BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which is the Best E-commerce Platform?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Background Information
- Cost Comparison
- Feature Comparison
- Popularity
- Pricing Plans
- Built-in Features
- Ease-of-Use Comparison
- Shopify Interface
- BigCommerce Interface
- Theme Options
- Shopify Themes
- BigCommerce Themes
- SEO Comparison
- URL Structures
- Basic SEO Tasks
- Google-Friendly URLs
- App Stores
- Shopify App Store
- BigCommerce App Store
- Customer Service
- Support Options
- Social Media Support
- Conclusion
Shopify vs BigCommerce: Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business
Are you trying to decide between Shopify and BigCommerce as your e-commerce platform? This comprehensive comparison article will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Both Shopify and BigCommerce are renowned hosted platforms designed for building online businesses easily, making them suitable for beginners with little to no technical knowledge. In this article, we will compare the key differences between these two giants in terms of cost, features, ease-of-use, themes, SEO, app stores, and customer service. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of which platform is right for your business.
1. Introduction
Before diving into the details, let's provide some background information about Shopify and BigCommerce. Shopify, founded in 2004, has quickly become the most popular hosted platform worldwide, with over 3 million users. On the other hand, BigCommerce, founded in 2009, has attracted over 150,000 customers globally. Both platforms offer all-in-one solutions, including hosting, shopping cart functionality, and technical support.
2. Background Information
Shopify and BigCommerce are similar in their hosted nature, providing beginners with easy-to-use platforms for building online stores. However, there are some key differences between the two that we will explore in the following sections.
3. Cost Comparison
When considering the cost of using either Shopify or BigCommerce, it's essential to look at the pricing plans and any additional fees involved. Shopify offers a range of monthly plans, starting at $29 for the basic plan and going up to $299 for the best plan. They also offer Shopify Plus, a package for high-volume enterprises with a monthly fee starting from $2,000. BigCommerce has three pricing plans, ranging from $29.95 to $299.95 per month. Both platforms offer annual plans that provide savings. It's worth noting that Shopify charges additional transaction fees for third-party payment methods, while BigCommerce does not have transaction fees. However, BigCommerce does have sales limits, which require upgrading to a higher plan once the sales exceed those limits.
Pros of Shopify:
- Varying pricing plans to suit different business needs
- Advanced plan options for high-volume enterprises
Cons of Shopify:
- Additional transaction fees for third-party payment methods
Pros of BigCommerce:
- No transaction fees for any credit card provider
- Flexible pricing plans with annual plan savings
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Sales limits on certain plans, requiring upgrades
4. Feature Comparison
In terms of popularity, Shopify has the upper hand with over 3 million users. However, features are a more crucial aspect to consider when choosing between the two platforms.
Popularity
Shopify has become the leading hosted platform worldwide, offering users a wide range of features. BigCommerce has also gained popularity, attracting over 150,000 customers globally.
Pricing Plans
In terms of pricing plans, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer similar options, ranging from basic plans to enterprise plans. The more expensive the plan, the more features you unlock on both platforms.
Built-in Features
When it comes to built-in features, BigCommerce surpasses Shopify in terms of quantity. BigCommerce is well-known for being the platform with the most built-in features on the market. Shopify, on the other hand, offers a straightforward set of features in its basic plan, requiring users to install additional apps for more functionality.
Pros of Shopify:
- User-friendly interface
- 24/7 customer support through various channels
Cons of Shopify:
- Basic plan lacks built-in features, requiring additional app installations
Pros of BigCommerce:
- Abundant built-in features
- No transaction fees for any credit card provider
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Interface can be overwhelming for beginners
5. Ease-of-Use Comparison
Ease-of-use is a critical factor to consider, especially for beginners with limited technical knowledge.
Shopify Interface
Shopify provides a user-friendly interface with a straightforward dashboard. Non-tech people can easily navigate and make changes to their stores using the Shopify admin panel. Adding products, customizing themes, managing orders, customers, and products are all made easy.
BigCommerce Interface
While BigCommerce also offers an easy-to-use dashboard with drag-and-drop sections, their interface can be more complex to navigate. The back-end is divided into multiple parts, which can cause confusion for users trying to locate specific information. Additionally, the language used in BigCommerce can be difficult to understand for beginners.
