Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you in the market for an ecommerce platform and wondering whether Weebly or BigCommerce could be the right fit for your business? This decision isn't just about picking a system to put products online; it is about choosing the foundation for your entire digital business. A surprising fact — the right ecommerce platform can significantly elevate your online presence and streamline operations, whether you are a small startup or a well-established enterprise.
In today’s post, we will thoroughly compare Weebly and BigCommerce across several dimensions: pricing, features, pros and cons. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of which platform better suits your specific needs. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty details that set these two platforms apart.
Pricing and Fees
The first significant distinction between Weebly and BigCommerce is their pricing structures.
Weebly Pricing
Weebly offers a "free forever" plan that includes a shopping basket and the ability to sell unlimited items. The paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month. Each paid tier adds more features, such as support for custom domains and advanced ecommerce insights. Notably, even the lowest-tier plan offers unlimited storage and a custom domain, making it an affordable option for smaller businesses.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, though they do provide a 15-day free trial. Post-trial, the price ranges from $39 per month for the Standard plan to $399 per month for the Pro plan, with an enterprise option featuring custom pricing. Importantly, BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees on any plans, which could offset the higher subscription cost. However, each plan has a sales cap, with the Standard plan limiting sales at $50,000 per year.
Verdict
Weebly is a cost-effective option for smaller enterprises with its free plan and affordable paid tiers. BigCommerce, while pricier, offers extensive tools and no transaction fees, making it more suitable for scaling businesses with higher sales volume.
Features Comparison
When it comes to features, both Weebly and BigCommerce aim to attract different customer bases, reflecting their varied capabilities.
Website Building and Design
Both platforms offer hundreds of templates, focusing on responsive and professional-looking designs. However, BigCommerce's themes are more ecommerce-centric, while Weebly also provides templates suitable for blogs and portfolios. Customization is more straightforward on Weebly due to its drag-and-drop editor, ideal for beginners with no coding skills. In contrast, BigCommerce allows granular customization via CSS and HTML, catering to users with more technical expertise.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly offers robust ecommerce capabilities considering its price point. Key features include support for unlimited products, inventory management, automatic tax calculation, and delivery options like in-store pickup. However, certain features, such as the ability to accept PayPal payments and abandoned cart emails, are only available on higher-priced plans.
BigCommerce excels with powerful ecommerce features across all plans. It supports various payment integrations, offers discounted transaction rates, and features extensive inventory management. The addition of omnichannel and international selling tools, alongside real-time shipping quotes and multi-currency support, makes it a powerful solution for larger enterprises.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly features good blogging capabilities, pop-up notifications, customizable Instagram feeds, and lead capture forms. However, it falls short in SEO optimization compared to BigCommerce. While both platforms offer basic marketing tools and email marketing capabilities, BigCommerce provides more detailed analytics, customized dashboards, and better reporting features, suitable for businesses that need in-depth performance insights.
AI Capabilities
BigCommerce is ahead in offering AI tools, branded as “BigAI,” which feature AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations. Weebly, on the other hand, lacks native AI features, though you can integrate third-party AI tools through its marketplace.
Integrations and Apps
When it comes to app integrations, BigCommerce leads with over 850 apps compared to Weebly’s 100. BigCommerce's app store is more organized and accessible, featuring collections like “Shipping Essentials.” While Weebly also has a functional app center, it doesn’t compare to the extensive options available on BigCommerce.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Weebly comes out on top for ease of use, thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and minimal learning curve. BigCommerce has improved in usability thanks to integrated AI tools but still has a steeper learning curve. In terms of customer support, BigCommerce excels with 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone, while Weebly’s free and lower-tier plans are limited to chat and email support.
Pros and Cons
Weebly
Pros:
- Lower cost, including a free plan
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- Suitable for small businesses and personal projects
- Good blogging features
Cons:
- Limited ecommerce capabilities in lower-tier plans
- Restricted to basic SEO tools
- Limited to fewer apps and integrations
BigCommerce
Pros:
- Advanced ecommerce features
- No transaction fees
- Extensive integrations and app options
- Powerful AI tools for an enhanced user experience
- Strong analytics and reporting tools
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Steeper learning curve
- Sales cap on each plan
Final Verdict
In conclusion, if you’re operating a small store requiring basic ecommerce functionalities at a low cost with easy usability, Weebly is the go-to option. Conversely, if you’re eyeing significant growth, need advanced ecommerce and marketing tools, and require better integration capabilities, BigCommerce is the better choice.
FAQ
Which platform is better for small businesses?
Weebly is generally better suited for small businesses due to its affordable pricing and ease of use.
Does BigCommerce offer a free plan?
No, BigCommerce does not offer a free plan but provides a 15-day free trial.
Can I customize my store theme on Weebly and BigCommerce?
Yes, both platforms allow theme customization. Weebly uses a drag-and-drop editor, while BigCommerce provides more granularity with CSS and HTML editing.
Which platform has better SEO tools?
BigCommerce has superior SEO tools compared to Weebly, offering more capabilities for higher search rankings.
Is customer support better on Weebly or BigCommerce?
BigCommerce generally offers more comprehensive customer support, including 24/7 access through chat, email, and phone on all plans.
In making a choice between Weebly and BigCommerce, consider the size and growth ambitions of your business, as well as your specific ecommerce needs. Both platforms have their unique strengths tailored to different business scales and objectives.
