Table of Contents
Introduction
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a pivotal decision for any online business. With numerous options available, it can be challenging to determine which platform best suits your needs. Today, we will delve into a detailed comparison of Weebly and BigCommerce, two popular ecommerce solutions with distinct capabilities. By exploring their pricing, features, pros, and cons, this comprehensive guide aims to help you make an informed choice for your online store.
Whether you are a small business owner seeking an affordable, user-friendly option or a larger enterprise requiring advanced tools and scalability, this post will outline the key differences and benefits of both platforms. So, let’s dive into the respective strengths of Weebly and BigCommerce to understand which might be the better fit for your business.
Pricing and Fees
Weebly Pricing Overview
Weebly is known for its affordability and simplicity, particularly appealing to smaller businesses or beginners in the ecommerce space.
- Free Plan: Weebly offers a "free forever" plan which includes basic ecommerce functionalities such as a shopping basket and unlimited items listing. This is ideal for startups looking to minimize costs.
- Paid Plans: Paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month. The entry-level Personal plan supports custom domains and offers unlimited storage, while the top-tier Performance plan includes advanced features like abandoned cart emails and ecommerce insights without an additional fee.
BigCommerce Pricing Overview
BigCommerce is aimed at more established businesses looking for advanced functionalities and scalability.
- Standard Plan: Priced at $39 per month, it provides basic ecommerce features suitable for small to medium businesses.
- Plus and Pro Plans: The Plus plan costs $79 per month, and the Pro plan is $399 per month, offering more advanced features and capabilities.
- Enterprise Plan: This comes with custom pricing based on specific business needs and includes bespoke features suitable for large companies.
BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan, which can be a significant cost-saving benefit compared to other platforms. However, it does place revenue limits on each plan, starting at $50,000 per year for the Standard plan.
Core Features
Website Building and Design
Weebly
Weebly offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it accessible for users without coding skills. It provides a substantial selection of responsive templates suitable for various types of websites, from blogs to portfolios and online stores. This makes it a versatile tool for individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence quickly.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce, while more complex, offers more advanced customization options. With access to CSS and HTML files and the ability to create global widgets and unique product categories, it’s tailored for those with a bit more technical expertise. The platform also provides a wide range of ecommerce-specific themes designed to optimize the shopping experience.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
Weebly’s ecommerce capabilities, while not as extensive as BigCommerce, are robust.
- Unlimited products: Support on almost all paid plans.
- Inventory management: Tools for automatic tax calculations and delivery options like in-store pickup.
- Payment options: Limited, with PayPal integration available only on higher-tier plans.
- Shopping Cart and User Experience: Integrated shopping cart and basic features like abandoned cart notifications on premium plans.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce excels in providing comprehensive ecommerce tools:
- Payment Integration: Partnerships with PayPal offer discounted transaction rates; multiple payment system integrations.
- Marketplace and Social Media Integrations: Enables omnichannel selling.
- Inventory and Order Management: Advanced capabilities including detailed product variants, custom fields, real-time shipping quotes, and more.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
Weebly shines in content marketing with robust blogging tools and additional features:
- Pop-up notifications, lead capture forms, Instagram feed integration: Enhances marketing efforts, although SEO functionalities are limited compared to BigCommerce.
- Vouchers, Gift Cards, and Email Marketing: Basic support for promotional activities.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers superior marketing tools and analytics:
- Advanced SEO Features: Greater control over website optimization for better search engine rankings.
- Robust Reporting: Customizable dashboards, detailed customer behavior analytics, and comprehensive sales performance tracking.
AI Capabilities
Weebly
Weebly lacks native AI capabilities but allows third-party integrations through its App Center.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce leverages its “BigAI” toolkit, offering:
- AI Content Generation: Helps create personalized product recommendations.
- Predictive Analytics and AI-Powered Search: Enhances the customer shopping experience.
Integrations and Apps
Weebly
Weebly provides a smaller selection of around 100 apps within its App Center, adequate for basic ecommerce needs.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce’s robust app marketplace features over 850 integrations for various functions like point of sale management, marketing, dropshipping, and analytics. It also offers open API options for creating automated workflows.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Weebly
Weebly takes the lead in user-friendliness:
- Intuitive Interface: Simple drag-and-drop editor with minimal learning curve.
- Support: Email, chat, and forum support available, although 24/7 support is limited on lower-tier plans.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers more comprehensive support:
- Learning Resources and Community: Extensive tutorials, guides, and community forums.
- Customer Support: 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone on all plans.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the choice between Weebly and BigCommerce hinges on the specific needs of your business:
- Weebly: Suited for small businesses or individuals looking for an affordable, easy-to-use platform with basic ecommerce functionalities.
- BigCommerce: Ideal for larger companies or businesses looking to scale, offering advanced tools, more comprehensive ecommerce features, and better support for omnichannel and international selling.
Whichever platform you select, both offer unique advantages that can cater to different business models and goals.
FAQ
Which platform is better for beginners?
Weebly is generally better for beginners due to its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and straightforward interface.
Does Weebly offer good ecommerce features for small businesses?
Yes, Weebly provides sufficient ecommerce features, including unlimited product listings and basic inventory management, which are ideal for small businesses.
Can BigCommerce handle large-scale ecommerce operations?
Absolutely, BigCommerce is designed for scaling businesses, offering advanced inventory management, detailed analytics, and comprehensive marketing tools.
Are there any transaction fees on these platforms?
Weebly and BigCommerce do not charge transaction fees, though BigCommerce’s plans come with revenue caps.
How do the customer support options compare?
Both platforms offer 24/7 support. However, BigCommerce provides more comprehensive support options, including phone support on all plans and a richer resource library.
