Online Store on React or Vue: Why and Who It Fits

Why Businesses Look for Alternatives to Ready-made CMS

A quick start is not always a good idea when it comes to scaling. Many entrepreneurs start with Shopify, OpenCart, or WooCommerce because “it’s easier that way.” But as soon as the business begins to grow, such solutions become a hindrance.

Common problems businesses face with template-based CMS:

• Limited flexibility in customizing cart logic, filters, and search.
• Dependence on third-party plugins that conflict or stop updating.
• Slow loading speeds, which harm SEO and mobile conversion.
• Security issues, especially with an increasing number of transactions.
• Lack of proper integration with CRM, ERP, or accounting systems.

When a business grows to thousands of products, multiple user roles, and complex analytics, the CMS starts to crack at the seams. In 2022, Gymshark migrated from Shopify to JAMstack (React + headless CMS) due to site speed issues during peak loads — such as Black Friday. As a result, page load speed increased by 39%, and the conversion rate by 21%.

The alternative is developing a custom interface on React or Vue, which connects to any backend. This solution is not cheap, but for businesses with serious plans, it’s the only way to technological freedom.

How React and Vue Approaches to Creating eCommerce Projects Differ

React and Vue are not just two frameworks. They are two philosophies of building interfaces. While both allow the creation of SPA, SSR, or PWA, their approach to architecture, support, and scalability is significantly different. Let’s examine in detail the fundamental difference between the two frameworks and why some choose React, while others prefer Vue.

React — strength in ecosystem and scale

React is the choice for those who plan to play the long game. It offers broad flexibility, a powerful ecosystem of libraries, and room for unconventional solutions. For instance, Shopify uses React in its admin panel. Zalando switched to React to build a modular storefront system that scales separately for each country.

Strengths of React:

• Support for server-side rendering (Next.js) for SEO.
• Extensive developer and resource base.
• The ability to create complex business logic without ‘hacks’.
• Standardization and stable support from Facebook.

In projects with tens of thousands of SKUs, multifunctional carts, integrations with AI recommendations — React feels right at home.

Vue — simplicity and a quick start

Vue is appealing for its ease. It is less ‘heavy’ to start with and is perfect for small and medium projects. Often, companies choose it when they don’t want to lose flexibility but are not ready for the complexity of React.

An example is Xiaomi. The company uses Vue in its eCommerce app targeted at the Asian market, where speed is more important than complex customization.

Advantages of Vue:

• Low entry threshold for the team.
• Quick start for MVP or medium-sized store.
• Powerful integration with Laravel.
• Built-in reactivity and ease of setup.

The perfect case for Vue is a business that wants to launch an online store in a short time while maintaining flexibility for the future. Vue is like a sprinter who can run a marathon if properly prepared.

Who should consider an online store on React or Vue

Not every business needs development from scratch. But there are types of companies for which moving away from a template CMS is not a luxury but a matter of survival. Usually, these are brands that have outgrown the MVP stage, have stable sales, and have encountered the limitations of a platform that once seemed convenient.

React or Vue are suitable in such cases:

• When a complex interface with dynamic elements is needed.
• If scaling to multiple countries and languages is planned.
• When working with a large product database — from 10,000 SKUs.
• When deep integration with internal services (ERP, CRM) is necessary.
• If the priority is maximum performance and speed.

In 2023, Casper, a company that sells mattresses online, switched to React in conjunction with a headless CMS. They encountered the issue that Shopify couldn’t handle their dynamic product recommendation logic based on user sleep data. The result? A 15% increase in conversion and a 40% reduction in load time.

But there are those who should not rush into SPA or PWA: early-stage startups, businesses with limited budgets, or those for whom SEO simplicity and content are a priority. In such cases, it’s better to initially implement an MVP on a CMS, and only after validating hypotheses, invest in custom solutions.

Technology is just a tool. If marketing is not set up, the design is not adapted, and product descriptions are written by ChatGPT without editing, even the best framework won’t save you. That’s why choosing between React or Vue should be part of a strategic vision.

What tasks can be solved using React/Vue in eCommerce

An online store is not just a product catalog. It’s a dynamic platform that needs to run smoothly, integrate with dozens of systems, provide a convenient mobile experience, and not stress out the technical director. React and Vue allow these needs to be met without hassle.

The most common tasks solved using these technologies:

• Load speed optimization: without bulky plugins and dependencies.
• The possibility of SPA or PWA: the application looks and works like a mobile app.
• Integration with internal services: ERP, CRM, warehouse systems.
• Setting up custom logic for the cart, filters, combo-products.
• Flexible search with instant results, filtering without page reload.

For example, Glossier uses React in their online store, which allowed for live visualization of cosmetics on the face. This resulted in 32% more clicks on the product compared to classic photo galleries. When users receive instant feedback, they are more likely to make a purchase decision.

Another advantage is independence. You can create a frontend on React or Vue while leaving the backend on any convenient solution: Magento, Shopify, Strapi, even WordPress as a headless CMS. This offers flexibility that a monolithic platform could never provide.

When custom delivery logic, personalized recommendations, multi-level authorization, or marketplace integration are needed, frameworks like React or Vue become the only practical choice. It is important not to cut costs on architecture. A well-built system saves hundreds of hours on refinements later.

Advantages and Risks: An Honest Take on Development with React and Vue

The advantages of React or Vue sound impressive in presentations: speed, scalability, customization. But the truth is, these technologies are not a magic pill. They open up huge possibilities, but only for those ready to play seriously. Businesses expecting to launch an online store in two weeks and achieve perfect results may be severely disappointed.

