When it comes to choosing an eCommerce platform, two names often come up: BigCommerce and Shopify. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, making the decision a bit tricky for store owners. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between these platforms, helping you make the best choice for your online business. From pricing to features and support, we’ve got you covered on the essentials you need to know before diving in.
Key Takeaways
- BigCommerce generally has lower overall costs due to fewer hidden fees compared to Shopify.
- Shopify relies more on third-party apps for advanced functionalities, while BigCommerce offers more built-in features.
- BigCommerce supports a higher number of SKUs and product options, making it better for larger catalogs.
- Shopify’s transaction fees can add up, especially as sales grow, while BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees.
- BigCommerce provides better tools for B2B sales, making it a stronger choice for businesses targeting wholesale customers.
Pricing Structures and Hidden Costs
It’s easy to get caught up in the advertised monthly prices of e-commerce platforms, but understanding the full cost is super important. Let’s break down the pricing of BigCommerce and Shopify, looking beyond the surface to uncover potential hidden costs.
Understanding Subscription Models
Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer tiered subscription plans, each with different features and capabilities. Shopify’s plans range from Basic Shopify to Advanced Shopify, while BigCommerce offers Standard, Plus, and Pro plans. The key difference lies in how these plans scale with your business growth. BigCommerce’s plans have annual revenue thresholds; exceeding these thresholds automatically bumps you up to the next plan. Shopify doesn’t have revenue thresholds, but its transaction fees can significantly impact your overall expenses as your sales increase.
Transaction Fees Comparison
Transaction fees are where the pricing models really diverge. Shopify charges transaction fees on top of its monthly subscription fees, ranging from 2.9% + $0.30 on the Basic plan to 2.5% + $0.30 on the Advanced plan. These fees apply unless you use Shopify Payments. BigCommerce, on the other hand, does not charge transaction fees, regardless of the payment gateway you use. This can lead to substantial savings as your sales volume grows. Minimizing exposure to credit card fees is important when building a sustainable business.
Total Cost of Ownership
Calculating the total cost of ownership involves more than just comparing monthly subscription fees. With Shopify, you need to factor in transaction fees and the cost of necessary apps. Many essential features, like advanced reporting and abandoned cart recovery, require paid apps, adding to your monthly expenses. BigCommerce includes more built-in features, reducing the need for extra apps. BigCommerce pricing offers a flat-rate monthly subscription fee but no transaction fees. This makes BigCommerce’s pricing more predictable and potentially more cost-effective in the long run, especially for businesses with high sales volumes.
It’s important to consider the long-term cost implications when choosing an e-commerce platform. While Shopify’s initial monthly fees might seem appealing, the added transaction fees and app costs can quickly add up. BigCommerce’s flat-rate pricing offers more cost predictability and can be more advantageous as your business scales.
Here’s a simple comparison table:
| Feature | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Transaction Fees | Yes (unless using Shopify Payments) | No |
| App Costs | Potentially high, depending on needs | Lower, due to more built-in features |
| Revenue Thresholds | No | Yes |
Consider these points when evaluating the true cost of each platform:
- Estimate your monthly sales volume to project transaction fee costs.
- Identify the essential features you need and whether they require paid apps.
- Factor in potential revenue growth and how it will impact your overall expenses.
Sales Features and Capabilities
When it comes to selling online, having the right features can make or break your business. Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer a range of tools, but they approach sales capabilities in different ways. Let’s take a look at what each platform brings to the table.
Flexible Catalog Management
How you manage your products is super important. BigCommerce shines here, allowing for up to 600 SKUs per product and unlimited product options. This is a big deal if you have products with lots of variations. Shopify, on the other hand, limits you to 100 SKUs and 3 options per product. This can be restrictive if you have a complex catalog. Think about it: if you sell clothing with sizes, colors, and fits, those SKUs add up fast. For BigCommerce features, this flexibility is a major plus.
Advanced Promotional Tools
Promotions are key to driving sales. BigCommerce includes a bunch of built-in tools for custom coupons, discounts, and promotions. You can get pretty creative without needing extra apps. Shopify often requires you to use apps for more advanced promotional stuff, which can add to your monthly costs and potentially slow down your site. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | BigCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Coupons | Built-in | Requires Apps |
| Volume Discounts | Built-in | Requires Apps |
| Gift Certificates | Built-in | Requires Apps |
B2B Functionality
If you’re selling to other businesses, B2B features are a must. BigCommerce has more robust B2B tools, like volume pricing and account-based management. Shopify’s B2B capabilities are less specialized, often requiring workarounds or third-party apps. This can make a big difference in how smoothly you can manage B2B sales.
Choosing the right platform depends a lot on what you’re selling and who you’re selling to. If you have a complex product catalog or need advanced B2B features, BigCommerce might be a better fit. If you’re just starting out with a simpler product line, Shopify could be a good option. Think about your long-term needs and how each platform can support your growth.
