Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: A Quick Overview
- Pricing and Fees
- Core Features Comparison
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Final Verdict
- Conclusion
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Are you in the process of selecting the right ecommerce platform for your business? The choice between Weebly and BigCommerce can be challenging, especially given their distinct features and pricing structures. Whether you're a small business owner or managing a rapidly expanding company, understanding which platform will best meet your needs is crucial for your success.
In this in-depth comparison, we will delve into the key aspects of Weebly and BigCommerce, including their pricing, features, ease of use, customer support, and more. By the end of this guide, you should have a clear understanding of which platform is suitable for your business requirements.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: A Quick Overview
Weebly and BigCommerce cater to different types of users. BigCommerce is tailored for larger businesses aiming to scale their online presence with advanced features. In contrast, Weebly is more user-friendly and affordable, making it ideal for smaller businesses or solo entrepreneurs.
Pricing and Fees
When it comes to pricing, there's a significant difference between Weebly and BigCommerce.
Weebly Pricing
Weebly stands out with its "free forever" plan, allowing access to essential ecommerce tools, including a shopping basket and the ability to sell unlimited items. Here's a breakdown of Weebly's paid plans:
- Personal Plan: $10 per month, including support for a custom domain and unlimited storage.
- Professional Plan: $12 per month, ideal for those who need enhanced website features.
- Performance Plan: $26 per month, offering advanced ecommerce insights and abandoned cart emails.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce, unfortunately, does not offer a free plan but provides a 15-day trial. Post-trial, the pricing is as follows:
- Standard Plan: $39 per month with essential ecommerce features.
- Plus Plan: $79 per month, adding advanced customer segmentation and cart recovery tools.
- Pro Plan: $399 per month, suitable for businesses requiring extensive ecommerce capabilities.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored to your specific business needs.
Unlike Weebly, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, but it does place annual sales limits on each plan.
Core Features Comparison
Website Building and Design
Both Weebly and BigCommerce offer robust website building options with hundreds of templates.
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Weebly: Its drag-and-drop editor is extremely user-friendly and doesn't require any coding skills. The templates are clean and professional, fitting for a variety of businesses, including blogs and portfolios.
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BigCommerce: While its editor has become more intuitive over time, it has a steeper learning curve compared to Weebly. However, it excels in offering greater design flexibility with detailed customizations using CSS and HTML. This allows for granular changes to the store's appearance and functionality.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
Weebly’s ecommerce capabilities are commendable given its pricing.
- Supports unlimited products.
- Offers inventory management, automatic tax calculations, and various delivery options.
- Requires a paid plan for selling both physical and digital goods.
- Performance plan users benefit from abandoned cart emails and advanced insights.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides a comprehensive suite of selling features:
- Discount transaction rates through its partnership with PayPal.
- Omnichannel and international selling tools.
- Extensive payment integrations, including options for point-of-sale systems.
- Real-time shipping quotes and robust inventory management.
- Capabilities for specialized businesses, like B2B and wholesale.
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
Weebly offers:
- Excellent blogging features for content marketing.
- Basic SEO tools, pop-up notifications, and customizable Instagram feeds.
- Limited from an advanced SEO perspective compared to BigCommerce.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce excels in:
- Extensive SEO tools to improve search rankings.
- Advanced reporting capabilities, including customized dashboards and detailed customer analytics.
- AI-driven content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations through its "BigAI" toolkit.
Integrations and Apps
Weebly
Weebly's App Center includes around 100 apps, which is sufficient for most small businesses but can be limiting as your needs grow.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers an extensive marketplace with over 850 apps, including:
- Tools for marketing, dropshipping, fulfillment, and analytics.
- Open API options for creating automated workflows.
- Well-organized app collections for easier navigation.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Weebly
Weebly is renowned for its ease of use:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
- Simple, straightforward setup ideal for beginners.
BigCommerce
While more complex, BigCommerce offers:
- Extensive customer support, including chat, email, and phone assistance on all plans.
- A thorough knowledge base with tutorials, guides, and an active online community.
Final Verdict
Who Should Choose Weebly?
Weebly is perfect for those who:
- Run a small store or are solo entrepreneurs.
- Need basic ecommerce features.
- Prioritize ease of use and affordability.
Who Should Choose BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is ideal for businesses that:
- Require advanced ecommerce functionalities.
- Aim for significant scalability.
- Need robust inventory and user management.
Conclusion
Selecting between Weebly and BigCommerce boils down to your specific business needs. If you're starting small and value simplicity, Weebly could be the right choice for you. However, if you anticipate needing advanced features and room for growth, BigCommerce may better support your ambitions.
FAQ Section
Which platform is better for a complete beginner?
Weebly is generally more user-friendly for beginners due to its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and simpler setup process.
Can I switch platforms if my business grows?
Yes, you can switch from Weebly to BigCommerce if your business outgrows the capabilities offered by Weebly. However, note that migrating data and reconfiguring settings can be a time-consuming process.
Does BigCommerce support physical and digital goods?
BigCommerce supports both physical and digital products, along with services, offering flexible selling options for various business models.
Is there a free trial available for both platforms?
BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial, whereas Weebly provides a "free forever" plan with limited features.
Which platform offers better customer support?
BigCommerce is known for offering more comprehensive support, including phone, chat, and email assistance across all plans, plus an extensive knowledge base and active community.
We hope this comparison helps you make an informed decision. Good luck with your ecommerce journey!
