A question we get weekly: “should I build my store on Salla or Shopify, or go custom?” — the honest answer: both are right, for different people at different stages. The problem is each side markets its solution as the only one.
When is a ready platform the right call?
- You're still validating the product idea and unsure of the market. - Your current budget is below a properly built custom store. - You need to launch in days, not weeks. - Your monthly sales are still small and commissions don't hurt yet. In these cases a platform is an excellent choice — it removes all the tech and lets you focus on product and marketing.
When does a custom store start winning?
The math changes with growth. Platforms charge: a monthly subscription + sales commissions + gateway fees + paid add-ons for every extra feature. A store selling 100K EGP monthly can pay the platform 30–60K EGP a year — every year. A custom store: a one-time build cost + modest annual hosting + zero commissions. Over 3 years, custom usually wins clearly for any business with serious sales.
The difference nobody mentions: ownership and control
- On a platform, your data, customers and design live under its terms — if it changes pricing or closes your account, you're exposed. - SEO is stronger on a custom store: full control over speed, URLs and structured data. - Any feature specific to your business (wholesale pricing, loyalty points, integration with your internal system) is easy on your own store — impossible or costly on a platform.
And the downsides? Honestly:
- Custom costs more upfront and takes time to build (4–8 weeks). - You need a trustworthy builder — a badly built custom store is worse than any platform. - Maintenance is your responsibility (or your tech partner's).
Our practical recommendation
Start on a platform if you're still testing. Once sales prove out and commissions start to sting — migrate to a custom store; we move products, customers and SEO links completely with zero loss. That's the path most of our successful clients took.