BigCommerce vs Shopify: Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Key Reasons to Use BigCommerce over Shopify
2.1 More Built-in Selling Tools
2.2 No Transaction Fees
2.3 Automatic Currency Conversion
2.4 More Product Variants
2.5 Easier Custom Data Capture
2.6 Professional Reporting on All Plans
- Key Reasons to Use Shopify over BigCommerce
3.1 Stronger Templates
3.2 Better Tax Calculation Features
3.3 Multilingual Website Building
3.4 Abandoned Cart Saving
3.5 More Apps and Integrations
3.6 Built-in Email Marketing Tool
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction:
In the world of e-commerce, entrepreneurs and business owners often face the dilemma of choosing the right platform to build their online stores. Two leading website-building platforms, BigCommerce and Shopify, have emerged as popular choices. Each platform offers unique features and benefits. In this article, we will compare BigCommerce and Shopify, exploring the key reasons why one might be a better fit for your online store than the other. By the end of this comparison, you'll have a clearer understanding of which platform suits your needs best.
Key Reasons to Use BigCommerce over Shopify:
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More Built-in Selling Tools: BigCommerce provides users with a comprehensive set of built-in selling tools, eliminating the need to invest in external apps or expensive plans. From unlimited staff accounts to Google Shopping product listings, BigCommerce offers a range of essential features that come bundled with its entry-level plan.
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No Transaction Fees: Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees. While Shopify offers a way to avoid transaction fees through its own payment processing tool, Shopify Payments, this option is not available in all countries. With BigCommerce, you can avoid transaction fees altogether.
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Automatic Currency Conversion: Displaying prices in the visitor's local currency can significantly impact sales. BigCommerce automatically converts prices into local currencies based on IP addresses and geolocation. In contrast, Shopify requires users to select their preferred currency from a dropdown menu.
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More Product Variants: BigCommerce allows users to take advantage of a larger number of product variants, enabling offers in various colors, sizes, and shapes. While Shopify limits users to 100 product variants (which can be extended with apps), BigCommerce offers a generous limit of 600.
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Easier Custom Data Capture: BigCommerce simplifies the collection of custom data from customers at the point of purchase. Adding text fields or file upload fields as product options is straightforward. On Shopify, however, customization beyond standard fields requires either coding or a paid app.
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Professional Reporting on All Plans: BigCommerce provides professional reporting features on all its plans. In contrast, Shopify restricts access to reporting tools only on its more expensive plans. BigCommerce offers comprehensive reporting regardless of the plan you choose.
These key reasons make BigCommerce an attractive option for those seeking a platform with comprehensive features and minimal additional costs.
Key Reasons to Use Shopify over BigCommerce:
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Stronger Templates: Shopify offers a wider variety of free templates compared to BigCommerce, making it easier for users to find a design that suits their brand. Shopify also provides more bundled typefaces and offers greater flexibility for template customization.
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Better Tax Calculation Features: Selling online often requires handling different tax rates across jurisdictions. Shopify simplifies this process with its automatic tax calculation features, especially for merchants operating in multiple countries. BigCommerce lacks built-in tax calculation and requires paid apps for this functionality.
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Multilingual Website Building: Shopify excels in multilingual website building, allowing you to sell in multiple languages. While BigCommerce offers workarounds through apps, Shopify provides easy-to-use and comprehensive multilingual options, supporting up to 20 different language versions of your online store.
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Abandoned Cart Saving: Shopify includes an abandoned cart saving tool on all plans, enabling automated reminder emails to encourage visitors to complete their purchase. BigCommerce requires a more expensive plan for access to this functionality.
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More Apps and Integrations: Shopify's app market offers a wide array of apps and integrations. With over 6000 apps available, Shopify users have more flexibility and choice when it comes to adding extra functionality to their stores. In contrast, BigCommerce has a more limited selection, with only a few hundred apps available.
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Built-in Email Marketing Tool: Shopify provides a built-in email marketing tool that allows users to send e-newsletters to their mailing lists without leaving the platform. This basic email marketing functionality is free for users with mailing lists under 2,500 subscribers. While BigCommerce lacks a similar feature, it can be easily integrated with major email marketing solutions.
These reasons highlight Shopify's strengths, particularly for users looking for stronger template options, advanced tax calculation features, multilingual capabilities, and additional apps and integrations.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right platform for your online store ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer unique advantages that cater to different types of businesses. BigCommerce excels in providing comprehensive features out-of-the-box, while Shopify offers more flexibility in design, tax calculations, multilingual capabilities, and app integration. Before making a decision, it is recommended to explore both platforms through free trials to understand their suitability for your specific business goals.
For a more detailed comparison of BigCommerce and Shopify, including a comprehensive list of pros and cons, visit the Style Factory website.
Highlights:
- BigCommerce offers more built-in selling tools, eliminating the need for external apps or expensive plans.
- Shopify has a stronger template offering and more bundled typefaces for easier customization.
- BigCommerce doesn't charge any transaction fees, while Shopify requires the use of Shopify Payments to avoid fees.
- Shopify excels in tax calculation features, making it easier to cater to different tax rates and comply with VAT MOSS requirements.
- BigCommerce provides automatic currency conversion, whereas Shopify requires visitors to select their preferred currency.
- BigCommerce allows for a greater number of product variants compared to Shopify's 100 variant limit.
- Shopify offers comprehensive multilingual website building, supporting up to 20 different languages.
- Shopify includes an abandoned cart saving tool on all plans, while BigCommerce limits this feature to more expensive plans.
- Shopify's app market offers a wider range of apps and integrations compared to BigCommerce.
- Shopify provides a built-in email marketing tool for basic email marketing needs, while BigCommerce relies on integration with external email marketing solutions.
FAQ:
Q: Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?
A: No, BigCommerce does not charge any transaction fees.
Q: Can I display prices in local currencies with Shopify?
A: Yes, Shopify allows you to display prices in local currencies, but visitors must select their preferred currency manually.
Q: Can I sell in multiple languages with BigCommerce?
A: Yes, but it requires the use of apps and lacks the sophisticated multilingual options provided by Shopify.
Q: Does BigCommerce offer abandoned cart saving?
A: Yes, but it is only available on more expensive BigCommerce plans. Shopify includes this feature on all plans.
Q: Can I access professional reporting on all BigCommerce plans?
A: Yes, BigCommerce provides professional reporting features on all its plans, unlike Shopify, which limits access to reporting tools on its more expensive plans.
Q: Can I customize my online store's design with Shopify?
A: Yes, Shopify offers a wider variety of free templates and easier customization options compared to BigCommerce.
Q: Does Shopify provide a built-in email marketing tool?
A: Yes, Shopify includes a built-in email marketing tool for basic email marketing needs. BigCommerce relies on integration with external email marketing solutions.
Q: How many product variants can I offer with BigCommerce?
A: BigCommerce allows for a generous limit of 600 product variants, whereas Shopify limits users to 100 variants (though this can be extended with apps).
Q: Does Shopify charge for tax calculation features?
A: No, Shopify provides automatic tax calculation features, including VAT MOSS tax rates, without additional charges. However, BigCommerce requires paid apps for tax calculation and does not offer easy VAT MOSS compliance.
Q: Can I add extra functionality to my online store with BigCommerce?
A: Yes, BigCommerce offers a selection of apps and integrations, although the range is more limited compared to Shopify's extensive app market.
