should i have my own site built, or use a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure/Wix/WordPress platform, what are the differences?

We started with a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure now we've moved to an e-commerce infrastructure. The ready-made one was easy, I opened it quickly and I'm making sales. But money goes out every month, and customization is limited. With the other infrastructure there's more control, but it requires technical knowledge. We're happy right now.

If you want the first step to be easy use a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure; if you're thinking technically and long-term use an e-commerce infrastructure (hosting + $50/month).

To explain the SEO difference in detail: 1) Ready-made platforms already have core SEO (mobile, speed, structured data) done. 2) On a custom site, you need to do these yourself. 3) Both are capped for high rankings.

But the plugin ecosystem: apps for a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure are expensive ($20-50/month), plugins for an e-commerce infrastructure are free/cheap ($5-30). Custom sites develop according to needs.

A ready-made e-commerce infrastructure is easy but expensive. An e-commerce infrastructure is troublesome but cheap. A custom site is very expensive at the start but gets cheaper over time. You figure out which fits your budget.

You need to ask the first question: 'What do we want?' Different answers point to different paths. Simple product types, low quantity (100 products) -> a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure. Diverse product types, custom flow -> an e-commerce infrastructure. Global brand million products -> Custom development.

the good part of a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure: you open it in 10 minutes, sales start. like no hassle easy management and the good part of an e-commerce infrastructure: Everrything is in your hands. millions of plugins. as for a custom site: Completely under your control infinite possibilities, but technical knowledge is required.

If you want to test, use a ready-made e-commerce infrastructure. If you want to see success early on, use an e-commerce infrastructure. If you want long-term + big budget, go Custom.

Let me summarize the topic, since several different answers were given. Changing habits is harder and more expensive than setting up a system.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

There's one point I'm curious about. Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

Calculate this based on total annual cost, not the monthly bill. If you post the result here, it will help others too.

i'd appreciate it if you shared the outcome. when making a dceision first look at what data you have on hand.

if I were you, I'd go this route.

Saved.

Looking at it as a process, the picture changes. If you don't write this down from the start, it leads to arguments later.

Everyone rushing into should i have my own site built or use a ready-made platform gets stuck at the same point.

The answer above hits the nail on the head. Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently.

Calculate how many months you can survive without revenue, then halve that number. This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

Let me summarize the topic, since several different answers were given. Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

That's all, sorry if I went on too long.

We need to take it step by step. The answer varies greatly by industry; there is no one-size-fits-all rule.

Just leaving this note it might be useful.

You're right.

I have an objection here. Don't enter any agreement without an exit plan.

Good luck with that.

There's a common mistake people make when doing this. Look where the bucket leaks; pouring water on top doesn't solve it.

That's all, sorry if I went on too long.

My perspective changed after experiencing that. Processes without records never improve, because you don't know what to fix.

If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.