Bigcommerce vs Shopify: Which E-Commerce Platform Wins?
Ready to launch your online store but overwhelmed by the choices? You’re not alone! Selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for your business’s success, and the decision often boils down to two giants: BigCommerce and Shopify. Both platforms offer robust features, but they cater to different needs and business models.
This in-depth comparison of BigCommerce vs Shopify will help you navigate the complexities of each platform. We’ll explore their strengths, weaknesses, pricing, ease of use, and scalability. This way, you can make an informed decision and choose the platform that perfectly aligns with your entrepreneurial goals.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced seller, understanding the nuances of BigCommerce and Shopify is essential. We’ll cover everything from product management and design customization to SEO and marketing capabilities. Prepare to discover which platform will empower you to build a thriving online business!
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | BigCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Easy |
| Scalability | Excellent | Good |
| Built-in SEO Tools | Advanced | Good |
| Blog Functionality | Integrated | Via App |
| Payment Gateway Options | Extensive | Wide Range |
| App Store/Plugins | Large Selection | Very Large Selection |
| Multi-Channel Selling | Strong | Excellent |
| Customer Support | Good | Good |
| Inventory Management | Robust | Solid |
| Reporting and Analytics | Comprehensive | Good |
| Theme Customization | Flexible | Flexible |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | Included | Included |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Pricing and Fees
- Big Commerce: Offers tiered pricing plans with varying features and transaction fees. Higher plans unlock more advanced features and lower transaction fees. Can be more cost-effective for high-volume sellers.
- Shopify: Provides a range of plans, including a basic plan for beginners. Charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Simpler pricing structure overall.
- Winner: Shopify
Ease of Use
- Big Commerce: Has a steeper learning curve due to its more complex feature set and customization options. Can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Shopify: User-friendly interface and intuitive design, making it easier for beginners to set up and manage their online store.
- Winner: Shopify
Scalability
- Big Commerce: Designed for scalability, with robust features and infrastructure to handle large inventories and high traffic volumes. Offers enterprise-level solutions.
- Shopify: Scales well, but may require upgrading to higher-tier plans or using third-party apps for very large stores.
- Winner: big commerce
Customization
- Big Commerce: Offers extensive customization options, including access to HTML, CSS, and Javascript, allowing for greater control over the store’s design and functionality.
- Shopify: Provides a good degree of customization through themes and apps, but has some limitations compared to BigCommerce.
- Winner: big commerce
SEO & Marketing
- Big Commerce: Strong built-in SEO features, including customizable URLs, rich snippets, and blog functionality. Good marketing tools.
- Shopify: Excellent SEO capabilities and a vast app store with marketing tools. Easy integration with social media platforms.
- Winner: Tie
Payment Gateways
- Big Commerce: Supports a wide range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and many others, with no transaction fees on some plans.
- Shopify: Offers Shopify Payments and integrates with many other popular payment gateways. Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments.
- Winner: big commerce
App Store/Integrations
- Big Commerce: Has a marketplace with apps for various functionalities, but the selection is smaller compared to Shopify.
- Shopify: Boasts a massive app store with thousands of apps for marketing, sales, shipping, and more, providing extensive functionality.
- Winner: Shopify
Built-in Features
- Big Commerce: Offers a comprehensive suite of built-in features, including product variations, shipping options, and marketing tools, reducing the need for third-party apps.
- Shopify: Provides a good set of built-in features, but may require apps for certain advanced functionalities, particularly for larger stores.
- Winner: big commerce
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Scalability | BigCommerce |
| Ease of Use | Shopify |
| Built-in Features | BigCommerce |
| App Store | Shopify |
| Multi-Channel Selling | Shopify |
| SEO Tools | BigCommerce |
What They Have in Common
- E-Commerce Features: Both BigCommerce and Shopify are designed from the ground up to support online stores, offering essential features like product listings, shopping carts, and checkout processes.
- Payment Processing: Both platforms integrate with numerous payment gateways, allowing businesses to accept credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods from their customers.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer themes that are mobile-friendly, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers on smartphones and tablets.
- Security: Both platforms provide secure shopping experiences with SSL certificates and other security measures to protect customer data.
- Marketing Tools: Both platforms offer basic marketing tools and integrations to help users promote their store and products.
- Customer Support: Both platforms offer customer support through various channels, including documentation, email, and live chat.
BigCommerce Vs Shopify Buying Guide
Ease of Use
Both BigCommerce and Shopify aim to provide a user-friendly experience, but they cater to different levels of technical expertise. Shopify is generally considered easier to set up and manage, especially for beginners. Its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it simple to customize your online store. BigCommerce, while offering a robust feature set, has a steeper learning curve, particularly for advanced customization. However, BigCommerce offers powerful features that may require more time to learn, though the rewards are worth it.
