Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Weebly vs BigCommerce: Quick Overview
- Pricing and Fees
- Core Features
- Ease of Use and Customer Support
- Final Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
Choosing the right ecommerce platform can be daunting, particularly when you're comparing two robust options like Weebly and BigCommerce. Whether you're a small business owner looking for a user-friendly solution or a larger enterprise needing advanced features, the decision can significantly impact your online presence and success.
In this article, we'll thoroughly compare Weebly and BigCommerce, examining their pricing, features, pros, and cons. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of which platform best suits your business needs.
Weebly vs BigCommerce: Quick Overview
Before diving into the details, let's quickly summarize the main strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
- Weebly: Ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs seeking a cost-effective, user-friendly solution with decent ecommerce tools and blogging features.
- BigCommerce: Best for larger companies aiming to scale, thanks to advanced inventory management tools, omnichannel selling options, and robust AI capabilities.
Pricing and Fees
Weebly Pricing
Weebly offers a "free forever" plan that includes access to a shopping cart and allows you to sell unlimited items. Its paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month. Here's a breakdown:
- Personal Plan ($10/month): Custom domain support and unlimited storage.
- Professional Plan ($12/month): Adds more advanced design features and supports video backgrounds.
- Performance Plan ($26/month): Includes abandoned cart emails and advanced ecommerce insights.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but you can trial the platform for 15 days. The plans range from $39 to $399 per month. Here's a closer look:
- Standard Plan ($39/month): Basic ecommerce features with a sales cap of $50,000 per year.
- Plus Plan ($79/month): Enhanced marketing tools and customer segmentation.
- Pro Plan ($399/month): Advanced features with a higher sales cap.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for extensive needs.
While BigCommerce is more expensive, it does not charge transaction fees and offers more advanced features.
Core Features
Website Building and Design
Both Weebly and BigCommerce offer a variety of templates to choose from. However, their capabilities and ease of use differ significantly.
- Weebly: Known for its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it very user-friendly even for those without coding skills. It's ideal for creating not just ecommerce sites but also portfolios and blogs.
- BigCommerce: Offers more control with options to edit CSS and HTML, which is beneficial for making granular changes to your store's appearance. However, it has a steeper learning curve.
Ecommerce and Selling Features
Weebly
- Supports unlimited products
- Inventory management tools
- Automatic tax calculation
- Delivery options (like in-store pickup)
- Abandoned cart emails (only on the Performance plan)
- Integrated shopping cart
BigCommerce
- Discount transaction rates through PayPal partnership
- Omnichannel and international selling tools
- Marketplace and social media integrations
- Point of sale solutions like Square and Clover
- Real-time shipping quotes
- Multi-currency support and specialized B2B plans
Marketing Tools and Analytics
Weebly
- Decent blogging capabilities
- Pop-up notifications, customizable Instagram feeds, and lead capture forms
- Limited SEO options
- Abandoned cart emails and basic email marketing
BigCommerce
- Superior SEO features allowing more detailed optimization
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Customizable dashboards
- Integration options for more advanced email marketing campaigns
AI Capabilities
- Weebly: Limited native AI capabilities but you can integrate third-party tools.
- BigCommerce: Leading in the AI space with "BigAI" toolkit offering AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations. Ongoing partnerships are bringing more AI integrations.
Integrations and Apps
- Weebly: About 100 apps available in the Weebly App Center.
- BigCommerce: Over 850 apps, organized into collections such as "Shipping Essentials," along with open API options for custom workflows.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Weebly
- Extremely user-friendly, suitable for those who want to get started quickly without technical knowledge.
- Support: 24/7 forum, chat, and email support on Personal and Free plans.
BigCommerce
- While more complex, it has become more user-friendly over the years, especially with integrated AI tools.
- Superior customer support with 24/7 chat, email, and phone support on all plans.
- Extensive learning resources including tutorials, guides, and a vibrant online community.
Final Verdict
When deciding between Weebly and BigCommerce, consider the size and specific needs of your business:
- Choose Weebly if you are a small business owner or solo entrepreneur seeking an affordable, easy-to-use platform with basic ecommerce features.
- Opt for BigCommerce if you need advanced ecommerce capabilities, scalability, and robust integrations for a growing business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which platform is more cost-effective for a small business?
Weebly is generally more cost-effective for small businesses due to its lower pricing plans and "free forever" option.
2. Can I switch from Weebly to BigCommerce as my business grows?
Yes, you can migrate your store from Weebly to BigCommerce as your business expands and requires more advanced features.
3. Does BigCommerce offer better scalability compared to Weebly?
Yes, BigCommerce offers better scalability with advanced inventory management, omnichannel selling, and AI capabilities that support business growth.
4. How do the customer support options compare between the two platforms?
BigCommerce generally offers superior customer support with 24/7 chat, email, and phone support on all plans, while Weebly's support options are more limited, especially on lower-tier plans.
Choosing the right platform could be the key to your ecommerce success. Carefully evaluate your current needs and future growth plans to make the most informed decision.
