When it comes to building an online store, choosing the right ecommerce platform is a critical decision. Two of the most prominent platforms, Shopify and BigCommerce, dominate the market and cater to a wide range of businesses. Shopify boasts over 2 million daily users, while BigCommerce serves around 1 million. The question of which platform to choose often depends on various factors, including the size of your business, the experience you want to offer your customers, and the values of the service providers.

This article dives into the key comparison Shopify vs BigCommerce criteria—usability, features, marketing and sales, logistics, and pricing—to help you determine which platform aligns best with your needs.

Shopify vs BigCommerce: Table Comparison

Feature	Shopify	BigCommerce
User Base	Over 2 million daily users	Around 1 million daily users
Initial Setup	Intuitive signup process; ideal for beginners	Easy signup; offers free additional staff accounts
Ease of Use	Beginner-friendly with tooltips for navigation	Offers more control but has a steeper learning curve
Support	24/7 support; free resources via Shopify Learn	24/7 support; BigCommerce Academy requires payment for courses
Themes	105 mobile-responsive themes (11 free)	286 themes (15 free)
Customization	Greater flexibility in content block types	Standard customization options
Plugins & Integrations	Over 8,000 plugins available; extensive third-party integrations	Around 1,300 plugins; includes more built-in features
Email Marketing	Free email marketing plugin	Requires third-party integrations
SEO	Good SEO capabilities	Better SEO, thanks to customizable URLs
Sales Channels	Supports social media and marketplace selling; offers proprietary POS hardware	Supports social media and marketplaces; relies on third-party hardware for in-person sales
Logistics	Offers robust logistics features	Provides reliable shipping integrations
Pricing	Requires additional apps for advanced features, potentially increasing costs	Built-in features reduce dependency on external apps, potentially lowering total costs

Shopify vs BigCommerce Usability

Initial Setup

Both Shopify and BigCommerce provide a streamlined and user-friendly signup process. This makes it easy for entrepreneurs to get started, even with minimal technical expertise. Shopify stands out with its slightly more intuitive setup process, guiding users seamlessly through the initial steps. However, BigCommerce offers an edge by allowing additional staff accounts for free during the setup phase, which is particularly beneficial for collaborative teams.

Ease of Use

Shopify shines in terms of user-friendliness, particularly for beginners. Its interface is clean, and the platform includes helpful tooltips for navigating various features. This simplicity is a major advantage for users who are new to ecommerce. BigCommerce, on the other hand, provides more control and advanced options, which may appeal to experienced users. However, this comes with a steeper learning curve, potentially slowing down the onboarding process for those unfamiliar with the platform.

Support

Both platforms excel in customer support, offering 24/7 assistance via live chat, phone, and email. Shopify enhances its support offerings with Shopify Learn, a repository of free educational resources designed to help users make the most of the platform. In contrast, BigCommerce offers its BigCommerce Academy, which requires payment for courses. This difference could be a deciding factor for users looking for cost-effective ways to upskill.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Features

Themes and Customization

The look and feel of an online store play a significant role in creating a compelling customer experience. Shopify offers 105 mobile-responsive themes, 11 of which are free. These themes are designed with usability in mind and support a variety of industries. BigCommerce, meanwhile, provides a larger selection with 286 themes, including 15 free options.

When it comes to theme customization, Shopify leads with its flexible theme builder, which allows users to add a greater variety of content block types. This enables store owners to create unique layouts and provide a tailored shopping experience.

Plugins and Integrations

A robust plugin ecosystem is essential for scaling your online store. Shopify dominates in this area, offering over 8,000 plugins that cater to virtually every aspect of ecommerce. From marketing tools to inventory management, Shopify’s app store provides extensive options to enhance your store’s functionality.

BigCommerce, with just over 1,300 plugins, lags behind in quantity but compensates by including many features natively. For instance, functionalities that require third-party apps on Shopify are often built directly into BigCommerce, reducing reliance on external integrations and potentially lowering costs.

