Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business’s growth and success. Among the many options available, Shopify and BigCommerce stand out as two of the most popular platforms for building and managing online stores. While both platforms offer robust tools and features, their approaches differ, making each better suited to specific business needs.
This guide explores the key differences between Shopify and BigCommerce to help you choose the platform that best aligns with your goals. If you need expert advice or support, partnering with a Shopify agency or a BigCommerce agency can provide valuable guidance for your e-commerce journey.
Overview of Shopify and BigCommerce
- Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem, Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce solution. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from startups to established brands, providing tools to build, customise, and scale an online store with minimal technical knowledge. Many businesses collaborate with a Shopify web design expert to create visually appealing and conversion-focused websites.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce focuses on offering advanced functionality out of the box. Designed for larger or more complex businesses, it provides extensive customisation options, robust SEO tools, and seamless integrations with sales channels and marketplaces. Businesses seeking tailored solutions often turn to a BigCommerce web design professional for support.
Both platforms are highly regarded, but their differing strengths make each ideal for different types of businesses.
Key Comparison Factors
1. Ease of Use
- Shopify: Shopify is renowned for its intuitive, beginner-friendly dashboard and drag-and-drop interface, enabling users to quickly set up and manage their stores without technical expertise. Working with a Shopify web development agency can further streamline the process, especially for those launching their first store.
- BigCommerce: While still user-friendly, BigCommerce’s interface is more feature-rich, which may require a steeper learning curve. However, this additional complexity allows for more advanced customisation, which can be simplified with the help of a BigCommerce website development agency.
Verdict: Shopify is better suited for beginners, while BigCommerce appeals to businesses with more technical experience or complex requirements.
2. Design and Themes
- Shopify: Shopify provides a wide range of free and premium themes that are visually appealing, mobile-responsive, and designed to drive conversions. Many businesses hire Shopify website design experts to customise themes and create unique, branded online stores.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce also offers a selection of free and paid themes. While the variety is more limited than Shopify’s, BigCommerce themes come with advanced built-in e-commerce features for better SEO and conversion optimisation. Engaging a BigCommerce website design specialist can help unlock the full potential of these themes.
Verdict: Shopify excels in theme variety and aesthetic appeal, while BigCommerce’s themes are more functionally robust.
3. Pricing
- Shopify: Shopify’s plans range from USD $29/month for the Basic plan to USD $299/month for the Advanced plan. Shopify Plus, its enterprise-level solution, is available for high-volume businesses at custom pricing. Note that transaction fees apply if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce plans start at USD $29.95/month and go up to USD $299.95/month. BigCommerce Enterprise is available with customised pricing. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, regardless of the payment processor.
Additional Costs:
- Shopify: Relies on paid apps for advanced features, which can increase the total cost of ownership (TCO). A Shopify Partner agency can help you identify cost-effective solutions and reduce app dependency.
- BigCommerce: Includes more features natively, reducing reliance on third-party apps. Collaborating with a BigCommerce Partner agency ensures you leverage these built-in tools effectively.
Verdict: BigCommerce offers more value out of the box, while Shopify’s pricing is competitive for smaller businesses.
4. Built-In Features vs. Apps
- Shopify: Shopify has over 6,000 apps in its ecosystem, enabling businesses to add nearly any functionality. However, many advanced features—like product filtering and SEO tools—often require paid apps. A Shopify web design partner can integrate these seamlessly into your store.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce includes many features natively, such as advanced SEO tools, faceted product filtering, and multi-currency support. This reduces the need for third-party apps, making it a cost-effective solution for larger businesses. Businesses often collaborate with a BigCommerce web design professional to maximise these built-in capabilities.
Verdict: BigCommerce shines in built-in functionality, while Shopify’s app ecosystem offers flexibility for businesses that prefer to customise as they grow.
5. SEO and Marketing Features
- Shopify: Shopify is SEO-friendly but has some limitations, such as less customisable URL structures. It excels in marketing tools, such as abandoned cart recovery and upselling features, which are easy to implement through apps. A Shopify agency can help fine-tune these tools for better results.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce offers superior SEO capabilities, including flexible URL structures, metadata customisation, and advanced site architecture. It’s a strong choice for businesses that prioritise organic traffic, especially with guidance from a BigCommerce agency.
Verdict: BigCommerce leads in SEO, while Shopify provides better marketing flexibility through its apps.
6. Multi-Channel Selling and Integrations
- Shopify: Shopify integrates seamlessly with major sales channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay. Its Point of Sale (POS) system enables businesses to unify online and offline sales. A Shopify web design partner can ensure these integrations work flawlessly.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce also supports multi-channel selling and integrates with platforms like Amazon and social media. While its integrations are extensive, Shopify’s partnerships and tools are often more streamlined and user-friendly.
Verdict: Both platforms excel in multi-channel selling, but Shopify’s POS system makes it a better choice for businesses combining online and offline sales.
7. Customer Support
- Shopify: Shopify offers 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email, along with a robust knowledge base and active user community. A Shopify agency can provide additional support tailored to your needs.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce also provides 24/7 support and offers a dedicated enterprise team for large-scale clients. Partnering with a BigCommerce agency ensures access to expert advice and customised solutions.
Verdict: Both platforms provide excellent customer support, ensuring businesses have the help they need.
Pros and Cons Summary
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | – Easy to use, beginner-friendly | – Reliance on paid apps for advanced features |
| – Extensive app ecosystem | – Limited URL customisation | |
| – Strong multi-channel selling capabilities | ||
| BigCommerce | – More built-in features, reducing reliance on third-party apps | – Steeper learning curve |
| – Advanced SEO options | – Smaller theme selection | |
| – No transaction fees on any plan |
Which Platform is Right for You?
- Choose Shopify if:
- You’re a small-to-medium-sized business looking for an intuitive, easy-to-use platform.
- You value visually appealing themes and a robust app ecosystem.
- You need seamless multi-channel selling and integration with a POS system.
- Choose BigCommerce if:
- You have a larger or more complex store and need advanced features out of the box.
- SEO capabilities are a top priority for your business.
- You want to avoid transaction fees regardless of the payment processor.
Conclusion
Both Shopify and BigCommerce are powerful e-commerce platforms, each with unique strengths. Shopify is ideal for businesses seeking simplicity, scalability, and flexibility through a vast app ecosystem. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers advanced functionality and superior SEO tools, making it an excellent choice for larger or more complex stores.
Ultimately, the right platform depends on your business goals, budget, and technical requirements. To make an informed decision, consider taking advantage of free trials for both platforms and consulting e-commerce experts.
If you’re ready to launch or optimise your Shopify or BigCommerce store, reach out to 23 Digital, a leading Shopify agency and BigCommerce agency. Our team specialises in Shopify web design and BigCommerce web design, helping businesses create high-performing online stores tailored to their needs.
Related reading: BigCommerce Checkout Customisation Limits
