In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, Shopify and BigCommerce stand as two formidable contenders, offering individuals and businesses the means to create, manage, and expand profitable online ventures with ease. These platforms, which host tens of thousands of online retailers generating billions in revenue, share the common goal of simplifying the complexities of online business. However, they each bring their unique strengths and weaknesses to the table, making the choice between them a crucial decision for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this comprehensive comparison, we dissect the offerings of Shopify and BigCommerce to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your business objectives.
Shopify and BigCommerce: A Snapshot
Both Shopify and BigCommerce operate on a subscription-based model, catering to businesses of all sizes, from solopreneurs to large international enterprises. These platforms share essential features across the board, including unlimited product listings, file storage, and bandwidth, in addition to core e-commerce functionalities like online storefronts, point-of-sale (POS) systems, support services, and the ability to issue gift cards.
Furthermore, both platforms address fundamental e-commerce needs such as basic shipping tools, the provision of secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates to safeguard online payments, and the ability to extend product sales across various social media channels. While their pricing structures are somewhat similar, BigCommerce boasts a range of built-in features, while Shopify offers access to a vast library of over 8,000 paid and free third-party apps through its app store.
Pricing and Features
When comparing pricing, both platforms offer tiered plans to accommodate varying business needs:
- Shopify’s plans range from INR 1,994 to INR 30,164 per month (when paid monthly). For instance, the Basic Shopify plan, priced at INR 1,994 per month, includes features such as a buy button, an online store with two staff accounts, online credit card processing (with a 2.9% + 30 cents fee), and support for up to four inventory locations. Transaction fees are 2% for this plan when Shopify Payments is not used.
- BigCommerce offers plans ranging from INR 3,231.68 ($39) to INR 33,062.54 ($399) per month (when paid monthly). The Standard plan, priced at INR 3,231.68 ($39) per month, provides similar features, except it allows unlimited staff accounts, and it does not impose transaction fees, even for external payment gateways.
Shopify’s mid-tier and higher-tier plans offer additional perks such as more staff accounts, advanced reporting, support for more inventory locations, and lower credit card processing fees. BigCommerce follows a slightly different strategy, where users are prompted to upgrade based on their annual sales volume.
Themes and Shopping Cart Experience
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer responsive themes to create visually appealing online stores. Shopify offers eight free themes and more than 70 paid themes, with prices ranging from INR 12,429.52 ($150) to INR 29,002.23 ($350). BigCommerce provides 12 free themes and 150 paid themes, priced from $150 to $300. While both platforms prioritize mobile-friendly and responsive design, Shopify is often lauded for its forward-thinking theme design and usability.
When it comes to the shopping cart experience, Shopify depends on third-party apps for various discount functionalities. In contrast, BigCommerce allows users to create cart-level discounts, coupon codes, and automatic discounts for specific customer groups without relying on third-party applications.
SEO and Reporting
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a vital aspect of online visibility. BigCommerce takes the lead in out-of-the-box SEO features, offering optimized URLs, microdata embedding, and automatic URL adjustments when product names are changed. Shopify enables users to add keywords, modify meta titles and descriptions, and edit URLs for blog posts. While BigCommerce excels in built-in SEO features, Shopify’s strength lies in its extensive selection of third-party apps designed to enhance SEO efforts.
Reporting tools differ between the platforms. BigCommerce provides professional reporting tools across all plans, while Shopify offers standard reporting in its mid-tier plan and advanced reporting in its top-tier plan. Both platforms support integration with Google Analytics for in-depth website user behavior analysis.
Conclusion
Shopify and BigCommerce serve as powerful allies for those venturing into the e-commerce landscape, offering accessible solutions to build and manage successful online businesses. For beginners, Shopify stands out as an easy-to-use platform with a user-friendly base experience. In contrast, BigCommerce’s feature-rich environment may require a steeper learning curve but provides scalability and flexibility. Ultimately, the choice between these platforms depends on your specific business needs and preferences.
If you’re still unsure, both platforms offer free trials, enabling you to experiment and determine which one aligns best with your company’s goals. As the e-commerce industry continues to evolve, Shopify and BigCommerce remain at the forefront, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive in the digital marketplace.