Pricing and Plans
The pricing structures of BigCommerce and Shopify vary, and it’s essential to choose a plan that aligns with your business needs and budget. Shopify offers a range of plans, from Basic to Advanced, each with different transaction fees and features. BigCommerce also has tiered pricing, but its plans often include more built-in features, potentially saving you money on third-party apps. Consider the transaction fees, monthly costs, and the included features when comparing the plans to determine the best value for your business.
Scalability and Growth
Both platforms are designed to handle business growth, but they differ in their approach. Shopify is known for its scalability, and it can accommodate a large number of products and high traffic volumes. BigCommerce is also highly scalable, and it offers more advanced features for larger businesses. BigCommerce’s built-in features can reduce the need for apps, which is important as your business grows. Ultimately, your choice depends on your projected growth and the features you’ll need.
Design and Customization
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a variety of themes to customize the look and feel of your online store. Shopify has a vast theme marketplace, with both free and premium options. BigCommerce also has a selection of themes, though the marketplace is not as extensive. Both platforms allow for customization of the themes, but Shopify’s Liquid templating language is generally easier to learn. BigCommerce’s Stencil framework offers more flexibility for advanced customization, but it requires more technical knowledge.
SEO and Marketing
Search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing are crucial for driving traffic to your online store. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer SEO tools and marketing integrations. Shopify provides basic SEO features and integrates with various marketing apps. BigCommerce has built-in SEO tools and features, such as URL customization, and it’s generally considered to be better for SEO out of the box. Both platforms integrate with popular marketing platforms such as Google Ads and Facebook.
Shipping and Payment Gateways
Shipping and payment options are essential for e-commerce. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer integrations with major payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and others. Shopify has its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, which offers competitive rates. BigCommerce also integrates with a wide range of shipping carriers and offers real-time shipping rate calculations. BigCommerce often provides more robust shipping features, like advanced shipping rules, which is useful for complex shipping needs.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy BigCommerce If…
- You need a platform with robust built-in features and don’t want to rely heavily on apps.
- You anticipate high sales volume and need a platform that can handle scalability.
- You want advanced SEO tools and control.
- You need a platform with extensive product variations and options.
Buy Shopify If…
- You’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with a user-friendly interface.
- You want access to a vast app store for added functionality.
- You need a platform with strong marketing and social media integrations.
- You want a platform that can easily integrate with multiple sales channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between BigCommerce and Shopify?
The main difference lies in their approach to e-commerce. Shopify is known for its ease of use and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners. BigCommerce, while slightly more complex, offers more built-in features and is often better suited for businesses that anticipate significant growth. BigCommerce excels in SEO and offers more robust features.
Which platform is easier to set up?
Shopify is generally easier to set up and get started with. Its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it straightforward to design and launch your online store, even if you have no prior e-commerce experience. BigCommerce requires a bit more technical know-how, especially when it comes to customizing your store.
Which platform is better for SEO?
BigCommerce is often considered better for SEO out of the box. It provides more built-in SEO tools, such as URL customization, and offers greater flexibility in optimizing your store for search engines. Shopify also offers SEO features, but you might need to rely on apps to achieve the same level of optimization.
Which platform offers better built-in features?
BigCommerce often provides more built-in features, such as advanced shipping rules and robust SEO tools, without requiring you to install as many third-party apps. This can result in cost savings and a more streamlined experience. Shopify also offers many features, but you might need to rely on apps more often.
Which platform is better for large businesses?
Both platforms can handle large businesses, but BigCommerce is often preferred for its scalability and built-in features. It is better equipped to handle large inventories and high traffic volumes. Shopify is also a good option, but you may need to rely on more apps as your business grows.
What payment gateways do they support?
Both BigCommerce and Shopify support a wide range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and many others. Shopify offers its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, which has competitive rates. BigCommerce provides more flexibility in terms of payment options and integrations.
Which platform is more cost-effective?
The cost-effectiveness depends on your specific needs. Shopify’s pricing is straightforward, but you might need to pay for apps. BigCommerce’s plans often include more features, which can reduce the need for apps and potentially save you money in the long run. Consider your business requirements and the features you need.
Final Verdict
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify depends on your business needs. Shopify is great for beginners needing an easy setup, while BigCommerce excels for larger businesses and those prioritizing SEO and built-in features. Both offer robust platforms; however, BigCommerce’s scalability and advanced tools make it a strong contender for ambitious e-commerce ventures.
Winner: BigCommerce