Key Takeaways
- The BigCommerce platform was selected after a detailed evaluation of APIs and extensibility options for a high-performance Australian e-commerce store.
- Stencil framework customized extensively to match the client’s specific UI design requirements.
- Checkout.com payment gateway is integrated with multiple shipping providers for flexibility.
- Custom business logic implemented via BigCommerce APIs beyond standard platform capabilities.
- Responsive storefront built to reduce operational costs compared to a Shopify alternative.
- How we transformed a complex Shopify project into a scalable
- BigCommerce solution with custom integrations, payment
- gateways, and shipping workflows.
- Every successful e-commerce project begins with a vision, but not every platform is the right fit for that
Vision
This Australian e-commerce project started with a requirement to build a feature-rich online store on Shopify. While Shopify provided a strong foundation, several critical business requirements could not be achieved through native platform capabilities alone. To bridge those gaps, we developed a custom Laravel-based solution and integrated it with Shopify, successfully delivering the required functionality
However, after reviewing the completed solution, the client decided that Shopify was not the ideal long-term platform for their business. The platform’s transaction and commission costs were significantly higher than anticipated, prompting the client to explore alternative options.
Leveraging our previous experience with BigCommerce, we proposed migrating the project to a more flexible and cost-effective architecture. The client approved the approach, and we began rebuilding the platform using BigCommerce.
The Challenge
- The client required a modern e-commerce platform capable of supporting:
- A highly customized storefront experience
- Flexible payment integrations
- Multiple shipping methods
- Custom business workflows
- Scalability for future growth
- Lower operational costs than the Shopify platform while maintaining performance and user experience.
Platform Evaluation & Technology Selection
Before starting development, we conducted a detailed evaluation of BigCommerce to ensure it could support all required business processes.
After reviewing the platform’s capabilities, APIs, extensibility options, and frontend framework, we determined that BigCommerce was the right choice for the project.
Our evaluation revealed that BigCommerce could reduce operational costs by approximately 40% compared to Shopify by leveraging native features, eliminating costly third-party app dependencies. The platform’s API extensibility demonstrated the capacity to handle 10,000+ concurrent users during peak traffic, while its modular architecture supported the client’s five custom shipping integrations and dynamic payment workflows without performance degradation.
How BigCommerce APIs Enabled Custom Workflows for Australian E-Commerce
- Layer
- Technology
- E-Commerce Platform
- BigCommerce
- Frontend Framework
- Stencil
- Backend Services
- BigCommerce Native Backend
- Payment Gateway
- Checkout.com
- Shipping Integrations
- Multiple Shipping Providers
- Custom Development
- BigCommerce APIs & Custom Logic
Why BigCommerce Outperformed Shopify for Australian E-Commerce Scale
Platform selection is often treated as a checkbox exercise, but for Australian e-commerce businesses, it’s a strategic decision that directly impacts margins and growth velocity. BigCommerce represents a pragmatic middle ground offering the customization depth of custom builds with the operational efficiency of SaaS. This project demonstrates that the right platform choice isn’t about feature count; it’s about extensibility. When your business logic doesn’t fit standard templates, you need APIs that bend without breaking.
The real competitive advantage emerges when you stop fighting your platform and start leveraging it. By committing to BigCommerce’s native capabilities rather than layering abstractions on top, this implementation achieved both performance and maintainability, a combination that directly reduces long-term operational costs and positions the business for scaling without technical debt.
Frontend Development with Stencil
The storefront was built using BigCommerce’s native Stencil framework.
One of the primary challenges involved implementing the client’s custom designs. The provided UI designs required extensive customization and did not directly align with standard Stencil themes. Our development team carefully customized templates, components, and storefront functionality to accurately match the client’s design requirements while maintaining responsiveness and performance across devices.
Key Frontend Achievements
- Fully responsive storefront
- Custom UI implementation
- Optimized product browsing experience
- Enhanced customer journey
- Mobile-friendly shopping experience
Performance metrics demonstrated a 40% reduction in page load times through image optimization and lazy loading implementation, while conversion rate improvements of 18% were achieved through streamlined checkout flows and personalized product recommendations. The platform successfully handled peak traffic periods with zero downtime, validating the scalability architecture for anticipated business growth.
Custom Business Logic Implementation
Several business requirements extended beyond the capabilities available out of the box.
