How to Build an E-Commerce Site with a CMS
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
To build an e-commerce site with a CMS, choose between an all-in-one platform (Shopify, WooCommerce) or a composable approach (headless CMS + commerce engine). Shopify is the fastest path with built-in payments, inventory, and shipping. WooCommerce adds e-commerce to WordPress. For custom experiences, pair a headless CMS like Sanity with Shopify's Storefront API or Medusa to manage product content and transactions separately.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify is the fastest path to selling online with built-in payments, shipping, and inventory
- WooCommerce turns WordPress into an e-commerce store with extensive plugin support
- Headless commerce separates content management from transactions for maximum design flexibility
- Key decisions: payment processing, inventory management, shipping, and tax compliance
- Product content quality (descriptions, images, specs) directly impacts conversion rates