Shopify vs BigCommerce: The Ultimate Comparison
Are you looking for the best platform to build your online store? Both Shopify and BigCommerce are top choices, but choosing between them can be a challenge. In this article, we'll go through a detailed comparison covering features, pricing, design, SEO, and more to help you make the right choice. Find out which one is best suited for your business and explore our Shopify migration options to get started today.
What is Shopify and who is it designed for?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform designed to make it as simple as possible to create online stores . Its system is intuitive and accessible, making it an ideal solution for both people who are taking their first steps in the digital world and for already established companies looking to optimize their online presence.
With a user-friendly interface and an impressive offering of over 6,000 apps, Shopify allows entrepreneurs to customize their store and adapt it to the specific needs of their business. Plus, its focus on ease of use has made it a favorite choice for those who prioritize speed, efficiency, and flexibility in their e-commerce.
Whether you're starting a small business or looking to expand an established brand, Shopify gives you the tools you need to stand out and grow in a competitive marketplace.
Key Benefits:
- Ease of use.
- Variety of templates.
- Excellent customer service.
What is BigCommerce and what are its main advantages?
BigCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform designed for businesses looking to take their operations to the next level with greater technical control and advanced customization options. Unlike other tools, BigCommerce stands out for its ability to adapt to the needs of medium and large companies, especially those that require advanced features without sacrificing scalability or performance.
Among its strengths is the ability to manage stores with a high volume of products and transactions, offering native integrations with key tools for business growth. In addition, its technical flexibility allows more experienced users to optimize details such as the design, functionalities and processes of their store, perfectly adjusting to their strategies.
BigCommerce is ideal if you’re looking for a platform that can grow with your business, providing support for future expansions, no matter the size or complexity of your e-commerce business . From custom solutions to international sales capabilities, this platform ensures a professional and versatile experience for entrepreneurs who aspire to more.
Key Benefits :
- Integrated functionalities.
- No transaction fees.
- Solid technical support.
Basic features of Shopify and BigCommerce
Both platforms offer essential tools, but their approaches are different.
Feature |
Shopify |
BigCommerce |
Ease of use |
Very high |
Moderate |
Transaction fees |
2% (except with Shopify Payments) |
None |
Templates |
More than 100 (free and premium) |
More than 80 |
Technical support |
24/7 |
24/7 |
Store Design: Shopify vs BigCommerce
The design of your online store is key to attracting customers.
Themes and templates on Shopify
Shopify offers a wide selection of modern, responsive templates. Their theme store features free and premium options designed for different industries.
Customization Options in BigCommerce
BigCommerce allows you to customize templates via code, which is attractive to developers and businesses with advanced technical requirements.
Which platform offers the most flexible layout?
When it comes to design flexibility, both platforms have their strengths, but offer different approaches depending on your business needs. Shopify is known for its incredible ease of use, ideal for those looking for a quick and convenient solution to customize their online store without the need for advanced technical knowledge. Its wide selection of pre-built themes and intuitive drag-and-drop editor allow users to create an attractive design in a matter of minutes.
On the other hand, BigCommerce focuses on providing a higher level of technical control, making it an excellent choice for businesses with more specific or complex requirements. This platform allows for advanced tweaks to design and functionality, thanks to tools that are especially useful for developers and users with programming experience. If your priority is to customize every aspect of your store to fit a unique strategy, BigCommerce might be the most suitable option.
SEO Features in Shopify and BigCommerce
Search engine optimization is crucial for any online store.
Shopify SEO Capabilities
Shopify simplifies SEO tasks by including:
- Automatic generation of sitemaps.
- Customizable URLs.
- Free SSL certificates.
SEO Tools in BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers advanced tools such as:
- Friendly URLs.
- Options for implementing JSON-LD.
- Native integration with Google Shopping.
Which one is better for positioning your online store?
When it comes to ranking your online store in search engines, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer notable tools and features, but each has its own approach that sets them apart.
On the one hand, Shopify excels at making SEO strategies accessible to everyone, even those without technical experience . The platform has built-in features for optimizing key aspects, such as editing meta tags, creating friendly URLs, and automatically generating sitemaps. This allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to implement SEO practices quickly and easily, without technical complications.
On the other hand, BigCommerce is geared toward users who are looking for a deeper level of customization and control over the technical aspects of their SEO . It offers greater flexibility to adjust advanced parameters, such as URL structure, canonical tags, and redirect settings. These options are ideal for medium-sized or large businesses that have more specific needs and want to maximize every detail of their SEO strategy.
Payment Methods: Shopify vs BigCommerce
Payment gateways available in Shopify
Shopify supports over 100 gateways, including Shopify Payments, which eliminates additional fees and makes integration easy.
Payment Options in BigCommerce
BigCommerce supports over 65 gateways and allows you to accept multiple currencies, ideal for international sales.
Transaction costs and additional fees
Shopify may charge up to a 2% transaction fee if you don't use Shopify Payments, while BigCommerce doesn't charge any additional fees.
Analytics and statistics on Shopify and BigCommerce
Data Analysis in Shopify
Shopify includes basic dashboards and advanced analytics apps to track customer behavior and conversions.
Advanced Reporting in BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers detailed reporting and advanced functionality without the need to integrate external tools.
Which offers better control over your store's performance?
When it comes to monitoring and analyzing the performance of your online store, both BigCommerce and Shopify offer helpful tools, but each is designed to meet different levels of need and experience.
Shopify stands out for its focus on simplicity . Its built-in analytics dashboard provides essential data like sales, traffic, and customer behavior in a clear and easy-to-interpret manner. This simplicity makes it perfect for small businesses or entrepreneurs who prefer to focus on the big picture without digging too deep into technical metrics. Plus, Shopify has easy integrations with external tools like Google Analytics, allowing you to expand your tracking possibilities if you want.
On the other hand, BigCommerce is ideal for those who need more advanced and detailed analysis. It offers customizable reports, real-time metrics, and specific tools to monitor key aspects such as conversions, cart abandonment rates, and individual product performance. This depth of data makes it a preferred choice for medium- or large-sized businesses looking to optimize every stage of their sales process.
Scalability and international sales: Shopify vs BigCommerce
Global expansion with Shopify
Shopify supports multiple languages and currencies, making international selling easy with an intuitive approach.
Internationalization tools in BigCommerce
BigCommerce allows you to manage international stores from a single account, making it attractive for global businesses.
Which is better for growing businesses?
Both platforms are scalable, but BigCommerce offers more comprehensive tools for large businesses.
Pricing Plans: Shopify vs BigCommerce
Plan |
Shopify |
BigCommerce |
Essential |
€29/month |
€29.95/month |
Intermediate |
79 €/month |
€79.95/month |
Advanced |
€299/month |
€299.95/month |
BigCommerce includes more functionality in its basic plans, while Shopify requires additional apps for some features.
Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which Should You Choose?
Recommendation based on the size of your business
- Small Business : Shopify is great for its ease of use.
- Medium and large companies : BigCommerce stands out for its advanced tools.
Which is better for beginners?
Shopify offers a shorter learning curve, making it perfect for users without technical experience.
Final considerations for choosing the ideal platform
Your choice will depend on the specific needs of your business. If you're looking for simplicity and a broad support community, Shopify is the way to go. However, if you prioritize advanced features without hidden costs, BigCommerce might be the better alternative.
Ready to make a decision? Find out how to simplify the process with our Shopify migrations .
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