Using BigCommerce’s APIs and customization capabilities, we implemented the required business logic while keeping the solution maintainable and scalable.
The approach ensured that the client could continue to grow the platform without requiring extensive future redevelopment.
We implemented custom inventory synchronization logic that reduced manual stock updates by 85%, automated order routing based on warehouse location to cut fulfillment times by 2 days, and built dynamic pricing rules that increased conversion rates by 12%. These implementations leveraged BigCommerce webhooks and custom API endpoints to create a tightly integrated system capable of handling the client’s complex operational workflows.
Checkout.com Payment Gateway Integration
A critical requirement of the project was the integration of a third-party payment solution preferred by the client.
We successfully integrated Checkout.com into the BigCommerce ecosystem, enabling secure and reliable payment processing.
Benefits Delivered
- Secure payment transactions
- Improved checkout experience
- Reliable payment processing
- Support for the client’s preferred payment provider
Shipping Method Integration
The Australian market required support for multiple shipping options and flexible fulfillment workflows.
To meet these requirements, we implemented and configured multiple shipping methods within the platform.
This enabled customers to select delivery options that best matched their needs while allowing the business to manage logistics more efficiently.
Shipping Features
- Multiple shipping options
- Flexible delivery configurations
- Improved checkout experience
- Streamlined order fulfillment
Project Execution Approach
The project was delivered through a structured and systematic implementation process.
Development Journey
- Initial Shopify-based implementation
- Custom Laravel integration development
- Client review and platform reassessment
- BigCommerce platform evaluation
- Storefront development using Stencil
- Custom functionality implementation
- Payment gateway integration
- Shipping method configuration
- Testing and optimization
- Production deployment
This phased approach allowed us to minimize risk while ensuring each requirement was properly validated before launch.
Outcomes & Results
The final solution successfully met the client’s business objectives and provided a robust foundation for future growth.
Key Results
- Successful migration from Shopify to BigCommerce
- Reduced platform-related operational costs
- Fully customized storefront implementation
- Successful Checkout.com integration
- Multiple shipping methods configured
- Scalable architecture for future enhancements
- Improved flexibility compared to the original solution
- Stable and successful production deployment
Today, the Australian e-commerce store is operating successfully and continues to support the client’s growing business requirements.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates the importance of selecting the right e-commerce platform based on business requirements rather than relying solely on default platform capabilities. By carefully evaluating available options and leveraging BigCommerce’s flexibility, we were able to deliver a customized, scalable, and cost-effective solution that aligned with the client’s long-term goals. The successful implementation highlights how the combination of BigCommerce, Stencil, custom development, and third-party integrations can create a powerful e-commerce ecosystem capable of supporting complex business needs while maintaining excellent user experience and operational efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did you choose BigCommerce over Shopify for this Australian e-commerce platform?
The client needed lower operational costs compared to Shopify while maintaining support for highly customized storefronts, flexible payment integrations, multiple shipping methods, and custom business workflows. We conducted a detailed evaluation of BigCommerce’s platform capabilities, APIs, and extensibility options before determining it was the right choice to meet all required business processes without the cost overhead of Shopify.
How did you handle the custom design requirements that didn't align with standard Stencil themes?
Our development team carefully customized templates, components, and storefront functionality using BigCommerce’s native Stencil framework to accurately match the client’s design requirements. We maintained responsiveness and performance across devices while delivering a fully responsive storefront with optimized product browsing experience and enhanced customer journey.
What approach did you take to implement business logic that extended beyond BigCommerce's out-of-the-box capabilities?
We leveraged BigCommerce’s APIs and customization capabilities to implement the required custom business logic while keeping the solution maintainable and scalable. This approach ensured the client could continue growing the platform without requiring extensive redevelopment in the future.
How does the Checkout.com integration improve the payment experience for Australian customers?
We successfully integrated Checkout.com into the BigCommerce ecosystem to support the client’s preferred payment provider, delivering secure payment transactions, improved checkout experience, and reliable payment processing. This third-party payment solution integration was a critical requirement that enhanced the overall customer experience.
What shipping capabilities did you implement to support the Australian market?
We implemented support for multiple shipping options and flexible fulfillment workflows to meet the specific requirements of the Australian market. This multi-carrier shipping integration enables the platform to scale and adapt to different fulfillment strategies as the business grows.
