Shopify vs BigCommerce

Shopify vs BigCommerce

When it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform for your business, there are many options to consider. However, two of the most popular platforms are Shopify and BigCommerce. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two platforms based on various factors to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for your business needs.

Overview of Shopify and BigCommerce

Shopify and BigCommerce are both popular ecommerce platforms that allow businesses to sell their products online easily. Both platforms offer features such as website design tools, payment processing, shipping integrations, and customer management tools. However, there are a few differences that set them apart:

• User-Friendliness: Shopify is known for being user-friendly and easy to use, making it ideal for beginners.
• Customization: BigCommerce is renowned for its high level of customization, suitable for businesses with more complex needs.

Another key difference between Shopify and BigCommerce is their pricing structure. Shopify offers a range of pricing plans, starting from $29 per month for their basic plan, up to $299 per month for their advanced plan. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers a more flexible pricing structure based on the size of your business and the features you need. This flexibility can be beneficial for businesses that are just starting out and don't require all the advanced features that Shopify offers.

Pricing Comparison Between Shopify and BigCommerce

Pricing is an important factor to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform. Here’s a comparison:

• Shopify: Plans range from $29/month to $299/month for the enterprise-level plan.
• BigCommerce: Pricing ranges from $29.95/month to $299.95/month for the enterprise-level plan.

BigCommerce offers more features on their basic plan compared to Shopify's basic plan, potentially making it a better value option for some businesses.

Another important factor is transaction fees:

• Shopify: Charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction on the basic plan.
• BigCommerce: Does not charge any transaction fees on any of their plans.

This difference can make a significant impact for businesses with high sales volumes.

Additionally, both platforms offer a range of add-ons and integrations to enhance their functionality:

• Shopify: Boasts a larger app store with over 4,000 apps available.
• BigCommerce: Offers around 600 apps, with a focus on integrations that support its open API.

The specific needs of your business may influence which platform is more suitable based on available integrations.

Ease of Use: Which Platform is More Beginner-Friendly?

Ease of use is crucial, especially for those new to ecommerce platforms:

• Shopify: Features a drag-and-drop interface that is highly intuitive, making it easy for beginners to build and manage their store.
• BigCommerce: Offers more complex customization options, which can be overwhelming for beginners but beneficial for those seeking advanced features.

Both platforms provide extensive documentation and customer support:

• Shopify: Has a large community of users, a vast knowledge base, and a community forum.
• BigCommerce: Offers personalized onboarding and training for new users.

Ultimately, the best platform for beginners depends on their specific needs and preferences.

Customization Options: Which Platform Offers More Flexibility?

Customization is key for tailoring your ecommerce store to your brand:

• Shopify: Offers a vast selection of themes that can be customized to fit branding and allows access to CSS and HTML code.
• BigCommerce: Provides greater flexibility in customizing platform functionality through its open API, suitable for businesses with complex needs.

Consider the technical expertise required:

• Shopify: User-friendly interface makes customization accessible for beginners.
• BigCommerce: Open API may require more technical knowledge, ideal for businesses with dedicated IT teams or developers.

Both platforms offer app stores with third-party apps to further enhance customization:

• Shopify: Larger selection of apps.
• BigCommerce: Focuses on apps that integrate with the platform's open API for more customization possibilities.

Features and Functionality: How Do Shopify and BigCommerce Compare?

Both platforms offer a robust set of features, but they cater to different business needs:

• Shopify: Better suited for businesses with lower product volumes and simpler needs.
• BigCommerce: Offers more features suitable for higher product volumes and complex business models.

A key distinguishing feature:

• BigCommerce: Built-in multi-channel selling capabilities, allowing businesses to sell on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook seamlessly.

This feature can save businesses time and help reach a broader audience.

