Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees
- Core Features Comparison
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Final Verdict
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Running a successful online store requires the right ecommerce platform, but choosing the best one can be challenging. This post will delve into a hands-on comparison of Weebly and BigCommerce. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, understanding which platform suits your needs is crucial. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of which platform might be the best fit for your business based on pricing, features, ease of use, and more.
Let's dive into the details, starting from the unique attributes of each platform to their core functionalities, to help you make an informed decision.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
When comparing Weebly and BigCommerce, it's essential to know who they cater to. Weebly is tailored for smaller businesses or those just getting started in ecommerce. It offers user-friendly tools, affordable pricing, and decent ecommerce capabilities perfect for a more straightforward setup.
On the other hand, BigCommerce is designed for larger enterprises with substantial scaling needs. It provides advanced features like omnichannel selling, robust inventory management, and superior AI tools, making it a powerhouse for businesses aiming for aggressive growth.
Let’s break down their strengths and weaknesses.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees
Pricing structures are where Weebly and BigCommerce significantly differ, which can be critical for decision-making.
Weebly
Weebly offers a "free forever" plan, an attractive option for those just starting out. Paid plans vary from $10 to $26 per month. The "Personal" plan, priced at $10, includes a custom domain and unlimited storage. Their most expensive "Performance" plan at $26 per month offers advanced tools like abandoned cart emails and additional ecommerce insights.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce, conversely, does not have a free plan but offers a 15-day free trial. Paid plans range from $39 to $399 per month, catering to different business requirements. The "Standard" plan at $39 a month includes essential features, while the "Pro" plan at $399 a month provides advanced functionalities. Custom pricing is also available for enterprise solutions. Notably, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan, but there are restrictions on annual sales volumes for each plan tier.
Verdict on Pricing
Weebly wins on affordability, ideal for small businesses or beginners. However, BigCommerce offers more advanced features for a higher price, justifying its cost for larger enterprises with more complex needs.
Core Features Comparison
Both platforms cater to different clientele, and their features reflect that.
Website Building and Design
Weebly
Weebly excels in simplicity with an intuitive drag-and-drop website editor, which doesn’t require coding knowledge. It's ideal for users who want ease of use and decent design options. Weebly offers a couple of hundred templates suitable for various industries, from portfolios to blogs.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers robust customization tools, including granular control options via CSS and HTML. Its themes are geared more towards ecommerce, providing professional looks suitable for online stores. Although BigCommerce's editor has evolved to become more user-friendly and incorporates AI-powered tools, it still has a steeper learning curve compared to Weebly.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
Surprisingly comprehensive for its pricing, Weebly includes support for unlimited products, automatic tax calculation, and delivery options in most paid plans. However, advanced features like abandoned cart emails and PayPal acceptance require higher-tier plans.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce stands out with advanced ecommerce capabilities, including partnerships for discounted transaction fees, omnichannel integrations, and superior inventory management. It supports multi-currency selling, real-time shipping quotes, and detailed product management, which Weebly lacks. Specialized plans for B2B and wholesale add to its appeal for larger businesses.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
Weebly offers a robust blogging feature and basic SEO tools. It provides essential marketing tools like pop-ups, lead capture forms, and Instagram feed integration. However, the analytic tools are somewhat limited compared to BigCommerce.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce excels in SEO capabilities, allowing for more extensive website customization aimed at improving search rankings. It offers detailed analytics, including custom dashboards and in-depth reports on inventory, sales, and customer behavior. It facilitates comprehensive marketing efforts, with integration options for advanced email campaigns.
AI Capabilities
Weebly
Weebly does not offer built-in AI tools, though integration with third-party AI applications is available.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is investing heavily in AI, with its "BigAI" toolkit providing features for AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized recommendations. This advanced AI integration significantly enhances its ecommerce functionalities.
Integrations and Apps
Weebly
Weebly provides around 100 apps in its App Center for various functionalities like marketing and analytics.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers a much more extensive app marketplace with over 850 integrations, covering everything from POS to marketing automation. Its seamless API options enable custom workflow automation, making it a versatile choice for growing businesses.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Weebly
Weebly clearly wins in the ease-of-use category. Its straightforward interface is perfect for users who prefer simplicity over complex functionalities.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce has improved its intuitiveness and offers comprehensive customer support, including phone support on all plans and an active online community. However, it requires a steeper learning curve to master its advanced features.
Final Verdict
Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce boils down to your business needs:
- Opt for Weebly if you are a small business entrepreneur who needs an affordable, easier-to-use platform with essential ecommerce features.
- Choose BigCommerce if you manage a larger business that needs advanced ecommerce tools, AI capabilities, and scalable solutions.
Both platforms have their unique strengths, catering to different business types and sizes. Ensure you consider your current needs and future growth plans before making a decision.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I use Weebly for a large ecommerce business? A: While Weebly is excellent for small to mid-sized businesses due to its user-friendly design, it might lack some advanced features that larger businesses require. For scaling esoteric functionalities, BigCommerce is more suitable.
Q: Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees? A: No, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any of its plans, which can be a significant cost saver in the long run.
Q: Can I switch from Weebly to BigCommerce if my business grows? A: Yes, transitioning from Weebly to BigCommerce is possible and might be necessary as your business scales and requires more advanced features.
Q: Are there hidden costs in BigCommerce? A: There aren’t hidden fees, but be mindful of the annual sales volume limits for each plan, as exceeding these limits can lead you to upgrade to a more expensive plan.
Q: Does Weebly support digital product sales? A: Yes, but you need a paid plan to sell digital goods. Advanced ecommerce features like abandoned cart emails are available only on the higher-tier plans.
Q: Which platform offers better SEO tools? A: BigCommerce provides more comprehensive SEO tools and capabilities, allowing for better optimization and higher search engine rankings compared to Weebly.
Thus, the right choice between Weebly and BigCommerce hinges on your business needs, priorities, and projections for growth. Choose wisely to set a solid foundation for your ecommerce success.