Scalability and Growth Potential
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a big deal, especially when you’re thinking about the future. You want something that can grow with you, not hold you back. Both BigCommerce and Shopify have their strengths, but when it comes to handling serious growth, there are some key differences to keep in mind.
Support for High SKU Counts
One of the first things to consider is how many products you plan to sell. If you’re just starting out with a small, curated collection, this might not be a huge issue. But if you’re aiming for a large catalog with tons of variations, you need a platform that can handle it. BigCommerce is designed to support a high number of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) per product, which is great if you have lots of options and variations. Shopify, on the other hand, has some limitations that might become a bottleneck as your business expands.
API Limitations
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are what allow different software systems to talk to each other. They’re super important for integrating with other tools and services, like accounting software, marketing automation platforms, and custom apps. Shopify has API call limits that can be restrictive, especially if you’re doing a lot of custom development or integrations. BigCommerce, with its Open SaaS approach, generally offers more flexibility in this area. This means you have more freedom to customize and integrate without hitting those frustrating limits. The Open SaaS architecture gives merchants the freedom to customize without limits.
Long-Term Growth Considerations
Think about where you want your business to be in five or ten years. Are you planning to expand into new markets? Add new product lines? Implement complex B2B (business-to-business) features? These are the kinds of questions that will help you decide which platform is the best fit for your long-term growth. BigCommerce is often favored by larger businesses with more complex needs, while Shopify is often seen as a better fit for smaller businesses with simpler requirements. BigCommerce gives credence to the fact that its plans help businesses access experiences.
Choosing an e-commerce platform isn’t just about what you need today; it’s about what you’ll need tomorrow. Consider your long-term goals, your product catalog, and your integration needs to make the right decision for your business.
Built-In Functionality and Customization
BigCommerce and Shopify both let you build an online store, but they approach functionality and customization in different ways. BigCommerce often packs more features right out of the box, while Shopify relies more on apps. This can affect how much you spend and how much control you have over your store.
Out-of-the-Box Features
BigCommerce comes with a lot of built-in features that you might need to pay extra for on Shopify. This includes things like advanced SEO tools, multi-channel selling, and the ability to handle product reviews without needing an app. This can be a big advantage if you want to keep your costs down and avoid the hassle of managing a bunch of different apps.
- Built-in features reduce the need for third-party apps.
- Advanced SEO tools are included.
- Multi-channel selling capabilities are readily available.
API Flexibility
Both platforms offer APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow developers to connect your store to other systems or build custom features. However, the level of flexibility and control can vary. BigCommerce is known for its robust API, which gives developers a lot of freedom to customize the platform. Shopify’s API is also powerful, but it can be more restrictive in certain areas.
B2B Edition Plans
If you’re running a business-to-business (B2B) operation, BigCommerce offers specific B2B Edition plans that include features like customer-specific catalogs, quote management, and advanced pricing rules. Shopify also supports B2B, but you might need to use apps or custom development to get the same level of functionality.
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify depends on your specific needs and technical skills. If you want a platform with a lot of built-in features and a flexible API, BigCommerce might be a good choice. If you prefer a simpler platform with a large app store, Shopify could be a better fit.
User Experience and Ease of Use
Both BigCommerce and Shopify aim to provide a user-friendly experience, but they cater to different levels of technical expertise. Shopify generally wins out for beginners, while BigCommerce offers more built-in features that can be attractive to users with some experience. Let’s break it down.
Store Setup and Management
Shopify is often praised for its straightforward setup process. The platform guides you through each step, making it easy to launch a basic store quickly. BigCommerce, while powerful, can feel a bit more complex initially. It has more options available right from the start, which can be overwhelming for new users. Think of it like this: Shopify hands you a pre-built kit, while BigCommerce gives you all the parts and tools to build something custom.
- Shopify offers a simpler, more guided setup.
- BigCommerce provides more immediate customization options.
- Both platforms offer helpful tutorials and support during setup.
User Interface Comparison
Shopify’s interface is clean and intuitive. The dashboard is easy to navigate, and the drag-and-drop functionality makes customizing your store relatively simple. BigCommerce’s interface, while functional, can feel a bit more cluttered. It offers a wider range of features and settings, which can make it harder to find what you’re looking for, especially at first. The Shopify theme store has around 12 free themes, while BigCommerce offers over 250 themes.
Support and Resources
Both platforms offer extensive support resources, including 24/7 live chat and phone support. Shopify’s help center is well-organized and easy to search, making it simple to find answers to common questions. BigCommerce also has a comprehensive knowledge base, but some users find it less intuitive to navigate. The quality of support can vary, but both platforms generally provide helpful assistance.
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify often comes down to your comfort level with technology and the complexity of your business needs. If you’re new to e-commerce, Shopify’s ease of use might be a better fit. If you need advanced features and are comfortable with a steeper learning curve, BigCommerce could be the better choice.
SEO and Marketing Tools
Both BigCommerce and Shopify understand that getting people to your store is half the battle. They both have tools to help, but they approach it a bit differently.
