Salesforce Certified B2C Commerce Architect – Complete Winter '26 Guide

Architecture Patterns & Scalability

B2C Commerce (Salesforce Commerce Cloud) uses a multi-tenant SaaS architecture for high-volume retail. The SFRA (Storefront Reference Architecture) is the recommended development baseline — it provides a cartridge-based override pattern, MVC structure, and responsive templates. Architects must design for Black Friday-level traffic: CDN caching strategy, page cache TTLs, and product recommendation service integration. Instance types (PIG for production, SIG/ATIG for non-prod) differ in capacity and SLA. The exam tests architecture decisions for scalability, caching hierarchy (browser → CDN → application), and when to use headless vs. SFRA approaches.

Storefront Architecture & Headless Commerce

SFRA cartridges implement the Controller → Template → Model pattern. Custom cartridges extend base cartridges via the cartridge path (left-to-right override). Headless architecture decouples the front-end from Commerce Cloud, using the OCAPI (Open Commerce API) or SCAPI (Salesforce Commerce API) for data. PWA Kit provides a React-based headless starter with Managed Runtime hosting. The architect must decide between SFRA (monolithic, faster to stand up) and headless (more flexibility, higher development cost). The exam tests the trade-offs between these approaches and how the cartridge override pattern enables maintainable customization.

Integration Architecture: OCAPI, SCAPI & Connectors

OCAPI (Open Commerce API) is the REST API for Shop (storefront), Data (admin), and Meta endpoints — used by SFRA and third-party integrations. SCAPI (Salesforce Commerce API) is the newer, more secure API replacing OCAPI for front-end use. Connectors integrate Commerce Cloud with Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Order Management. The Salesforce Connector for Order Management syncs orders to Salesforce OMS. Einstein Recommendations API surfaces personalized product recommendations. B2C Connect (now Commerce to Service Cloud Connector) links shopper profiles to Service Cloud cases. The exam tests the correct API for each use case and the security model (PKCE flow for SCAPI).

Performance, Caching & CDN Strategy

B2C Commerce uses a CDN (Akamai) for global delivery. Page cache rules define what can be cached, for how long, and with what cache key variations (country, currency, login state). Dynamic content (personalized recommendations, cart) bypasses the page cache. Pipeline profiler and Log Center are key tools for identifying performance bottlenecks. SFRA uses server-side rendering — minimize business logic in templates. Einstein Recommendations and A/B testing (content experiments) add external dependencies that affect page load time. The exam tests cache hierarchy decisions, how to diagnose slow pages using profiler data, and CDN configuration best practices.

Security, Compliance & Site Operations

B2C Commerce security includes PCI DSS compliance for payment flows — use a certified payment integration (Stripe, Adyen, CyberSource) and never log card data. SLAs, disaster recovery, and business continuity are Salesforce-managed at the platform level but architects must design for graceful degradation when external services (tax, recommendations) are unavailable. Site Genesis and SFRA include CSRF tokens, input validation, and secure cookies. GDPR compliance requires cookie consent management and data deletion capabilities. The exam tests the architect's responsibility boundary: what Salesforce manages vs. what the customer and SI partner must configure and maintain.

SFCC Architecture & Multi-Site

Know how SFCC organizes deployments: Business Manager, Organizations, Sites, and how to share catalogs and price books across sites. Understand the multi-site configuration for different brands, regions, and locales.

Cartridge Architecture

Know the cartridge layering model: base cartridges (Commerce Cloud Storefront Reference Architecture — SFRA), site cartridges, and custom cartridges. Understand cartridge path override and module resolution.

Performance Optimization

Know SFCC performance levers: page caching (full-page, partial), lazy loading for product tiles, CDN configuration for static assets, and how to use the Business Manager performance reports.

Integration Patterns

Know SFCC integration approaches: REST/SOAP web services from cartridges, Job Frameworks for batch data exchange, and how SFCC integrates with Salesforce CRM via Marketing Cloud Connector and Order Management.

Security Architecture

Know SFCC security: PCI compliance requirements, tokenization for payment data, account locking policies, and how to configure access control lists (ACLs) for Business Manager roles.