BigCommerce vs. Shopify: Which One is Better for Your Business?
When it comes to ecommerce, choosing the right platform can make all the difference in the world. BigCommerce and Shopify are two of the most popular cloud hosting services available, both with their own unique set of features and benefits. But which one is the best fit for your business? Let's compare them side by side.
Plans and Pricing
One of the most important considerations in choosing an ecommerce platform is pricing. Here's what you can expect from BigCommerce and Shopify's pricing plans:
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BigCommerce: BigCommerce has three main pricing tiers: Standard, Plus, and Pro. The Standard plan starts at $29.95 per month, Plus starts at $79.95, and Pro starts at $299.95 per month. Each tier includes varying levels of support, features, and sales thresholds.
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Shopify: Shopify also has three main pricing plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. Basic Shopify starts at $29 per month, Shopify starts at $79 per month, and Advanced Shopify starts at $299 per month. The plans offer varying levels of support, transaction fees, and shipping discounts, and more.
Ease of Use and Customization
Another important factor for ecommerce platform is how easy it is to use and customize. Many small business owners do not possess advanced web development skills.
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BigCommerce: BigCommerce offers a drag-and-drop website builder that's easy to use for beginners, while also offering more advanced features for experienced business people. The platform also boasts over 100 pre-built templates and a growing library of third-party apps to choose from.
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Shopify: Shopify uses an intuitive and easy to navigate interface for its platform. The platform also offers a wide range of pre-designed templates to begin with, giving businesses some flexibility when it comes to design. Shopify also has a range of customization options available, such as custom themes, plugins, and widgets.
Features and Integrations
Both BigCommerce and Shopify have an extensive range of features and integrations.
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BigCommerce: BigCommerce boasts market-leading features such as native POS integrations and an e-commerce analytics dashboard. In addition, the platform offers over 600 integrations with apps and services such as Mailchimp, Hubspot, Adobe, and more.
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Shopify: Like BigCommerce, Shopify offers a broad range of features and integrations. Some key features include automated order fulfillment, abandoned cart recovery, and the ability to sell digital products. Shopify also offers seamless integrations with third-party services such as Facebook, Quickbooks, and more.
Support and Resources
Both platforms have excellent customer support and resources, essential for businesses that may experience technical issues.
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BigCommerce: BigCommerce offers customer support through email, phone, and live chat support. In addition, the platform boasts a broad range of educational resources such as webinars, tutorials, and user guides.
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Shopify: Shopify provides excellent customer support through live chat, email, and phone. Additionally, the platform offers an extensive knowledge base, online forums, and Shopify Academy, a hub containing a broad range of educational resources for online store owners.
Conclusion
Take into account what your business needs before deciding on which eCommerce platform to choose. As a business owner, find a platform that fits your plans and budget. Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer an extensive range of features suitable for any business. Ultimately, understanding the unique features of each platform can be a key factor in selecting the right one for your business.