Introduction
Embarking on the exciting journey of launching your own online store? Brace yourself for a thrilling showdown as two heavyweight champions step into the ring: Shopify and BigCommerce. These powerhouses of e-commerce offer the tools, flexibility, and style to transform your dream store into a revenue-generating machine. In this epic battle, we'll dissect their features, highlight their unique strengths, and help you decide which platform reigns supreme for your business.
Prepare to be awestruck by the magnificence of Shopify, the trailblazer that has fueled over a million thriving online stores since its inception in 2006. This fully-hosted software solution empowers businesses of all sizes to conquer e-commerce and point-of-sale processes effortlessly. With Shopify, you can embark on your e-commerce adventure without advanced technical know-how, thanks to its intuitive interface and affordable pricing plans starting from just $29 per month. Plus, you can dip your toes into the Shopify experience with a 14-day free trial, no credit card required!
On the other side of the ring, we have BigCommerce, a formidable challenger that emerged in 2009 and swiftly amassed over 60,000 online stores across 120 countries. BigCommerce's cloud-based SaaS platform offers merchants the tools to sell physical and digital products, event tickets, and subscriptions. Seamlessly integrating with popular marketplaces like eBay, Pinterest, Facebook, and Amazon, BigCommerce empowers you to conquer the e-commerce world. Get ready to unleash your business's full potential with BigCommerce's feature-rich arsenal and unleash your products to the world.
Round 1: Pricing Battle
In the world of e-commerce platforms, pricing can make or break your decision. Shopify and BigCommerce understand this, which is why they offer cost-effective plans to fit varying budgets. Both platforms provide a range of plans, with Shopify's prices ranging from $29 to $299 per month and BigCommerce's from $29.95 to $299.95 per month. The good news is, they both offer free trials to let you test the waters without any financial commitment.
However, the true test lies in the realm of additional costs such as transaction and credit card fees. BigCommerce stands tall by charging zero transaction fees on any of its packages. While they do charge credit card fees when using a third-party payment processor, their extensive integration options, including the mighty PayPal, provide flexibility and convenience. Shopify, on the other hand, charges transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 2%, depending on your chosen package. Yet, fear not! By opting for Shopify Payments, you can dodge those transaction fees and streamline your earnings. Both platforms charge a standard 2.9% + 30c per transaction for credit card fees.
Round 2: Design Smackdown
They say first impressions are everything, and that's where the design prowess of Shopify and BigCommerce comes into play. Brace yourself for the visual feast these platforms offer!
Shopify takes the lead with its extensive collection of over a hundred mobile-responsive themes. From elegant and professional designs to industry-specific layouts, Shopify's themes are sure to captivate your audience. If you're feeling adventurous, unleash your creativity by customizing or building your own theme using CSS, HTML, and Shopify's proprietary programming language, Liquid. With themes ranging from $140 to $180, your store will become an eye-catching masterpiece.
While BigCommerce may have a smaller theme library, boasting over 150 Stencil themes with 500 styles and variations, it's no pushover. With ease of editing and user-friendly features, BigCommerce's themes pack a punch. However, it's worth noting that some BigCommerce themes may appear slightly dated, making them less suitable for those who crave constant theme updates. With prices ranging from $150 to $300, BigCommerce themes offer customization options that cater to your unique brand identity.
Round 3: User-Friendliness Duel
In the ring of user-friendliness, Shopify unleashes its user-centric approach to claim victory. With an impeccably clean interface and a sidebar that puts everything at your fingertips, Shopify makes it a breeze to add and update products, create sales, and organize your site content. Their "what you see is what you get" editing tools empower even the least tech-savvy individuals to launch a store within seconds. Shopify's user-friendliness shines through, making it 21% easier to use than its rival.
BigCommerce, while offering an array of advanced features, caters more to experienced developers due to its technical jargon. Beginners might need to overcome a slight learning curve, but once you master BigCommerce, its built-in features unleash a world of customization possibilities. Although it may appear heavier in terms of technicality, it grants you greater control over your store's finer details. Don't worry—BigCommerce guides you every step of the way, ensuring you're never left in the dark.
Round 4: Power-Ups and Extensions
No e-commerce store is complete without power-ups and extensions to supercharge its functionality. Brace yourself as Shopify and BigCommerce unveil their arsenals of add-ons and extensions!
Shopify stands tall with over 4,000 personalization apps at your disposal. From order fulfillment and enhanced search to customer support and SEO, these apps transform your store into a customer magnet. With a mix of in-house and third-party developers, Shopify's app store offers a wide range of options, with many free apps and premium ones costing between $15 and $50 per month. Your store will be a force to be reckoned with.
BigCommerce may have a smaller app store, but it still packs a punch with over 900 integrations spanning 20 categories. Covering everything from marketing to analytics, these extensions enhance your store's capabilities and take your business to new heights. While BigCommerce's app store may not be as extensive as Shopify's, its out-of-the-box functionalities are more robust, potentially saving you the need to download separate extensions. BigCommerce extensions range from $20 to $50 per month, ensuring your store is armed with the tools it needs to thrive.
Round 5: Support Showdown
In the final round, we delve into the realm of customer support, where timely assistance can make or break your e-commerce journey. Both Shopify and BigCommerce equip you with an array of customer support tools, ensuring your customers receive a seamless experience.
Shopify's help center boasts a clear and organized layout, offering prompt assistance with helpful prompts that redirect you to relevant pages. With a well-rounded support system encompassing live chat, phone support, email support, help center, support forums, and video tutorials, Shopify goes the extra mile to keep you covered. They even extend their support through social media channels, providing an extra layer of engagement.
BigCommerce, while also offering comprehensive customer support tools, falls slightly short when it comes to the layout of their help center. Although still helpful, BigCommerce's sections may appear wider and less specific. Nonetheless, you'll find a wealth of support resources, including live chat, phone support, email support, help center, and video tutorials. While BigCommerce may lack social media support, rest assured they have you covered when it comes to addressing your needs.
The Ultimate Verdict: Which Reigns Supreme?
After an exhilarating battle, the time has come to crown a champion. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer stellar e-commercesolutions, ensuring a premium experience for online merchants. However, the final decision hinges on how each platform handles business growth.
Shopify emerges as the victor if:
- You're just starting your online store.
- You crave greater control over your site's features.
- You yearn for unique themes that captivate your audience.
On the other side of the ring, BigCommerce claims victory if:
- You possess a large inventory and require robust product options.
- Your business already enjoys stable sales, and rapid growth isn't a top priority.
- You desire access to free features without purchasing separate extensions.
Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and BigCommerce rests on your unique business needs and e-commerce goals. While Shopify wins our bout with its unbeatable user-friendliness, extensive app store, and comprehensive customer support, BigCommerce offers unparalleled power and customization for those seeking a heavyweight contender.
Now that you've gained valuable insights into both frameworks, it's time to select the champion that best aligns with your business. Whether you join the Shopify revolution or embark on the BigCommerce journey, FlexyPe is here to support your quest for e-commerce greatness.