Bigcommerce Vs Shopify? What Is The #1 Solution?

BigCommerce vs Shopify stands out as top-tier e-commerce platforms. BigCommerce caters to mid-to large-scale setups, while Shopify is renowned for its beginner-friendly approach! So, it can have accessible to anyone keen on launching their own online store.

But when deciding between BigCommerce vs Shopify, which one takes the cake? Which offers a broader range of features? Which is more budget-friendly? And which is more straightforward to navigate?

What Is Shopify & Its Uniqueness

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own online store but worried it was too technical? Shopify is your answer!  Think of it as your all-in-one shop for building a successful e-commerce business,  without needing any coding knowledge.

It’s the perfect solution for anyone who wants to skip the hiring process and be their own boss in the exciting world of e-commerce.

Here’s how these perks turn into superpowers for your online store:

• Your storefront is ready to roll! Shopify gives you a free subdomain and hosting, so you don’t need to worry about complicated website setups. It’s like having a prime location for your store, ready for customers to visit.
• Managing your products is a breeze. Easily add photos, descriptions, and track inventory levels, all from one spot. Think of it as having a perfectly organized stockroom, right at your fingertips.
• Orders and payments? Easy! Shopify takes care of processing orders and lets you accept payments securely. It’s like having a super-efficient assistant who handles all the sales transactions.
• Get to know your customers. Shopify stores customer information so you can build relationships & keep them coming back. Imagine having a friendly way to greet your regular customers by name!
• See what’s selling! Shopify provides detailed reports that show you exactly what’s popular. It’s like having a crystal ball that reveals your store’s hottest trends.
• Run irresistible sales! Create discounts and coupon codes to attract new customers and reward your loyal ones. Discounts are like magic spells that can draw in a crowd!
• Social media magic! Shopify integrates with social media platforms, making it easy to promote your store and connect with your audience. It’s like having a megaphone to spread the word about your fantastic products!

Plus, forget being chained to your computer. Shopify’s magic extends beyond your online store with their amazing POS system. It lets you accept payments on the go, whether you’re at a trade show, a pop-up shop! Or even a one-on-one meeting. 

But wait, there’s more! Shopify has a treasure trove of hidden tools that go beyond the basic setup.  

• Logo Maker: Stuck on a logo design? No worries! Shopify’s logo maker helps you create a simple yet professional logo to brand your business.
• Business Name & Slogan Generator: Can’t decide on the perfect name or catchy slogan for your dream business? Shopify’s got your back! Generate ideas to jumpstart your creative spark.
• QR Code Generator: Make it easy for customers to connect with you instantly by creating QR codes that link directly to your store.
• Business Card & Invoice Maker: Design professional-looking business cards and invoices in minutes, all within the Shopify platform.
• Refund Policy Generator: Shopify even helps you draft a clear refund policy, saving you the hassle of writing it from scratch.

What Is Bigcommerce And Ints Uniqueness

BigCommerce is another strong contender in the e-commerce area! It offers a comprehensive solution to build and manage your online store. Just like Shopify, it equips you with all the tools you need to get started and thrive.

However, BigCommerce shines brightest for businesses with ambition. Here’s why:

• Built for Growth: BigCommerce boasts impressive stats: according to their research, their merchants experience a whopping 28% year-over-year growth, nearly double the industry average! It’s a platform designed to scale alongside your success.
• Rock-Solid Reliability: BigCommerce prides itself on near-unbreakable uptime, guaranteeing a smooth customer experience during peak seasons like Cyber Week. You can rest assured your store will be there for every customer, every time.
• Beyond the Store: BigCommerce goes beyond just selling. You can create informative blog posts and webpages, giving your online presence a well-rounded feel and attracting a wider audience.
• Marketing Powerhouse: Equip yourself with built-in marketing features like coupons, targeted campaigns, and automated emails. BigCommerce empowers you to strategically reach new customers and keep your existing ones coming back for more.

While BigCommerce caters to established businesses and those with a growth mindset, beginners are welcome too! Their user-friendly interface makes it easy to get started, offering a solid foundation for your future e-commerce empire.

