Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Pricing
- Ease of Use
- Sales Features
- Design Functionality
- Customer Support
- Apps and Integrations
- Payment Methods
- SEO Tools
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a critical decision for any business aiming to establish or expand its online presence. Big Cartel and Shopify are two popular choices, each with a distinct set of features tailored to different types of users. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of Big Cartel vs Shopify, examining their pricing plans, ease of use, sales features, design functionality, customer support, and more, to help you decide which platform is the best fit for your business.
Pricing
Big Cartel Pricing Plans
Big Cartel offers three pricing plans that cater to varying business needs:
- Free Plan: Ideal for artists or small vendors with up to 5 products, offering basic features without any monthly fee.
- Platinum Plan ($9.99/month): Allows up to 50 products, providing features like a custom domain and Google Analytics.
- Diamond Plan ($19.99/month): Supports up to 500 products and includes all features available in the Platinum plan.
If you opt to pay annually, you can receive a 20% discount on the Platinum and Diamond plans, lowering the monthly costs to $8 and $16, respectively.
Shopify Pricing Plans
Shopify offers five different pricing tiers:
- Starter Plan ($5/month): Suitable for selling through social media channels, excluding an online store.
- Basic Plan ($29/month): Includes an online store and blog, with features like two staff accounts and inventory management.
- Shopify Plan ($79/month): Adds professional reports and up to five staff accounts.
- Advanced Plan ($299/month): Offers advanced report building and up to 15 staff accounts.
- Shopify Plus (Customized pricing): Tailored for high-volume businesses with additional customization options and support.
Annual plans offer a 25% discount, making long-term commitments more cost-effective.
Ease of Use
Big Cartel
Big Cartel is designed for ease of use with a minimalistic interface, making it an excellent choice for artists and small businesses. You don't need any coding knowledge to set up a store, and the platform focuses on essential features to simplify the user experience. This simplicity makes Big Cartel ideal for those new to e-commerce who need a straightforward, manageable platform.
Shopify
Shopify also offers an easy-to-use interface but with a slight learning curve due to its extensive features. The platform is tailored to accommodate businesses of all sizes, offering detailed product management and advanced marketing tools. While it might take some time to master, Shopify's comprehensive tutorials and 24/7 customer support can help users overcome initial challenges.
Sales Features
Big Cartel
Big Cartel's sales features are basic but sufficient for small businesses. The platform supports easy product listing, basic inventory tracking, and simple store customization. However, it lacks advanced tools for managing extensive inventories or complex sales strategies, making it less ideal for larger businesses.
Shopify
Shopify excels in providing extensive sales features that cater to businesses of all sizes. These include advanced inventory management, discount codes, multiple pricing structures, and various shipping options. Shopify also supports multi-channel selling, allowing you to integrate platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon into a single dashboard for easier sales management.
Design Functionality
Big Cartel
Big Cartel offers 18 mobile-optimized themes, but customization options are limited. Most changes require coding knowledge, making it challenging for users who aren't tech-savvy. However, the available themes are well-designed and cater to different creative styles, making Big Cartel a good choice for artists and independent sellers.
Shopify
Shopify provides over 80 premium themes and nine free ones, all of which are mobile-optimized. The platform offers extensive customization options, allowing users to edit their store’s appearance using an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. This flexibility makes it easier to create a unique, branded storefront.
Customer Support
Big Cartel
Big Cartel’s customer support is limited to email, available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday. Although the support team is helpful, the lack of live chat or phone support can be a drawback for users needing immediate assistance.
Shopify
Shopify offers robust customer support 24/7 through various channels, including phone, live chat, social media, and email. Additionally, Shopify provides a wealth of resources like tutorials, forums, and a comprehensive help center. This extensive support system ensures that users can get the help they need whenever they need it.
Apps and Integrations
Big Cartel
Big Cartel's integrations primarily rely on Zapier, an automation platform that connects various apps. While this extends Big Cartel's functionality, it requires some setup and customization. Basic integrations include email marketing through Mailchimp and social media automation.
Shopify
Shopify boasts a vast app store with hundreds of integrations that can be directly added to your store's backend. These apps cover a wide range of functionalities, from SEO optimization to advanced email marketing, making it easier to enhance your store’s capabilities without any coding knowledge.
Payment Methods
Big Cartel
Big Cartel uses third-party payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay for credit card transactions. While this setup is straightforward for those familiar with these platforms, the lack of an integrated payment solution can be a limitation for some users.
Shopify
Shopify offers an integrated payment solution called Shopify Payments, which supports all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This seamless integration simplifies the payment process for both merchants and customers, eliminating transaction fees for users who opt for Shopify Payments.
SEO Tools
Big Cartel
Big Cartel’s themes are designed with basic SEO features like proper headers and easy navigation. However, the platform offers limited control over URL customization and lacks a built-in blog feature, which can restrict its SEO effectiveness.
Shopify
Shopify provides robust SEO tools, including custom URL settings, meta tags, and the ability to create a blog. These features help improve your store's search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic. Additionally, Shopify's app store offers various SEO-specific apps to further enhance your store’s visibility.
Conclusion
Both Big Cartel and Shopify offer unique advantages depending on your specific needs and business size.
Consider Big Cartel if:
- You are an artist or independent seller looking for an affordable, easy-to-use platform.
- You need basic e-commerce features and a simple interface.
- Your business doesn’t require extensive integrations or advanced sales tools.
Consider Shopify if:
- You are looking for a scalable solution that can grow with your business.
- You need advanced customization options, robust SEO tools, and multi-channel selling capabilities.
- You value comprehensive customer support and extensive app integrations.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific business requirements and long-term goals. While Big Cartel is ideal for small businesses and artists looking for an affordable entry point, Shopify offers a more comprehensive solution suitable for scaling businesses of all sizes.
FAQ
1. Can I switch from Big Cartel to Shopify later?
Yes, many businesses start with Big Cartel and later transition to Shopify as their needs grow. Shopify provides migration tools to facilitate the process.
2. Does Big Cartel charge transaction fees?
No, Big Cartel does not charge transaction fees, but you will still incur fees from payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
3. How customizable are Shopify themes?
Shopify themes are highly customizable, allowing you to modify both desktop and mobile versions of your store. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to tailor your theme to your brand without needing coding skills.
4. Can I use my own domain with Big Cartel and Shopify?
Yes, both platforms allow you to use a custom domain for your online store.
5. Which platform is better for SEO?
Shopify offers more comprehensive SEO tools, making it a better choice for businesses looking to drive organic traffic through search engines.
By weighing these considerations, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives, ensuring your e-commerce journey is both successful and sustainable.
