Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Weebly vs BigCommerce: Overview
  3. Pricing and Fees
  4. Core Features
  5. Marketing Tools and Analytics
  6. Integrations and Apps
  7. Ease of Use and Customer Support
  8. Final Verdict
  9. FAQ

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of eCommerce, choosing the right platform can be pivotal for your online business's success. Among the myriad of options, Weebly and BigCommerce stand out, each catering to different business needs with their unique features and pricing structures. But which one is the best fit for your venture? Today, we delve deep into a comprehensive comparison of Weebly vs BigCommerce, examining their pricing, features, and overall strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: Overview

Both Weebly and BigCommerce are powerful eCommerce and website-building platforms, yet they cater to distinct user bases and business sizes.

Weebly is designed with simplicity and affordability in mind. It's perfect for smaller businesses or solo entrepreneurs who seek an intuitive, budget-friendly solution. On the other hand, BigCommerce is tailored for larger enterprises aiming to scale rapidly, offering extensive features, advanced inventory management, and robust omnichannel selling options.

Quick Verdict

Weebly is ideal for small businesses and beginners who prioritize ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Conversely, BigCommerce excels in catering to larger enterprises with its advanced tools and scalable options.

Pricing and Fees

One of the crucial factors when choosing a platform is understanding its pricing structure and any associated fees.

Weebly Pricing

Weebly offers a variety of plans including a "free forever" option that provides access to a shopping cart and allows you to sell an unlimited number of items. The paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month:

  • Personal Plan ($10/month): Includes support for a custom domain and unlimited storage.
  • Professional Plan ($12/month): Adds additional ecommerce features and removes Weebly branding.
  • Performance Plan ($26/month): Offers advanced ecommerce insights, abandoned cart emails, and priority support.

BigCommerce Pricing

BigCommerce does not offer a free tier but provides a 15-day free trial. Their paid plans start at $39 per month and go up to $399 per month:

  • Standard Plan ($39/month): No transaction fees but limits sales to $50k per year.
  • Plus Plan ($105/month): Increased sales limits and additional features.
  • Pro Plan ($399/month): Highest sales limits with advanced functionalities.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for high-volume businesses.

BigCommerce generally offers more advanced features for your money, such as omnichannel and international selling tools.

Pricing Conclusion

Weebly is more cost-effective and suitable for small businesses with its affordable pricing and straightforward feature set. Meanwhile, BigCommerce, although pricier, provides a more comprehensive suite of tools and scalability options that justify its higher cost for larger businesses.

Core Features

Website Building and Design

Both Weebly and BigCommerce offer robust website-building tools, but they serve different purposes.

Weebly

  • Ease of Use: Weebly’s drag-and-drop editor is user-friendly, ideal for those without coding knowledge.
  • Templates: Offers a variety of themes suitable for blogs, portfolios, and ecommerce sites. All themes are responsive and professional-looking.

BigCommerce

  • Advanced Customization: Allows deeper customization with access to CSS and HTML files.
  • Themes: While there are hundreds of themes, many are fairly similar, but tailored more specifically towards ecommerce needs.
  • AI Tools: Incorporates AI-powered tools for a more dynamic editing experience.

Ecommerce and Selling Features

Weebly

  • Inventory Management: Decent inventory tools and unlimited product support on most plans.
  • Payment Options: Limited PayPal integration, available only on higher-tier plans.
  • Delivery Options: Includes options like in-store pickup.
  • Abandoned Cart Recovery: Available only on the Performance plan.

BigCommerce

  • Advanced Inventory Management: More sophisticated tools and no transaction fees.
  • Payment Options: Wide range of payment gateways, with discounted rates through PayPal partnerships.
  • Omnichannel Selling: Integrates with marketplaces and social media for broader reach.
  • Specialized Plans: Offers solutions for B2B and wholesale businesses.

Marketing Tools and Analytics

Weebly

  • Blogging Features: Strong blogging capabilities for content marketing.
  • SEO Tools: Basic SEO customizations.
  • Email Marketing: Basic tools available, but advanced campaigns require third-party integrations.

BigCommerce

  • Advanced SEO: Offers more extensive SEO customization options.
  • Analytics: Superior reporting tools, with customizable dashboards and in-depth analytics.
  • AI Capabilities: BigCommerce leverages AI for predictive analytics and personalized recommendations.

Integrations and Apps

Weebly

  • App Center: Around 100 apps available for basic enhancements and integrations.
  • Ease of Integration: Supports essential third-party tools for various functionalities.

BigCommerce

  • App Marketplace: Extensive marketplace with over 850 apps covering a wide range of functionalities from POS systems to dropshipping solutions.
  • Open API: Allows for custom automated workflows and integrations, facilitating complex needs.

Ease of Use and Customer Support

Weebly

  • User-Friendly: Easier to use with a less steep learning curve.
  • Support: Limited to forum, chat, and email on lower-tier plans. Performance plan includes premium support options.

BigCommerce

  • Complexity: More advanced, which can be overwhelming for beginners but offers superior functionality.
  • Support: Excellent customer support, including phone support on all plans and a robust community for additional guidance.

Final Verdict

Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce depends largely on your business size and needs:

  • Weebly is suitable for small businesses and beginners looking for an easy-to-use, affordable ecommerce platform with basic yet effective features.
  • BigCommerce is the go-to platform for larger businesses or those looking to scale significantly, offering advanced ecommerce capabilities, extensive integrations, and superior customer support.

FAQ

1. Can I switch from Weebly to BigCommerce if my business grows?

Yes, migrating from Weebly to BigCommerce is possible as your business scales. However, it may require some technical effort and planning to ensure a seamless transition.

2. Which platform is better for SEO?

BigCommerce provides more extensive SEO customization options, making it a better choice for businesses prioritizing search engine optimization.

3. Do both platforms support international selling?

BigCommerce offers robust international selling features, including multi-currency options and international shipping integrations. Weebly has more limited international selling capabilities.

4. Is it necessary to have coding knowledge to use these platforms?

No coding knowledge is required for Weebly due to its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. BigCommerce also strives to be user-friendly, though it offers deeper customization options for those with coding expertise.

By understanding your business requirements and long-term goals, you can choose the platform that best aligns with your strategic objectives. Whether you opt for Weebly's simplicity and cost-effectiveness or BigCommerce's advanced and scalable features, each platform has its unique strengths tailored to different eCommerce needs.