Big Cartel vs Shopify: Which Platform Wins for Your Store?
So, you’re ready to launch your online store and share your amazing products with the world? Congratulations! But with so many options, choosing the right e-commerce platform can feel overwhelming. Two popular choices often top the list: Big Cartel and Shopify.
This comparison dives deep into the features, pricing, and ease of use of both platforms. We’ll explore which platform is best suited for different types of sellers and products. Whether you’re a budding artist or a seasoned entrepreneur, understanding the nuances of Big Cartel and Shopify is crucial.
We’ll analyze everything from design flexibility and payment processing to marketing tools and scalability. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, empowering you to make the best decision for your unique business needs. Let’s find out which one is the perfect fit: Big Cartel or Shopify?
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Big Cartel | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Easy | Moderate |
| Transaction Fees | None (on paid plans) | Varies |
| Customization | Limited | Extensive |
| App Store | No | Yes |
| Built-in Blogging | Yes | Yes |
| Marketing Tools | Basic | Advanced |
| Inventory Management | Basic | Robust |
| Shipping Options | Basic | Advanced |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Support | |
| Scalability | Limited | Highly Scalable |
| Payment Gateways | Stripe, PayPal | Multiple |
| SEO Features | Basic | Good |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Ease of Use
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel is known for its simplicity and user-friendliness, especially for beginners. It offers a straightforward interface with easy product listing and customization. However, its simplicity means fewer advanced features are available.
- Shopify: Shopify is also relatively easy to use, with a drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of themes. While it has a steeper learning curve than Big Cartel due to its more extensive feature set, it remains accessible for most users.
- Winner: big cartel
Pricing Plans
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel offers a free plan and affordable paid plans based on the number of products you sell. This makes it attractive for startups and small businesses. However, the free plan has limitations.
- Shopify: Shopify offers several pricing plans, starting with a basic plan and scaling up based on features and sales volume. It provides more flexibility and features than Big Cartel but can be more expensive, especially for higher-volume stores.
- Winner: big cartel
Customization Options
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel offers limited customization options. You can customize the look and feel of your store with themes, but the options are more basic compared to Shopify.
- Shopify: Shopify provides extensive customization options. You can choose from a vast library of themes, customize them extensively, and use apps to add additional functionality. This allows for a highly personalized store.
- Winner: shopify
Product Management
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel’s product management is straightforward, suited for small inventories. It’s easy to add products, but it lacks advanced features like product variations and complex inventory management.
- Shopify: Shopify offers robust product management capabilities, including product variations, inventory tracking, and bulk editing. It supports large product catalogs and complex product setups.
- Winner: shopify
Payment Processing
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel integrates with PayPal and Stripe, offering secure payment processing. You may need to pay transaction fees depending on your chosen plan.
- Shopify: Shopify supports multiple payment gateways, including Shopify Payments (their in-house payment processor), PayPal, and other third-party options. It offers flexible payment processing options and often lower transaction fees.
- Winner: shopify
Marketing and SEO
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel offers basic marketing tools and SEO features. It’s suitable for smaller stores that don’t require advanced marketing capabilities.
- Shopify: Shopify provides a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including SEO optimization, email marketing integration, social media integration, and advertising options. This supports more complex marketing strategies.
- Winner: shopify
App Integrations
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel has limited app integrations, which restricts the ability to extend functionality.
- Shopify: Shopify boasts a vast app store with thousands of apps to enhance store functionality, from marketing and customer service to inventory management and accounting.
- Winner: shopify
Scalability
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel is suitable for small businesses and artists with a limited number of products. It becomes less efficient as your product catalog and sales volume grow.
- Shopify: Shopify is highly scalable and can accommodate businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. It offers features and infrastructure to support growth.
- Winner: shopify
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Big Cartel |
| Scalability | Shopify |
| App Ecosystem | Shopify |
| Customization | Shopify |
| Marketing Tools | Shopify |
| Inventory Management | Shopify |
What They Have in Common
- Accepting Payments: Both platforms allow you to accept payments from customers, enabling you to sell your products online and receive revenue.
- Product Listings: Both Big Cartel and Shopify let you create product listings with descriptions, images, and pricing, displaying your items to potential buyers.
- Domain Integration: Both platforms allow you to connect a custom domain, giving your store a professional and branded online presence.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Both platforms offer responsive design, ensuring your store looks good and functions well on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
- Basic Analytics: Both provide basic analytics to track sales and see how your customers are finding your store.
Big Cartel Vs Shopify Buying Guide
Ease of Use
Big Cartel is known for its simplicity, especially appealing to beginners. The interface is clean and straightforward, making it easy to set up a basic online store quickly. Shopify, while more feature-rich, has a steeper learning curve. Its dashboard is packed with options, which can be overwhelming initially. Shopify offers more customization options, but this complexity can slow down the setup process. Big Cartel prioritizes ease of use, enabling sellers to get their store online with minimal technical knowledge. Shopify, on the other hand, provides a powerful platform with a trade-off in user-friendliness.
