What is SuiteCommerce and how does it compare?
If you have NetSuite ERP, you know that there is power to having all your data in a single location. This page goes through key areas of the SuiteCommerce module to help you understand why it beats Shopify Plus, Magento, and other ecommerce platform options. Since SuiteCommerce requires NetSuite ERP, we make the assumption that you are either implementing NetSuite or already have NetSuite as an platform. In our changing world, we have seen dramatic increase in online sales over the past year. A major shift to online shopping has been occurring for the last decade, but the most recent world events have put more pressure on organizations to change earlier than expected. By the end of this page, we hope that you will be more informed to make an ecommerce decision. If you want to get a demo of SuiteCommerce and how it works, then schedule a demo with our NetSuite solutions consultants.
SuiteCommerce is NetSuite’s flagship ecommerce platform that is pre-integrated into the ERP. These means that companies don’t need to pay for an integration between an ecommerce platform and NetSuite.
For example, if you were to purchase Shopify Plus as your ecommerce platform, you would need to pay approximately $5000 per year for the connection between Shopify and NetSuite. You would also need to pay for the implementation of the connection (mapping data).
If you had SuiteCommerce, you would not need to pay for this connection or the implementation of the mapping. SuiteCommerce comes unified with order and inventory management, CRM, and ERP.
NetSuite ERP drives the ecommerce experience which means that having total access to your ERP data is essential to scaling your ecommerce solution. Since SuiteCommerce is built by NetSuite for NetSuite, all the data is accessible so that your ecommerce solution can change as your business changes. You won’t hit a roadblock keeping you from optimizing the ecommerce user experience for both B2B and B2C.
Summary
If you have NetSuite or are planning to get NetSuite as your ERP, stay up to date with the latest SuiteCommerce features to see how it best fits into your business modal. If you want to get SuiteCommerce Standard to save more on your monthly licensing, then make sure to chat with a SuiteCommerce developer to help identify any areas that you may need SuiteCommerce Advanced in the future. Spending a little time and money identifying where SuiteCommerce Standard may be the better fit will help you cut costs and position yourself for the seamless upgrade to SuiteCommerce Advanced when you are ready. If you are not quite convinced, check out this ecommerce comparison by Ecommerce Reviews.
Having all your data managed in one place makes everyone’s lives easier which is one reason why companies frequently choose SCA over other platforms since all the images, marketing data, files, and supporting data already lives in NetSuite.
Final Scoring
If you are a B2B organization, SuiteCommerce Advanced is the ideal solution. Shopify Plus is a close second with Magento falling in 3rd. If you are solely a B2C ecommerce company, then both Shopify Plus and SuiteCommerce Advanced are tied for first place which Magento trailing behind.
Where to find a NetSuite Developer?
NetSuite developers are in high demand so it can be challenging to find one in your area. It’s best to contract this type of work and not expect to find one to hire full time. A top NetSuite developer will be able to code all types of SuiteScript including user-event, scheduled, client, and map-reduced. Each of these types of suitescript provide unique properties to your NetSuite instance. In combination with a NetSuite consultant, you’ll be able to strategically use your ERP platform to maximize the benefits. Automations are key to efficiency which is why so many companies choose NetSuite are their ecommerce and ERP platform. It is fully customizable with not limits for developers to implement solutions that resolve your pain points.
NetSuite Add-Ons and Apps?
There are some new initiatives by SuiteMarkets which is a 3rd party app platform that allows you to purchase SuiteCommerce and NetSuite ERP apps/features. It’s a great way to find existing solutions for NetSuite ERP or SuiteCommerce. It’s something to keep in mind as the platform continues to grow and more features get listed. Since it is free to list solutions, there are more smaller applications being listed such as order tracking, blogs, custom themes, customer center add-ons, in addition to software companies.
There is also NetSuite’s app platform which is primarily used to inform NetSuite customers of software that integrates into the platform. Shopify has something similar including applications that help them integrate into the NetSuite platform. More and more customers are utilizing NetSuite as an ecommerce platform in additional to its reporting, warehouse management, HR, and other ERP features. This expands beyond your traditional ecommerce website and includes integrations to popular ecommerce solutions including Amazon, eBay, and Overstock.
About the Author:
This blog was written by Caleb Schmitz, a NetSuite developer and SuiteCommerce Specialist at Anchor Group. Anchor Group is a NetSuite implementation partner that focuses specifically on NetSuite training and NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce.
To learn more about Anchor Group, visit their website: https://www.anchorgroup.tech/
