BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

If you’re starting an online store, one of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is which e-commerce platform to use. Two popular options are BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce. In this comparison article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, pricing, ease of use, design and customization, SEO and marketing tools, payment and shipping options, customer support and resources, as well as the pros and cons of each platform to help you decide which one is right for your business needs.

Introduction: Understanding the E-commerce Platforms

Before we dive into the specifics of BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce, let’s first talk about what an e-commerce platform is and what it does. An e-commerce platform is essentially a software application that allows you to create and manage an online store. It provides essential features like a shopping cart, checkout, payment processing, product catalog, and more. With a platform, you can easily create and customize your online store, add products and categories, and manage orders and inventory.

One of the key benefits of using an e-commerce platform is that it can help you reach a wider audience. With an online store, you can sell your products to customers all over the world, without the limitations of a physical storefront. Additionally, many e-commerce platforms offer built-in marketing tools, such as email campaigns and social media integrations, to help you promote your store and attract new customers. By utilizing these features, you can increase your online visibility and drive more sales.

Overview of BigCommerce

BigCommerce is an e-commerce platform that was launched in 2009. It’s specifically designed to help businesses of all sizes build and grow their online stores. With BigCommerce, you can easily create and customize your online store using a drag-and-drop editor or by editing the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript directly. The platform is packed with features like a responsive design, SEO tools, payment gateways, and integrations with popular marketing, shipping, and accounting platforms. Some notable brands that use BigCommerce include Skullcandy, Toyota, and Ben & Jerry’s.

One of the key advantages of using BigCommerce is its scalability. The platform can handle high volumes of traffic and transactions, making it suitable for businesses that are looking to grow rapidly. Additionally, BigCommerce offers a range of pricing plans to suit different budgets and needs, from small startups to large enterprises.

Another benefit of using BigCommerce is its strong focus on security and compliance. The platform is PCI compliant, meaning that it meets the strict security standards set by the Payment Card Industry. This ensures that your customers’ payment information is kept safe and secure, giving them peace of mind when shopping on your site.

Overview of Squarespace Commerce

Squarespace Commerce is an e-commerce platform that’s part of the Squarespace website builder. It was introduced in 2013 to allow users to create their own online stores within the Squarespace platform. Squarespace Commerce is known for its beautiful templates and intuitive drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy for non-technical users to build and customize their online stores. It also includes features like unlimited products, mobile optimization, inventory management, and checkout customization. Squarespace is used by many small businesses, creatives, and bloggers.

One of the key benefits of using Squarespace Commerce is its seamless integration with other Squarespace features. This means that users can easily add e-commerce functionality to their existing Squarespace website without having to switch to a different platform. Additionally, Squarespace Commerce offers a variety of payment options, including Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay, making it easy for customers to complete their purchases.

Another advantage of Squarespace Commerce is its built-in analytics and reporting tools. Users can track their sales, monitor their inventory, and analyze customer behavior to make informed decisions about their online store. Squarespace Commerce also offers SEO tools to help users optimize their store for search engines, increasing their visibility and driving more traffic to their site.

Features Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

When comparing two e-commerce platforms, features are one of the most important things to consider. Both BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce offer a range of features to help you create and manage your online store. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout features of each platform:

BigCommerce features:

• Responsive design templates
• Integrations with popular marketing platforms
• Payment gateways with no transaction fees
• Advanced inventory management
• SEO optimization tools
• Abandoned cart recovery feature

Squarespace Commerce features:

• Beautiful, mobile-responsive templates
• Unlimited products and storage
• Automatic tax and shipping calculations
• Drag-and-drop editing interface
• Inventory management feature
• Abandoned cart recovery feature

While both platforms have many great features, BigCommerce is more feature-rich, especially when it comes to integrations and SEO tools. Squarespace Commerce, on the other hand, is simpler and easier to use, making it a great option for those who don’t have much technical knowledge.

Another important factor to consider when choosing an e-commerce platform is pricing. BigCommerce offers a range of pricing plans, starting from $29.95 per month, while Squarespace Commerce has a more limited pricing structure, starting from $18 per month. However, Squarespace Commerce does not charge any transaction fees, while BigCommerce charges a fee for each transaction made through the platform.

Customer support is also an important consideration. BigCommerce offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base and community forum. Squarespace Commerce offers email support and a knowledge base, but does not have phone or live chat support available.

