Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview
  3. Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees
  4. Core Features: Head-to-Head Comparison
  5. AI Capabilities
  6. Integrations and Apps
  7. Ease of Use and Customer Support
  8. Final Verdict
  9. FAQ

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of ecommerce, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your business's growth and success. Are you torn between Weebly and BigCommerce? Well, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive blog post dives into the nitty-gritty of Weebly and BigCommerce, examining their pricing, features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're a small business owner seeking a user-friendly platform or a large enterprise aiming for scalability, keep reading to find out which option aligns best with your goals.

By the end of this article, you'll grasp the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms, positioning you to choose the one that suits your business needs perfectly.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: An Overview

Weebly and BigCommerce are both robust ecommerce platforms, but they're designed with different target audiences in mind. Weebly is ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who need a straightforward interface and affordable pricing. On the other hand, BigCommerce caters to larger companies that require advanced features for scaling their online presence.

Quick Verdict

If you need a quick summary:

  • Weebly is best for small businesses looking for ease of use and affordability.
  • BigCommerce is better for larger enterprises aiming for scalability, advanced inventory management, and omnichannel selling.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees

Weebly Pricing

Weebly stands out for its budget-friendly plans, which makes it an attractive option for small businesses. Here's a breakdown of the key pricing tiers:

  • Free Plan: Includes a shopping cart and allows you to sell unlimited items.
  • Personal Plan ($10/month): Supports custom domains and offers unlimited storage.
  • Professional Plan ($12/month): Adds advanced site stats and password protection.
  • Performance Plan ($26/month): Includes abandoned cart emails and advanced ecommerce insights.

BigCommerce Pricing

BigCommerce, while more expensive, offers a wealth of functionalities:

  • Standard Plan ($39/month): High selling limits and core features.
  • Plus Plan ($79/month): Adds customer segmentation and advanced marketing tools.
  • Pro Plan ($299/month): Offers Google customer reviews and advanced product filtering.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored for high-volume stores.

Unlike Weebly, BigCommerce does not have a free plan, although it offers a 15-day free trial. A significant advantage is the absence of transaction fees across all plans.

Core Features: Head-to-Head Comparison

Website Building and Design

When it comes to website design, both platforms offer diverse templates but cater to different needs:

  • Weebly: Offers intuitive drag-and-drop features, making it highly user-friendly for beginners. The platform offers a variety of templates, suitable for different industries, not just ecommerce.
  • BigCommerce: Provides highly customizable themes focused on ecommerce. It has a steeper learning curve but offers more flexibility for those who are comfortable with HTML and CSS.

Ecommerce and Selling Features

Both platforms have their strengths, but they significantly differ in capabilities:

  • Weebly: Supports unlimited products on most plans, includes automatic tax calculations, and offers various delivery options. However, advanced features like abandoned cart emails are only available on higher-tier plans.
  • BigCommerce: Excels in omnichannel integrations, including marketplaces and social media. Also offers advanced inventory management, real-time shipping quotes, and multi-currency selling. You get more detailed product customization options, which are invaluable for larger inventories.

Marketing Tools and Analytics

Marketing and tracking capabilities are crucial for any ecommerce platform:

  • Weebly: Better suited for content marketing with robust blogging features, pop-up notifications, and lead capture forms. However, it is somewhat limited in SEO options compared to BigCommerce.
  • BigCommerce: Offers advanced marketing tools like AI-powered recommendations, personalized emails, and detailed analytics. Custom dashboards allow for deep insight into customer behavior and sales performance.

AI Capabilities

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how ecommerce platforms operate:

  • Weebly: Limited AI capabilities. Some third-party integrations are available through the Weebly marketplace.
  • BigCommerce: Advanced AI tools, such as predictive analytics and personalized product recommendations. Continues to expand its AI functionalities through partnerships.

Integrations and Apps

Both platforms offer a wide range of integrations but differ in numbers and specialties:

  • Weebly: About 100 apps in its App Center, covering basic needs like marketing and analytics.
  • BigCommerce: Over 850 apps, organized into collections for ease of use. Offers more advanced integrations suitable for larger operations.

Ease of Use and Customer Support

Weebly

Ideal for those who prioritize ease of use:

  • Ease of Use: Highly intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, perfect for beginners.
  • Customer Support: Limited 24/7 support on free and personal plans, mainly through forums, chat, and email.

BigCommerce

Better for those who need advanced features and exceptional support:

  • Ease of Use: Steeper learning curve but offers comprehensive capabilities.
  • Customer Support: Excellent support across all plans, including chat, email, and phone support.

Final Verdict

Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce ultimately boils down to your business needs:

  • Weebly: Best for smaller businesses needing easy-to-use, affordable tools.
  • BigCommerce: Optimal for larger businesses seeking scalability and advanced ecommerce functionalities.

Both platforms have their pros and cons, but the ideal choice will depend on your specific business requirements and growth aspirations.

FAQ

1. Which platform is better for small businesses?

Weebly is generally better suited for small businesses due to its affordability and ease of use.

2. Does BigCommerce offer a free plan?

No, BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but it does provide a 15-day free trial.

3. Can I use PayPal on Weebly?

Yes, but you need to upgrade to the Performance plan to accept PayPal payments.

4. Which platform offers better customer support?

BigCommerce offers more comprehensive customer support, including phone support on all plans.

By understanding the nuances of both Weebly and BigCommerce, you're now better equipped to choose the platform that best meets your business needs. Happy selling!