We operate a 2,800+ SKU CNC tool store. We've evaluated every platform. Here's what actually works for industrial and manufacturing companies.
We operate a 2,847 SKU CNC tool store. We've evaluated Shopify, WooCommerce, custom platforms, and everything in between. We know what works for industrial companies because we use it daily.
This guide isn't theoretical. It's based on real experience running an industrial e-commerce store with complex variant logic, B2B pricing, and engineering calculators.
We understand industrial e-commerce because we operate one. This means we can tell you what actually works, not what looks good in marketing materials.
Our Experience: We built our own 2,847 SKU store. We know what works.
Our Experience: We evaluated Shopify for our store. It couldn't handle our variant complexity.
Our Experience: WooCommerce works, but custom platforms offer better performance and control.
If yes, consider custom. Shopify struggles with large catalogs. WooCommerce can work but requires optimization. Custom platforms handle scale better.
If you need more than 3 variant options (diameter × length × coating × material), custom is your only real option. Shopify maxes out at 3 options.
Custom platforms handle B2B pricing natively. Shopify requires expensive apps. WooCommerce has plugins but they're often clunky.
Custom platforms integrate calculators seamlessly. Shopify and WooCommerce require workarounds that often break.
Shopify: $29-299/month + transaction fees. WooCommerce: Hosting + plugins. Custom: Higher initial investment, lower long-term costs.
For most industrial and manufacturing companies, custom e-commerce platforms are the best choice. Here's why:
We built our own 2,847 SKU store as a custom platform. We know what works because we use it daily. When we build custom platforms for clients, we're applying solutions we've already proven work in production.
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