SEO Capabilities
When it comes to SEO, both platforms give you the basics. You can tweak titles, descriptions, and URLs to some extent. However, BigCommerce tends to give you a bit more control under the hood. For example, BigCommerce lets you edit your robots.txt file, which is important for telling search engines what to crawl and what to ignore. Shopify’s URL structure can sometimes be a little less flexible. BigCommerce also includes a CDN (Content Delivery Network) right away, which can speed up your site and help with SEO. Shopify has a CDN too, but BigCommerce’s approach is often seen as more hands-on.
Marketing Integrations
Shopify really shines when it comes to marketing apps. They have a huge app store with tons of options for email marketing, social media, and more. BigCommerce has built-in marketing features, like discount codes and integrations with Google Shopping. But if you want something really specific, Shopify’s app store is hard to beat. It really depends on whether you prefer having things built-in or having a ton of choices. Shopify has a range of essential features to support your chosen marketing strategy, including Shopify email marketing campaigns.
Analytics and Reporting
Both platforms give you reports on your sales, traffic, and customer behavior. You can see what’s selling, where your visitors are coming from, and how they’re interacting with your store. BigCommerce’s advanced plans offer segmentation tools, which let you personalize the experience for different customers. Shopify’s reporting is good, but some users find that they need to use apps to get really detailed insights. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | BigCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Reporting | Included in all plans | Included in all plans |
| Segmentation | Available on higher-tier plans | Requires apps for advanced segmentation |
| Custom Reports | Can be created, but may require some coding | Often requires apps for custom report generation |
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify for SEO and marketing really comes down to your preferences. If you want more built-in features and control over SEO, BigCommerce might be a better fit. If you want a huge selection of marketing apps and integrations, Shopify is a strong contender. Think about what’s most important for your business and go from there.
Customer Support and Community
When you’re running an online store, things can go wrong. Knowing you have solid support behind you is super important. Let’s see how BigCommerce and Shopify stack up in this area.
Support Channels Available
Both BigCommerce and Shopify provide multiple avenues for getting help. You can usually reach them through:
- Phone Support: Talking to a real person can be a lifesaver when you’re stuck.
- Live Chat: Quick questions can often be resolved through chat.
- Email Support: For less urgent issues, email is a good option.
- Help Centers: Both platforms have extensive knowledge bases you can search. It’s worth checking out the Help Center before contacting support.
BigCommerce also touts a dedicated Customer Success Manager for certain plans, which can be a big plus if you need more personalized assistance.
Community Resources
Beyond official support, community resources can be incredibly helpful. These include:
- Forums: Connect with other users, share tips, and get advice.
- Blogs: Both platforms maintain blogs with helpful articles and tutorials.
- Developer Documentation: If you’re customizing your store, good documentation is essential.
I remember one time I was trying to tweak my Shopify theme and got completely lost. The Shopify forums saved me! Someone had already asked the exact same question, and the answer was right there. It’s amazing how much you can learn from other users.
Response Times and Effectiveness
Okay, so they offer support, but how good is it? Response times and the quality of support can vary. Generally, both platforms aim for quick responses, but it depends on the issue and the support channel.
From what I’ve seen, BigCommerce often gets praise for its knowledgeable support staff. They seem to be able to resolve complex issues efficiently. Shopify’s support is generally good too, but some users have reported longer wait times during peak periods. It’s always a good idea to check recent reviews and see what other users are saying about their experiences. You can also request an eCommerce audit to see if your store is optimized for sales.
Final Thoughts on BigCommerce and Shopify
In the end, choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify really comes down to what you need for your store. If you’re running a small shop with a handful of products, Shopify might be the easier route. But if you’re looking to scale up or have a larger inventory, BigCommerce could save you money in the long run with its built-in features and no transaction fees. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, so take a good look at your business goals and budget before making a decision. Remember, it’s not just about the monthly fee; think about the total cost as you grow. Whichever you pick, make sure it fits your vision for your online store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Shopify and BigCommerce?
Both Shopify and BigCommerce let you create an online store to sell products, but they have different features. Shopify relies on apps for extra tools, while BigCommerce has more built-in features.
Is Shopify more affordable than BigCommerce?
At first glance, Shopify may seem cheaper, but when you add up the costs of necessary apps and transaction fees, BigCommerce often ends up being more cost-effective.
Can I manage a large number of products on both platforms?
BigCommerce allows you to manage up to 600 SKUs and unlimited options per product, while Shopify limits you to 100 SKUs and 3 options.
Which platform is better for B2B sales?
BigCommerce has stronger B2B features, like volume pricing and account management. Shopify doesn’t have as many tools specifically for B2B.
How easy is it to set up a store on each platform?
Both platforms are user-friendly, but Shopify is often seen as simpler for beginners. BigCommerce may take a bit more time to learn because of its advanced features.
What kind of customer support do they offer?
Both BigCommerce and Shopify provide various support options, including live chat, email, and phone support. However, user reviews suggest that BigCommerce’s support may be more effective.