Usability

Shopify Interface

Shopify has become synonymous with ease-of-use in the e-commerce world.  Here’s why it’s the perfect platform to launch your online store, regardless of your experience level:

• Designed for Beginners: Shopify’s intuitive interface takes the intimidation out of building your online store. No coding skills required! The drag-and-drop builder lets you design a professional-looking store with just a few clicks.
• Your Command Center: The clean and simple dashboard gives you a clear view of everything, from your inventory levels to your latest marketing campaigns. It’s your one-stop shop for managing your entire online business.
• Lightning-Fast Setup: Get started selling in no time! Shopify’s streamlined setup process lets you choose a theme, add your products, and configure payment and shipping options – often within minutes.
• All-in-One Toolkit: Shopify comes packed with powerful features right out of the box. From built-in SEO tools to insightful analytics, you have everything you need to optimize your store and attract customers.
• App Store Extravaganza: Shopify’s vast App Store offers a marketplace of additional features. Find easy-to-install apps for everything imaginable, all designed to work seamlessly with your store.
• Help Around the Clock: Shopify’s 24/7 customer support team is always available through live chat, email, or phone. They’re there to answer your questions and keep your business running smoothly.
• Support Community: A thriving community of users and developers offer additional resources, tutorials, and forums to answer your questions and help you learn the ropes.
• Payments Made Easy: Focus on selling, not the technical stuff. Shopify integrates with popular payment gateways and shipping solutions, streamlining these essential aspects of your business.

Shopify empowers anyone to become a successful online entrepreneur.  It’s the all-in-one toolkit that simplifies e-commerce and lets you focus on what you do best –  selling fantastic products!

BigCommerce Learning

While Shopify excels in user-friendliness, BigCommerce shines with its robust feature set. It is ideal for businesses seeking more control and scalability. Here’s what BigCommerce offers:

• Feature Powerhouse: BigCommerce boasts a wider range of built-in functionalities compared to Shopify. It caters to businesses that require a more comprehensive solution.
• Learning Curve: While it might take a little longer to master BigCommerce, the extra effort unlocks a platform that grows alongside your business.
• Intuitive Interface: BigCommerce’s clean dashboard offers a user-friendly experience for managing your store’s core functions.
• Drag-and-Drop Design: Just like Shopify, BigCommerce empowers you to create a beautiful storefront with its drag-and-drop Page Builder,  no coding required!
• App Marketplace: Expand your store’s capabilities with a vast selection of one-click apps,  all designed to integrate seamlessly with your BigCommerce platform.
• Marketing Made Easy: BigCommerce equips you with built-in SEO tools and marketing features like coupons and discounts to help you attract new customers and boost sales.
• Sell Everywhere: Reach a wider audience by easily integrating your BigCommerce store with popular marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook – all managed from a single dashboard.
• Seamless Payments & Shipping: BigCommerce offers a wide range of payment gateways and integrated shipping solutions with real-time quotes, simplifying these crucial aspects of your business.
• Support When You Need It: BigCommerce offers 24/7 customer support through various channels! So, you always have help at your fingertips.
• Advanced Customization: For those comfortable with code, BigCommerce provides robust APIs and access to the store’s core files, allowing for in-depth customization.
• Global Reach: Sell to the world! BigCommerce supports multiple currencies and languages, opening doors to international markets.

BigCommerce empowers businesses with the features and flexibility they need to thrive in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce. It’s a powerful platform that rewards those willing to invest the time to unlock its full potential.

