BigCommerce vs. Shopify: Choosing the Right eCommerce Platform

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is crucial for the success of your online business. Both BigCommerce and Shopify are leading contenders in the market, each offering unique features and benefits. This comparison will help you determine which platform suits your business needs.

Ease of Use

Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface, Shopify simplifies the process of setting up and managing an online store. Its intuitive design is ideal for beginners and non-technical users.

BigCommerce: While BigCommerce also offers a user-friendly experience, it can be slightly more complex for beginners due to its feature-rich platform.

Winner: Shopify – Ideal for users seeking simplicity and ease of use.

Themes and Design

Shopify: Offers over 100 themes (both free and paid) that are visually appealing, mobile-responsive, and customizable. Its drag-and-drop editor allows easy design modifications.

BigCommerce: Provides fewer themes compared to Shopify but compensates with advanced customization options for developers.

Winner: Shopify – A better choice for non-developers who prioritize variety and design flexibility.

Features and Functionality

Shopify: Includes essential eCommerce tools like abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel selling (e.g., social media, marketplaces), and extensive app integrations.

BigCommerce: Offers built-in features like advanced SEO tools, multi-currency support, and flexible product options. It reduces the need for third-party apps, which can lower overall costs.

Winner: BigCommerce – More robust out-of-the-box features for larger or more complex stores.

Pricing and Transaction Fees

Shopify: Pricing starts at $39/month. Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments.

BigCommerce: Pricing starts at $29.95/month and doesn’t charge transaction fees, regardless of the payment gateway.

Winner: BigCommerce – More cost-effective for businesses with higher transaction volumes or those preferring external payment gateways.

Scalability

Shopify: Scales well for businesses of all sizes, with advanced plans and Shopify Plus for enterprise solutions.

BigCommerce: Excels in scalability, particularly for larger businesses requiring advanced functionalities like extensive API capabilities and complex catalogs.

Winner: BigCommerce – Slightly ahead for enterprise-level scalability.

App Ecosystem

Shopify: Boasts an extensive app store with over 8,000 integrations for marketing, analytics, shipping, and more.

BigCommerce: Has a smaller app marketplace but compensates with built-in features that reduce dependency on third-party apps.

Winner: Shopify – Greater app variety and flexibility.

SEO and Marketing

Shopify: Provides basic SEO tools, marketing integrations, and email campaign capabilities.

BigCommerce: Offers more advanced SEO features, such as editable URL structures and automatic sitemaps, out of the box.

Winner: BigCommerce – Better suited for businesses focusing heavily on organic traffic.

Support

Shopify: Offers 24/7 customer support via chat, email, and phone, along with a comprehensive help center.

BigCommerce: Also provides 24/7 support but is known for offering more in-depth assistance for technical issues.

Winner: Tie – Both platforms deliver excellent customer support.

Customization

Shopify: Customization is easier for beginners but may require apps or developers for advanced features.

BigCommerce: Provides more built-in flexibility and advanced customization options for developers.

Winner: BigCommerce – More suited for businesses needing extensive customization.

Payment Gateways

Shopify: Supports over 100 payment gateways, but transaction fees apply unless Shopify Payments is used.

BigCommerce: Supports over 65 gateways without imposing additional fees.

Winner: BigCommerce – No transaction fees and ample gateway options.

Multi-Channel Selling

Shopify: Excels in multi-channel selling, integrating seamlessly with Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and Instagram.

BigCommerce: Also supports multi-channel selling but requires more manual configuration.

Winner: Shopify – Easier integration for multi-channel sales.

Conclusion

Both platforms are powerful in their own right. Shopify is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and those seeking a user-friendly, design-focused platform. BigCommerce, on the other hand, is better suited for larger or more complex businesses that require advanced features and scalability.