Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Pricing and Fees
- Website Building and Design
- Ecommerce and Selling Features
- Marketing Tools and Analytics
- AI Capabilities
- Integrations and Apps
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Navigating the world of ecommerce platforms can be challenging, especially when you are deciding between robust tools like Weebly and BigCommerce. Both platforms offer unique features and advantages that cater to different types of businesses. Whether you're a small business owner looking for an easy-to-use solution or a larger enterprise needing advanced features, understanding the differences between Weebly and BigCommerce can guide you toward the best choice for your online store.
In this blog post, we will delve into the core aspects of both Weebly and BigCommerce, including their pricing structures, key features, and pros and cons. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of which platform better suits your business needs.
Pricing and Fees
One of the most critical factors in selecting an ecommerce platform is the pricing. Here's a detailed look at the pricing structures for both Weebly and BigCommerce.
Weebly Pricing
Weebly offers a variety of plans to cater to different needs:
- Free Plan: This plan includes a shopping cart and allows you to sell unlimited items. However, it comes with Weebly branding.
-
Paid Plans: Ranging from $10 to $26 per month.
- Personal Plan ($10/month): Supports a custom domain and offers unlimited storage.
- Professional Plan ($12/month): Adds advanced site stats and removes Weebly branding.
- Performance Plan ($26/month): Includes abandoned cart emails and advanced ecommerce insights.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but you can start with a 15-day trial. Paid plans are:
- Standard Plan ($39/month): This basic plan includes fundamental selling tools but limits annual sales to $50,000.
- Plus Plan ($79/month): Adds features like customer segmentation and abandoned cart savers, with sales capped at $180,000 annually.
- Pro Plan ($299/month): Offers more advanced features with a sales cap at $400,000 annually.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for businesses exceeding $400,000 in sales annually, with tailored solutions and dedicated support.
BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, which can be a significant cost-saving feature for businesses processing large volumes of transactions.
Website Building and Design
Weebly
Weebly is renowned for its ease of use, particularly with its intuitive drag-and-drop website builder. It offers more than a hundred responsive and modern templates that cater to various industries beyond ecommerce, such as portfolios and blogs. For those who do not have coding experience, Weebly's user-friendly design is an attractive feature.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides similar template options but focuses more on ecommerce needs, with customizable themes ideal for online stores. The platform requires a steeper learning curve but offers superior control over the look and function of your website. Advanced users can leverage CSS and HTML customization for detailed design options, ensuring a unique and meticulously tailored online store.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
For its price point, Weebly offers a surprisingly robust set of ecommerce tools, including:
- Unlimited products
- Inventory management
- Automatic tax calculations
- Delivery options like in-store pickup
However, certain features, such as abandoned cart emails and PayPal payment integration, are only available with the higher-tier plans. Its integrated shopping cart and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for small to mid-sized businesses.
BigCommerce
In contrast, BigCommerce is engineered for scalability and robustness, featuring:
- Marketplaces and social media integrations
- Point of sale solutions from partners like Square and Clover
- Real-time shipping quotes
- Product ratings and reviews
- Multi-currency selling capabilities
BigCommerce also allows for detailed SKU management, custom fields, and shipping rules, making it a more versatile option for large-scale businesses or those anticipating significant growth.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
Weebly excels in content marketing, particularly with its robust blogging tools. The platform offers:
- Pop-up notifications
- Customizable Instagram feeds
- Lead capture forms
However, its SEO capabilities are somewhat limited compared to BigCommerce. The analytics from Weebly provide basic insights but lack the depth offered by its counterpart.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce stands out with its advanced marketing and analytical tools, including:
- Extensive SEO features
- Customizable marketing reports
- Detailed insights into customer behaviour, sales trends, and inventory stats
Its platform supports both basic and advanced marketing needs, making it more suitable for businesses that require detailed analytics and comprehensive marketing functionalities.
AI Capabilities
Weebly
Weebly falls short in native AI capabilities, lacking tools like AI-driven content suggestions or predictive analytics. It relies on third-party integrations for any AI features.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce, on the other hand, is at the forefront of incorporating AI in ecommerce. Through its BigAI toolkit, the platform offers:
- AI content generation
- Predictive analytics
- Personalized product recommendations
- AI-powered search functionalities
These advanced AI tools help businesses streamline operations and enhance customer experience, making BigCommerce a future-proof choice for tech-savvy enterprises.
Integrations and Apps
Weebly
Weebly's App Center offers around 100 apps that cover various aspects like marketing, SEO, and social media. While functional, its selection is more limited compared to BigCommerce.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce boasts an extensive ecosystem with over 850 apps. It also provides open API options, facilitating seamless integration with other business tools and creating automated workflows. The platform's well-categorized app collection ensures that users can quickly find the tools best suited to their needs.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Weebly
- Ease of Use: Weebly is extremely user-friendly, especially for beginners. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies website building, making it accessible for those without technical know-how.
- Customer Support: Weebly offers 24/7 support via forum, chat, and email on its lower-tier plans. Higher-tier plans enjoy enhanced support options.
BigCommerce
- Ease of Use: While slightly more complex, BigCommerce has become more intuitive, especially with its AI tools, making it accessible even to non-tech users over time.
- Customer Support: BigCommerce provides comprehensive support, including chat, email, and phone support on all plans. Their robust learning resources, community support, and detailed guides provide extra help to users requiring hands-on assistance.
Conclusion
Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your business size and specific needs:
- Weebly: Ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs looking for an affordable, user-friendly platform with solid blogging tools and basic ecommerce functionalities.
- BigCommerce: More suited to larger businesses or those planning significant growth, offering advanced ecommerce tools, extensive AI capabilities, strong SEO features, and a highly customizable platform.
By thoroughly understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and growth trajectory.
FAQ
1. Can I start with a free plan on either platform?
- Weebly offers a free plan with basic ecommerce features, while BigCommerce does not have a free plan but provides a 15-day trial.
2. Which platform is better for a large business?
- BigCommerce is better suited for larger businesses due to its advanced features, scalability, and robust AI tools.
3. Do both platforms support blogging?
- Yes, both platforms support blogging, but Weebly is particularly noted for its effective and user-friendly blogging features.
4. Are there transaction fees on either platform?
- BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan. Weebly’s transaction fee policies depend on the specific plan chosen.
5. How easy is it to migrate from Weebly to BigCommerce?
- Migrating from Weebly to BigCommerce is feasible, though it may require some technical effort and possibly support from the BigCommerce customer service team to ensure a smooth transition.
