data belong to a third party.
❌ Limited Customisation: You can only use their templates and features.
❌ Vendor Lock-In: Switching platforms requires a complete rebuild.
❌ Transaction Fees: Platforms often take commissions of up to 2% per sale.
❌ Scalability Issues: Resources and features are restricted to what they provide.
❌ Legislation Concerns: Many providers are not under Swiss or EU regulations.
❌ Support: No direct support, often outsourced
Building an Independent E-Commerce Platform
Using Open-Source technologies (like WooCommerce, Magento, or PrestaShop) offers much control over your online store:
✅ Full Ownership: Your data, content, and transactions are yours.
✅ Unlimited Customisation: Adapt your store’s features as your business grows.
✅ No Hidden Fees: Avoid commissions on every sale.
✅ Scalability: Choose a hosting provider that grows with your business.
✅ Regulatory Compliance: Ensure your platform aligns with Swiss and EU standards.
❌ Technical Expertise – Setup, customisation, and maintenance require a skilled developer.
❌ Ongoing Maintenance – Security, updates, and hosting must be managed independently.
❌ Hosting Costs – You must choose and pay for a hosting provider.
Swiss SMEs should prioritise Swiss-based hosting to maintain data sovereignty and compliance with local regulations.
At first glance, proprietary platforms seem cheap and easy, but they come with unexpected costs and fees (in Switzerland, for example, you can’t use Swiss payment gateways or local currency). If you are looking for long-term control, scalability, data security and compliance, an independent ad-hoc (fully coded) or open-source solution is the best choice.
Prima di iniziare un e-commerce in Svizzera
Cosa occorre preparare
Creare il proprio sito web
Informazioni importanti da includere
- Informazioni sull’operatore
- Informazioni sui prodotti
- Che cos’è il diritto di recesso?
- Come dev’essere il processo d’ordine
- Come redigere la conferma dell’ordine
Assicuratevi che le vostre soluzioni di hosting e gestione dei dati siano conformi alle normative svizzere ed europee (GDPR/nFADP).
I CMS più diffusi per il commercio elettronico:
La scelta di un CMS (Content Management System) open source per il vostro e-commerce dipende da una serie di fattori quali la scalabilità, la personalizzazione, la facilità d’uso (UX), la sicurezza e le opzioni di integrazione.
Tuttavia, se il vostro sito di e-commerce NON è sviluppato con precisione o è associato a un provider di hosting poco affidabile, il suo potenziale si riduce notevolmente. Le piattaforme più accattivanti diventano quindi inefficaci e inaffidabili su tutti i fronti.