Marketing and Sales

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a cornerstone of ecommerce success, and Shopify and BigCommerce approach this feature differently. Shopify provides a free email marketing plugin, making it easy for users to create and manage campaigns without additional costs. BigCommerce, in contrast, requires users to integrate third-party solutions for email marketing, which could complicate the process and increase expenses.

SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic. Both Shopify and BigCommerce allow users to customize key SEO elements such as meta titles, descriptions, and image alt text. However, BigCommerce takes the lead in this category by offering greater flexibility with customizable URLs. This feature enables store owners to create more SEO-friendly link structures, improving search engine rankings.

Sales Channels

Expanding sales channels is vital for reaching more customers. Both Shopify and BigCommerce support selling on popular social media platforms and online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. Shopify has an additional advantage for businesses that sell in-person: it provides its own hardware for point-of-sale (POS) systems. BigCommerce users must rely on third-party hardware solutions for in-person transactions, which could complicate logistics.

Logistics

Both platforms offer a variety of features to streamline order fulfillment and logistics. While the specifics were not detailed, Shopify and BigCommerce are known for their reliable shipping integrations and tools to manage inventory. Choosing between them in this area would likely depend on how well their respective logistics features align with your operational needs.

Pricing and Payments

The cost structure of ecommerce platforms is often a decisive factor for businesses. While exact pricing details were not discussed, it’s important to note that Shopify and BigCommerce have different pricing models that cater to varying budgets and needs. Shopify’s extensive plugin ecosystem might incur additional costs for third-party apps, whereas BigCommerce’s built-in features could provide a more cost-effective solution for certain users. Evaluating the total cost of ownership, including subscription fees, app costs, and payment processing fees, is essential when deciding between the two platforms.

Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which Suits Your Business?

Choosing between Shopify and BigCommerce is not just about comparing features—it’s about understanding which platform fits your specific business needs.

Small Businesses and Startups

If you’re running a small business or a startup with limited technical expertise, Shopify is likely the better choice. Its beginner-friendly interface, intuitive setup process, and extensive support resources make it easy to get started. Additionally, Shopify’s vast app ecosystem allows you to quickly add features as your business grows.

Medium to Large Enterprises

For medium to large businesses with more complex needs, BigCommerce may be the better option. Its built-in features reduce reliance on third-party integrations, providing a more cohesive experience for managing your store. BigCommerce’s advanced SEO capabilities, such as customizable URLs, can also give larger businesses an edge in competitive markets.

Businesses Relying on In-Person Sales

Shopify is the clear winner for businesses that also operate physical stores. Its proprietary POS hardware integrates seamlessly with its platform, providing a unified solution for online and in-person sales. While BigCommerce supports POS functionality, it relies on third-party hardware, which might not offer the same level of integration.

Budget-Conscious Businesses

If cost efficiency is a primary concern, BigCommerce’s built-in features could help you save on app expenses. While Shopify has a larger app marketplace, many of its advanced functionalities require third-party plugins, which can increase overall costs.

SEO-Focused Businesses

BigCommerce is the better option for businesses that prioritize search engine optimization. Its flexibility with customizable URLs and other native SEO features make it a stronger platform for improving organic search rankings.

Businesses Looking for Flexibility and Scalability

Both platforms support growth, but Shopify’s extensive app integrations and large developer community make it a more flexible option for scaling businesses. If you anticipate needing specialized tools or custom functionality as your store grows, Shopify’s ecosystem will likely better accommodate your needs.

Conclusion

The choice between Shopify and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your specific business requirements.

• Shopify: This platform is ideal for beginners and those who value an extensive app ecosystem. Its user-friendly interface, intuitive signup process, and helpful educational resources make it a top choice for new entrepreneurs. Additionally, Shopify’s proprietary POS hardware is a great advantage for businesses looking to integrate in-person sales with their online operations.
  
• BigCommerce: If you prioritize built-in features and advanced SEO capabilities, BigCommerce is the better option. Its larger selection of free themes, customizable URLs, and reduced dependency on third-party integrations make it an attractive choice for more experienced users or those aiming for long-term scalability.

Both platforms are powerful tools for ecommerce success. You can select the platform that best aligns with your vision and objectives by carefully assessing your business size, customer experience goals, and operational values.

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