Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing, Features, Pros and ConsTable of ContentsIntroductionWeebly vs BigCommerce: Pros and ConsPricing and FeesCore FeaturesEase of Use and Customer SupportConclusionFAQIntroductionOwning and running an online store is no small feat. With countless ecommerce platforms available, choosing the right one can often be a daunting task. Among the myriad of options, Weebly and BigCommerce stand out, each offering distinct advantages tailored to different business needs. Whether you're a small business just starting or a larger enterprise looking to scale, understanding these platforms' intricacies will steer you toward the most fitting choice for your business.In this post, we'll delve deep into a thorough comparison between Weebly and BigCommerce. By understanding their pricing models, features, and pros and cons, you'll be better equipped to decide which platform aligns best with your current and future ecommerce goals.Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pros and ConsWeebly Pros and ConsPros 👍User-Friendly Experience: Weebly is known for its intuitive interface, making it ideal for users with limited technical skills.Affordable Pricing: Weebly offers a free forever plan that includes a shopping basket and supports unlimited items.Great for Content: With decent blogging capabilities, Weebly is excellent for content-driven sites.Responsive Design Options: Provides a good selection of responsive themes that are easy to customize.Cons 👎Limited Advanced Features: While sufficient for smaller stores, Weebly lacks more advanced ecommerce functionalities.Payment Integration Restrictions: Certain payment integrations, like PayPal, are only available on higher-tier plans.Moderate Scalability: As your business grows, you may need to consider migrating to a more versatile platform.BigCommerce Pros and ConsPros 👍Advanced Features: Geared towards larger businesses, offering powerful inventory management, AI capabilities, and multichannel selling options.No Transaction Fees: BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan, making it cost-effective for high-volume sales.Robust Customization: Supports extensive customization through CSS and HTML.Comprehensive Support: Offers in-depth customer support across all plans, including phone support.Cons 👎Higher Cost: Monthly plans start at $39 and can go up to $399, making it a pricier option.Complex Interface: Steeper learning curve due to advanced features, which might be overwhelming for beginners.Sales Limits on Plans: Each plan has a sales threshold, which can limit growth unless you upgrade to a higher tier.Pricing and FeesPricing is often a decisive factor when choosing an ecommerce platform:Weebly PricingFree Plan: Includes basic features such as a shopping cart and support for unlimited products.Paid Plans: Range from $10 to $26 per month.Personal Plan ($10/month): Custom domain support and unlimited storage.Performance Plan ($26/month): Includes abandoned cart emails and advanced ecommerce insights.BigCommerce PricingNo Free Plan: Offers a 15-day free trial.Standard Plan: $39 per month, with no transaction fees.Pro Plan: Up to $399 per month, dependent on sales volume.Enterprise Option: Custom pricing for extensive needs.While BigCommerce is more expensive, it offers more advanced features without transaction fees, making it more appealing for high-revenue businesses.Core FeaturesWebsite Building and DesignBoth Weebly and BigCommerce provide a substantial selection of templates, though BigCommerce's themes are more refined for ecommerce purposes.Weebly: Simple, drag-and-drop interface suited for those unfamiliar with coding. Includes responsive designs for various industries.BigCommerce: Offers greater freedom for customization with access to CSS and HTML. The drag-and-drop editor has improved but still remains somewhat complex compared to Weebly.Ecommerce and Selling FeaturesWeeblyProduct Management: Supports unlimited products, automatic tax calculation, and various delivery options.Paid Plan Necessity: To sell both physical and digital goods or utilize abandoned cart emails, a paid plan is needed.Payment Limitations: PayPal payments are restricted to higher-tier plans.BigCommerceAdvanced Inventory Management: Partnerships with platforms like PayPal for discounted rates, extensive integration options.Omnichannel Selling: Integrations with social media and POS solutions. Supports digital products, services, and physical products.Customization: Allows granular changes to product pages with custom fields, shipping rules, and more.Marketing Tools and AnalyticsBlogging and MarketingWeebly: Superior blogging features. Includes pop-up notifications and Instagram feeds but limited SEO capabilities.BigCommerce: Advanced SEO tools and more comprehensive customization for higher rankings. Supports detailed inventory and sales tracking.Email MarketingBoth Platforms: Offer abandoned cart emails. For advanced email campaigns, an integration with other platforms might be required.ReportingWeebly: Basic tracking of key metrics. BigCommerce: In-depth reports with customized dashboards, offering insights on customer preferences and sales numbers.AI CapabilitiesArtificial Intelligence is becoming pivotal in ecommerce:BigCommerce: Leading with AI tools for content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations.Weebly: Lacks native AI tools but offers third-party integrations through its marketplace.Integrations and AppsWeeblyApp Center: Around 100 apps available for various functionalities.BigCommerceApp Marketplace: Over 850 apps categorized for ease of navigation. Includes API options for creating automated workflows.Ease of Use and Customer SupportWeeblyEase of Use: Dominates with its intuitive interface, making website building accessible to non-tech-savvy users.Customer Support: Limited to forums, chat, and email support on lower-tier plans.BigCommerceLearning Curve: Slightly steeper due to advanced features but greatly mitigated by AI tools.Comprehensive Support: Offers extensive support resources, including round-the-clock chat, email, and phone support on all plans.ConclusionChoosing between Weebly and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your business size, technical skills, and growth aspirations. Weebly: Ideal for small businesses needing a budget-friendly and user-friendly solution. Best for businesses prioritizing ease of use and limited advanced ecommerce features.BigCommerce: Suited for larger companies seeking scalability with robust features, advanced integration, and excellent customer support.FAQWhich platform is better for a beginner?Weebly is better suited for beginners due to its straightforward drag-and-drop interface.Can I switch from Weebly to BigCommerce if my business grows?Yes, while it's possible to migrate, it’s worth considering future growth and long-term scalability when initially choosing a platform.Do both platforms offer support for digital products?Yes, both Weebly and BigCommerce support selling digital products, though some features may require a paid plan.What’s the significant advantage of BigCommerce over Weebly?BigCommerce offers more advanced ecommerce functionalities and no transaction fees, making it more advantageous for larger businesses.Is there a free trial available for BigCommerce?Yes, BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial to explore its features before committing to a paid plan.In conclusion, understanding your business needs and growth plans is crucial in selecting between Weebly and BigCommerce. Each platform has its strengths, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your ecommerce success.