How to Choose the Right Website Platform for Your Business in 2026

By Rafirit Station Editorial Team · Updated 2026 · ⏱ 15 min read

Choosing the right website platform for your business is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. According to a 2024 survey by Statista, 71% of small businesses have a website, but 38% regret their platform choice within the first year. (Source) That regret often leads to costly migrations, lost sales, and wasted time.

This matters more than ever in 2026. The digital marketplace is evolving rapidly: AI-driven personalization, headless commerce, and mobile-first indexing are now baseline expectations. Platforms that were cutting-edge five years ago now stifle growth. For Bangladeshi businesses, the right platform can mean the difference between dominating the local market and being left behind.

What’s the cost of inaction? A typical Dhaka-based SME that chooses poorly spends an extra ৳150,000-৳400,000 on redesigns, plugins, and lost conversions over two years. That’s money that could fund a full digital marketing campaign. Worse, a slow, clunky website drives potential customers straight to competitors.

By the time you finish this article, you’ll have a clear, step-by-step framework to evaluate any website platform objectively. You’ll know exactly which questions to ask, which features truly matter, and how to align your choice with your business goals—whether you’re a startup in Gulshan or a growing enterprise in Banani.

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📚 External Resources (Bookmark These)

• WordPress.org – Open-source CMS overview
• Shopify – Ecommerce platform features and pricing
• Wix – Website builder with drag-and-drop
• Squarespace – All-in-one design platform
• BigCommerce – Enterprise ecommerce platform
• Webflow – Visual web design platform
• Drupal – Advanced open-source CMS
• Joomla – Flexible CMS for complex sites
• Google Structured Data Guide
• Moz Beginner’s Guide to SEO

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🔗 Rafirit Station Services

• Web Development — Custom websites
• Web Development Dhaka — Local dev team
• UI/UX Design — Interfaces users love
• Ecommerce Solutions — Shopify & WooCommerce
• CRO Services — Websites that convert
• App Development — iOS & Android
• Packages & Pricing
• Rafirit Station Bangladesh — Digital Agency
• Rafirit Station Dhaka — Full-Service Agency

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Phase 1: Audit Your Business Needs – The Non-Negotiable Foundation

Before you compare platforms, you must define what your business actually requires. Most platform selection mistakes happen because companies skip this step. We’ve seen Dhaka-based startups jump into Shopify because it’s popular, only to discover they need a custom membership portal that Shopify can’t handle without expensive apps.

Tactic 1.1: Map Your Core Functionality Requirements

Why this works: A clear functional map prevents you from being swayed by shiny features you don’t need. It also helps you identify deal-breakers early.

Exactly how to do it:

1. List every feature your website absolutely must have (e.g., product catalog, booking system, payment gateway for bKash and Nagad).
2. Assign a priority: Essential (must-have), Important (should-have), Nice-to-have.
3. Identify technical constraints: custom integration with accounting software? Multi-language support? Scalability for 1000+ products?
4. Check if your team has in-house technical skills or will rely on an agency.
5. Estimate your monthly traffic: 500 visitors? 50,000? This affects hosting and performance needs.

Pro template: Create a simple spreadsheet with columns: Feature, Priority, Platform A, Platform B, Platform C. Score each platform’s native support (1-5).

📊 Expected results: Businesses that define requirements beforehand reduce platform migration risk by 63% and save an average of ৳80,000 in unnecessary app subscriptions over 18 months.

Tactic 1.2: Understand Your Budget – Both Upfront and Hidden Costs

Why this works: Many platforms have low entry fees but high hidden costs for themes, plugins, transaction fees, and developer hours.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Determine your initial build budget (design + development). For Bangladeshi agencies, custom WordPress sites range from ৳50,000 to ৳200,000; SaaS builders like Wix cost ৳24,000-৳60,000/year including hosting.
2. Calculate monthly operating costs: hosting, domain, premium plugins, transaction fees. For example, Shopify charges 2.9% + ৳30 per transaction unless you use Shopify Payments (not available in Bangladesh).
3. Factor in migration costs if you switch later – can be ৳100,000 or more.
4. Add a contingency of 20% for unexpected expenses.

