Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
  3. Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees
  4. Core Features Comparison
  5. Ease of Use and Customer Support
  6. Final Verdict
  7. FAQ

Choosing the right ecommerce platform can be a daunting task, especially when comparing Weebly and BigCommerce. Each platform offers unique features tailored to different business needs. This blog post provides a detailed analysis of both platforms, aiming to help you make an informed decision based on your specific requirements.

Introduction

Starting an online store requires careful planning and, equally important, selecting the right ecommerce platform that aligns with your business's goals. Imagine you're at a crossroads where one path leads you to a platform that's incredibly user-friendly and budget-friendly, while the other path takes you to a robust, feature-rich platform ideal for scaling up. Which one do you choose?

This is where the Weebly vs BigCommerce comparison becomes relevant. Both platforms offer unique features, pricing plans, and user experiences tailored to varying business needs. This comprehensive guide will explore these aspects in-depth, helping you decide the best fit for your business journey.

In this article, you'll learn about:

  • Key differences between Weebly and BigCommerce
  • Pricing structures of both platforms
  • Core features and their implications
  • Ease of use and customer support
  • Final verdict on which platform may suit your needs best

The Objective

By the end of this post, you will have a clear understanding of what Weebly and BigCommerce offer, empowering you to select the platform that aligns best with your business needs.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview

Differences in Target Audience

While both Weebly and BigCommerce are exceptional ecommerce platforms, they cater to different segments of the market. BigCommerce is tailored for larger businesses aiming for scalability, offering advanced inventory management tools, AI-driven features, and omnichannel selling options. On the other hand, Weebly is ideal for smaller businesses and solo entrepreneurs who prioritize affordability and user-friendliness.

Summary of Features

  • Weebly: Known for its intuitive user interface, affordable plans, and moderate ecommerce capabilities.
  • BigCommerce: Offers comprehensive ecommerce solutions, including advanced SEO, AI tools, and extensive third-party integrations.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees

Weebly's Pricing

Weebly offers a "free forever" plan that includes basic ecommerce functionalities. Paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month:

  • Personal Plan ($10/month): Supports a custom domain and unlimited storage.
  • Performance Plan ($26/month): Adds advanced ecommerce insights and abandoned cart emails.

BigCommerce's Pricing

BigCommerce, although pricier, offers more robust features. Pricing starts from $39 per month for the Standard plan, and can go up to $399 for the Pro plan:

  • Standard Plan ($39/month): Includes essential ecommerce tools with limitations on annual sales ($50K/year).
  • Pro Plan ($399/month): Offers comprehensive features with a higher sales limit.

Despite not having a free plan, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees and provides a 15-day trial period.

Key Insights

  • Affordability: Weebly is more budget-friendly, making it suitable for startups and small businesses.
  • Value for Money: BigCommerce offers more advanced features, justifying its higher cost particularly for growing businesses.

Core Features Comparison

Website Building and Design

Both platforms provide a variety of templates, but here’s how they differ:

  • BigCommerce: Offers templates finely tuned for ecommerce stores, along with the ability to make detailed customizations using CSS and HTML.
  • Weebly: Features a more intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it easier for beginners but offers less customization than BigCommerce.

Ecommerce and Selling Features

  • Weebly: Supports unlimited products, basic inventory management, and automatic tax calculations. Advanced features like abandoned cart emails and PayPal payments require higher-tier plans.
  • BigCommerce: Provides extensive ecommerce capabilities, including multi-currency selling, real-time shipping quotes, and advanced inventory management. It also supports omnichannel selling and integrations with point-of-sale solutions.

Marketing Tools and Analytics

Marketing and analytics are crucial for online businesses:

  • Weebly: Offers basic SEO tools and a better blogging feature. However, its analytics are relatively limited.
  • BigCommerce: Superior SEO capabilities, detailed reports, and the ability to create custom dashboards. It also supports advanced email marketing through integrations.

AI Capabilities

While AI is becoming increasingly important, there’s a significant difference in what these platforms offer:

  • BigCommerce: Includes AI-driven content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations.
  • Weebly: Lacks native AI tools but allows for the integration of some third-party AI services.

Integrations and Apps

Having access to various tools and integrations can significantly enhance your store's functionality:

  • BigCommerce: Offers over 850 apps and organizes them into collections for easier navigation.
  • Weebly: Features a smaller App Center with about 100 apps, which may suffice for smaller businesses.

Ease of Use and Customer Support

Usability

  • Weebly: Known for its user-friendly interface, making it easier for those with no technical background to build and manage a store.
  • BigCommerce: Steeper learning curve but provides more training resources and advanced tools.

Customer Support

  • Weebly: Offers 24/7 support through forums, chat, and email, but the quality of support can vary based on the plan.
  • BigCommerce: Provides comprehensive customer support on all plans, including chat, email, and phone support. It also offers an extensive online community and video tutorials.

Final Verdict

Both Weebly and BigCommerce are excellent platforms in their own right, but they serve different audiences.

  • Weebly: Perfect for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who seek affordability and ease of use.
  • BigCommerce: Ideal for larger businesses or those planning for growth, thanks to its advanced features, better scalability, and superior customer support.

FAQ

1. Which platform is more affordable? Weebly is generally more budget-friendly, offering plans starting as low as $10 per month, including a free option.

2. Can I scale my business with Weebly? While Weebly is great for small businesses, it may lack advanced features required for scaling, making BigCommerce a better option for growing enterprises.

3. Does BigCommerce offer better customer support? Yes, BigCommerce offers more comprehensive customer support, including 24/7 chat, email, and phone support on all plans.

4. Which platform offers better SEO tools? BigCommerce excels in SEO capabilities, allowing for more extensive edits and optimizations compared to Weebly.

5. Can I try these platforms for free? Weebly offers a free plan, while BigCommerce provides a 15-day free trial.

Making an informed decision between Weebly and BigCommerce depends on your specific business needs. Whether you prioritize ease of use and budget-friendliness or advanced features and scalability, both platforms have something valuable to offer.