Design

Shopify Themes

Shopify empowers you to create a stunning and functional online store, regardless of your design experience. Here’s how:

• Theme Time: Choose from a vast selection of free and premium themes, all designed for various industries. Each theme is mobile-friendly, ensuring your store looks perfect on any device.
• Stand Out From the Crowd: Shopify lets you customize your theme to match your brand perfectly. For beginners, there are easy-to-use tools. For tech-savvy store owners, Shopify offers advanced options like Liquid templating and JavaScript.
• Next-Level Customization: Shopify CLI takes customization to the next level. Develop your theme locally and see changes in real-time. Plus, app extensions allow you to add custom sections or even modify the checkout experience!
• Beyond Design: Shopify offers robust APIs for seamless integration with external tools.  Connect your store to other platforms or manipulate data with ease.
• Performance Powerhouse: Shopify’s features like lazy loading and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) ensure your store loads lightning-fast.
• Accessibility for All: Shopify prioritizes inclusivity. ARIA labels and keyboard navigation features make your store accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

BigCommerce Customisation

BigCommerce takes customization to a whole new level, empowering businesses to create a truly unique and scalable online store. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Stencil Your Dreams: It uses Handlebars templating language, allowing for in-depth theme customization that goes beyond simple tweaks.
• Code It Your Way: For those comfortable with code, BigCommerce provides direct access to CSS and Javascript files. Fine-tune every aspect of your store’s look and functionality to match your exact vision.
• API Access: Connect your BigCommerce store to a world of possibilities! Their robust API supports RESTful and GraphQL queries, allowing seamless integration with external databases and services.
• Beyond the Surface: They offer built-in features to optimize your store’s performance and SEO. Automatically optimize images with Akamai Image Manager or leverage serverless computing with AWS Lambda for advanced functionality.
• Global Reach Built-In: BigCommerce supports multiple currencies and languages out of the box, making it easier to expand your reach and attract customers worldwide.

Scalability

Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus boasts a robust cloud-based infrastructure that ensures exceptional uptime and lightning-fast loading speeds, even during peak traffic times like Black Friday. This means your store can handle any surge in customers without breaking a sweat.

Shopify Plus understands that one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work for high-growth businesses.  That’s why they provide extensive API support, allowing you to integrate your store with custom applications and tailor it to your unique needs.

BigCommerce Enterprise

BigCommerce leverages the power of Google Cloud Platform, ensuring your store stays up and running no matter where your customers are in the world. Experience lightning-fast load times and exceptional reliability, even during peak traffic.

Plus, it offers a range of scalable plans to meet your evolving needs. As your business grows, your platform can grow with you seamlessly.

Enterprise solutions include advanced tools like Akamai Image Manager for automatic image optimization and Google AMP for blazing-fast mobile experiences. These technical powerhouses combine to create a platform that can handle even the most demanding businesses.

BigCommerce understands that your business is unique. Their API-driven architecture allows for seamless integration with custom applications, giving you the flexibility to tailor your store to your exact needs.

Design Comparison

When it comes to creating a beautiful and functional online store, both Bigcommerce Vs Shopify offer solutions, but they cater to different preferences. Here’s a breakdown:

Shopify

• Theme Trove: Shopify boasts a wider selection of themes, with over 100 options to choose from, including 20+ free themes.
• Industry-Specific: Find themes pre-designed for your specific niche, making it easier to get started with a look that resonates with your target audience.
• Mobile-First Focus: All themes are mobile-responsive, ensuring your store looks flawless on any device.
• Customization Comfort: For beginners, a user-friendly theme editor allows for easy customization of colors, fonts, logos, and more.
• Code Control for Experts: For those comfortable with code, Shopify grants full access to HTML and CSS for in-depth design modifications.

BigCommerce

• Smaller Selection: BigCommerce offers a narrower range of themes compared to Shopify, with fewer free options.
• Mobile Responsiveness Varies: Not all BigCommerce themes are mobile-responsive, so be sure to check before choosing.
• Limited Style Editor: Customization options might be restricted depending on the theme you choose. Some themes lack a Style Editor entirely.
• Deeper Customization (with code): Similar to Shopify, BigCommerce provides full access to theme code for advanced users.
• Basic Tweaks for Beginners: For those new to coding, BigCommerce allows basic edits like logo changes, header adjustments, and carousel management.

Overall Winner

Shopify takes the crown for design. They offer a wider variety of themes, with a focus on mobile responsiveness and user-friendly customization options. BigCommerce offers powerful customization for those comfortable with code! Their theme selection and ease-of-use might feel limiting for beginners.