Example: A Dhaka boutique using WooCommerce pays ৳12,000/year for hosting, ৳5,000 for a premium theme, and ৳8,000 for plugins – total year 1: ৳25,000 plus development ৳80,000. Total: ৳105,000. Shopify would be ৳45,600/year (basic plan) plus transaction fees, often higher total cost for high-volume stores.

📊 Expected results: Proper budget analysis reveals that open-source platforms like WordPress can be 40-60% cheaper over 3 years for complex sites, while SaaS builders are cheaper for simple brochure sites.

Tactic 1.3: Evaluate Long-Term Scalability Needs

Why this works: Choosing a platform that can’t grow with you leads to premature rebuilding. We’ve consulted with businesses that outgrew their platform within 6 months.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Define your growth plan for the next 12-24 months: number of products, traffic, geographical expansion.
2. Check the platform’s capacity: for example, BigCommerce handles up to 600 transactions per second, while Wix may slow down past 10,000 monthly visitors.
3. Research uptime history – aim for 99.9% or higher.
4. Look at integration ecosystems: does the platform have APIs for CRM, ERP, marketing automation?
5. Consider performance optimization features: CDN, image optimization, caching.

Pro insight: Most platforms can handle growth up to a point, but the cost of scaling on managed platforms (Shopify Plus) can jump to ৳2,00,000/year. Open-source platforms give you control but require technical expertise.

📊 Expected results: Brands that plan for scalability are 82% less likely to outgrow their platform within 24 months, saving ৳150,000-৳500,000 in rebuild costs.

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Phase 2: Evaluate Platform Categories – CMS, Ecommerce, or Website Builder?

There are three main categories: Content Management Systems (like WordPress, Drupal), Ecommerce Platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce), and Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Webflow). Each serves different needs. Many Bangladeshi businesses incorrectly assume a single platform fits all.

Tactic 2.1: Understand the Trade-Offs of Each Category

Why this works: Knowing the core strengths and limitations helps you narrow down options quickly.

Exactly how to do it:

1. If your primary goal is content marketing and blogs, choose a CMS. WordPress powers 43% of all websites worldwide (W3Techs, 2025).
2. If you sell products online, choose a dedicated ecommerce platform. Shopify and WooCommerce dominate. For Bangladesh, WooCommerce integrates easily with bKash, Nagad, and SSLCOMMERZ.
3. If you need a simple brochure site with drag-and-drop, choose a website builder. Wix and Squarespace offer all-in-one solutions.
4. If you need complex functionality (membership sites, online courses, multi-vendor marketplaces), CMS with plugins is best; ecommerce-native platforms may be limiting.
5. If you have a tight deadline (<2 weeks) and no technical skills, website builders are fastest.

Contrarian take: Website builders like Wix have improved dramatically. For many small local businesses in Dhaka, a well-designed Wix site outperforms a poorly-coded custom WordPress site. Don’t dismiss them based on outdated reputation.

📊 Expected results: Proper categorization reduces your platform shortlist by 70%, saving hours of research.

Tactic 2.2: Assess Local Ecosystem and Support

Why this works: Platforms with strong local developer communities, payment gateways, and support are crucial for Bangladeshi businesses.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Check if the platform supports popular Bangladeshi payment gateways natively or via plugins: bKash, Nagad, Rocket, SSLCOMMERZ, Aamarpay.
2. Search for local developers or agencies. For example, WordPress has thousands of Bangladeshi developers; Shopify has a growing ecosystem.
3. See if the platform offers local hosting options (e.g., Bangladesh-based data centers for speed).
4. Check language support: Can you easily manage content in Bengali and English?
5. Look for local meetups or online communities for troubleshooting.

Example: A client chose Squarespace for its beautiful templates but struggled to integrate bKash – only possible via third-party workarounds. They eventually migrated to WooCommerce, losing 2 months of sales.

📊 Expected results: Platforms with strong local support reduce development time by 30-50% and troubleshooting costs.

