Why we use medusa for ecommerce websites & apps
Spoiler: it's because it's an open-source, powerful, flexible, and customisable solution for your online store.
At Wondrous Creations, we leverage Medusa for our ecommerce website design, ensuring our clients receive tailored future-proof solutions that precisely match their requirements.
What is Medusa JS?
It's a popular open-source alternative to the proprietary Shopify platform.
It's a (Node.js-based) headless ecommerce engine that allows for a modular and composable architecture.
Its exceptional flexibility enables developers to create highly customised, maintainable, and scalable ecommerce solutions that can integrate seamlessly with various services and APIs.
It has an admin backend UI where you can manage all the products for your shop.
Why choose Medusa over Shopify?
- Flexibility and customisation Unlike Shopify, which has a more rigid, monolithic structure, Medusa allows complete control over the tech stack. This decoupling of the frontend and backend allows for unparalleled flexibility in design and functionality.
- Open-source benefits Medusa is open-source, which means there is no vendor lock-in. This ensures you have full ownership of your ecommerce solution and can tailor it to your specific needs without the limitations imposed by proprietary platforms.
- Cost efficiency Shopify charges transaction fees for third-party payment gateways, whereas Medusa integrates with numerous payment solutions like Stripe, PayPal, and others without additional costs. This makes Medusa a more cost-effective option, especially for businesses processing high volumes of transactions.
- Custom integrations Medusa’s architecture supports easy integration with various third-party services and plugins, allowing for tailored features such as custom payment gateways, marketing tools, and fulfillment services. This adaptability ensures your ecommerce platform can grow and evolve with your business.
Why invest in a custom solution?
Why not use out-of-the-box ecommerce hosted platforms or marketplace platforms that are readily available?
Well, there are many benefits to having your own webshop. Which include:
- Independence and ownership Reduce dependency on proprietary platforms and build a valuable business asset that remains entirely in your control.
- Direct customer relationships Build a loyal customer base and communicate directly with your users without intermediaries.
- Flexibility and customisation Have full control over your store, set your own rules, and tailor the experience to your exact vision.
- Brand identity and differentiation Stand out with branded content that reflects your unique style and values.
- Enhanced user experience Provide a seamless, slick, and pleasant shopping experience where your customers glide through your wares, maximising conversions.
- Higher profit margins Avoid excessive fees from proprietary platforms and keep more profit in your pocket.
Is Medusa always the best solution?
For ultra-minimal ecommerce needs, you'll likely want to consider lighter alternatives.
If you're a micro/small-sized business, you might benefit from a fully managed solution that requires minimal development effort, such as a hosted platform, which will be faster to implement.
These platforms offer out-of-the-box solutions that you can create and manage yourself, without the need for a developer. They have comprehensive systems and ecosystems that cater more to users without technical resources.
For extremely minimal tack-on webshops, Medusa's flexibility might be overkill compared to simpler solutions like embedding a PayPal button, or just linking to your shop on a marketplace platform.
Medusa JS is an excellent choice if you have the development resources (and budget) or want a customisable, future-proof solution.
Conclusion
For businesses seeking a highly customisable and scalable ecommerce solution, Medusa presents a compelling alternative to traditional platforms like Shopify.
Its open-source nature, flexibility in design and functionality, and cost efficiency make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to create unique and impactful online stores.
We can design and develop micro to medium-sized solutions, whether you need a standard ecommerce website, or a webshop tacking onto your website.
Read more about our web design service.