Pros of Shopify:
- Straightforward interface and easy navigation
- Minimal technical experience required
Cons of Shopify:
- Basic plan lacks built-in features
Pros of BigCommerce:
- Drag-and-drop sections for easy customization
- No transaction fees for any credit card provider
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Dashboard can be overwhelming for beginners
6. Theme Options
The appearance of your online store plays a significant role in attracting customers and building your brand. Let's compare the theme options available on Shopify and BigCommerce.
Shopify Themes
Shopify offers a range of free and paid themes, with 9 free themes and 64 paid ones available. These themes are modern, professional, and mobile-responsive. Shopify themes automatically reformat to fit the appropriate screen size.
BigCommerce Themes
BigCommerce provides 12 free themes and 134 paid ones. While all themes are mobile-responsive, the free themes may appear outdated. It's worth noting that BigCommerce has double the number of themes compared to Shopify, offering more variety for users.
Pros of Shopify:
- Modern, professional, and mobile-responsive themes
- Automatic reformatting for different screen sizes
Cons of Shopify:
- Limited number of themes compared to BigCommerce
Pros of BigCommerce:
- BigCommerce offers a vast selection of themes
- Mobile-responsive themes available
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Free themes may appear outdated
7. SEO Comparison
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for ensuring your online store appears in search engine results. Let's look at the SEO capabilities of Shopify and BigCommerce.
URL Structures
Shopify has fixed URL structures that include subfolder structures, which may not be ideal for SEO. BigCommerce allows users to create Google-friendly URLs easily, resulting in shorter, more concise URLs.
Basic SEO Tasks
Both Shopify and BigCommerce allow users to perform basic SEO tasks such as editing meta titles, descriptions, and alt text, as well as optimizing for mobile.
Google-Friendly URLs
BigCommerce excels in terms of SEO-friendliness with its ability to create Google-friendly URLs. This feature allows users to create shorter, keyword-rich URLs, which Google prefers.
Pros of Shopify:
- Basic SEO capabilities for editing meta tags and descriptions
- Good page speed and uptime
Cons of Shopify:
- Fixed subfolder URL structures
- Limited control over URL customization
Pros of BigCommerce:
- Basic SEO capabilities with Google-friendly URLs
- Mobile optimization features
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Limited control over URL customization
8. App Stores
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a wide range of apps to enhance the functionality of your online store.
Shopify App Store
Shopify's app store boasts over 2,400 apps for various purposes, including email marketing, accounting, analytics, and more. Many apps are available for free, with premium ones ranging from $15 to $50 per month.
BigCommerce App Store
BigCommerce also offers numerous apps, with over 800 available in their app store. These apps cover essential categories and offer both free and paid options, with prices ranging from $20 to $50 per month.
Pros of Shopify:
- Robust app store with a wide range of options
- Free and premium apps available
Cons of Shopify:
- Additional costs for premium apps
Pros of BigCommerce:
- Wide range of apps for various purposes
- Free apps available
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Additional costs for premium apps
9. Customer Service
Customer service is crucial when running an online store, as you may encounter technical issues or require assistance with the platform.
Support Options
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer 24/7 customer support through various channels, including phone, live chat, help center, support forums, and email. Upgrading to higher plans on both platforms provides priority support.
Social Media Support
Shopify takes the lead in customer support by offering assistance through multiple social channels like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. BigCommerce does not offer this service.
Pros of Shopify:
- Multiple support options available 24/7
- Social media support through various channels
Cons of Shopify:
- Basic plan lacks built-in features
Pros of BigCommerce:
- Support options available 24/7
- Onboarding consultant for enterprise plan
Cons of BigCommerce:
- No social media support available
10. Conclusion
In conclusion, both Shopify and BigCommerce are all-inclusive solutions suitable for e-commerce beginners. However, the choice between the two comes down to your specific business requirements and preferences. Shopify excels in user-friendly interface, popularity, and a vast app store, while BigCommerce offers an abundance of built-in features, more theme options, and better SEO capabilities. Consider your budget, desired features, ease-of-use, and support options when deciding between these platforms. Remember, both platforms provide excellent customer service and host all-in-one solutions.