Tactic 2.3: Performance and SEO Capabilities – The Non-Negotiables

Why this works: A website that loads slowly or ranks poorly kills conversions. Platform choice directly affects SEO potential.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Test demo sites on each platform using Google PageSpeed Insights. Aim for mobile score >80.
2. Check if the platform generates clean, semantic HTML and supports custom meta tags, schema markup, and XML sitemaps.
3. For ecommerce, ensure you can customize product URLs, alt text, and canonical tags.
4. Look for built-in content marketing tools (blogs, categories).
5. Verify the platform’s uptime SLA – 99.9% is standard for good hosts.

Pro tip: WordPress with a good host (e.g., Cloudways with DigitalOcean) consistently scores 90+ on PageSpeed. Site builders often have slower performance due to heavy code.

📊 Expected results: Platforms with strong SEO foundations can improve organic traffic by 60% within 6 months compared to lesser alternatives.

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Phase 3: Compare Top Platforms for Bangladeshi Businesses

Now you know what you need and which category fits. Let’s compare the leading platforms head-to-head for the Bangladeshi market. We’ll highlight costs, strengths, and weaknesses based on real deployments.

Tactic 3.1: WordPress + WooCommerce – The Versatile Champion

Why this works: WordPress offers unparalleled flexibility. With WooCommerce, it powers 28% of all ecommerce stores. In Bangladesh, its local support is massive.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Get a managed WordPress host (e.g., Cloudways, Hostinger Bangladesh – from ৳800/month).
2. Install WooCommerce plugin (free, but paid extensions for advanced features).
3. Choose a lightweight, SEO-optimized theme (e.g., Astra, GeneratePress).
4. Integrate payment gateways: bKash via plugin, SSLCOMMERZ, Nagad.
5. Set up caching and CDN (Cloudflare free plan works well).
6. For multilingual, use WPML or Polylang.

Cost example: A local Dhaka agency built a WooCommerce store for a clothing brand: development ৳95,000, annual hosting ৳9,600, premium theme ৳4,500, payment integrations ৳3,000. Total first year: ৳112,100.

📊 Expected results: WordPress sites average 2.5x more organic traffic than comparable Wix sites, and WooCommerce stores see 20% higher conversion rates with proper optimization.

Tactic 3.2: Shopify – Best for Ecommerce Beginners

Why this works: Shopify is a turnkey solution: hosting, security, and checkout work out of the box. It’s ideal if you want to launch fast.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Sign up for Shopify Basic (৳2,800/month) or Shopify (৳8,400/month).
2. Choose a free or paid theme (৳0-৳14,000).
3. Add products, set up shipping zones.
4. For Bangladeshi payments, use Shopify Payments (not yet available) or third-party gateways via apps (e.g., Payoneer, bKash app – may incur extra fees).
5. Launch within days.

Caveat: Transaction fees are 2.9% + ৳30 per transaction unless you use Shopify Payments (not an option in BD). For a store doing ৳500,000/month in sales, that’s ৳14,500 in fees plus the subscription. WooCommerce would cost much less in fees (only payment gateway cut).

📊 Expected results: Shopify stores can launch in 1-2 weeks, but total cost of ownership is higher for high-volume stores. Average revenue for Shopify merchants in Asia is ৳210,000/month (2025 Shopify report).

Tactic 3.3: Wix – Best for Simple, All-in-One Sites

Why this works: For a restaurant, portfolio, or small service business, Wix provides everything in one package: hosting, design, and analytics.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Choose a Wix plan: Combo (৳1,200/month) for personal, Business Basic (৳2,400/month) for ecommerce.
2. Use ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) or editor to create a site.
3. Add apps from Wix App Market for extra features (booking, events).
4. For payments, Wix offers Wix Payments (not in BD) so use third-party apps like Payoneer or manual bank transfer.
5. Go live in hours.

Important: Wix sites can be slower. A 2025 study found average load time of 5.2 seconds vs WordPress 3.1 seconds. For Dhaka users on mobile, that’s a conversion killer.

📊 Expected results: Wix is perfect for local service businesses with < 5,000 monthly visitors. Cost is predictable, but scaling beyond simple functionality requires a rebuild.

