Platforms, Interoperability And Standardisation

Every tech company dreams of building a platform—a central hub where all transactions happen and a wide array of use cases is covered. The allure is clear: once established, platforms generate revenue with minimal effort, creating a virtuous cycle of growth. It's no wonder that many start-ups and established companies call themselves platforms to signal ambition.

What often goes under-discussed is the conundrum every platform faces: to truly build a platform, you need to be interoperable, but you also need to limit the field of possibilities. This balance is crucial for providing your platform with the focus needed to solve problems for your ideal customer.

Historically, we can see the importance of interoperability in the evolution of shipping. Before standardisation, shipping was chaotic. Every shipment required bespoke handling. Then the 40-foot shipping container came along—a simple, revolutionary standard. It allowed goods to move seamlessly from factory to ship to store, reducing friction and costs, and transforming global trade.

APIs are like the shipping containers of tech, providing a standard way for different software systems to communicate. But just having APIs isn’t enough; they need the right constraints to foster innovation and ensure compatibility.

Shopify nails this balance. It’s not a rigid, one-size-fits-all solution, nor is it a complex enterprise software that demands bespoke integrations for every tweak. Shopify provides a platform where retailers can express their brand identity in a standardised way. This lets merchants customise their storefronts extensively while ensuring everything works together seamlessly, creating a vibrant ecosystem of apps and themes.

The real power of a platform is in supporting diverse, innovative solutions while maintaining a coherent structure. Standardised interfaces between components make this possible, enabling smooth integration and fostering a thriving ecosystem. The more elegantly restricted the solution, the more powerful and flexible the platform. This principle of interoperability drives the success of platforms, turning complex ecosystems into smooth, integrated experiences and allowing them to grow and evolve naturally.