Why does the question of platform choice create so much confusion?
WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, custom website, private hosting, cloud… Few topics generate as many conflicting opinions as the choice of a web platform.
At Bofu, we regularly see executives and marketing teams receiving ten different opinions from ten different people. The problem isn't a lack of expertise. It's that everyone isn't talking about the same thing.
The real question is not “which platform is the best”, but rather: who really owns your website, your data and your ability to grow .
Simple definition: what is website ownership?
Website ownership is not limited to "the site is mine because I pay for it." It encompasses several dimensions:
- who controls the data (content, customers, transactions)
- where this data is hosted
- who can modify, export or migrate the site
- to what extent you depend on a supplier, agency, or technology
A website may legally belong to you, but be technically locked down.
Where is your data actually managed, depending on the platform?
Hosted platforms (Shopify, Webflow, Squarespace)
On hosted platforms, the infrastructure, security, and hosting are managed by the provider. Your data belongs to you, but it resides in a proprietary environment.
You can export your products, content, and customers, but you can't recreate the site exactly as it is elsewhere without adaptation. The provider controls the environment, not your business capabilities.
Open source CMS (WordPress, WooCommerce)
With an open-source CMS, the code is accessible and modifiable. The data resides on your hosting. In theory, ownership is maximized.
In practice, ownership depends heavily on the quality of the hosting, the configuration, the plugins, and the partners involved. A poorly managed WordPress site can be more restrictive than a well-structured Shopify site.
Enterprise platforms (Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud)
Enterprise platforms offer very advanced control, but at the cost of high complexity. Data is often distributed across multiple systems (commerce, CRM, ERP, BI).
Ownership is real, but it is conditional on the organization's ability to maintain this infrastructure.
Site managed on, mounted on, mounted in: what it really means (WordPress)
Site powered by WordPress
The site uses WordPress as its CMS, but the agency or developer controls the hosting, access, and sometimes even updates. The client is heavily dependent on the provider.
Site built on WordPress
The site is built on WordPress, with a standard theme and plugins. The client has access to the CMS and can manage the content, but remains dependent on the site for technical aspects.
Website built using a WordPress theme editor
The site is built using a builder (Elementor, Divi, etc.). The client has autonomy over the content, but the site becomes heavily dependent on the tool used, which complicates future migrations.
An undeniable truth: no website is "portable" as is.
Regardless of the CMS or platform, a website can never be transferred identically to another platform.
Every system has an interest in making its structure unique: data models, themes, templates, APIs, content logic. This isn't a conspiracy theory; it's an economic reality.
Changing platforms always involves adaptations, reconstructions, and trade-offs. The real question, therefore, is: how much does it cost and how much of a bottleneck does it cause ?
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): The true cost of ownership
What the TCO actually includes
The TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) includes:
- hosting and infrastructure
- maintenance and security
- updates
- the time of internal teams
- dependence on partners
- the ability to evolve or migrate
Advanced infrastructure: real value in an enterprise context
Dedicated servers, WHM, multi-environment management, high availability, advanced security: all of this has real value when:
- the volumes are very high
- Compliance issues are critical
- The systems are numerous and interconnected.
In this context, a high TCO is a strategic investment.
What is really important for an SME?
For most SMEs, the goal is not absolute technical control, but:
- a low and predictable TCO
- a quick go-to-market
- marketing autonomy
- an ability to change without excessive pain
In this context, platforms like Shopify offer an excellent balance between business ownership and operational simplicity.
Bofu's point of view
At Bofu, we don't believe in universal answers. We believe in architectures aligned with business realities.
A website should serve growth, not become a technical asset that's difficult to evolve. Ownership isn't about controlling every line of code; it's about being able to make decisions, evolve, and change without putting the company at risk.
Conclusion
If your prospects or partners give you conflicting opinions, that's normal. They're often talking about their own reality, not yours.
The right platform choice is the one that offers the right level of ownership, at the right cost, for the right phase of growth.