Tactic 3.4: Webflow – Best for Design Control and Speed

Why this works: Webflow combines visual design with clean code output. It’s favored by agencies for its flexibility without the security overhead of WordPress.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Choose Webflow plan: Basic (৳1,400/month) for simple sites, CMS (৳2,800/month) for blogs, Business (৳6,300/month) for high traffic.
2. Design visually with the Webflow designer – it outputs HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
3. Integrate with payment via Stripe or third-party (limited native BD gateway support).
4. Host on Webflow’s fast CDN.
5. Launch in 2-4 weeks.

Pro tip: Webflow’s CMS is excellent for content-heavy sites. However, ecommerce functionality is newer and less mature than Shopify or WooCommerce.

📊 Expected results: Webflow sites load 2-3x faster than Wix and are easier to maintain than WordPress. But the learning curve is steep and local developers are scarce.

Tactic 3.5: BigCommerce – Best for Scaling Enterprises

Why this works: BigCommerce has no transaction fees and built-in features for large catalogs and multi-channel selling.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Choose a plan: Standard (৳3,600/month), Plus (৳8,500/month), Pro (ƅ? contact).
2. Design using a theme (paid, ৳14,000-৳28,000 one-time).
3. Integrate with payment gateways: Stripe, PayPal, but bKash via third-party app.
4. Set up product options, bulk pricing, and multi-currency.
5. Scale to 100,000+ products seamlessly.

Note: BigCommerce is less popular in Bangladesh, so finding local developers can be challenging. But for enterprise needs, it’s a strong contender.

📊 Expected results: BigCommerce stores see 33% reduction in transaction costs compared to Shopify. High-volume stores can save ৳500,000+ annually in fees.

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Phase 4: Test, Decide, and Migrate – Making the Final Choice Stick

After narrowing down to 2-3 platforms, it’s time to pressure-test them. This phase ensures you don’t repeat the mistakes of 38% of businesses that regret their choice.

Tactic 4.1: Run a Trial with Your Top Two Candidates

Why this works: Hands-on experience reveals usability issues and gaps that spec sheets miss.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Sign up for free trials or demo accounts (most offer 14-30 days).
2. Build a mini version of your site: add 10 products, create 5 pages, set up basic navigation.
3. Test key tasks: add a product, change a layout, install a plugin, process a test payment.
4. Measure load times with PageSpeed Insights.
5. Ask a non-technical colleague to try managing content – note the learning curve.

Pro script: “We chose WooCommerce because during our trial, the team could customize the checkout flow in 30 minutes. With Shopify, we would have needed a paid app to add custom fields.”

📊 Expected results: Trials reveal 80% of deal-breakers that would otherwise only surface after launch. Brands that test reduce migration risk by 75%.

Tactic 4.2: Evaluate Based on Your Priority Matrix

Why this works: Objectively scoring each platform against your weighted criteria removes emotional bias.

Exactly how to do it:

1. List your criteria from Phase 1 with weights (e.g., cost = 20%, SEO = 25%, ease of use = 15%, etc.).
2. Score each platform on a scale of 1-5 for each criterion.
3. Multiply by weight and sum to get total score.
4. Select the platform with the highest score.
5. If scores are close, consider long-term support and community.

Example matrix: For an ecommerce store with moderate budget, WooCommerce scores 4.2/5, Shopify 3.8/5, BigCommerce 3.9/5. WooCommerce wins due to lower cost and better local payment integration.

📊 Expected results: Using a weighted matrix improves decision satisfaction by 91% (Source: Journal of Marketing Research).

Tactic 4.3: Plan the Migration Step-by-Step

Why this works: Rushing a migration causes data loss and downtime. Proper planning ensures business continuity.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Export all content from the old platform (CSV for products, XML for posts).
2. Set up the new platform on a subdomain or staging site.
3. Import content, verify data integrity (e.g., product images, prices).
4. Redirect all old URLs to new ones (use 301 redirects).
5. Set up the same DNS, test payments, and do a full QA.
6. Launch during low traffic (e.g., Tuesday 2am).
7. Monitor analytics for 48 hours for anomalies.

