Can Shopify handle B2B sales?

Shopify Plus offers B2B tools like wholesale pricing and company accounts, but its features are more limited compared to dedicated B2B platforms. For businesses with simple B2B requirements and a strong direct-to-consumer focus, it can work. Complex B2B pricing, credit accounts, or ERP integrations typically require significant customisation or third-party apps, increasing complexity and cost.

Is BigCommerce suitable for large product catalogues?

Yes, BigCommerce can scale to handle large product catalogues, offering tools for product variants and custom fields. However, for extremely complex catalogues with deep hierarchies, extensive attributes, or multi-language/multi-currency requirements, a dedicated Product Information Management (PIM) system integrated with BigCommerce may be necessary. Without a PIM, managing a very large and intricate catalogue directly within BigCommerce can become cumbersome.

What are the main benefits of a headless platform like commercetools?

The main benefits of commercetools are its exceptional flexibility and customisation capabilities, achieved through a headless, API-first architecture. This allows businesses to build unique customer experiences across any digital touchpoint, integrate best-of-breed services, and scale commerce operations independently. It decouples the frontend from the backend, enabling faster innovation and reducing dependency on monolithic platform structures.

When is Adobe Commerce still the preferred option?

Adobe Commerce is often preferred for businesses with highly complex B2B pricing models, extensive custom workflows, deep ERP integrations, or a requirement for multi-site, multi-brand, or multi-currency capabilities. Its open-source nature provides unparalleled control over the codebase, combined with a rich feature set, making it suitable for enterprises needing a highly tailored and scalable solution without the full burden of composable architecture component selection inherent in commercetools.

What is a composable commerce strategy?

A composable commerce strategy involves selecting and assembling independent, best-of-breed commerce components (like PIM, OMS, CRM, and storefronts) rather than relying on a single, monolithic platform. This approach prioritises flexibility, agility, and the ability to adapt to changing business needs by swapping out or upgrading individual components. Commercetools is a core component often used in such strategies due to its API-first nature.

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Issue 043BriefingGovernanceRef 149

When Shopify, BigCommerce or commercetools are the right answer

Evaluating commerce platforms requires understanding your business constraints and future operational goals. While Adobe Commerce suits complex B2B needs, other platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, or commercetools can offer viable alternatives for specific commercial and technical profiles.

Neil Boughton· Technical Director

2 Jan 20266 min readReviewed January 2026

"The choice of ecommerce platform depends on matching your specific requirements, current resources, and long-term strategic objectives."

Written by

Neil Boughton

Technical Director

29 years at iWeb

LinkedIn →Speak with Neil about your brief →

Neil leads platform architecture and integration strategy at iWeb. He has designed ERP and commerce integration patterns across manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and writes about operational resilience, release governance, observability, and the infrastructure decisions that determine whether large programmes stay stable under pressure. Bias toward durable, measurable systems over architectural theatre.

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