Pricing Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

Pricing is another important factor to consider when choosing an e-commerce platform. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing of both BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce:

BigCommerce pricing:

• Standard plan: $29.95/month
• Plus plan: $79.95/month
• Pro plan: $249.95/month

Squarespace Commerce pricing:

• Basic plan: $26/month
• Advanced plan: $40/month
• Business plan: $54/month

When it comes to pricing, Squarespace Commerce is generally more affordable, especially for small businesses. However, BigCommerce offers more value for money with its more feature-rich plans.

Ease of Use Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

When building an online store, ease of use is critical since not everyone is a technical wizard. So how do BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce compare in terms of ease of use?

Overall, Squarespace Commerce is likely to be easier to use, particularly for beginners. The drag-and-drop editor is very user-friendly, and you don’t need any coding knowledge to create or customize your store. Additionally, everything is integrated into the same platform, eliminating the need to switch between different applications or services. BigCommerce, while still user-friendly, offers more advanced features that may require some technical knowledge to use to their full potential.

Design and Customization Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

Design and customization options can make a significant difference in how your online store looks and feels. Let’s see how BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce compare in terms of design and customization options.

Both platforms offer a range of templates and design options to choose from. While Squarespace Commerce is widely regarded as having some of the most aesthetically pleasing templates on the market, BigCommerce still has lots of great design options, and it provides more customization options like custom CSS and HTML. However, Squarespace Commerce’s templates are more user-friendly and take less time to set up than BigCommerce’s templates.

SEO and Marketing Tools Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

SEO and marketing tools are essential when it comes to getting your online store in front of customers. Here’s how BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce compare in this area:

BigCommerce offers comprehensive SEO tools that make it easy to optimize your online store for search engine rankings. It also has integrations with popular marketing platforms, including Google Shopping, Facebook, and Instagram, to help you promote your products across the web. Squarespace Commerce also comes with built-in SEO tools, although they are not as advanced as those offered by BigCommerce. Additionally, it has integrations with email marketing services like Mailchimp and social media integration with platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.

Payment and Shipping Options Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

Payment and shipping options are critical when it comes to running a successful online store. Here’s how BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce compare in this area:

Both platforms support multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net. However, BigCommerce supports more payment gateways out of the box than Squarespace Commerce. Concerning shipping, both platforms offer powerful shipping features to help you manage shipping rates, taxes, and tracking. However, BigCommerce provides a range of advanced shipping options never seen on Squarespace Commerce, such as integrating rates from multiple carriers and enforcing delivery dates.

Customer Support and Resources Comparison: BigCommerce vs Squarespace Commerce

When running an online store, customer support and resources are essential. Customers often need to contact support when they have a question or concern, and you’ll need to be able to quickly and easily access help and resources. Here’s how BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce compare in this area:

Both platforms offer 24/7 support, but BigCommerce has better resources, including a dedicated knowledge base, community forums, video tutorials, social media support, and documentation. Additionally, BigCommerce has dedicated support available through phone or email. Squarespace Commerce also has a knowledge base, community forums, and video tutorials, but lacks phone support, which might be problematic at times.

Pros and Cons of Using BigCommerce for E-commerce

Pros:

• More feature-rich than Squarespace Commerce
• Advanced SEO tools that help you rank higher in Google searches
• Powerful shipping integrations and wide carrier options
• Provides phone support

Cons:

• More complex than Squarespace Commerce to learn and set up
• Expensive than Squarespace Commerce

Pros and Cons of Using Squarespace Commerce for E-commerce

Pros:

• Beautiful templates that are easy to set up
• Less expensive than BigCommerce’s plans
• User-friendly platform that requires less technical knowledge
• Unlimited product listing, bandwidth, and storage for all plans

Cons:

• Not as feature-rich as BigCommerce
• Less advanced SEO tools and more limited integrations
• No phone support offered

Which E-commerce Platform is Right for You?

Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business ultimately depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a feature-packed platform with advanced SEO tools and shipping features, and you’re willing to pay a bit more, then BigCommerce might be the best choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a user-friendly platform with beautiful templates and are willing to forego some of the advanced features in exchange for a lower price, then Squarespace Commerce could be the right choice for you.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Choosing Between BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce

Both BigCommerce and Squarespace Commerce are excellent e-commerce platforms, each with unique pros and cons. Ultimately, the right choice for your business depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. Take the time to carefully evaluate each platform, focusing on the features, ease of use, design options, SEO and marketing tools, payment and shipping options, and customer support. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision about which e-commerce platform is right for you and your online store.