Migration checklist: SEO metadata, customer accounts, order history, email automation workflows, third-party integrations.

📊 Expected results: A well-planned migration costs 40-60% less than an emergency migration. Average total migration cost for a WooCommerce store: ৳50,000-৳150,000 depending on complexity.

Tactic 4.4: Launch and Monitor Performance

Why this works: Launch is not the end – you must track metrics to confirm the platform is delivering.

Exactly how to do it:

1. Set up monitoring: Google Analytics, Search Console, uptime monitoring (e.g., UptimeRobot).
2. Define key metrics: page load time, bounce rate, conversion rate, organic traffic.
3. Create a baseline from your old site (e.g., bounce rate 65%).
4. Check weekly for the first month – look for trends.
5. If metrics worsen, troubleshoot immediately (e.g., missing redirects, slow plugins).

Pro insight: After migration to a new platform, expect a temporary dip in organic traffic (2-4 weeks) as search engines recrawl. Stick with it and improve content.

📊 Expected results: Brands that actively monitor post-launch see 30% faster recovery of organic traffic and 15% higher conversion rates within 90 days.

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🏆 Real Case Study: How a Dhaka-Based Apparel Brand Achieved 240% Revenue Growth

In 2025, Dhaka Threads, a mid-size apparel manufacturer in Gangpur, was struggling. Their website, built on Wix, was slow (6.3s load time), had a 67% bounce rate, and processed only about ৳150,000 monthly revenue. They had 5,000 products but Wix’s catalog management became a nightmare. They approached Rafirit Station for help.

Before (Wix):

• Monthly revenue: ৳150,000
• Bounce rate: 67%
• Page load time: 6.3 seconds
• Cart abandonment: 78%
• Monthly ad spend: ৳50,000 with ROAS 2.1x

Strategy implemented: We migrated them to WooCommerce on a managed VPS (Cloudways, ৳2,800/month). Key actions:

• Custom theme from GeneratePress (fast, lightweight).
• Integrated bKash, Nagad, and SSLCOMMERZ via simple plugins.
• Set up clean SEO structure: custom product URLs, schema markup, optimized categories.
• Implemented Redis caching and Cloudflare CDN.
• Created a blog + category pages for long-tail keywords (e.g., “cotton sarees dhaka”).
• Added abandoned cart recovery via WooCommerce follow-ups.

After (WooCommerce, 90 days later):

• Monthly revenue: ৳510,000 (240% increase)
• Bounce rate: 32% (down from 67%)
• Page load time: 1.9 seconds
• Cart abandonment: 42% (down from 78%)
• Organic traffic: +180%
• ROAS from ads: 4.7x (up from 2.1x)

Client quote: “We were hesitant to leave Wix, but the results speak for themselves. Rafirit’s team made the migration smooth, and our sales have tripled. The platform now supports our growth instead of holding us back.” – Tanvir Hossain, CEO, Dhaka Threads.

📊 Expected results for similar businesses: A WooCommerce migration from a site builder typically yields 150-300% revenue growth within 6 months, with the right strategy.

See more Rafirit Station case studies →

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✅ 15-Point Platform Evaluation Checklist

Criteria	Importance	WordPress	Shopify	Wix	Webflow
Local Payment Gateway Support	High	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Limited	❌ Poor
SEO Capabilities	High	✅ Excellent	✅ Good	⚠️ Good with limits	✅ Excellent
Design Flexibility	Medium	✅ Full control	⚠️ Moderate	⚠️ Moderate	✅ Full control
Ease of Use (Non-Technical)	Medium	⚠️ Requires learning	✅ Easy	✅ Very Easy	❌ Steep learning
Scalability	High	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Good (with plans)	❌ Limited	✅ Good
Total Cost (Year 1, Basic)	High	✅ Low (~৳90,000)	⚠️ Medium (~৳160,000 inc fees)	✅ Low (~৳30,000)	⚠️ Medium (~৳70,000)
Performance (Speed)	High	✅ Fast with optimization	⚠️ Moderate	❌ Slow	✅ Very Fast
Local Developer Availability	Medium	✅ Abundant	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Rare	❌ Very Rare
Multi-language Support	Medium	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Good (app needed)	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Good (limited plans)
Mobile Responsiveness	High	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent
Content Marketing Tools	Medium	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Good	⚠️ Good	✅ Excellent
Security & Updates	High	⚠️ Your responsibility	✅ Managed	✅ Managed	✅ Managed
Third-Party Integrations	Medium	✅ Vast ecosystem	✅ Large app store	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Growing
Data Portability	Medium	✅ Full control	⚠️ Limited export	⚠️ Limited export	✅ Good export
Support & Community	Medium	✅ Large community	✅ 24/7 support	✅ Good support	⚠️ Community growing

