BigCommerce and Shopify stand out as remarkably versatile and robust e-commerce website builders, providing many features for potential store owners. So, which e-commerce platform will serve as the backbone of your venture?

This article aims to compare both platforms and help you make an informed decision for a thriving online presence. Dive into it!

Overview

Which platform is easier to use?

BigCommerce and Shopify employ a user-friendly content management system featuring a contemporary dashboard and an uncomplicated website editor.

Shopify is beginner-friendly, making it easy for users with little technical knowledge to build and manage an online store. It provides a range of customizable templates, a drag-and-drop editor, and a variety of apps to enhance functionality.

Using Shopify makes the process of listing new products a breeze. You must complete a straightforward form for each product you want to sell. Plus, there’s no shortage of handy hints to guide you, such as valuable insights on setting competitive prices for your items.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, is also user-friendly but has a slightly steeper learning curve compared to Shopify. It offers a robust set of features out of the box, making it suitable for businesses with more complex requirements. BigCommerce provides advanced customization options and flexibility, allowing users more control over their online store. Its drag-and-drop builder is even more flexible in design than Shopify. Simply choose a page element you like and insert it wherever you want.

Despite the absence of this feature in Shopify, a newly introduced function is gaining popularity among users: AI Product Descriptions with Shopify Magic. By providing basic words like “t-shirt, white, medium,” users can generate product descriptions, even adjusting the tone of voice from playful to serious.

However, if you want the most user-friendly platform, we recommend Shopify. While BigCommerce offers more scalability in features, it may be less suitable for beginners.

Which platform has a better design?

Shopify provides a selection of 105 mobile-responsive themes, with 11 available for free. In comparison, BigCommerce offers 286 mobile-responsive themes, including 15 free options. 

At first glance, BigCommerce provides a greater variety of themes than Shopify. However, these themes are variations of the same layout, merely presented as four distinct templates, which may limit the variety of choices despite the larger number.

In summary, if a business is looking for a platform with a straightforward design process and various pre-designed options, Shopify is an ideal choice. Conversely, BigCommerce suits businesses with specific design requirements that seek more design control and flexibility.

Which platform has better sales & marketing tools?

Both platforms offer essential sales and marketing features, such as:

• Payment flexibility: Supports multiple payment gateways and allows for seamless integration with various payment providers, offers flexibility for customers to pay using their preferred methods.
• Basic shipping tools: Provide shipping options, modify rates based on weight or order value, and generate shipping labels.
• Abandoned cart recovery: Offers automated abandoned cart recovery emails to help recover potential lost sales by reminding customers to complete their purchases.
• An SSL certificate: Supplies Secure Sockets Layer, this certificate safeguards your store, verifying it as a secure environment for processing online payments.
• Promotional tools: Offers advanced promotion features, allowing merchants to create complex discounts, promotions, and gift cards, loyalty programs, and product bundling directly within the platform.
• Multichannel selling: Integrates with popular marketplaces such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, eBay, etc., enabling merchants to broaden their reach and sell on multiple platforms from a centralized dashboard.

Shopify excels in ease of use and has a vast app ecosystem, providing additional flexibility and customization options. Utilizing the diverse range of applications available in the Shopify App Store, including over 3,000 free options, you can tailor Shopify to suit your distinct business requirements. 

Unlike Shopify, which offers many supporting applications, BigCommerce just provides over 1000. However, BigCommerce comes with built-in features right from the start, reducing the necessity for additional installations. So, BigCommerce is suitable for businesses seeking a comprehensive set of e-commerce tools without heavy reliance on third-party apps.

Here are some features that are integrated into BigCommerce but are only available on Shopify through separate apps:

• Ratings and reviews: Allows customers to submit product reviews directly on the site.
• Real-time shipping quotes from third-party carriers: Provide customers with the most accurate and up-to-date shipping information.
• Unlimited staff accounts: Allow access to your site admin for as many staff members as required.

Despite not having many pre-installed apps, Shopify still stands out by providing a versatile and diverse app store. The platform’s dedicated focus on multichannel selling contributes to an enhanced experience for most users.

Which platform has better support & security?

Shopify and BigCommerce are both secure e-commerce platforms, which provide the following basic features:

• 24/7 live chat and phone support
• Help center
• Community forum
• Email support
• Video tutorials

While both platforms provide 24/7 chat support, Shopify has a slight advantage over BigCommerce. Shopify includes helpful prompts throughout its website dashboard that link directly to a relevant page within the Shopify knowledge center. 

Both platforms offer priority support when upgrading to their highest plans. For Shopify, this entails gaining a dedicated support agent with the Shopify Plus plan. With BigCommerce, subscribers to the BigCommerce Enterprise Plan receive an onboarding consultant and enjoy priority treatment when seeking phone support.

You should take into account the following factors:

• Transaction Fees: Shopify charges transaction fees on external payment gateways for lower-tier plans, while BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees aside the subscription cost.
• Features: Both platforms offer a range of features, but the specific features included in each plan may differ. Consider your business requirements and the features offered in each plan.
• Scalability: Both Shopify and BigCommerce are scalable, but your choice may depend on your business’s expected growth trajectory and the corresponding plan features.

Ultimately, when comparing pricing between Shopify and BigCommerce, it’s essential to assess your business size, specific needs, and long-term goals. Consider not only the monthly subscription costs but also any potential transaction fees, as well as the features and support offered at each pricing tier.

Which is better for your e-commerce store?

The choice between Shopify and BigCommerce for your e-commerce store depends on various factors, and there are diverse one-size-fits-all answers. Both platforms are reputable and offer powerful features, but the decision should align with your specific business needs, preferences, and future goals. Consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, pricing, scalability, and the specific features each platform provides.

BigCommerce: Recognized for its design flexibility, built-in features, and scalability, BigCommerce is suitable for businesses that require more control over their online store’s design and functionality. It is often preferred by larger enterprises with specific customization needs.

Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem, Shopify is often favored by businesses focusing on simplicity and ease of use. It’s a strong choice for beginners and those who prioritize a quick setup. 

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Conclusion

To make an informed decision, assess your business requirements, budget constraints, and the level of customization and control you desire. Both platforms have their strengths, so the choice ultimately depends on what aligns best with your unique business objectives.