What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is one of the fastest-growing companies in the eCommerce software market. From small businesses launching new online stores to well-known corporations like Toyota, Bliss, and DressUp, the company caters to a wide range of businesses.
What is Shopify?
Shopify, established in 2006, is an all-in-one commerce platform with all the functionality required to run a flourishing online business. It manages both the point of sale and eCommerce sides of the operation, and you can start without being an expert.
BigCommerce vs. Shopify: Comparison
There are roughly 1 lakh Shopify stores, of which 60,000 are in Asia, and the platform is on track to cross $1.5 billion in revenue this year. BigCommerce, by contrast, has around 50,000 online stores on the web. Both platforms are fantastic, but there are key differences that make one more appropriate for particular use cases. Some assessments rate Shopify as the best platform, but BigCommerce holds its own.
Pricing
One of the first questions prospective customers ask is how much each platform costs. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer free trials and price plans ranging from $29 to $299 per month. There are several pricing distinctions worth noting at each tier.
Theme and Design
Shopify offers spectacular, modern themes built by technically strong designers, delivering a sophisticated and fresh look. These themes are premium and range from $80 to $180. Since it's a one-time investment, the spend can be worthwhile to keep visitors engaged.
BigCommerce claims over 100 free themes, but on the official site many are not surfaced cleanly. It has 28 newer mobile-friendly themes priced between $120 and $250, alongside other paid options.
eCommerce Tools
Shopify has advanced tools for managing and producing e-stores, along with app store facilities for live chat, product recommendations, and reviews. Paid tools are free to test for a trial period. The shopping cart includes Shopify Payments, an in-built gateway that removes the need for a third-party processor.
BigCommerce provides built-in tools available across its monthly premium packages. A strong collection of advanced tools can be added at extra cost. One advantage is that BigCommerce doesn't require external apps to use core tools.
Support
Shopify has a support team available 24/7 via email, live chat, and phone, with a consistent track record.
BigCommerce also provides 24/7 support across the same channels.
Experts
Shopify is backed by a network of dedicated technical experts who handle user queries. Shopify pairs you with experts based on geography, and these experts can set up an e-store from scratch for around $500.
BigCommerce has fewer support experts compared to Shopify. Expert rates are not fixed, so quotes vary, which can make selection trickier.
The Credibility of E-Store Builders
Paying customers: Shopify has more than 1 lakh satisfied paying customers, whereas BigCommerce has 50,000+.
Theme quality and quantity: Shopify is considered best in class for both, offering over 100 modern premium and free themes that are previewable without signing up. BigCommerce has 100+ themes, but many are older.
Shopify's free trial period is 14 days, while BigCommerce offers 15 days.
Marketing
BigCommerce takes a solid approach to advertising and email marketing. You can sync store data with services like NotifyVisitors, MailChimp, G Suite, and other tools. BigCommerce also includes capabilities aligned with SEO best practices, so every site meets industry standards.
Shopify Email gives you built-in tools to develop client relationships. Pick from pre-made templates, manage marketing from your dashboard, and measure performance in one place. Shopify's SEO supports on-page optimisation with a simple interface for setting title tags and meta descriptions, plus easy 301-redirect handling.
Apps and Scalability
BigCommerce hosts an app store with over 1,000 apps spanning Accounting and Tax, Checkout, Payment and Security, and more. BigCommerce also ships with most of the capabilities a store needs, making it one of the most scalable platforms on the market.
Shopify has over 4,000 apps, the largest app store in eCommerce. You can browse top new apps, trending apps, and category-specific tools. Shopify Plus serves over 10,000 of the world's best-known brands, including Rothy's, Heinz, and Allbirds, making scalability a strong suit for both platforms.
Payment Gateways
BigCommerce lacks a built-in payment processor. Sellers integrate with one of 65 pre-integrated payment gateways including Amazon Pay, PayPal, Square, and Stripe. Notable features include:
- Zero platform transaction fees
- PCI compliance
- Mobile-optimised checkout
Shopify Payments is the internal payment processor for Shopify sellers. Payments are taken at checkout and transferred to the store owner. Fraud analysis is bundled in to flag suspicious activity. Benefits include:
- Fast setup and approval
- Native integration with Shopify
- No additional transaction fees
Conclusion
If you have any requirements related to Shopify development services, feel free to contact Dcrayons. Our expert professionals stay up to date with all advancements and are ready to deliver the best solution for your store. See our case studies to understand our work.
