What are the recommendations for platform for online eCommerce store particularly in view of affiliate programs?

I think wordpress/woocommerce + AffiliateWP plugin is a rock solid option, Then comes shopify as the easiest option.

As there are so many options you have to see and compare all available options. I would like to suggest magento because of its security and stability. Initial development cost will be high but it will be worth your investment once your business expands.
For affiliate i would say jorhna magento affiliate extension is your best bet. As it has all the features of other affiliate extension plus it is much more affordable then the others. They also provide free life time support.

You’re on the right track thinking about affiliate integration from the beginning. For a business model centered on customer referrals and commissions, consider platforms like Shopify with affiliate apps or WooCommerce with plugin flexibility. Also, take a look at how Tellaldi shopping experience is structured—it showcases how smooth design and customer-centric features can enhance both user trust and conversion, especially when referrals are key.

For your client's handmade leather shoe business relying on customer-based affiliate marketing, Shopify is the top recommendation. It's user-friendly, excellent for product display, and its vast app ecosystem offers robust solutions like Refersion or ReferralCandy for tracking commissions and managing referrals. WooCommerce (with powerful affiliate plugins like AffiliateWP) is a strong second whycatmeows choice if they prefer an open-source platform with maximum customization and have the technical resources.

Hi Ben, great to hear your client is expanding into eCommerce, especially with such a unique, handcrafted product!

For an online store that heavily relies on affiliate marketing, I’d recommend looking into platforms like:

Shopify – With apps like Refersion or UpPromote, you can easily manage affiliate programs and track performance.

WooCommerce (WordPress) – Flexible and customizable, with plugins like AffiliateWP that work seamlessly for commission-based referrals.

BigCommerce – Scales well and integrates with various affiliate solutions out of the box.

These platforms also offer excellent integrations for email marketing, CRM, and SEO, which are vital when affiliates are driving traffic.

Also, for product presentation, I’d recommend using tools like Lightroom Pro APK to enhance product photos directly on mobile, great for maintaining a polished brand image without needing a full design team.

Hope this helps, and best of luck with the project!