BigCommerce and Shopify are some of the hottest eCommerce platforms on the market. Millions of businesses leverage both platforms’ comprehensive suite of capabilities to create and manage their online stores. ECommerce is here to stay, and it’s crucial to understand the importance of eCommerce platforms for driving brand growth, online. When comparing BigCommerce and Shopify, you’ll find their differences may seem meager, but, in reality, there are a few key differences that may have significant effects. Brands are like snowflakes: no two are exactly alike. Both Shopify & BigCommerce are the crème de la crème of eCommerce platforms, but one may be more tailored to your brand’s unique needs. Let’s dig into the pros and cons, costs, and applicability of each platform below.
About bigcommerce
BigCommerce is a fully-hosted, SaaS, eCommerce platform that enables users to sell products online. BigCommerce was founded by Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper in Sydney Australia in 2009. It was initially created as Interspire, which later evolved into the eCommerce powerhouse we know today. BigCommerce employs over 1300 people and enjoyed over $220 million in revenue in 2021. With such an impressive market share and rich roots, it’s no wonder businesses of all sizes choose BigCommerce for their eCommerce hosting needs.
BigCommerce Pros
- Ideal for multi-currency payments
- Advanced Design Functionalities
- Real-Time Carrier Shipping Quotes
- No Transaction Fees
- More Built-in Features
- Free SSL Certificates
- More SKU Variants
- 55 Pre-Integrated Payment Options
BigCommerce Cons
- Requires More Technical Expertise
- Fewer Free Themes to Choose From
- Fewer App Integrations Available
- Limited DropShipping Functionalities
- Less Comprehensive Customer Support
What is the cost of bigcommerce?
BigCommerce offers tiered pricing plans, from standard to enterprise. These plans run from around $30 to $3,000, based on scope and complexity. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees for products bought through its platform. BigCommerce is ideal for businesses that forecast substantial growth. When you hit certain sales numbers, BigCommerce requires you to upgrade your plan. While this may seem like an annoyance, it actually ensures you have the features needed to serve your growing customer base.
Additional Costs
There are a few additional costs to consider when using BigCommerce as your eCommerce platform:
Domain Name- You will have to purchase your domain name from a 3rd party provider. Domain names are typically inexpensive and can be renewed annually.
Themes- BigCommerce has free themes for store owners to choose from, but many brands can benefit from purchasing premium themes. Themes control the layout of a page and based on your service or product, may benefit from more text or image-heavy designs, use of textures/backgrounds, or expanded ordering/delivery instructions. Balancing your page requires the right layouts, and your theme can help convert sales. Most themes generally cost anywhere from $150 to $300, but this is a one-time payment and the theme can be used as long as it’s needed.
Processing Fees- While BigCommerce doesn’t charge any transaction fees, it does charge a 2.9% credit card processing fee as well as $0.30 per order.
About Shopify
Shopify is a SaaS, eCommerce platform designed to enable small businesses to build, brand, and sell products online. It was founded in Ontario, Canada by Tobias Lutke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake in 2006. Shopify employs over 10,000 people and had a staggering revenue of over 4.6 billion dollars in 2021 alone. With innovative tools and staggering reach, it’s no wonder that over 1.7 million companies across the world employ Shopify for selling products online.
Shopify Pros
- User-friendly Interface
- 7,000+ App Integrations
- Low Cost of Entry for Start Ups
- Modern Dashboard
- Better Customer Support
- Free SSL Certificates
- Ideal for Dropshipping
Shopify Cons
- Limited Free Themes
- Less Built-in Functionalities
- Transaction Fees for Third-Party Payment Processors
- Third-Party Real Time Shipping Rates Limited to Advanced Members
- Less-Customizable and Scalable
What is the cost of shopify?
Shopify offers tiered plans and pricing. Plans start as low as $9 a month and go up to $2,000 a month, depending on which specific features and functionalities your online storefront requires. Shopify puts advanced technologies in the hands of business owners, no matter where they are in the business life cycle. No matter which Shopify tier you select, you will receive 24/7 support, POS capabilities, access to sales channels, and the ability to build your own online store.
Additional Costs
There are a few additional costs associated with using Shopify as your eCommerce platform:
PlugIns- PlugIns allow you to expand the functionality of your website. Premium PlugIns can vary widely in price.
Domain Names: You must purchase your domain name from a third-party provider. Domain names can be extremely cheap (around $10 a year) or a hefty investment of thousands of dollars a year.
Themes: Shopify offers many free themes to choose from, but many brands choose to purchase premium themes or hire developers to custom-code themes for their storefronts. There are a variety of benefits to investing in custom-coded themes. Premium themes typically run anywhere from $100-$300 depending on the desired attributes.
Which platform is right for me?
Now that you’ve got the Shopify and BigCommerce know-how, it’s time to decide which platform is best suited for your brand. Here are some things to consider when making this difficult decision.
- Business Size- All in all, both eCommerce platforms are great options for building and hosting your online store. BigCommerce is generally better suited for large businesses with vast arrays of products, while Shopify is better for start-ups, boutiques, and dropshipping.
- Ease of Use- Shopify is generally considered to have an easy learning curve, while BigCommerce requires more technical expertise.
- Price- We’ve dug into specific pricing models above. Both offer tiered pricing models with scalable features, but BigCommerce charges no transaction fees while Shopify charges transaction fees if you use a third party payment processor.
work with us
Whether you decide to leverage BigCommerce or Shopify for your eCommerce efforts, building, optimizing, and managing an eCommerce website can be draining. Evolving capabilities of the internet have changed the way we do business. Ambitious eCommerce businesses should consider hiring an eCommerce agency to properly leverage data, create custom storefronts, and provide an unparalleled customer experience. These benefits can assist in bridging the gap from awareness to conversion. We know how to differentiate your eCommerce brand. If you are on the fence about choosing an agency or need guidance on how to configure/manage your eCommerce site, we can help!
Fahrenheit Marketing is a highly-skilled digital agency in Austin, Texas. Our developers are Shopify and BigCommerce aficionados who can deliver custom solutions for your eCommerce needs. Let’s Chat. Reach out to our friendly team of exceptional marketers today!