Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Webflow vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees
- Core Features Comparison
- AI Capabilities, Integrations, and Apps
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Conclusion
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Building an online store requires choosing a platform that not only aligns with your business goals but also offers the tools and flexibility you need for growth. Among the plethora of ecommerce platforms available today, Webflow and BigCommerce stand out for their unique capabilities. In this post, we will dive into an in-depth comparison of Webflow and BigCommerce, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and what makes each one suitable for different types of users. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a budding entrepreneur, or somewhere in between, this guide aims to provide clarity on which platform might be the ideal choice for you.
Webflow vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees
Webflow Pricing
Webflow offers a unique pricing model, particularly appealing for those wishing to start without a significant financial commitment. It includes a free plan, which is a rarity in the ecommerce industry, though it comes with limitations such as the inability to support ecommerce functionalities and restrictions on using custom domains. Paid plans start at $42 per month for ecommerce capabilities and can go up to $235 per month for advanced features. It's important to note that the cheapest ecommerce plan on Webflow incurs a 2% transaction fee, adding an extra cost burden for sellers.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but there is a 15-day free trial for new users. Its plans start from $39 per month and go up to $299 per month, with a customized Enterprise option available for larger businesses. Unlike Webflow, BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees on any of its plans. However, each plan has a cap on annual sales volume, potentially leading to higher costs as your business grows. For instance, the $39 per month plan limits sales to $50,000 annually, while the $299 per month plan allows for up to $400,000 in sales annually.
Core Features Comparison
Website Building and Design
Webflow excels in website design flexibility, making it a designer’s paradise. With over a thousand templates to choose from, users can create highly customized websites. Webflow not only supports but encourages building from scratch, which is valuable for those with advanced design skills or the budget to hire developers. It also integrates AI tools for code generation, enhancing the design process.
In contrast, BigCommerce offers a more straightforward approach with a couple of hundred themes geared towards ecommerce functionality. Customization is available, though less versatile compared to Webflow. BigCommerce themes come with built-in features tailored for online stores, such as product variant showcases and custom fields, which simplifies setting up a store but may require additional tweaking to match a specific brand’s look and feel.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
BigCommerce stands out with its robust ecommerce features, focusing extensively on aiding businesses with complex inventories and large product catalogs. The platform allows for unlimited products and multiple currencies, essential for global businesses. It supports over 65 payment processing solutions and provides advanced inventory management and abandoned cart recovery tools.
Webflow, while not primarily an ecommerce platform, offers impressive ecommerce functionalities such as customizable checkout processes, detailed product galleries, and the ability to sell both physical and digital goods. It supports various payment methods and integrates seamlessly with numerous fulfillment services, although it caps the total number of products depending on the plan.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
For SEO and content marketing, Webflow has a slight edge. Its SEO tools are more comprehensive, offering granular control over meta tags, schema markup, sitemaps, and more. Additionally, performance hosting ensures fast load times, a crucial factor for SEO.
BigCommerce, while satisfactory in SEO capabilities, shines in promotional tools. It allows the creation of gift cards, vouchers, and sales banners, increasing the attractiveness of the store’s offerings. Analytics and reporting are robust in both platforms, but BigCommerce’s AI predictive analytics is particularly noteworthy, enabling personalized recommendations based on past purchases.
AI Capabilities, Integrations, and Apps
Both Webflow and BigCommerce have harnessed AI to enhance user experience and backend management. Webflow’s AI tools assist in designing, troubleshooting grammar issues, and generating content optimized for SEO. It can also create alt tags and translate content automatically, streamlining the content production process.
BigCommerce, with the "BigAI" suite, offers extensive AI-driven solutions such as content creation, predictive analytics, and AI-powered search functionalities. Its breadth of integrations outpaces Webflow, providing connectivity with numerous external apps and tools, which is ideal for businesses looking to expand their digital toolkit without custom API management.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Neither Webflow nor BigCommerce is the most beginner-friendly platform, requiring a learning curve to master. Webflow’s design environment is intuitive but necessitates some technical know-how for full customization capabilities. Conversely, BigCommerce presents a steeper learning curve for managing extensive ecommerce functionalities effectively, but rewards users with a powerful, scalable platform once mastered.
Support is robust for both: Webflow offers 24/7 live chat and email support alongside extensive community resources and educational materials. BigCommerce steps it up with 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, coupled with comprehensive self-help resources.
Conclusion
Webflow and BigCommerce each excel in their niches. If you prioritize advanced design capabilities and have the skills to leverage them, Webflow is the preferable choice. It's particularly compelling for those who want to create visually remarkable websites with detailed customizations.
On the other hand, BigCommerce is a powerhouse for ecommerce-centric businesses, providing extensive tools for managing large inventories, multi-channel sales, and seamless integrations. Its absence of transaction fees and solid marketing functionalities make it an enticing option for businesses focused on scaling their online sales.
Ultimately, the choice between Webflow and BigCommerce hinges on your specific needs, whether it's sophisticated design or robust ecommerce functionalities.
FAQ Section
Q1: Which platform is better for beginners?
A: While neither Webflow nor BigCommerce are the most beginner-friendly, BigCommerce may offer a slightly easier onboarding experience, especially if ecommerce is your primary focus. Webflow’s steep learning curve is better suited for those with some design or development experience.
Q2: Can I switch platforms later on?
A: Switching platforms can be complex, involving data migration, potential downtime, and redeveloping your website's design. It’s best to research thoroughly and choose a platform with a long-term perspective to minimize the need for switching.
Q3: Does Webflow support ecommerce functionalities at all pricing tiers?
A: No, Webflow’s ecommerce functionalities are only available on its higher-tier plans, which start from $42 per month. The free plan, while useful for basic websites, does not support ecommerce.
Q4: Are there transaction fees with both platforms?
A: Webflow charges a 2% transaction fee on its lowest ecommerce plan. BigCommerce, on the other hand, does not charge any transaction fees across its plans, making it potentially more cost-effective for high-volume sellers.
Q5: Which platform offers better SEO customization?
A: Webflow offers more granular control over SEO elements, such as meta tags, alt texts, and schema markups. It also has built-in tools to create and manage sitemaps and redirects, which gives it an edge in SEO over BigCommerce.
