Most traditional eCommerce platforms are built using a monolithic architecture. That means the entire application — frontend, backend, database, business logic, integrations — is bundled together into one tightly connected system.

At first, this setup seems convenient. Everything is under one roof, handled by one vendor, and maintained in one place. But as your business grows, so do the problems.

The real challenges of monolithic platforms:

1. Limited flexibility

If you want to update a single feature, like your checkout or product page, you may have to touch the whole system. That means longer dev cycles, more risk, and higher costs.

1. Slow innovation

Trying to add a new integration or test a different payment method? In a monolithic system, even small changes require heavy work. This slows down your ability to respond to market trends.

1. Scaling issues

During peak seasons or high-traffic events, you can’t just scale the parts that need it — you have to scale everything. That’s inefficient and often expensive.

1. Vendor lock-in

You’re usually stuck with the tools your platform offers. If their CMS is clunky or their analytics don’t give you what you need, tough luck. Switching tools might mean replatforming entirely.

1. Frontend limitations

You’re often stuck with default templates that are hard to customize. If you want to build a unique, high-performance storefront, you’ll hit roadblocks fast.

Monolithic architecture isn’t inherently bad — but it wasn’t built for today’s pace. Customers expect fast load times, personalized experiences, and consistency across every device. Traditional systems just can’t keep up.

Composable commerce addresses these challenges by breaking the system into independent, specialized components that can be updated, replaced, or scaled as needed. No massive overhauls. No delays. Just faster, more efficient growth.

In short: Where monolithic platforms create friction, composable commerce creates flow.