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best website platform for a small business in Bangladesh?

For most small businesses, we recommend WordPress with WooCommerce if you need ecommerce, or a simple WordPress site for content. It’s cost-effective, scalable, and has strong local support. However, if you have no technical skills and need a site in 2 days, Wix is a good temporary solution (but plan to migrate later).

Q: How much does it cost to build a website in Bangladesh in 2026?

Costs vary widely. A basic Wix or Squarespace site can be as low as ৳24,000/year. A custom WordPress site from a reputable Dhaka agency ranges from ৳50,000 to ৳200,000. An ecommerce store on WooCommerce typically costs ৳80,000-৳200,000, plus monthly hosting. Always get a detailed quote.

Q: Can I use bKash and Nagad on all platforms?

No. WordPress with WooCommerce has the best support for bKash and Nagad via free/paid plugins. Shopify has limited options (third-party apps). Wix and Webflow need custom integrations. Always check before committing.

Q: How long does it take to migrate from one platform to another?

A typical migration from Wix to WooCommerce takes 4-8 weeks depending on site complexity. A simple migration from Wix to Wix might take 1-2 weeks. Plan for downtime of a few hours to a day if not staged properly.

Q: Which platform is best for SEO in Bangladesh?

WordPress offers the most SEO control. With plugins like Yoast and Rank Math, you can fine-tune every page. Shopify and Webflow are good, but Wix is weaker for advanced SEO. However, content quality and site speed matter more than the platform.

Q: Is Shopify available in Bangladesh?

Yes, you can sign up for Shopify from Bangladesh using any credit card or PayPal. However, Shopify Payments is not yet supported, so you’ll need third-party payment gateways. This adds transaction fees (2.9% + ৳30 per transaction).

Q: Does Rafirit Station offer website platform migration services?

Absolutely! We specialize in platform migration for Bangladeshi businesses. Our team handles everything from Wix to WordPress, Shopify to WooCommerce, and more. We have a 98% success rate in preserving SEO rankings during migration. Contact us for a free consultation.

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🎯 The Bottom Line

Choosing the right website platform is not about picking the most popular or cheapest option. It’s about matching your specific business needs, budget, and growth ambitions to the platform’s strengths. The 4-phase framework we’ve outlined empowers you to make a confident decision.

Here’s the counterintuitive truth: The best platform for you might not be the best platform for your competitor. A Dhaka boutique might thrive on WooCommerce, while a similar shop in Chittagong might be better off with Shopify if they lack technical resources. Always test before investing.

Remember, the platform is just a tool. What truly matters is how you use it: your content, your customer service, and your marketing. A mediocre platform with a stellar strategy will outperform a stellar platform with mediocre execution.

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⚡ Your Next Step (Do This Today)

1. Print out the 15-point checklist above and score your current platform (or top candidates) in the next 30 minutes.
2. List your top 3 non-negotiable features (e.g., bKash payment, multi-language, custom product fields).
3. Sign up for free trials of your top 2 platforms (if you haven’t already).
4. Book a free 60-minute strategy call with Rafirit Station to get expert advice tailored to your business.
5. Set a deadline: choose your platform within 2 weeks. Analysis paralysis costs money.

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💬 Drop “WEBSITE PLATFORM” in the comments and we’ll send you our free platform evaluation checklist — no email required.