Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: The Overview
- Pricing and Fees
- Core Features Comparison
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Choosing the right ecommerce platform can make or break your online business. Both Weebly and BigCommerce have their distinct features and advantages, making them suitable for different types of businesses. This article aims to delve deep into the functionalities, pricing, and overall user experience of both platforms to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're a small business owner weighing your options or an established enterprise looking to scale, this guide will provide valuable insights.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: The Overview
Weebly is often praised for its user-friendly interface and affordability, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. On the other hand, BigCommerce caters to larger enterprises with its advanced ecommerce functionalities, robust inventory management, and omnichannel selling options. Let's break down the critical aspects of these platforms to see which one aligns better with your business needs.
Pricing and Fees
Weebly Pricing
Weebly offers a range of plans, including a free option, which makes it highly accessible for small businesses. Here’s a quick overview of the paid plans:
- Personal Plan: $10 per month – Support for a custom domain and unlimited storage.
- Professional Plan: $12 per month – Additional features like site search and password protection for pages.
- Performance Plan: $26 per month – Advanced ecommerce insights and abandoned cart emails.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but they do provide a 15-day trial period. The pricing structure is more expensive but comes with additional advanced features:
- Standard Plan: $39 per month – Limited to $50,000 annual online sales.
- Plus Plan: $79 per month – Advanced customer segmentation and abandoned cart saver.
- Pro Plan: $299 per month – For businesses with up to $400,000 in online sales per year.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing – Tailored solutions for large enterprises.
While BigCommerce is pricier, it provides a bigger bang for your buck, from omnichannel selling tools to advanced analytics and no transaction fees.
Core Features Comparison
Website Building and Design
Weebly
Weebly boasts a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor that requires no coding skills. It offers several responsive templates suitable for various types of websites, from portfolios to ecommerce stores. The platform simplifies customization, making it ideal for users who need a straightforward, easy-to-use interface.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also provides a selection of professional, responsive themes, although the options are more tailored to ecommerce stores. While there’s a bit of a learning curve involved, especially with the inclusion of advanced AI tools, the platform allows for more granular customization. Users can delve into the CSS and HTML files to tweak their site’s appearance and functionality.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
Despite its affordability, Weebly offers robust ecommerce capabilities. Features include:
- Support for unlimited products.
- Inventory management tools.
- Automatic tax calculation.
- Multiple delivery options like in-store pickup.
However, some advanced features like abandoned cart emails and the ability to accept PayPal payments are only available on the higher-priced plans.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce excels in ecommerce functionalities, offering a comprehensive set of tools across all plans:
- Advanced inventory management.
- Real-time shipping quotes.
- Multi-currency selling.
- Marketplace and social media integrations.
- Product ratings and reviews.
Additionally, BigCommerce supports both B2C and B2B ecommerce, offering tailored solutions for wholesale businesses.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
Weebly provides a solid blogging feature along with some basic marketing tools like pop-up notifications and lead capture forms. The platform also allows basic SEO adjustments, though it's somewhat limited in this regard. You can create vouchers and gift cards, but more advanced email marketing features often require third-party integrations.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce stands out with its built-in marketing tools and analytics. You can:
- Create customized dashboards.
- Track detailed metrics related to inventory, sales, and customer behavior.
- Use AI-powered tools for predictive analytics and personalized product recommendations.
With broader SEO capabilities and more advanced email marketing options, BigCommerce empowers businesses to optimize their marketing strategies effectively.
AI Capabilities
Weebly
Weebly lacks native AI capabilities but allows for third-party integrations to add some AI functionalities to your store. This might be a drawback for businesses looking to leverage artificial intelligence more extensively.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is emerging as a leader with its BigAI toolkit, which includes solutions for AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations. Future enhancements and integrations are on the horizon, making BigCommerce a forward-thinking option for tech-savvy businesses.
Integrations and Apps
Weebly
Weebly's App Center offers around 100 apps, providing basic functionalities like marketing tools, analytics, and site enhancements. This limited selection could restrict the capabilities of businesses looking for more specialized applications.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce's app marketplace features more than 850 integrations, covering a wide range of categories such as marketing, dropshipping, fulfillment, and analytics. The platform’s open API options enable businesses to create automated workflows and connect various applications seamlessly.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Ease of Use
Weebly's intuitive drag-and-drop editor allows for a smooth user experience, ideal for those who prefer simplicity and ease of use. BigCommerce also offers a user-friendly experience, although it comes with a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features.
Customer Support
Both platforms provide 24/7 customer support, but BigCommerce takes the lead with its comprehensive resources, including detailed tutorials, guides, and an online community. While Weebly offers good customer support, access is limited to chat and email for lower-tier plans. BigCommerce includes phone support across all plans, providing immediate assistance when needed.
Conclusion
Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce hinges on your business size and needs. If you run a smaller store and prioritize ease of use and affordability, Weebly is likely the best choice. However, for businesses seeking advanced functionalities, scalability, and robust inventory and marketing tools, BigCommerce proves to be the superior platform.
FAQ
Which platform is better for small businesses?
Weebly is generally better for small businesses due to its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans.
Does BigCommerce offer a free trial?
Yes, BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial period for new users.
Can I integrate third-party apps with both platforms?
Yes, both Weebly and BigCommerce support third-party app integrations, though BigCommerce offers a more extensive app marketplace.
Are there any transaction fees on BigCommerce?
No, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any of its plans.
Does Weebly support digital products?
Yes, but you need to be on a paid plan to sell both physical and digital products on Weebly.
