Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which Platform Reigns Supreme?

Choosing the right platform for your online business can make a big difference. Two of the most popular options are Shopify and BigCommerce. In this guide, we will explore the features, pricing structures, SEO, marketing tools, customer support and determine which ones reigns supreme.

Understanding eCommerce Platforms

eCommerce platforms have revolutionized the way individuals and businesses conduct online transactions. Among the many platforms available, two popular options are Shopify and BigCommerce. These platforms offer a range of features and tools that empower sellers to create and manage their online stores effectively.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that has gained immense popularity in recent years. It provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features to help sellers showcase their products effectively. With Shopify, users can easily set up their online stores, manage inventory, process payments, and track orders.

They following are Shopify’s key advantages: 

• Shopify offers a drag-and-drop website builder for a visually appealing website.
• Customizable themes to create a unique online store.
• A comprehensive set of tools to help sellers advertise their products.
• Search engine optimization (SEO) features and full social media integration.
• Lastly, merchants can enhance their Shopify store by integrating various apps to the website, such as customer support and inventory management.

What is BigCommerce?

Similar to Shopify, BigCommerce is a robust e-commerce platform that enables users to build their online stores. It provides powerful tools and customizable themes to create visually appealing websites.

The following are key features to BigCommerce: 

• It provides built-in SEO features to improve the site’s visibility.
• Offers marketing tools, such as email marketing and social media integration.
• The platform can accommodate businesses of all sizes and can cater to high volumes of traffic and transactions 
• It has flexible pricing plans
• Offering secure payment gateways and supporting multiple currencies, this platform makes it easier for the merchant to cater to a global customer base.
• Finally, BigCommerce offers a range of popular third-party apps and services to assist with accounting and shipping solutions.

Both Shopify and BigCommerce are powerful eCommerce platforms that provide sellers with the necessary tools to create and manage their online stores effectively. Whether you choose Shopify or BigCommerce, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. 

Features Comparison

Now that we have a good understanding of both platforms, let’s compare their features to see how they stack up against each other.

Before we dive into the comparison, it’s important to note that both Shopify and BigCommerce are powerful eCommerce platforms that have their own strengths and weaknesses. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.

User Interface and Ease of Use

When it comes to user experience, Shopify takes the lead. Its intuitive interface and user-friendly design make it a breeze to set up and manage an online store. The platform provides a step-by-step guide that walks users through the entire process of building their store, from choosing a template to adding products and configuring payment options. Shopify’s interface is clean, organized, and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for beginners.

On the other hand, BigCommerce, although not as user-friendly as Shopify, still offers a relatively straightforward interface. It may take a bit more time for users to get familiar with the platform, but once they do, they can easily manage their store and make necessary changes.

BigCommerce provides a comprehensive dashboard that gives users access to all the tools and features they need to run their online business.

Both platforms provide drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users to customize their websites without any coding knowledge. This feature allows users to easily rearrange elements on their pages, add new sections, and customize the look and feel of their online stores.

Customization Capabilities

When it comes to customization, BigCommerce emerges as the winner. It offers more flexibility in terms of design and layout, allowing users to create unique and visually stunning online stores. BigCommerce provides a wide range of customizable themes and templates, giving users the freedom to create a store that reflects their brand identity. Additionally, BigCommerce allows users to access and modify the platform’s HTML and CSS code, giving them even more control over the appearance of their store.

Shopify, on the other hand, has a more limited range of customization options. While it does offer a variety of themes and templates to choose from, the level of customization is not as extensive as that of BigCommerce. However, Shopify makes up for this by providing a user-friendly interface and a wide range of apps and integrations that allow users to enhance their store’s functionality.

Payment and Shipping Options

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a variety of payment gateways to cater to global customers. They support popular payment providers such as PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net, allowing users to accept payments from customers around the world. Additionally, both platforms provide built-in shipping integrations with popular carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS, making it convenient for sellers to manage their shipping processes.

Shopify offers its own payment gateway called Shopify Payments, which provides a seamless and secure payment experience for customers. The platform also allows users to integrate with third-party payment gateways if they prefer. BigCommerce, on the other hand, does not have its own payment gateway but supports a wide range of third-party options.

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust features and capabilities for building and managing an online store. Shopify excels in terms of user interface and ease of use, while BigCommerce shines in terms of customization options. Ultimately, the choice between the two platforms depends on your specific needs, preferences, and level of technical expertise.

Pricing Structures

Now, let’s take a closer look at the pricing plans offered by both platforms.

Shopify Pricing Plans

Shopify offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate businesses of all sizes. Their plans start from $29 per month for the Basic Shopify plan and go up to $299 per month for the Advanced Shopify plan. They also have a Shopify Plus plan for enterprise-level businesses.

BigCommerce Pricing Plans

Similarly, BigCommerce offers various pricing plans to suit different business needs. Their plans start from $29.95 per month for the Standard plan and go up to $299.95 per month for the Pro plan. Additionally, they have an Enterprise plan with customizable pricing for large-scale businesses.

SEO and Marketing Tools

When it comes to driving traffic and increasing sales, SEO and marketing tools play a crucial role. Let’s see what Shopify and BigCommerce have to offer in this aspect.

Shopify’s SEO and Marketing Features

Shopify provides a range of built-in SEO features, including customizable title tags, meta descriptions, and URL structures. It also offers various marketing tools such as email marketing integrations, social media integration, and discount code functionality.

BigCommerce’s SEO and Marketing Features

BigCommerce offers similar SEO features to Shopify, allowing users to optimize their websites for search engines. Additionally, it provides advanced marketing tools like built-in blogging capabilities, abandoned cart recovery, and integration with popular advertising platforms.

Customer Support and Resources

A reliable customer support system is essential for any e-commerce platform. Let’s explore how Shopify and BigCommerce fare in this department.

Shopify’s Support System

Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email. They also have an extensive knowledge base and a community forum where users can find answers to common questions.

BigCommerce’s Support System

BigCommerce provides 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, phone, and email. They also offer an online community forum and a vast library of resources to assist users with any queries or issues they may encounter.

After carefully evaluating the features, pricing structures, SEO and marketing tools, and customer support offered by both Shopify and BigCommerce, it is safe to say that choosing between the two requires considering your specific business needs.

Shopify’s user-friendly interface, ease of use, and extensive range of apps make it an excellent choice for beginners and small to medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, BigCommerce’s robust customization capabilities and advanced marketing tools make it ideal for businesses looking for greater flexibility and scalability.

In the end, the ultimate winner depends on the unique requirements and goals of your e-commerce venture. So, take your time, analyze your business needs, and make an informed decision for a successful online journey!