Embracing Headless E-Commerce for Scalable Growth

Speaker: Carlos Fonseca, COO at ERPGAP Event: Odoo Experience 2025, Brussels, Belgium

Shopify has long been celebrated as a fast and easy way to start selling online. But what happens when your business begins to grow—and the platform’s limitations start holding you back?

In this talk, Carlos Fonseca (COO at ERPGAP) walks us through the journey from Shopify to Odoo, focusing on the headless e-commerce model with Alokai. By decoupling the frontend from the backend, businesses can gain scalability, customisation, and cost savings—while also owning their platform and data.

The Hidden Limits of Shopify

Shopify is excellent for launching quickly, but scaling exposes major bottlenecks:

1. Standardized User Experience

   • Checkout, login, and other key flows follow rigid templates.
   • While optimized for conversion, this restricts brand differentiation.

2. App Dependency

   • Native features are limited—loyalty programs, gift cards, reviews, and more require paid apps.
   • Businesses often end up with a “stack of apps,” each with subscription costs.

3. Integration Challenges

   • Connecting Shopify to ERP, CRM, accounting, and inventory requires custom ETL processes.
   • This often results in data silos and inconsistencies, since multiple systems compete as “sources of truth.”

4. Ownership and Vendor Lock-In

   • Your store lives on Shopify’s servers, not yours.
   • Migrating data, themes, and apps is difficult.
   • Price changes, ToS updates, or even account shutdowns are outside your control.

5. Costs That Scale Badly

   • Shopify Plus comes with steep monthly fees.
   • Add-on apps increase recurring costs further.

Why Odoo + Alokai?

Carlos highlights a future-proof alternative: Odoo as the backend ERP and Alokai as the headless frontend.

• Odoo: The Brain of Operations

  • Manages all business logic: orders, invoicing, inventory, CRM, and accounting.
  • Provides native features like discounts, loyalty, gift cards, delivery methods, and back-in-stock notifications.

• Alokai: The Decoupled Storefront

  • A Nuxt.js-based headless frontend optimized for SEO and performance.
  • Offers full creative control over design and branding.
  • Lets web teams focus on UX without touching ERP logic.

• The Connector (by ERPGAP)

  • Open-source Odoo module that serves as a real-time API bridge.
  • Eliminates batch synchronizations and ensures updates (e.g., stock, prices) are instant.

• Supporting Stack

  • PostgreSQL: Reliable Odoo database storage.
  • Redis: In-memory caching for speed and reduced database load.

Advantages Over Shopify

By moving to Odoo + Alokai, businesses unlock:

• Unique branding: Total freedom over design and customer journey.
• Reduced reliance on apps: Replace paid apps with Odoo’s built-in modules.
• Deeper integrations: Payment gateways, shipping, and accounting connect directly.
• True ownership: You control the code, data, and infrastructure.
• Open source freedom: No vendor lock-in, thanks to Odoo, Alokai, PostgreSQL, and Redis all being open source.
• Cost efficiency: Lower overhead without Shopify Plus fees or multiple app subscriptions.

Migration Strategy

Carlos emphasizes a phased, value-driven migration rather than a single disruptive event.

1. Build the Foundation

• Set up three environments: development, staging, and production.
• Install Odoo, Alokai, the Connector, PostgreSQL, and Redis.
• Prepare staging for integration testing.

2. Plan Integrations

• Reconfigure existing integrations (analytics, email marketing, shipping, payment).
• In special cases, rebuild from scratch.
• Whenever possible, bring functionality into Odoo’s native modules.

3. Import Core Data

• Use Odoo’s built-in import tool for products, customers, and sales history.
• For complex data (gift cards, discounts, loyalty balances), rely on custom scripts.
• Ensure stock levels are updated right before go-live to maintain accuracy.

4. Handle App-Dependent Data

• Reviews, loyalty programs, wishlists, and other app-based data may need third-party exports or APIs.
• Replace these features with Odoo-native modules.

5. Testing Blueprint

• Before go-live, freeze code in staging and validate the full customer journey:

  • Account creation & login
  • Browsing & product details
  • Checkout & payment
  • Content and links across all pages

6. Phased Go-Live

• Roll out in stages to deliver value quickly and reduce risk.
• Historical data migration (e.g., old sales orders) can even happen after launch.

Q&A Highlights

How long does an Alokai implementation take?

• Simple projects: ~3 months.
• Complex projects: 6–12 months.

What components are required?

• Odoo Connector Module
• API Layer
• Alokai frontend (Nuxt.js project)

When should Alokai be used over Odoo eCommerce?

• For high transaction volumes or when a dedicated web team needs full creative control.
• Ideal for businesses aiming for enterprise-scale performance and flexibility.

How is data imported?

• Standard data: via Odoo import tools (CSV templates).
• Complex data: via custom Python scripts.
• Some imports (e.g., historical sales) can be postponed until after launch.

Conclusion

Migrating from Shopify to Odoo with a headless Alokai frontend is about more than switching platforms. It’s a chance to:

• Own your platform and data
• Cut recurring costs
• Eliminate vendor lock-in
• Scale without limitations

By following a phased migration strategy, businesses can go live quickly, minimize risk, and build a truly scalable e-commerce foundation.

• PDF Presentation Slides
• More about Alokai

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