Choosing just the right ecommerce platform can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. Of course, you want to get it right on the first try. And by doing your homework, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision for your ecommerce company. The market is bursting at the seams with many platform options, and by weighing the pros and cons of each, you can arrive at a final, or near-final, decision. Once you have your finalists narrowed down, a quick call to a platform representative for a pricing quote and a frank discussion of capabilities should give you any remaining information you need to make your decision.
Of course, you never want to be on the other end of a Sales call without at least some information under your cap. You want to know enough to be able to make an informed decision! Consider the following advantages and drawbacks of SAP Commerce Cloud (also known as SAP Hybris) for the information you need to get started on your platform selection journey.
Today, in our SAP Commerce Cloud review, we will discuss the pros and cons of the platform. We will also provide a pricing comparison to other leading ecommerce technologies for 2019.
See Also: SAP Commerce Jobs
SAP Commerce Cloud: Advantages (Pros)
Hybris offers your ecommerce business the following advantages:
Many out-of-the-box features, including promotions. If you’re not entirely tech savvy, it’s OK with SAP. The platform includes a robust list of templates and features for common ecommerce functions, especially if you want to run promotional campaigns. This allows you to professionally market your ecommerce storefront with minimal need for customizations in many cases.
Flexible content management. If you do need to customize features and functionality of your site, SAP can flexibly handle personalization and features a preview mode before you make changes live. Data models are commerce-oriented, making it easier and faster to implement your site, or make enhancements.
Integrates well with other services. Let’s say SAP doesn’t meet all your needs or allow for all the customizations you require. Because of this, if you choose SAP, you’ll need to link to other services to make your ecommerce site function as it should. But with this platform, it’s no problem! SAP easily integrates with other services for seamless consumer experience. It also features integrated B2B and B2C capabilities—so you can easily appeal to multiple audiences.
A scalable system. What happens when big shopping days, like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, hit? Will your site be able to handle the increased purchasing volume or will it buckle under the pressure? With SAP Commerce Cloud, your platform will be able to easily handle increased traffic—resulting in fewer abandoned carts and more sales for your business: cha-ching!
SAP Commerce Cloud: Disadvantages (Cons)
Since not every solution is perfect, you’ll also want to weigh potential drawbacks into the equation:
Need for updates. SAP utilizes some older functionality and some modules, as well as the Content Management System, are in need of updates. All aspects of the platform are functional but are better utilized by those who are tech-savvy (i.e., an IT team).
Inflexible promotion management. Off-the-shelf options for your promotions are good, as long as you can find a selection you can work with within those options. If you can’t, you’ll need to customize, and SAP technology requires a working knowledge of platform tools to achieve advanced customizations.
Lack of support. What happens when you need help or more information? This platform doesn’t provide as much support and guidance as others in the market. This can make it difficult if you’re working without dedicated IT personnel on your team.
May not be a stand-alone solution. You may need to integrate a content management solution with your SAP Hybris platform for best results. If you’re in search of an end-to-end ecommerce platform that doesn’t rely on integrations, this may not be your best choice.
Pricing Comparison 2019
Unlike the revenue-sharing pricing model utilized by other platforms, SAP Commerce Cloud is available through subscription-based pricing and includes a software license, services, and hosting. Pricing is calculated per client based on page views per second. This pricing model can make it much less intimidating of a purchase for many ecommerce businesses.
Final Thoughts on SAP Commerce Cloud
Will you be “going it alone” or relying on the expertise of an IT team for design and development of your ecommerce platform? The level of support you’ll need to build a site that provides all the functionality you require is key to your choice. If you’re in need of IT staff, Jarvis Cole can help! We have years of experience in SAP Commerce recruitment.
We specialize in the ecommerce industry and understand the ins and outs—helping you find just the right staff to maintain your storefront and delight your customers! From designers to coders, to leaders and project managers—we’re at the forefront of the ecommerce industry and will help you staff up for all the platform support you require. To learn more, contact us today!