Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
- Pricing and Fees
- Website Building and Design
- Ecommerce and Selling Features
- Marketing Tools and Analytics
- AI Capabilities
- Integrations and Apps
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Final Verdict
- FAQ
Introduction
When it comes to building an ecommerce store, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your business's success. But with numerous options available, it can be challenging to determine which one best meets your needs. In this article, we’ll dive deep into Weebly and BigCommerce, two prominent ecommerce platforms, comparing them in terms of pricing, features, ease of use, and more. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of which platform aligns better with your business goals.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
Deciding between Weebly and BigCommerce boils down to understanding your ecommerce requirements. Weebly is often praised for its user-friendly interface and affordability, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, BigCommerce stands out with its advanced features designed for larger enterprises aiming for significant growth.
Here’s a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Pricing and Fees
Weebly Pricing
Weebly offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different business needs, starting from a free plan to paid plans ranging from $10 to $26 per month. The free plan includes essential features like a shopping basket and the ability to sell unlimited items, though it does come with Weebly branding.
- Personal Plan: $10/month - Custom domain support and unlimited storage.
- Professional Plan: $12/month - Includes site search and video backgrounds.
- Performance Plan: $26/month - Features advanced ecommerce insights, abandoned cart emails, and more.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce’s pricing structure is relatively higher, starting at $39 per month. Unlike Weebly, BigCommerce doesn’t offer a free plan but does provide a 15-day trial period.
- Standard Plan: $39/month - Suitable for startups but restricts annual sales to $50k.
- Plus Plan: $79/month - Increases sales limit and includes advanced marketing tools.
- Pro Plan: $399/month - Even higher sales limit and more comprehensive features.
BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, but limits sales volume which can be a significant factor depending on your sales projections.
Conclusion on Pricing
If affordability and simplicity are your top priorities, Weebly could be the better choice. However, if you're aiming to scale rapidly and need robust ecommerce features, BigCommerce might justify its higher cost.
Website Building and Design
Weebly
Weebly shines with its intuitive drag-and-drop website editor, making it accessible for users with no technical background. The platform offers a variety of responsive templates suited for different types of websites, from portfolios to blogs and online stores.
BigCommerce
While BigCommerce has a slightly steeper learning curve, it offers more advanced customization options. It provides abundant themes optimized for ecommerce, along with the ability to make granular changes using CSS and HTML. This flexibility is ideal for businesses looking to tailor their site’s appearance and functionality precisely.
Conclusion on Design
For ease of use in website design, Weebly is superior. Yet, for those who seek detailed customization and have the technical know-how (or resources), BigCommerce offers more versatility.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
Despite its affordability, Weebly doesn’t skimp on ecommerce features. It supports unlimited products, various payment options (though PayPal requires the Performance plan), automatic tax calculations, and inventory management.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers comprehensive ecommerce tools ideal for larger businesses. Features include multi-currency support, real-time shipping quotes, marketplace integration, and detailed product management. The platform also supports omnichannel selling, integrating seamlessly with marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Conclusion on Ecommerce Features
BigCommerce outshines Weebly with its advanced selling features. If you foresee your store growing in complexity and scale, BigCommerce is likely the better option.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
Weebly offers essential marketing tools, including pop-ups, customizable Instagram feeds, and lead capture forms. It’s particularly strong in content marketing with its user-friendly blogging feature. However, the platform is somewhat limited in SEO capabilities.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides a more sophisticated suite of marketing tools, emphasizing SEO and customer insights. It allows for extensive customization of SEO settings, comprehensive analytics, and more robust email marketing through integrations.
Conclusion on Marketing
BigCommerce takes the lead in marketing and analytics tools, providing more profound insights and customization options, which are crucial for businesses looking to optimize their digital marketing strategies.
AI Capabilities
Weebly
Currently, Weebly does not come with native AI capabilities. Users can integrate third-party tools, but these will not offer the seamless experience found in platforms with built-in AI.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is making strides in the AI space with its BigAI toolkit. It includes features like AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations. These tools can significantly enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
Conclusion on AI Capabilities
BigCommerce clearly leads in AI innovations, making it a suitable choice for businesses seeking to leverage AI for enhanced customer engagement and operational efficiencies.
Integrations and Apps
Weebly
Weebly provides access to around 100 apps through its App Center, offering basic functionalities for payments, marketing, and site enhancements.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce excels with over 850 apps and integrations, covering everything from marketing automation and dropshipping to analytics and point-of-sale solutions. This extensive app marketplace offers businesses ample opportunities to expand their store’s capabilities.
Conclusion on Integrations
BigCommerce offers more diversity and functionality in its app marketplace, providing a wealth of options for furthering your ecommerce functionalities.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Ease of Use
Weebly is undeniably easier to use, ideal for beginners who want a hassle-free setup and operation. BigCommerce, although more complex, has made strides in improving user experience through AI tools and extensive guides.
Customer Support
Both platforms offer comprehensive help resources. BigCommerce provides chat, email, and phone support across all plans, while Weebly's scope of direct support can be limited, especially on lower-tier plans.
Conclusion on Ease of Use and Support
Weebly is perfect for users prioritizing simplicity. However, BigCommerce is a better option if top-tier customer support and the full spectrum of ecommerce tools are required.
Final Verdict
Deciding between Weebly and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your business goals and plans for growth. If you're running a smaller store with basic needs, Weebly is user-friendly and cost-effective. But if you need a scalable solution with comprehensive ecommerce features, BigCommerce stands out as the superior choice.
FAQ
1. Can Weebly handle larger ecommerce stores?
Weebly is better suited for small to medium-sized businesses. As your business grows, you might find it necessary to switch to a platform like BigCommerce that can handle more complex requirements.
2. Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?
No, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any of its plans.
3. Is there a free plan available on BigCommerce?
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but it provides a 15-day free trial.
4. How does customer support compare between Weebly and BigCommerce?
BigCommerce offers more extensive support options including phone support across all plans, while Weebly's direct support can be limited on lower-tier plans.
5. Which platform is better for SEO?
BigCommerce offers more extensive SEO customization options compared to Weebly, making it the better choice for businesses focused on search engine optimization.