Product Management

Adding and managing products is a core function of any e-commerce store. Here’s how Bigcommerce vs Shopify stack up.

Shopify

• Simple & Intuitive: Adding products in Shopify is a breeze. Each parameter is clearly separated and easy to understand.
• Essential Features: Manage everything from categories and descriptions to images, pricing, inventory, shipping, and variants (e.g., size, color).
• Clean Organization: Easily track and optimize products with clear tables for product listings, inventory, collections, and gift cards.
• Focus on Core Functionality: Shopify prioritizes the features you need most, avoiding unnecessary clutter.

BigCommerce

• User-Friendly, But Dated Interface: Adding products in BigCommerce is user-friendly, but the interface feels slightly dated compared to Shopify.
• Comprehensive Options: BigCommerce offers a wider range of fields for detailed product specifications.
• Potential for Complexity: While useful, the extensive menu options might feel overwhelming for some users.
• Simplified Highlighting: BigCommerce makes featuring products on your homepage a breeze with a simple star icon selection.
• Customization vs. Ease of Use: BigCommerce offers greater product customization but might require a bit more navigation expertise.

Choosing Your Champion:

The winner depends on your needs.  Do you prioritize a wider range of product settings or a simpler, more user-friendly interface?

• Need extensive product customization? BigCommerce might be your champion.
• Value a clean interface and ease of use? Shopify might be your perfect match.

Ultimately, both platforms offer the tools you need to manage your products effectively. Consider which approach best suits your workflow and comfort level.

Cost Comparison

For pricing, both Bigcommerce Vs Shopify offer competitive plans! However, there are some key differences to consider!

Shopify Pricing

• Range: $9, $29, $79, $299 per month
• Sweet Spot: The “Basic Shopify” plan at $29 per month offers a good balance of features, including unlimited products, online and social media sales channels, 24/7 support, and a buy button.
• Transaction Fees: Shopify charges either 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction when using their payment gateway or 2% for using a third-party gateway (plus any additional fees from the gateway itself).

BigCommerce Pricing

• Range: $29, $79, $299 per month
• Plan Limitations: BigCommerce plans limit your annual sales volume, with the $29 plan capping you at $50k annually.
• Value Packed: The $29 plan offers similar features to Shopify’s Basic plan, including unlimited products, storage, bandwidth, 24/7 support, and credit card processing at 2.9% + 30 cents (via PayPal powered by Braintree).

Choosing Your Winner

The most cost-effective option depends on your specific needs. Both Bigcommerce vs Shopify offer free trials! So, you can explore their platforms firsthand and see which one best suits your budget and workflow.

FAQs For Bigcommerce vs Shopify

1. Which platform delivers superior customer support?

Both platforms ensure 24/7 customer assistance. However, BigCommerce goes the extra mile by offering dedicated account managers for enterprise-level plans, providing added support beyond standard services.

2. Can I personalize the design of my online store on both platforms?

Certainly! Both Bigcommerce vs Shopify allow you to tailor your store’s appearance. Shopify offers a selection of themes, whereas BigCommerce grants deeper customization through access to HTML and CSS.

3. How do Bigcommerce vs Shopify stack up in terms of SEO?

While both platforms boast strong SEO capabilities, BigCommerce gains a slight advantage with its integrated tools! It includes

automated image optimization and enhanced URL structures.

4. Which e-commerce platform is simpler to navigate, Bigcommerce Vs Shopify?

Shopify is widely regarded as the easier option, thanks to its user-friendly interface. While BigCommerce offers more sophisticated features, it requires a bit more learning.

Conclusion

Choosing between Bigcommerce Vs Shopify depends on your priorities and business stage. Here’s a quick recap!

Need a user-friendly platform with a beautiful storefront to get started quickly? Choose Shopify.

Anticipate significant growth and require a highly customizable platform for complex products? BigCommerce might be a better fit.

That’s all about Bigcommerce Vs Shopify! Thank you for reading!