SEO Capabilities of Shopify vs BigCommerce

Optimizing your store for search engines is crucial for visibility:

• Shopify: Offers basic SEO functionality and a user-friendly interface. Additionally, it has a wide range of SEO apps like the SEO Manager app.
• BigCommerce: Provides more advanced SEO features, such as customizable URLs and meta descriptions, and a robust content management system.

While Shopify has a larger market share and easier-to-use interface, BigCommerce's advanced SEO features make it a better option for businesses that prioritize SEO.

Mobile Responsiveness: Which Platform is Better Optimized for Mobile Devices?

With the rise of mobile commerce, mobile optimization is essential:

• Shopify: Generally considered better optimized for mobile devices with a wider range of mobile-responsive themes and a convenient mobile app for store management on-the-go.
• BigCommerce: Also offers mobile-responsive themes and a mobile app, but some themes may require additional customization to achieve optimal mobile user-friendliness.

Shopify's seamless mobile experience often makes it the preferred choice for businesses prioritizing mobile commerce.

Payment Processing Options: Which Platform Offers More Choices?

Offering diverse payment options can enhance customer experience:

• Shopify: Default payment options include major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Additionally, Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways like Stripe, Authorize.net, and Amazon Pay.
• BigCommerce: Provides tailored payment options for specific regions, including Klarna, SOFORT, SEPA Direct Debit in Europe, and Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay in Asia.

Shopify offers more default payment choices, while BigCommerce excels in supporting international payment methods.

Security Features and Data Protection on Shopify and BigCommerce

Security is paramount for ecommerce platforms:

• Shopify: Known for its robust security features, including SSL certificates, regular security updates, its own PCI-compliant payment gateway (Shopify Payments), and strict fraud prevention measures.
• BigCommerce: Also offers SSL certificates, regular security updates, encryption, and secure data storage. However, it relies on the merchant to implement certain data protection measures.

Both platforms ensure data protection, but Shopify's integrated payment gateway adds an extra layer of security.

Customer Support: How Does Shopify's Support Compare to That of BigCommerce?

Reliable customer support is crucial for resolving issues promptly:

• Shopify: Provides 24/7 customer support via email, chat, and phone. It also offers a vast knowledge base and an active community forum.
• BigCommerce: Offers support via email, chat, and phone, along with a knowledge base and community forum, though not as extensive as Shopify's resources.

Shopify is generally regarded as having superior customer support, especially with its around-the-clock availability.

Integrations with Other Platforms and Apps

Seamless integration with other tools enhances your ecommerce capabilities:

• Shopify: Offers a wider range of integrations, including popular apps like Mailchimp and QuickBooks.
• BigCommerce: Provides a solid selection of integrations, particularly those that leverage its open API for enhanced customization.

Shopify's extensive integrations can be a significant advantage for businesses looking to connect various tools seamlessly.

Pros and Cons of Using Shopify vs BigCommerce

Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses:

• Shopify:
  • Pros: User-friendly, excellent customer support, extensive app store.
  • Cons: Higher transaction fees, less flexible pricing structure.
• BigCommerce:
  • Pros: More customization options, no transaction fees, advanced SEO features.
  • Cons: Can be more complex for beginners, smaller app store.

Choose Shopify if you prefer ease of use and strong support, or BigCommerce if you need advanced customization and better value on basic plans.

Real-Life Examples of Businesses Using Shopify or BigCommerce

Examples of successful businesses using these platforms include:

• Shopify: Huel and Gymshark utilize Shopify to power their ecommerce stores.
• BigCommerce: Skullcandy and The Paper Store use BigCommerce to manage their online sales.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of both platforms in meeting diverse business needs.

Final Verdict: Which Ecommerce Platform is Better for Your Business?

Choosing between Shopify and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your individual business needs:

• Shopify: Ideal for businesses seeking a user-friendly platform with excellent support and a vast selection of apps.
• BigCommerce: Best suited for businesses that require more customization options and advanced functionalities without transaction fees.

Carefully assess your business requirements and consider trialing both platforms to determine which one aligns best with your goals.