TOP eCommerce technology stack in 2024

As we progress through 2024, the global eCommerce market is projected to reach $4.12 trillion, with a significant portion of consumers shopping online. For businesses looking to grow their sales, having a strong online presence and an efficient online store is essential. Due to these trends, many eCommerce solutions are now available, making it easier for businesses to establish and manage their online stores. However, with so many options, it can be challenging to determine which solutions are best for your business and how they work together.

This guide explores the core components of the best stack for eCommerce, including traditional and emerging payment technologies and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions. Additionally, we'll discover the key considerations for choosing the best stack to ensure your business is equipped with the right tools and technologies for eCommerce success.

Core Components of an E-commerce Technology Stack

Frontend Technologies

Frontend technologies are responsible for creating the user interface (UI) and delivering a seamless browsing experience to customers. Key components include:

HTML/CSS/JavaScript: These are the key building blocks of web development. HTML structures the content, CSS styles it and JavaScript adds interactivity and dynamic functionality.

Frameworks and Libraries: Frameworks like React.js, AngularJS, or Vue.js are commonly used for building complex user interfaces.

Responsive Design: Responsive design techniques ensure that eCommerce websites adapt properly to various screen sizes, providing a consistent user experience across devices.

UI/UX Design Tools: Tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma are employed to design intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces. These tools facilitate wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration among designers and developers.

Backend Technologies

Backend technologies power the server-side logic and database operations, handling tasks such as user authentication, order processing, and inventory management. Key components include:

Programming Languages: Popular languages like Python (Django), JavaScript (Node.js), Ruby (Ruby on Rails), and PHP (Laravel) are used for backend development. Each language has its frameworks tailored for building eCommerce applications.

Web Servers: Web servers like Apache or Nginx handle incoming HTTP requests and serve web pages to clients. They also manage load balancing, caching, and security configurations.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): APIs enable communication between different software applications. In an eCommerce context, APIs facilitate integration with payment gateways, shipping carriers, and third-party services like CRM or ERP systems.

Security Measures: Security is paramount in eCommerce. Encryption (HTTPS), data validation, and protection against common vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection and cross-site scripting) safeguard sensitive customer information.

Database Management Systems

DBMS stores and manages data crucial for eCommerce operations, including product listings, customer profiles, order details, and transaction records. Common types of DBMS include:

Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS): Examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. RDBMS organizes data into structured tables with predefined relationships, making them suitable for applications requiring ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions.

NoSQL Databases: NoSQL databases like MongoDB, Cassandra, or Redis offer more flexibility in handling unstructured or semi-structured data. They are often used for scalable and high-performance applications where rapid data retrieval is essential.

Data Warehousing: For complex analytics and reporting requirements, data warehousing solutions such as Amazon Redshift or Google BigQuery are utilized. These platforms consolidate and analyze vast amounts of data from disparate sources, providing insights for strategic decision-making.

Comparison of Payments Infrastructure in an eCommerce Technology Stack

Traditional Payment Gateways

Traditional payment gateways are essential for providing secure and reliable payment processing. They are widely recognized and trusted by both businesses and consumers.

Stripe is known for its developer-friendly API, which helps businesses integrate and customize payment solutions. It supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and international currencies, providing flexibility for global eCommerce.

• Implement Stripe to handle complex payment requirements with its customizable API. Use its subscription billing feature for recurring payments, and leverage its global reach to accept payments in multiple currencies.

PayPal is a globally recognized payment processor that offers a seamless checkout experience. It provides buyer protection and fraud prevention features, making it a trusted choice for both merchants and consumers. PayPal also supports a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal balances.

• Use PayPal Express Checkout to streamline the payment process for users, reducing cart abandonment.

Square offers an integrated payment solution that connects online stores with physical point-of-sale systems. It's particularly favored by small and medium-sized enterprises for its easy-to-use interface and clear pricing structure. Square also offers tools for inventory management and sales analytics.

• Use Square to unify your online and in-store payment systems, providing a seamless experience across all channels.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay

Digital wallets provide a quick and secure method for consumers to conduct payments via their mobile devices or the internet. They provide enhanced security through tokenization and biometric authentication, and their integration with major eCommerce platforms ensures a smooth checkout experience.

• Offer these digital wallets to simplify and speed up the checkout process, particularly for mobile users.

Emerging Payment Technologies

Cryptocurrency Payments

The increased adoption of cryptocurrencies is driven by their potential for lower transaction fees and enhanced security. Businesses are adopting stablecoins and hedging strategies to manage the volatility associated with cryptocurrencies, ensuring stable pricing for goods and services. Cryptocurrency payments also have an enhanced focus on adhering to global financial regulations, ensuring secure and compliant transactions.

• Start accepting cryptocurrencies by integrating platforms like BitPay, CoinGate, or Coinbase Commerce. Use these platforms to convert crypto payments to fiat currency instantly, reducing exposure to volatility. Promote your acceptance of cryptocurrencies to attract tech-savvy customers and expand your market reach.

Biometric Authentication utilizes physical attributes like fingerprints or facial recognition to authenticate identities. This technology enhances security and streamlines the payment process, reducing the risk of fraud and making it quicker and easier for consumers to complete transactions.

• Use biometric authentication to simplify login and payment processes, reducing friction for users and potentially increasing conversion rates.

