Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
- Pricing and Fees
- Core Features Comparison
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Final Verdict
- FAQ
Introduction
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a critical decision for any business aiming to thrive in the digital landscape. The choice often narrows down to a few notable contenders, including Weebly and BigCommerce. Both platforms offer unique features tailored to different business needs, but which one should you opt for? This article delves into an in-depth comparison of Weebly and BigCommerce, dissecting their pricing, features, and pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
Weebly and BigCommerce are both prominent names in the ecommerce sphere, but they cater to different business sizes and needs. Weebly is more user-friendly and budget-friendly, ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. On the other hand, BigCommerce is designed to support larger businesses with advanced needs and aspirations for scaling.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Weebly: Affordable, user-friendly, excellent for smaller businesses, basic ecommerce tools.
- BigCommerce: Advanced tools, better for scalability, higher cost, focused on larger businesses.
Pricing and Fees
Weebly
Weebly is known for its budget-friendly pricing, including a "free forever" plan. This plan allows selling unlimited items and includes access to a shopping basket. The paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month:
- Personal Plan: $10/month - Custom domain support and unlimited storage.
- Professional Plan: $12/month - Advanced site stats.
- Performance Plan: $26/month - Includes abandoned cart emails and advanced ecommerce insights.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce, although not offering a free plan, provides a 15-day free trial. Post-trial, the pricing is significantly higher but comes with advanced features:
- Standard Plan: $39/month - Basic functionalities.
- Plus Plan: $79/month - Advanced marketing tools.
- Pro Plan: $399/month - Comprehensive features tailored for high-revenue businesses.
- Enterprise Plans: Custom pricing - Tailored solutions for large enterprises.
Notable aspects of BigCommerce's pricing include no transaction fees across all plans and access to a more extensive list of features.
Core Features Comparison
Website Building and Design
Both Weebly and BigCommerce offer a range of templates and responsive design options. However, there are nuances in their offerings:
- Weebly: Intuitive drag-and-drop editor, easier for beginners, suitable for various site types beyond just ecommerce.
- BigCommerce: Advanced customizations, access to CSS and HTML, and more intricate design capabilities tailored for ecommerce.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly and BigCommerce both pack a punch in ecommerce functionalities, albeit to different extents:
- Weebly: Robust for its price; supports unlimited products, basic inventory management, automatic tax calculations, and in-store pickup options. However, PayPal payments and advanced features like abandoned cart emails are available only on higher-priced plans.
- BigCommerce: Extensive ecommerce capabilities; includes marketplace and social media integrations, advanced inventory management, multi-currency support, and customized product pages. Additionally, BigCommerce supports B2B and wholesale options, making it more versatile for larger operations.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Marketing and analytical tools are cornerstones for any ecommerce platform:
- Weebly: Strong in content marketing with superior blogging tools and integrated marketing features like pop-up notifications and Instagram feeds. However, it falls short on advanced SEO functionalities.
- BigCommerce: Superior SEO tools, comprehensive marketing options including abandoned cart emails, and advanced analytics. Its reporting capabilities offer deeper insights into customer behaviors and sales performance.
AI Capabilities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of ecommerce:
- Weebly: Limited native AI capabilities, with basic third-party integration options via marketplace.
- BigCommerce: More advanced AI functionalities through its BigAI toolkit, including predictive analytics, personalized recommendations, and AI-powered search functions. BigCommerce is actively expanding its AI offerings.
Integrations and Apps
Integration flexibility is crucial for expanding functionalities:
- Weebly: Offers around 100 apps in its App Center, providing essential functionalities.
- BigCommerce: Boasts over 850 apps, organized into defined collections for easier navigation. It supports various business functions, from shipping to marketing and analytics. The open API allows creation of automated workflows for enhanced efficiency.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Ease of Use
- Weebly: Renowned for its ease-of-use, ideal for beginners. The simple drag-and-drop interface requires no prior technical knowledge.
- BigCommerce: Steeper learning curve but has become more intuitive with AI tools. Better suited for users looking for more advanced customization.
Customer Support
- Weebly: Offers 24/7 support, limited to forum, chat, and email support on lower-tier plans.
- BigCommerce: Provides comprehensive 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone on all plans. Its educational resources and community support make troubleshooting more accessible.
Final Verdict
Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce depends primarily on your business size and needs:
- Weebly: Best for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs needing a straightforward, cost-effective ecommerce solution.
- BigCommerce: Ideal for larger businesses with aspirations for scalability, seeking advanced ecommerce features, and willing to invest more for comprehensive capabilities.
FAQ
Which platform is better for small businesses: Weebly or BigCommerce?
Weebly is generally better suited for small businesses due to its user-friendly interface and lower pricing.
Are there any free plans available on BigCommerce?
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan but provides a 15-day free trial for you to explore the platform.
Can I integrate AI features with Weebly?
While Weebly has limited native AI features, you can integrate third-party AI tools available in its marketplace.
Do both platforms support multi-currency selling?
Only BigCommerce offers multi-currency selling capabilities on all its plans, making it suitable for businesses with a global presence.
How do the pricing structures of Weebly and BigCommerce compare?
Weebly is more affordable with plans ranging from $10 to $26 per month, whereas BigCommerce plans start at $39 per month and can go upwards based on your needs.
In conclusion, the decision between Weebly and BigCommerce hinges on your business’s specific requirements and growth ambitions. Weebly is excellent for those starting with simpler needs, while BigCommerce serves as a robust platform ready to support larger operations and advanced ecommerce functionalities.
