What is BigCommerce? What are its Pros, Cons, and Alternatives?

BigCommerce is a leading e-commerce platform that provides businesses with the tools they need to build, manage, and scale their online stores. It's designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, offering a wide range of features, including customizable themes, payment integration, SEO tools, and multi-channel selling.

BigCommerce's flexibility and robust functionality make it a popular choice for many businesses. However, like any platform, it has its pros and cons, and it's essential to consider these before deciding if it's the right fit for your business.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at BigCommerce to help you decide if it’s the right platform for your retail business webstore. We will also look at some of the popular alternatives so that you can compare and contrast between them.

What is BigCommerce Used For?

BigCommerce is primarily used for creating and managing online stores. It provides a platform for businesses to sell products and services online, manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping logistics. BigCommerce also offers a variety of tools for marketing, SEO, and analytics, helping businesses attract and retain customers.

Who are BigCommerce Customers?

BigCommerce serves a diverse range of customers, from small businesses to large enterprises. Its customer base includes retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors across various industries such as fashion, electronics, health and beauty, home goods, and automotive. Notable brands using BigCommerce include Ben & Jerry's, Skullcandy, and Toyota, demonstrating its versatility and scalability.

How Many Brands Use BigCommerce?

Over 60,000 brands worldwide use BigCommerce to power their online stores. These brands range from small startups to large enterprises, benefiting from the platform's flexibility, scalability, and comprehensive feature set.

Can I Use BigCommerce for Free?

No, BigCommerce is not free to sell on. The platform offers several pricing plans, each with a monthly fee. The cost of using BigCommerce depends on the plan selected, ranging from the Standard plan to more advanced options like the Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans. While BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, businesses must still consider payment processing fees associated with their chosen payment gateway.

BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial, allowing potential customers to explore the platform's features and determine if it's the right fit for their business before committing to a paid plan.

How Does BigCommerce Payment Work?

BigCommerce integrates with a wide range of payment gateways, allowing businesses to accept payments via various methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and more. BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, enabling businesses to save on processing costs. Payment configurations can be easily managed within the BigCommerce dashboard, providing flexibility in choosing and setting up preferred payment methods.

What are the Pros and Cons of Using BigCommerce?

Pros

Comprehensive Feature Set: BigCommerce offers a wide range of built-in features, such as advanced SEO tools, multi-channel selling capabilities, and comprehensive analytics, reducing the need for third-party apps or add-ons.

Scalability: The platform is designed to grow with your business, making it suitable for companies of all sizes. It offers various plans that cater to different business needs, allowing seamless scaling as your business expands.

No Transaction Fees: BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, which can be a significant cost-saving feature, particularly for businesses with high sales volumes.

Strong Security Features: BigCommerce provides robust security measures, including PCI compliance, SSL certificates, and fraud protection, ensuring customer data is safe.

Flexible Payment Options: The platform supports over 65 payment gateways, giving businesses flexibility in choosing their preferred payment methods.

Cons

Higher Costs for Advanced Features: While the platform offers many built-in features, access to advanced functionalities often requires higher-tier plans, which can be expensive for small businesses.

Learning Curve: Although BigCommerce is relatively user-friendly, the extensive range of features may overwhelm beginners, requiring time to learn and utilize them effectively.

Limited Customization on Lower Plans: Some customization options and advanced tools are restricted to higher-tier plans, limiting flexibility for those on a budget.

Design Limitations: BigCommerce offers fewer themes compared to competitors like Shopify, which may restrict design flexibility for some users.

What are the Best Alternatives to BigCommerce?

Some of the best alternatives to BigCommerce include:

Shopify: Known for its ease of use and extensive app ecosystem, Shopify is a strong alternative for businesses looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of customization options.

WooCommerce: A WordPress plugin that enables e-commerce functionality, WooCommerce is highly customizable and ideal for businesses already using WordPress for their websites.

Magento: A powerful, open-source platform that offers extensive customization capabilities, Magento is suitable for larger businesses with complex requirements.

Wix eCommerce: This platform is perfect for small businesses and beginners looking for a simple, user-friendly interface with customizable templates.

Squarespace Commerce: Ideal for businesses that prioritize design, Squarespace Commerce offers visually appealing templates and a straightforward setup process.

Is BigCommerce the Same as Shopify?

While both BigCommerce and Shopify are popular e-commerce platforms, they are not the same. BigCommerce tends to offer more built-in features, reducing the need for additional apps, while Shopify is known for its extensive app store and ease of use.

What is the Difference Between WordPress and BigCommerce?

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that requires plugins like WooCommerce to enable e-commerce functionality. In contrast, BigCommerce is a dedicated e-commerce platform that offers a comprehensive solution for building and managing online stores, including hosting, security, and updates.

Is BigCommerce a Shopping Cart?

Yes, BigCommerce includes shopping cart functionality as part of its platform. The shopping cart allows customers to add products, view their selections, and proceed to checkout. It is customizable to match a business's branding and optimize the user experience.

Any Advice for Shopify vs. BigCommerce for New Sellers?

For new sellers, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer user-friendly platforms. Shopify may be more suitable for those who prioritize ease of use and access to a wide range of third-party apps, while BigCommerce could be a better fit for those who prefer more built-in features and lower costs due to no transaction fees. Consider your specific needs, budget, and long-term goals when choosing between the two platforms.

How Does BigCommerce Compare to Shopify?

BigCommerce and Shopify are both robust e-commerce platforms, but they differ in their approach. BigCommerce offers more built-in features, making it cost-effective for businesses with high sales volumes. Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem, allowing for a high degree of customization.

What is the Difference Between Shopify and BigCommerce, and Which One is Easy to Use?

The main differences between Shopify and BigCommerce include pricing, features, and user experience. Shopify is generally considered easier to use, especially for beginners, due to its intuitive interface and vast support resources. BigCommerce offers more built-in features, which may require a steeper learning curve but provide a more comprehensive solution out of the box. The choice between the two platforms will depend on the user's familiarity with e-commerce, specific needs, and business goals.

Conclusion

BigCommerce is a powerful and versatile e-commerce platform that provides a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to establish or expand their online presence. With its extensive range of built-in features, flexible payment options, and robust security measures, BigCommerce is well-suited for businesses of all sizes and industries. The platform's scalability ensures that it can grow alongside your business, making it a viable long-term solution for many online retailers.

However, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons when considering BigCommerce. While it offers a robust set of tools and no transaction fees, it may come with a steeper learning curve and higher costs for advanced features. For smaller businesses or those just starting, the investment in time and resources to fully utilize the platform may be significant.

For those evaluating their options, several alternatives like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Wix eCommerce, and Squarespace Commerce provide different strengths that may better align with specific business needs. Each platform offers unique advantages, from ease of use and customization to more advanced functionalities for complex e-commerce requirements.

Ultimately, choosing the right e-commerce platform depends on your business's unique needs, goals, and budget. Whether you decide on BigCommerce or explore its alternatives, it's crucial to select a platform that supports your growth strategy and offers the tools and flexibility needed to thrive in a competitive online marketplace. By carefully considering your options, you can find the best platform to help you build, manage, and scale your online store effectively.