Seamless Omnichannel Payments

Integrating payment solutions across various channels—online, mobile, and in-store—ensures a consistent and convenient shopping experience. This approach allows consumers to use their preferred payment methods and switch between channels without any disruption.

• Use integrated systems to provide a unified customer experience and consolidate sales data from all channels for comprehensive analytics.

Enhanced Mobile Payments

As mobile commerce grows, optimizing payment processes for mobile devices is crucial. This includes using mobile wallets, one-click payments, and other features that enhance the convenience and speed of transactions on smartphones and tablets.

• Use responsive design and simplify form fields to reduce checkout time on mobile devices. Consider offering one-click payment options for returning customers to speed up the process.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Solutions

Afterpay allows consumers to split their purchases into interest-free installments, typically paid over six weeks. It’s especially popular among younger shoppers and fashion retailers. Afterpay’s model encourages higher average order values and lower cart abandonment rates.

• Add Afterpay as a payment option to allow customers to split their purchases into four interest-free installments. Promote this option prominently on product pages and during checkout to inform customers of the availability and benefits of installment payments.

Klarna offers various payment options, including pay later (within 30 days), pay now, and installment plans. It integrates with major eCommerce platforms, providing a smooth checkout experience. Klarna’s user-friendly app also helps consumers manage their payments and track their spending.

• Integrate Klarna to offer various payment plans, such as paying within 30 days or spreading payments over several months.

Affirm provides clear, transparent financing options with no hidden fees. Consumers can choose from various installment plans, ranging from a few months to several years. Affirm partners with a wide range of online retailers, offering flexibility and convenience to shoppers.

Sezzle and Splitit offer similar BNPL solutions, allowing consumers to pay in installments without interest. Sezzle focuses on providing a straightforward and user-friendly payment option, while Splitit allows consumers to use their existing credit lines to split payments, avoiding additional credit checks.

• Highlight these options during checkout to reduce financial barriers and increase sales.

Key Considerations for Choosing an E-commerce Technology Stack

1. Scalability

• Ensure that the technology stack can handle your current traffic and scale as your business grows. Look for platforms and services that can accommodate increased demand without compromising performance.
• Cloud-based platforms like Shopify Plus, Magento 2, and BigCommerce offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business.

2. Customization and Flexibility

• Choose a stack that allows for extensive customization to meet your specific business needs. Open-source platforms like WooCommerce or Magento tech stack offer high flexibility for custom features and integrations.
• Use headless commerce solutions like Commercetools or Shopify Hydrogen for a highly customizable front-end experience.

3. Security

• Prioritize security features such as SSL certificates, PCI compliance, and robust fraud prevention tools. Regularly update your software and plugins to patch vulnerabilities.
• Implement security solutions like Sucuri for website protection and services like Stripe Radar for advanced fraud detection.

4. Payment Processing

• Integrate multiple payment gateways to offer diverse payment options, including credit cards, digital wallets, and BNPL services. If you plan to sell globally, ensure the gateways support international payments.
• To cater to different customer preferences, use Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, and BNPL providers like Klarna and Afterpay.

5. User Experience (UX)

• Focus on creating a seamless and intuitive user experience. Ensure the platform supports responsive design for mobile users and provides fast loading times.
• Use platforms with built-in UX features like Shopify technology stack for easy navigation and tools like Google Lighthouse to optimize performance.

6. SEO and Marketing Tools

• Choose a technology stack that includes robust SEO features and marketing tools to drive traffic and conversions. Look for built-in tools or compatible integrations for email marketing, social media, and analytics.
• Platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify offer SEO-friendly structures and integrations with tools like Mailchimp and Google Analytics.

7. Third-Party Integrations

• Ensure the stack supports seamless integration with third-party apps and services for accounting, CRM, inventory management, and more. Check for API availability and compatibility.
• Use platforms that integrate well with popular services like QuickBooks, Salesforce, and Zapier.

8. Customer Support and Community

• Opt for platforms with strong customer support and active user communities. Access to reliable support and a community can help with troubleshooting issues and sharing best practices.
• Shopify and BigCommerce tech stacks are known for their excellent support and vibrant user communities.

9. Cost

• Take into account the overall cost of ownership, encompassing licensing fees, transaction fees, hosting, and maintenance expenses.
• Ensure the stack fits within your budget while meeting your business needs.
• Compare the costs of platforms like Shopify (subscription-based) versus WooCommerce technology stacks  (free but with hosting and plugin costs).

10. Performance and Reliability

• Choose a technology stack known for high performance and reliability. Look for uptime guarantees and performance optimization features.
• Use performance monitoring tools like New Relic to ensure your platform maintains high availability and fast load times.

11. Compliance and Legal Considerations

• Ensure the stack complies with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, such as GDPR for data protection and ADA for accessibility.
• Use platforms with built-in compliance features or additional plugins to meet these requirements.

Building eCommerce Infrastructure with Vodworks

By carefully considering core components such as frontend and backend technologies, databases, and payment processing options, you can build a robust and scalable infrastructure that meets diverse consumer demands.

At Vodworks, we specialize in providing custom software platforms and products designed to boost eCommerce and retail sales while driving more customer engagement. Our services include platform implementation, system integration, and data solutions tailored to meet your specific business needs. Сontact us directly to learn more about how Vodworks can support your eCommerce and retail software development needs.