About commercetools Architecture: What can we look for?

Microservices

Microservices are considered the focus of commercetools architecture. They consist of many independent microservices, each with a different responsibility and task. They do not just rely on an original unit like a monolithic structure, but are broken down and operate individually, and still ensure the overall system operates smoothly and works well together.

To give a better example, imagine that the checkout area, inventory area, and customer login confirmation area would not work in an all-in-one model. They operate completely independently, only playing a supporting role and not affecting each other.

API-first

commercetools architecture leverages an API-first approach with over 300 commerce APIs offered. API-first means all platform functions can be accessed via Application Programming Interfaces (API). Every component can communicate seamlessly with each other as well as with third-party services.

Cloud-native

Cloud-native continues to be another highlight when it comes to commercetools architecture. Cloud services like Google Cloud or AWS allow you to expand and calculate costs according to certain needs with great reliability.

They take advantage of infrastructure and cloud computing technology to create standard services with high reliability and allow users to optimize costs.

Headless

Headless architecture separates the user interface (the frontend) from the backend of the ecommerce platform. You can quickly develop and deploy every new customer touchpoint without any technical obstacles or errors that could impact overall operations.

Besides four main features that make up the MACH commercetools architecture, there are two other typical distribution forms of commercetools that you need to pay special attention to. They will greatly affect the way your ecommerce business operates.

• SaaS delivery model: applications built on commercetools’ MACH architecture are often delivered through SaaS (Software-as-a-Service). The latest application versions will always be archived and made available via the Internet. You’re guaranteed access to the latest security features and qualities without the hassle of conventional manual upgrade methods.

The combination of commercetools MACH architecture and SaaS model provides extremely flexible solutions. They can grow alongside the business even when it grows rapidly.

• Multi-Tenancy: commercetools architecture stands out with its multi-tenancy approach. That means, a single software version can serve many customers. Each customer will be able to maintain unique control over their configuration, upgrades, and security data.

This is an outstanding cost-optimized solution, while still having scalability and strong performance.

Strong flexibility

commercetools architecture ensures unprecedented flexibility with a microservices-based approach.

This modularity has big implications for ecommerce businesses. You absolutely have the opportunity to quickly innovate, adapt to market needs or fix errors that arise in each part (such as payment gateway system or inventory management) without slowing down the whole store. Just focus on those microservices that are responsible in that area.

Seamless integration

A great opportunity to help businesses easily and seamlessly integrate many different tools and services, ensuring the ecommerce ecosystem on your digital platform always operates effectively. 

Thanks to its API-first design, commercetools architecture also creates maximum conditions for businesses to easily do the commercetools integration with third parties, enhancing flexibility and the ability to seamlessly streamline customer experiences.

Optimize costs effectively

This is the result of the cloud service model. For growing ecommerce businesses in particular, cloud-native applications mean you only need to pay for what you actually use, not an all-encompassing package of services. 

Our practical experience shows that many ecommerce businesses “leave out” many services in their pricing plan because they do not need to use them.

Saving and optimizing total cost of ownership are the strengths of commercetools architecture. In particular, it is easy to scale up with cloud-native applications. This is most needed for ecommerce businesses that are accelerating in the market or in case of a sudden increase in the number of customers. 

Ensuring a smooth and reliable customer experience is something you can rest assured about with commercetools architecture.

Customer experience is enhanced and seamless

commercetools architecture with headless point ensures consistency and suitability of ecommerce businesses across multiple channels, from website devices, electronic devices to IoT.

Powerful and consistent backend operations are available. Not only does it bring outstanding responsiveness, but this is also a positive signal for businesses that want to apply strategies to attract new customers on a large scale quickly.

Continuous deployment with CI/CD Practices

CI/CD Practices ensure automated testing and deployment, delivering the highest quality releases to stores and minimizing downtime. Use automation tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD or GitHub Actions on your commercetools store, ensuring updates are consistent and reliable. Don’t worry because they will easily adapt to an open platform like commercetools.

Optimize processes using SDKs and APIs

Leverage SDKs (Software Development Kit) to simplify interaction with APIs on the commercetools architecture. SDKs typically include documentation, source code libraries, and tools for testing and deploying the application or compiler. 

Cache them and access them frequently to improve application responsiveness, as well as minimize strict requirements from APIs during communication.

Continuously monitor and improve performance

When adopting commercetools architecture, you still need to continuously monitor and improve performance proactively, because it empowers you to do so. Use integrated monitoring tools like Grafana, Prometheus, or commercetools analytics to track key metrics, identify bottlenecks, and optimize data in real time.

Apply Agile methods

Choose Agile development with commercetools architecture, proactively drive operational progress, increase collaboration and the ability to respond to change. Apply applications like Kanban or Scrum, or ensure work progress with global applications like Jira or Trello. All can be easily integrated and installed into your digital store thanks to commercetools architecture.

Enhance security compliance

Implement strong security, authentication, and authorization mechanisms with commercetools integrations, and regularly comprehensively audit your ecommerce business to protect customer data, business data as well as secure transactions.

Personalize your shopping experience

Leverage the flexibility of commercetools architecture to tailor product offerings, marketing messages, user interface, and notification popups based on customer preferences and behavior. This process helps increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as boost conversion rates.

Deploy globalization plans early

If your business is going global, make sure your ecommerce business allows for easy localization and internationalization that corresponds to the culture and customer personality of each region. Leverage the commercetools architecture to accommodate different languages, currencies, and regional regulations.

Of course, you can hire commercetools developers if you feel the process is a bit overwhelming in terms of time, analytical techniques, and practical knowledge.

Danone

Danone had a difficult time building their ecommerce business with a monolithic system. When they moved to the MACH commercetools architecture, they had the opportunity to apply modularity from the microservices system, allowing components to operate independently and be easily integrated.

This change gives Danone more flexibility in the placement of commercial tools, and at the same time, enhances the ability to respond to rapid changes in the market. A large and global brand should not be underestimated.

Nuts.com

With Nuts.com, MACH commercetools architecture can perfectly balance flexibility and stability. It allows this business to proactively customize necessary features while still ensuring the required operation of important tools such as the shopping cart or payment area.

The headless and plug-and-play solutions allow Nuts.com to tailor the ecommerce experience without disrupting or technically impacting other essential roles.

Normet

Normet needed an ecommerce solution that fully addressed their rapid expansion and growth. With commercetools architecture, they have ensured the system’s ability to scale, easily integrate with tools like IoT, and instantly adapt to customer behavior. They no longer worry that the business’s ability to innovate and change over the next few years may be affected by the limitations of a monolithic structure.