A Tale of Two E-Commerce Platforms: Shopify vs. BigCommerce

When it comes to establishing a thriving online store, the choice of the right e-commerce platform can make all the difference. Shopify and BigCommerce, two titans in the industry, are at the forefront of empowering entrepreneurs to reach their digital business goals. 

In this blog, we look at these platforms in-depth, comparing their features, performance, and versatility.

Unraveling the Distinction

Get ready to uncover the crucial insights!

Shopify

• E-commerce powerhouse is known for its user-friendly interface.
• Robust app store with a wide range of extensions for added functionality.
• Seamless integration with multiple payment gateways, simplifying transactions.
• Mobile-responsive designs ensure a smooth shopping experience across devices.
• Excellent customer support and resources for merchants.
• Ideal for beginners and small to medium-sized businesses.

Pros:	Cons:
Easy to set up and manage, making it accessible for beginners. Offers a wide variety of apps and plugins to enhance functionality. Shopify takes care of hosting and security updates. Ensures a seamless shopping experience for mobile users. Provides assistance whenever merchants need help. Integrated features simplify dropshipping operations.	Additional fees for using external payment gateways can add up. Themes and designs might be less flexible compared to other platforms. Some apps and extensions can be costly, affecting overall expenses. Access to certain advanced features requires higher pricing plans. Not as focused on B2B features compared to BigCommerce.

BigCommerce

• Scalable platform suitable for businesses of all sizes, including enterprise-level.
• Advanced built-in features, reducing the reliance on third-party apps.
• Customization options allowing unique store designs and branding.
• Comprehensive SEO tools to boost online visibility and attract customers.
• Strong focus on B2B capabilities, catering to wholesale and bulk selling.
• Great performance and reliability, handling high traffic volumes with ease.

Pros:	Cons:
Suitable for businesses of all sizes, including large enterprises. Offers comprehensive tools, reducing the need for third-party apps. Allows extensive control over the store’s design and layout. Provides built-in tools to improve search engine visibility. Focuses on catering to wholesale and bulk selling. Handles high-traffic loads efficiently.	Additional fees for using external payment gateways can add up. Themes and designs might be less flexible compared to other platforms. Some apps and extensions can be costly, affecting overall expenses. Access to certain advanced features requires higher pricing plans. Not as focused on B2B features compared to BigCommerce.

Comparison Table

Factor	Shopify	BigCommerce
Customization	Themes and apps for flexibility	Robust built-in features and control
Scalability	Ideal for small to medium-sized	Suitable for businesses of all sizes
Target Audience	Beginners and SMEs	Versatile, including large enterprises
Branding and Control	Some customization restrictions	Offers more control over store design
Fees and Pricing	Additional transaction fees	Transaction fees might apply
Marketing and Discoverability	Extensive marketing resources	Strong focus on SEO and visibility
Support and Community	24/7 customer support	Good support options
Integration with 3rd-party apps	Wide app store	Comprehensive built-in tools
Payment Gateway Options	Multiple gateways supported	Multiple payment options available
Inventory Management	Efficient inventory control	Robust inventory management features
Mobile Commerce	Mobile-responsive design	Mobile-friendly experience
Shipping and Fulfillment	Multiple shipping integrations	Efficient shipping and fulfillment
Analytics and Reporting	Detailed reporting capabilities	Strong analytics and insights
Multi-Channel Selling	Easily sell across channels	Supports selling on various channels
Security and Data Protection	SSL encryption and security	Focus on data security measures
Accessibility and Ease of Use	User-friendly interface	May have a steeper learning curve

Comparing Key Aspects: Shopify vs. BigCommerce

Ease of Use:

• Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface and simple setup process, making it accessible for beginners with little technical knowledge.
• BigCommerce: Generally more complex compared to Shopify, with a steeper learning curve, but offers extensive features for experienced users.

Reliability of Platform:

• Shopify: Hosted solution with reliable uptime and automatic updates, ensuring a stable and secure environment for online stores.
• BigCommerce: Also a hosted platform with a strong reputation for reliability and performance, handling high traffic volumes effectively.

Design Flexibility:

• Shopify: Offers a wide range of themes and apps for customization, although some themes may have limited flexibility.
• BigCommerce: Provides robust built-in features and more control over store design, allowing extensive customization options.

Subscription Fees:

Shopify:

• Basic plan: $29 per month
• Shopify plan: $79 per month
• Advanced plan: $299 per month
• Shopify Lite: $9 per month (to add a ‘buy’ button on an existing website)

BigCommerce: 

• Standard: $29 per month (billed annually) 
• Plus: $79 per month (billed annually)
• Pro: $299 per month (billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing

Store Customization:

• Shopify: Themes and apps can be used to customize the store’s appearance and functionality, but deep customizations might require coding knowledge.
• BigCommerce: Empowers users with greater control over store design, offering flexibility without necessarily needing coding expertise.

Number of Users:

• Shopify: Currently, 4,286,692 live websites and 1,437,955 domains point to sites within this list.
• BigCommerce: 45,310 currently live websites and 89,443 domains. 

E-commerce Tools Availability:

• Shopify: Extensive app store with a wide range of apps and plugins for various e-commerce needs, expanding the platform’s capabilities.
• BigCommerce: Comes with built-in features catering to many e-commerce requirements, reducing the reliance on third-party apps.

Payment Gateway Integration:

• Shopify: Supports multiple payment gateways, giving customers various payment options, but transaction fees may apply for external gateways.
• BigCommerce: Various payment gateway options, ensuring seamless transactions for customers and merchants.

Help and Support System:

• Shopify: Provides 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, email, and phone, ensuring prompt assistance.
• BigCommerce: Offers good support options, though not 24/7, with access to help centers, community forums, and support tickets.

Conclusion

Shopify and BigCommerce stand as strong contenders in the competitive e-commerce landscape. Each platform has its unique strengths and caters to different business requirements. 

Shopify excels in user-friendliness and app integrations, making it an ideal choice for beginners and small to medium-sized enterprises. On the other hand, BigCommerce’s robust built-in features and scalability appeal to larger businesses and those seeking greater control over customization.

Partner with WebSpero Solutions – your reliable Shopify development experts.

Contact WebSpero Solutions to elevate your e-commerce business! 

Whether you opt for the simplicity of Shopify or the flexibility of BigCommerce, the key is to choose the platform that aligns with your goals and objectives.

FAQs:

Q: Which platform is better for beginners?

A: Shopify is more beginner-friendly with its intuitive interface and easy setup.

Q: Can I customize my store design extensively?

A: Yes, both platforms offer customization options; BigCommerce provides more control over design.

Q: Are there transaction fees for accepting payments?

A: Yes, both platforms may have transaction fees based on the chosen payment gateway.

Q: Which platform is more suitable for large enterprises?

A: BigCommerce is better suited for larger businesses due to its scalability and advanced features.

Q: Do these platforms offer built-in e-commerce tools?

A: Yes, both platforms provide various built-in features to facilitate e-commerce operations.

Q: Are there limitations on the number of products I can list?

A: Both platforms support unlimited product listings on higher-tier plans.

Q: Which platform has better SEO capabilities?

A: BigCommerce focuses more on SEO tools, enhancing search engine visibility.

Q: What kind of customer support do these platforms offer?

A: Shopify offers 24/7 customer support, while BigCommerce provides various support options.