Pricing and Plans
Big Cartel’s pricing structure is straightforward, with plans based on the number of products you sell. This can be cost-effective for small shops just starting out. Shopify offers various plans with different features and transaction fees. The Basic Shopify plan is a good starting point, but transaction fees can add up. Shopify’s higher-tier plans provide more advanced features like professional reports and lower transaction fees. Consider your product volume and feature needs when choosing between these platforms.
Features and Functionality
Shopify boasts a vast array of features, including advanced SEO tools, marketing integrations, and robust analytics. It supports dropshipping and offers a huge app store for added functionality. Big Cartel provides essential features like product listings, order management, and basic customization options. However, it lacks many of the advanced features available in Shopify. Big Cartel focuses on the core needs of selling, while Shopify offers a comprehensive suite of tools for business growth.
Design and Customization
Shopify offers a wide range of themes, both free and paid, allowing for extensive customization. You can modify the code for further personalization. Big Cartel’s design options are more limited, with fewer themes and less code-level control. This makes it easier to set up a visually appealing store quickly but restricts advanced design changes. Shopify’s flexibility caters to businesses wanting a unique brand identity, while Big Cartel provides simpler design choices.
Scalability
Shopify is built to handle significant growth, with scalable infrastructure that can accommodate increasing sales volumes and website traffic. Its advanced features and integrations are designed for expanding businesses. Big Cartel, while suitable for small shops, may not scale as efficiently. Its feature limitations and simpler infrastructure could become a bottleneck as your business grows. Shopify is the better choice if you anticipate substantial growth in the future.
Customer Support
Shopify offers extensive customer support, including 24/7 chat, email, and phone support, along with comprehensive documentation. This is a significant advantage, especially for those new to e-commerce. Big Cartel provides email support and a helpful FAQ section, but it may not be as readily available as Shopify’s support channels. For businesses needing immediate assistance and in-depth support, Shopify has the edge. Big Cartel’s support is adequate for basic needs.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Big Cartel If…
- You’re just starting and want a simple, easy-to-use platform.
- You have a small number of products and don’t need advanced features.
- You want a platform with straightforward pricing.
- You prioritize ease of use over complex features.
Buy Shopify If…
- You need a scalable platform to grow your business.
- You want access to a wide range of apps and integrations.
- You require advanced marketing and SEO tools.
- You need robust inventory management and shipping options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform designed for artists and small businesses. It offers a user-friendly interface for creating and managing online stores, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. It is a more streamlined platform than Shopify, and is a great option for individuals and small teams looking to sell a limited number of products. It’s ideal for those prioritizing quick setup and affordability.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows businesses of all sizes to create and manage online stores. It provides a wide range of features, including customizable themes, marketing tools, and payment processing. Shopify is designed for growth, offering scalability and robust functionality. It’s a versatile platform suitable for various business models and product types.
How easy is it to set up a store on Big Cartel?
Setting up a store on Big Cartel is relatively easy, especially for beginners. The interface is intuitive, and the setup process is streamlined. You can quickly add products, customize your store’s appearance, and integrate payment methods. Big Cartel’s focus on simplicity makes it a great choice for those who want to get their store up and running quickly with minimal technical knowledge.
How easy is it to set up a store on Shopify?
Shopify’s setup process is more involved than Big Cartel’s, but it’s still user-friendly. The platform offers step-by-step guidance and a wealth of resources. However, the numerous features and customization options can initially feel overwhelming. Shopify provides more control over store design and functionality, which requires a bit more time and effort to learn and implement.
What are the pricing differences between Big Cartel and Shopify?
Big Cartel’s pricing is straightforward, often based on the number of products you sell. This can be cost-effective for small shops. Shopify offers a tiered pricing structure with different features and transaction fees. Higher-tier plans provide more advanced features and lower transaction fees. Consider your product volume and feature needs when choosing between plans.
Which platform offers better design customization options?
Shopify offers extensive design customization options through a wide range of themes, both free and paid, and code-level control. This allows for creating a unique brand identity. Big Cartel’s design options are more limited, with fewer themes and less code-level control. It is easier to set up a store quickly but restricts advanced design changes.
Which platform is better for scalability?
Shopify is designed for scalability, with infrastructure and features to handle significant growth and increasing sales volumes. It offers advanced tools for expanding businesses. Big Cartel may become a bottleneck as your business grows due to its feature limitations and simpler infrastructure. Shopify is the better choice if you anticipate substantial growth.
Final Verdict
Shopify emerges as the superior choice for most businesses, offering a comprehensive e-commerce solution with advanced features, scalability, and robust support. While Big Cartel is user-friendly and affordable for small businesses, Shopify provides the tools needed for growth and success in the long term. Its flexibility and extensive customization options cater to diverse business needs.
Winner: Shopify