The Real Question: Are You Building to Last?
Choosing a content management system (CMS) for your e-Commerce site isn't just about launching quickly, it's about choosing a platform you won’t outgrow. Many site owners only realise too late that the platform they started on has become a barrier: expensive to scale, difficult to customise, and impossible to fully own.
We hear it all the time:
- "We're stuck with a platform we can't change."
- "We didn’t realise we were just renting the site until we tried to move it."
- "Adding new features means rebuilding half the site."
- "Our website's tied to a monthly fee, and it keeps going up."
These issues are more than technical. They're strategic. And they usually start with the wrong CMS.
What You're Really Paying For (Even If It Says "Free")
When comparing CMS platforms, it helps to understand what you’re actually buying into:
1. Proprietary Platforms
(What is a proprietary platform? It’s software owned and controlled by a company. You pay to use it, but you don’t own the underlying system or code.)
Think Shopify Plus or Adobe Commerce. You're renting space on someone else's system. Setup is fast, support is strong, but costs ramp up very quickly. And if you want to leave? It's often not simple.
2. All-in-One Website Builders
Wix, Squarespace and the like work well for solo businesses or simple brochure sites. But they’re not built for complexity, customisation or serious commerce.
3. Open-Source CMS
Open-source platforms give you full access to the code and data behind your site. That means you can host it anywhere, tailor it exactly to your needs, and avoid being locked into one provider.
We specialise in Drupal because it's one of the most flexible and reliable open-source options, especially for e-commerce. Unlike some other platforms, Drupal doesn’t box you in with limited templates or forced upgrades. It’s built for long-term growth and complete control.
Owning Your Website: What That Really Means
Real ownership means:
- You can change hosts whenever you like
- Your code, content, and structure are transferable.
- You control integrations, features, and future upgrades.
If we build it for you, it's yours at the end. No strings, no subscriptions. It's your site, forever.
Contrast that with a rented setup where key parts of your site are locked behind a paywall or proprietary ecosystem. That means less freedom and more cost over time.
Avoiding CMS Lock-In
Some platforms make it hard to leave. You can’t move your content easily, features you’ve paid for don’t transfer, or you’re tied into monthly fees forever.
If switching platforms sounds like starting over, that’s CMS lock-in. A flexible system like Drupal lets you take your content and build on it without starting from scratch or paying again for things you already own.
Where Drupal Fits In
You won’t see flashy ads for Drupal. But you will find it quietly powering some of the most trusted, high-traffic websites in the world, including Tesla, Oxford University, the Royal Family, and Jo Malone.
It’s built for teams that want freedom, flexibility, and long-term control.
Why We Recommend It:
- Scalable architecture that grows with your business
- Open-source and fully customisable
- No platform fees or plugin tax
- Secure and enterprise-ready
- Great for hybrid content + e-commerce sites
If you want to scale without rebuilding every few years, Drupal is built for exactly that.
Final Thought: Start With the End in Mind
If you're currently exploring CMS options, think ahead. Don’t just ask "what works now?" Ask "What will still work when we double in size?"
At Open Imagination, we help e-Commerce businesses make platform choices that support real growth.
Book an intro call, we're here to listen and learn about your business to help you explore your options without any pressure.
About the Author: With 16 years in hospitality behind him, George now works in web development, helping people make sense of tech and bring their ideas to life online.
