Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Pricing Comparison
- App Ecosystem and Developer Support
- Design and Theme Quality
- Features Out Of The Box
- Enterprise Options
- Blogging and Content Marketing
- Conclusion
Introduction
Choosing an ecommerce platform is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the success of your online business. In this post, we take a comprehensive look at two of the most popular choices: BigCommerce and Shopify. We analyze each platform based on various factors, such as pricing, ease of use, themes, features, enterprise options, blogging, and more.
Pricing Comparison
When deciding between BigCommerce and Shopify, you can't just look at the base monthly fees. Instead, consider the total cost of ownership, including payment processing fees and the need for additional plugins.
- BigCommerce often ends up being cheaper as it includes more out-of-the-box features and doesn't charge transaction fees.
- Shopify has a larger app ecosystem, but this could also mean higher costs due to the need for extra plugins.
App Ecosystem and Developer Support
- Shopify has an advantage with its larger developer ecosystem and app store, offering more flexibility and cutting-edge features.
- BigCommerce has been working to expand its app offerings and catch up to Shopify.
Design and Theme Quality
Both platforms offer a variety of free and paid themes, with Shopify generally providing a more extensive selection due to its larger third-party developer community. However, BigCommerce has improved its themes significantly in recent years.
Features Out Of The Box
BigCommerce shines with its comprehensive feature set right out of the box, reducing the need for extra plugins. This makes it an attractive option for many online merchants.
Enterprise Options
- Shopify Plus is generally seen as superior to BigCommerce's enterprise plan, primarily due to Shopify's expansive third-party ecosystem and support.
- BigCommerce Enterprise offers features and custom controls that are valuable for larger businesses looking to maximize their ecommerce capabilities.
Blogging and Content Marketing
BigCommerce offers a better experience for blogging and content marketing than Shopify due to its seamless WordPress integration, allowing for superior SEO and content management on the same domain.
Conclusion
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify depends on your specific needs. Consider factors like pricing, the necessary features, design choices, and future business goals.
-
Choose BigCommerce if: you want a feature-rich platform without the need for many additional plugins and plan to make content marketing a key part of your strategy.
-
Choose Shopify if: you value a vast app ecosystem, a larger variety of themes, and anticipate the need for cutting-edge features that may not be immediately available on BigCommerce.
Remember, evaluating the total cost of ownership beyond just monthly fees is essential when making your choice. Take advantage of free trials, assess your business requirements, and choose the platform that aligns best with your ecommerce vision.
If you've decided that neither BigCommerce nor Shopify meets your needs, consider looking into other ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, or custom solutions that may offer the flexibility or specific features you require.
Lastly, whether you choose BigCommerce or Shopify, consider leveraging migration services like LitExtension to ensure a smooth transition if you're moving from another platform. It's also helpful to engage with ecommerce communities for additional insights and support as you grow your online business.
