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 between the two platforms that set them apart. Shopify is known for being user-friendly and easy to use, while BigCommerce is known for being highly customizable.

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 can be beneficial for businesses that are just starting out and don’t need 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. Shopify offers a range of plans starting from $29 per month up to $299 per month for their enterprise-level plan. On the other hand, BigCommerce offers pricing ranging from $29.95 per month up to $299.95 per month for their enterprise-level plan. However, it’s important to note that BigCommerce offers more features on their basic plan compared to Shopify’s basic plan, making it a better value option for some businesses.

Another important factor to consider when comparing Shopify and BigCommerce is the transaction fees. Shopify charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction for their basic plan, while BigCommerce doesn’t charge any transaction fees on any of their plans. This can make a significant difference for businesses with high sales volumes.

Additionally, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a range of add-ons and integrations to enhance the functionality of their platforms. However, Shopify has a larger app store with over 4,000 apps available, while BigCommerce has a more limited selection with around 600 apps. Depending on the specific needs of your business, this may be an important factor to consider when choosing between the two platforms.

Ease of use: Which platform is more beginner-friendly?

One of the most important factors for many businesses is how easy the platform is to use. Shopify is known for being very user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for beginners to build and manage their ecommerce store. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers more complex customization options, which can be overwhelming for beginners. However, BigCommerce does offer more advanced features that can be useful for businesses that want more customization options.

It’s important to note that both Shopify and BigCommerce offer extensive documentation and customer support to help beginners navigate their platforms. Shopify has a large community of users who share tips and advice, while BigCommerce offers personalized onboarding and training for new users. Ultimately, the best platform for beginners will depend on their specific needs and preferences.

Customization options: Which platform offers more flexibility?

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a high degree of customization, but in different ways. Shopify offers a vast selection of themes that users can customize to fit their branding, and also allows users to access the CSS and HTML code of their website. BigCommerce, however, offers a lot more flexibility in terms of customizing the functionality of the platform with its open API, making it more suitable for businesses with more complex needs.

Another factor to consider when it comes to customization options is the level of technical expertise required. While Shopify’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to customize their website, BigCommerce’s open API may require more technical knowledge to fully utilize. However, for businesses with a dedicated IT team or developers, BigCommerce’s open API can provide endless possibilities for customization.

It’s also worth noting that both platforms offer app stores with a wide range of third-party apps that can further enhance the customization options. Shopify’s app store has a larger selection of apps, but BigCommerce’s app store focuses more on apps that integrate with the platform’s open API, allowing for even more customization possibilities.

Features and functionality: How do Shopify and BigCommerce compare?

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a range of features and functionality to help businesses manage their online store. However, Shopify is better suited for businesses with lower product volumes and simpler needs, while BigCommerce offers more features that are suitable for higher product volumes and more complex business models.

One of the key features that sets BigCommerce apart from Shopify is its built-in multi-channel selling capabilities. With BigCommerce, businesses can easily sell their products on multiple channels, such as Amazon, eBay, and Facebook, without having to manage each channel separately. This can save businesses a significant amount of time and effort, and can also help them reach a wider audience.

SEO capabilities of Shopify vs BigCommerce

The ability to optimize an ecommerce store for search engines is crucial to ensure that customers can find it. Shopify has basic SEO functionality built into the platform, but it does not offer as many advanced options as BigCommerce. BigCommerce offers more advanced SEO features, such as the ability to customize URLs and meta descriptions, making it a better option for businesses that prioritize SEO.

However, it is important to note that Shopify has a larger market share and a more user-friendly interface, which can make it easier for businesses to attract and retain customers. Additionally, Shopify has a wide range of apps and plugins that can help businesses improve their SEO, such as the SEO Manager app.

On the other hand, BigCommerce has a more robust content management system, which can make it easier for businesses to create and manage content that is optimized for search engines. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that have a large number of products or a complex website structure.

Mobile responsiveness: Which platform is better optimized for mobile devices?

Mobile commerce is becoming increasingly important, with a significant portion of online shopping now taking place on mobile devices. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer mobile-responsive themes that adapt to different screen sizes, but Shopify is generally considered to be better optimized for mobile devices than BigCommerce.

One of the reasons why Shopify is better optimized for mobile devices is because it has a wider range of mobile-responsive themes to choose from. These themes are designed to provide a seamless shopping experience for customers, regardless of the device they are using. Additionally, Shopify has a mobile app that allows merchants to manage their store on-the-go, which is a convenient feature for those who are always on the move.

On the other hand, while BigCommerce also offers mobile-responsive themes, some users have reported that they are not as user-friendly as Shopify’s themes. Some of the themes may require additional customization to work well on mobile devices, which can be time-consuming and may require technical expertise. However, BigCommerce does offer a mobile app that allows merchants to manage their store from their mobile devices, which is a useful feature for those who need to make quick updates to their store while on-the-go.

Payment processing options: Which platform offers more choices?

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer several payment processing options, but Shopify offers more options by default. BigCommerce, however, offers an advantage in terms of providing better support for international payment methods.

Shopify’s default payment processing options include major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. In addition, Shopify also offers over 100 payment gateways that can be integrated into the platform, including popular options like Stripe, Authorize.net, and Amazon Pay.

On the other hand, BigCommerce offers a range of payment processing options that are tailored to specific regions and countries. For example, BigCommerce supports popular payment methods in Europe such as Klarna, SOFORT, and SEPA Direct Debit. It also supports payment methods in Asia such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay.

Security features and data protection on Shopify and BigCommerce

Security is an important factor when it comes to ecommerce. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust security features such as SSL certificates and regular security updates, but Shopify is considered to be more secure due to its use of its own payment gateway and strict fraud prevention measures.

In addition to SSL certificates and regular security updates, Shopify and BigCommerce also offer data protection features such as encryption and secure data storage. Shopify’s payment gateway, Shopify Payments, is also PCI compliant, ensuring that all payment information is securely processed and stored. However, it’s important to note that both platforms require merchants to take responsibility for their own data protection measures, such as using strong passwords and regularly backing up their data.

Customer support: How does Shopify’s support compare to that of BigCommerce?

Customer support is an important consideration, especially for businesses that may not have a large IT team to rely on. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer support via email, chat, and phone, but Shopify has a reputation for offering better customer support overall.

Shopify’s customer support team is available 24/7, which is a huge advantage for businesses that operate outside of regular business hours. Additionally, Shopify offers a vast knowledge base and community forum where users can find answers to common questions and connect with other users for support. BigCommerce also has a knowledge base and community forum, but it is not as extensive as Shopify’s.

Integrations with other platforms and apps

Integrating your ecommerce platform with other platforms and apps is key to providing a seamless experience for customers. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a wide range of integrations, but Shopify has more integrations available, including popular apps like Mailchimp and Quickbooks.

Pros and cons of using Shopify vs BigCommerce

Each platform has its own pros and cons. Shopify is user-friendly and has better overall support, making it a better option for businesses with simpler needs. BigCommerce offers more customization options and advanced functionality, making it a better option for businesses with more complex needs.

Real-life examples of businesses using Shopify or BigCommerce

Companies such as Huel and Gymshark use Shopify to power their ecommerce stores, while companies such as Skullcandy and The Paper Store use BigCommerce. These businesses demonstrate the versatility of both platforms to meet different business needs.

Final verdict: Which ecommerce platform is better for your business?

Choosing between Shopify and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your individual business needs. If you’re looking for a user-friendly platform with great support, Shopify may be the better option. However, if you need more customization options and advanced functionality, BigCommerce may be the better option. It’s important to carefully consider your business needs and try out both platforms before making a decision.