The Rise of Headless Commerce
Headless commerce has been a buzzword in the e-commerce industry, with many platforms and merchants embracing this trend. The primary drivers for adopting headless commerce include the need for speed and flexibility in content management. While larger businesses with technical teams are the main adopters, some brands regret moving to headless due to increased costs and complexities.
Shopify and BigCommerce in the SaaS World
Shopify and BigCommerce have continued their dominance in the SaaS e-commerce space. Shopify, in particular, has made significant strides with features like “Sections Everywhere,” improving international selling capabilities, and focusing on social integrations. BigCommerce, on the other hand, has emphasized its B2B capabilities and multi-storefront features. However, it still has a way to go in truly offering a comprehensive multi-storefront solution.
Composable Commerce and Strategic Acquisitions
The concept of composable commerce, where businesses can pick and choose the components they need, has gained traction. Platforms like Elastic Path and Commerce Tools are leading in this space. The acquisition of Fantastic by Commerce Tools is particularly noteworthy, potentially enabling them to cater to a broader market, including SMBs.
The Evolving Magento (Adobe)
Magento, now part of Adobe, hasn’t seen as much evolution in 2021 as some competitors. While it remains a leader in the enterprise space, the platform has been relatively slow in introducing new features compared to others like Shopify and BigCommerce.
Key Takeaways from 2021
- Headless Commerce Growth: The trend is growing, but it’s more relevant for larger businesses with the technical capability to handle the complexities.
- SaaS Platforms Stepping Up: Shopify and BigCommerce have significantly improved their offerings, with Shopify focusing on international sales and BigCommerce on B2B features.
- Community and Ecosystem: Both Shopify and BigCommerce are strengthening their communities, which is vital for platform growth and adoption.
- Magento’s Slower Pace: Compared to its competitors, Magento’s development and feature release have been slower, which could impact its competitiveness in the mid-market segment.
2021 has been an eventful year in the e-commerce platform space, with significant strides made in headless commerce, SaaS advancements, and strategic partnerships. As the landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop in 2022.
