Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is BigCommerce?
- What is Shopify?
- Pricing & Costs
- Ease of Use
- Themes & Design
- Features
- Enterprise Solutions
- Blogging & Content Marketing
- Payment Processing and Checkout Experience
- Final Verdict
Introduction
Choosing the right ecommerce platform for your online business is a critical step toward success. Two of the most popular platforms, BigCommerce and Shopify, offer extensive features for entrepreneurs looking to build, manage, and grow their online stores. In this detailed comparison, we'll dive into the specifics of each platform to help you make an informed decision based on your business needs.
What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is a leading ecommerce platform that's designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes, making it an ideal choice for those transitioning from physical retail to ecommerce, as well as established online merchants. It's recognized for its richness in built-in features and its capacity to facilitate growth without requiring excessive third-party apps.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a comprehensive ecommerce solution for individuals and businesses of varying expertise, offering an easy-to-use system for setting up and marketing an online store. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and robust app market, Shopify serves as a starting point for many new to ecommerce and remains suitable for enterprise-level businesses.
Pricing & Costs
Both platforms offer multiple pricing tiers, with the ability to choose based on features and expected sales volume. BigCommerce provides plans with no transaction fees and emphasizes unlimited bandwidth and storage, appealing to businesses anticipating growth. Shopify's plans can potentially cost more given the additional transaction fees for operations and reliance on third-party apps for enhanced functionality.
Ease of Use
Considering the ease of use, Shopify generally receives high marks for its streamlined setup process and simplicity, which favors beginners. Meanwhile, BigCommerce, though slightly more complex, offers a level of customization that will attract those with some technical prowess or resources for development.
Themes & Design
Shopify edges out BigCommerce when it comes to theme variety and design. With an extensive collection of modern, professional themes that cater to a broad set of preferences, Shopify serves businesses keen on building a store that's as visually compelling as it is functional. BigCommerce's theme selection has improved, but for pure aesthetic diversity, Shopify wins.
Features
Out of the box, BigCommerce generally offers more comprehensive features, significantly reducing the need for added apps. Shopify, however, affords a wealth of add-ons via its expansive app store, which can supplement its basic offerings to match BigCommerce's capabilities.
Enterprise Solutions
Both BigCommerce Enterprise and Shopify Plus deliver advanced features and dedicated support, understanding the unique demands of larger businesses. Overall, Shopify Plus might have a slight advantage due to its more extensive app ecosystem and support network.
Blogging & Content Marketing
BigCommerce steps forward with a compelling advantage through its seamless integration with WordPress, making it more appealing for those businesses where content marketing plays a central role. This feature bridges the gap between powerful ecommerce toolsets and first-rate content management inherent in WordPress.
Payment Processing and Checkout Experience
Payment gateways and checkout experiences are critical determinants of customer satisfaction. Both platforms offer multiple payment options; however, Shopify's own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, may edge out competition due to its seamless integration and management under the Shopify umbrella.
Final Verdict
In the BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison, the decision is nuanced. If you prioritize features above all and forecast considerable growth, BigCommerce offers a compelling option with room for scalability and development. On the other hand, if ease of use, design flexibility, and a large selection of third-party apps rank as top requirements for your business, Shopify might be the most strategic choice.
Both platforms have their strengths and can serve your ecommerce business effectively. The choice ultimately depends on your specific business model, ambitions, and preferences. Evaluate your needs, trial both platforms if possible, and make a choice that will support the strategic goals of your enterprise.
Note: Bear in mind that ecommerce platform landscapes are dynamic. This analysis is based on present comparisons. It's advisable to stay updated on any policy changes, feature updates, or new integrations that could influence your decision over time.
