
When does it make sense to switch from a CMS vs ERP for e-commerce businesses? Here’s a review of both types of systems, and how far you can go with each.
Software to run an online store comes in several sizes and types.
Depending on the type and size of your business, there are countless digital tools available on the market designed to streamline your business operations and help you grow revenues. This wide range of products falls into three major categories:
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management) A CRM is a customer database tool used most often by sales and marketing teams to keep tabs on relations with new and existing accounts, tag prospective customers, and analyze customer behaviors. SalesForce, Hubspot and ZenDesk are a few examples.
• CMS (Content Management Systems) Using a simple web interface that doesn’t need a webmaster’s help, a CMS allows you to securely add, update and delete content on your websit. Examples include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Most e-tailers are familiar with Magento as one of the most popular CMS platforms for e-commerce.
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) ERP is the business-wide management software that pulls everything together: operations, planning, manufacturing/importing processes, inventory management, shipping, sales, payroll, accounting, HR and more. Some of the best-known ERP software companies are Oracle, SAP and NetSuite.
For e-commerce enterprises, we will focus mostly on the last two from the standpoint of when it makes the most sense to step up from a CMS to an ERP system to handle your main selling operations.
Content Management Systems (CMS)
When starting out and in the early growth stages, almost all business owners choose to go with a CMS. They’re less expensive than ERPs, and they can be scaled and supplemented with additional tools tools like fulfillment programs, employee portals, and file management systems as needed. Until you have more than a few dozen employees, some call centers and one or more exclusive fulfillment centers, a CMS is usually enough.
With a CMS, you get custom domain names, web hosting, a site editor, a content library and, of course, the online store with integrated payment processing.
When your CMS begins to show weaknesses, that’s when it’s time to start comparing options.
Your team may be complaining about difficulties with updates. Chances are your developer has one or more favorite options, and can explain the pros and cons of each.
For small customer requirements, most CMS add-on options are solid. However, as your company starts to require more complex pages or web applications, their efficiency decreases. Often, companies will resort to having their developers build them a customized CMS, which then starts to run costs to a level where you may want to comparison shop this option against the cost of an entry level ERP.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
ERP is the big one. The main benefit of having this Big Kahuna is efficiency. ERP’s provide better transparency, reduce errors, and help e-commerce managers make more informed decisions.
An ERP system has more space for raw product data, more like a PIM, and can store product tag-based SEO (though SEO management isn’t included). By contrast, a CRM doesn’t usually feature any SEO specified fields, even if that’s already included in your product data. So in essence, an ERP system allows that many more shoppers to find what they need from your store via general search queries.
Final considerations on CMS vs. ERP for e-commerce
It’s possible that you have everything you need, more than you need, or that the tools you have just aren’t sized for your business needs. If you’re dealing with a patchwork of plug-ins that aren’t scaling the way you need them to, try adding up both the actual and hidden costs.
Don’t forget to consider the costs for digital subscriptions that may be eliminated by a custom-built CMS solution or an off-the shelf ERP solution. Either of those will give you better overall visibility into operations and help you track data in a way that’s better aligned with your KPIs, so you know in a timely way if you’re hitting your targets.

Julie Stewart
My mission at Shoppingfeed is explaining how to leverage e-commerce platforms and SaaS technology to e-merchants who just want to run their business and make more money.
To read This articles migth interest you
An E-Commerce Guide to Product Pricing in 2025
Consumer spending often slows in uncertain times. To remain competitive in 2025, you must find the sweet spot, pricing your goods to…
2024 Recap: Shoppingfeed – A Year of Innovation and Human Connection
As we step into the new year and close the chapter on 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on a year…
What Is Social Commerce, and How Can Businesses Succeed in 2025?
Social commerce involves selling your products or services directly through digital media platforms. Unlike traditional e-commerce — which sends users to a…
5 of the Most Must-Have Convenience Features to Add to Your E-Commerce Site
In e-commerce, convenience turns curious visitors into loyal customers. When your site is easy to navigate, loads quickly and makes checking out…