Strengths of frameworks:

• Flexible architecture: the interface adapts to any business processes.
• Loading speed: optimizing PWA/SPA reduces wait times.
• SSR support (especially in React with Next.js): improves SEO.
• Security: fewer dependencies on external plugins and themes.
• UX: creating an interactive interface with high engagement.

But there are also pitfalls:

• Higher initial cost: developing from scratch is more expensive than launching on a template.
• Need for a skilled team: specialists in React/Vue cost more.
• Longer implementation timeline: an average project takes from 2 to 6 months.
• Requirements for technical leadership: without a well-thought-out specification, there is a risk of exceeding the budget.

In 2022, Brooklinen moved their site from Magento to a JAMstack architecture on React. Despite initial challenges, they achieved a +19% increase in average order value and managed to implement a custom gift box system, which was previously impossible. However, these changes required an additional team for three months.

So, to summarize: if a business is ready to think strategically, invest in the future, and is not afraid of complex decisions — frameworks offer a competitive advantage. However, if the goal is to minimize costs and start quickly, it is better to stick with classic solutions.

How much does an online store on React or Vue cost

Budget calculation is the first step to start with. Unlike a CMS, where you can get a ready-made site for $2,000–5,000, custom development on React or Vue is a completely different game. There is no universal template here, and each function is code, not a plugin.

The price range depends on three key factors:

• Amount of functionality (from a basic catalog to custom filters and logic).
• Number of integrations (CRM, 1C, payment gateways, analytics).
• Architecture (SPA, SSR, PWA, Headless CMS or custom backend).

Approximate figures for understanding:

• MVP with basic cart and filters — from $10,000 to $18,000.
• Fully functional medium store with CRM and mobile adaptation — $20,000–40,000.
• Large eCommerce with multi-warehouse, authorization, custom UI, and PWA — $50,000+.

These figures do not mean that the project will necessarily be expensive. For example, if a business already has a backend on Magento or Shopify, the frontend on Vue or React can be implemented as a storefront without a complete rebuild. This provides the speed and UX effect without unnecessary costs.

Another plus is long-term savings. When the code is written for you, scaling or changes do not depend on third-party plugins. You do not pay for extensions, do not wait for theme updates, and do not live with the risk that a new CMS version will “break” the site.

Development on frameworks is like investing in your own office instead of renting a room. More expensive initially, but more control, comfort, and options in the future.

Case: How Nike Uses React for eCommerce

When a global brand like Nike updates its online ecosystem, it’s worth paying attention. In 2020, the company completely revamped part of its digital environment, transitioning to JAMstack using React. The goal was to create a faster, more stable, and personalized platform for users worldwide. The project was carried out in collaboration with Netlify and Contentful, with React serving as the main frontend tool.

Previously, Nike’s platform was overly reliant on server logic, which caused delays and limited scalability options. Switching to React enabled instant page element loading, customization based on user region, integration with the mobile app, and a system for real-time personalized recommendations.

The results were not long in coming:

• The loading speed of main pages increased by 40%.
• Engagement of mobile users increased by 25%.
• Conversions in the personal account increased by 20% after implementing React personalization.
• New features were launched 60% faster than in the previous architecture.

Nike switched to JAMstack with React in 2020 to reduce feature release times — according to Netlify’s official case, the average release cycle was reduced from 2 weeks to 5 days.

This example shows that even for giants who have all the resources in the world, performance issues, UX, and update speed remain critical. And it is precisely the framework architecture that allows maintaining high quality and scaling globally without losing flexibility.

How to understand if this path is right for you

React or Vue are not magical platforms for everyone. And while cases like Nike or Shopify may impress, for small and medium businesses it’s important to realistically assess resources. Otherwise, there is a risk of wasting time and budget without receiving the expected return.

Here’s how to understand if it’s time to move towards frameworks:

• You operate in multiple markets and plan for multilingual and multicurrency support.
• You have custom order logic, a product configurator, or a unique user flow.
• SEO is important, but the CMS doesn’t allow implementing everything planned.
• The number of products exceeds 10,000, and updates become a painful process.
• You want to reduce the time to launch new features from weeks to days.

Decisions can be made through prototyping. It’s not necessary to launch the entire store immediately. You can build only the storefront—such as a category or search page—and see how it affects speed, user experience, and sales. This allows testing hypotheses without risking paralyzing the whole site.

Businesses that think several steps ahead always win in the long run. They see not only the cost of entry but also the benefits you get on the exit: user loyalty, product flexibility, the ability to grow without technical debt. And this becomes a competitive advantage in eCommerce, where the speed of change is everything.

Conclusion: choose strategic alignment, not technology

React and Vue are not about trends, but about tasks. Each framework can become a powerful tool for developing an online store, but only if the business is ready for this transition. When the focus is on scaling, UX quality, speed, and independence from template constraints—it’s a signal: it’s time to change the platform. But, as with any serious step, there should be a strategy first, not blind faith in technology.

Key criteria to rely on:

• A clear vision of what the platform should look like in one or three years.
• Willingness to invest not only money but also time in technical planning.
• Understanding that custom development is about flexibility but also about accountability.
• Having a team or partner who can work with frameworks and won’t give up after the first bug.

Netlify, a company that collaborated with Nike and Twilio, notes: the main advantage of JAMstack (where React/Vue is used) is not just speed, but the ability to scale a site without risking to “break” the basic architecture.

The ultimate choice is not between React and Vue. It’s a choice between comfortable stagnation and conscious growth. If your business is already struggling to keep up with market demands, framework solutions can provide a new impetus. But only if they do not replace the strategy, but enhance it.