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Sold by the best demo
Decisions get made on the slickest sales pitch rather than your real requirements.
12 · Consulting04 of 06
Independent requirements, shortlists and scoring for your CMS, e-commerce, CRM or software platform.
Choosing the wrong platform costs years of workarounds and an expensive migration later. We help you define what you actually need, shortlist the right options, run fair demos and score them objectively, with no commissions or partnerships influencing the result.
- Commissions or vendor partnerships
- 0
- Commissions or vendor partnerships
- Options typically shortlisted
- 3–5
- Options typically shortlisted
- Weighted scoring matrix
- 1
- Weighted scoring matrix
best CMS for a 20-person team
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2
3
4
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Shortlist
Requirements gatheringCMS selectionE-commerce platformsCRM selectionAgency selectionDemo scriptsScoring matrixTotal cost of ownershipRequirements gatheringCMS selectionE-commerce platformsCRM selectionAgency selectionDemo scriptsScoring matrixTotal cost of ownership
Sound familiar?
The problems we hear most often before someone asks us about vendor & platform selection.
02
Hidden costs
Licence fees look reasonable until apps, integrations, hosting and staff time are added.
03
Requirements nobody wrote down
Without agreed needs, every stakeholder judges vendors on different criteria.
What's included
01
Requirements
Must-haves, nice-to-haves and constraints, agreed across stakeholders.
02
Long list and shortlist
Options researched and narrowed to the few that fit.
03
Demo scripts
Vendors show how they handle your real scenarios, not their favourite features.
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Scoring matrix
Each option scored fairly against weighted criteria.
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Total cost of ownership
Licences, implementation, apps, hosting and running costs over several years.
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Recommendation
A clear recommendation with risks and next steps.
How we do it
You follow every step live in Mission Control, your project dashboard: tasks, files, approvals and a launch forecast.
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Define
Requirements gathered and prioritised.
- 2
Research
Market scan and shortlist.
- 3
Evaluate
Scripted demos and scoring.
- 4
Decide
Recommendation, costs and implementation plan.
0
Commissions or vendor partnerships
3–5
Options typically shortlisted
1
Weighted scoring matrix
Built for
Who this is for.
Businesses choosing a CMS or e-commerce platform
Teams replacing a CRM
Organisations selecting a development agency
Leaders wanting an independent view
Tools we useWorkshopsAI X-RayBlueprintRoadmaps
Questions
Vendor & platform selection, answered.
Something else on your mind? Ask the Zelvorm Concierge in the corner, or talk to the team.
Yes. We don't take commissions from vendors. If we recommend a platform we also build on, we'll say so and show the scoring.
More in Consulting
The rest of the toolkit.
- 01Digital strategyWhere you are, where to focus and what to do first, in a roadmap you can act on.
- 02Technical & UX auditsA thorough review of speed, SEO, accessibility, security and usability, with fixes ranked by impact.
- 03AI readiness & roadmapsAn honest look at your data, processes and people, and a phased plan for AI that pays off.
- 04Team & process advisoryBetter briefs, clearer roles and a delivery process that stops projects slipping.
- 05Fractional product leadershipAn experienced product leader, a few days a month, to set direction and get the right things shipped.
From the Journal
Read before you decide.
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Shopify and WooCommerce both power serious stores — but they suit different business models. A direct comparison on cost, control, and scale.
20 Jun 2026 · 5 min read
Software DevelopmentCustom Software vs Off-the-Shelf Tools: A Decision Framework
Off-the-shelf software is right until it isn't. A practical framework for deciding when custom software actually pays for itself.
21 Apr 2026 · 5 min read
Next in Consulting
Team & process advisory
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