BigCommerce vs Shopify

BigCommerce and Shopify are two of the top competitors in the ecommerce software market. Both of these programs boast a large user base and an ever-growing showcase of quality online stores built with their software. When it comes to BigCommerce vs Shopify, which program should you choose to handle your ecommerce needs? Read on for our comparison of the two shopping cart solutions.

BigCommerceBigCommerce

BigCommerce enjoys the twin benefits of being intuitive and easy to use, as well as incredibly complex and customizable. Any newcomer can pick up the program and quickly craft a basic online store that is fully functional and pretty aesthetic. For those that require more customization options to create a more unique shopping experience for their customers, BigCommerce offers robust controls for doing so. The deeper customization takes a little more technical knowhow, and many of the basic site templates are a bit plain, but you can still get a site up and running that looks decent and works well with little fuss.

BigCommerce is feature-rich, with plenty of tools to help you create, manage, and promote your site: international shipping support, easy SEO customization, social media support, Google Analytics integration, 1 page checkout, email marketing, automated photo gallery creation and zoom, mobile site options, automated inventory control, coupons and discounts, third party accounting software integration, product search, business intelligence reports, and more. Considering the BigCommerce vs Shopify debate, BigCommerce is looking like a solid contender. The program basically has it all.

ShopifyShopify

Shopify enjoys the distinction of being one of the easiest ecommerce platforms to use, and possibly the easiest to use on the market. The interface is incredibly simple and user-friendly; you can jump in this program with relatively little technical knowledge and build an online store fast. This is a great program to use if you are time and resource-constrained. One of the major drawbacks of the program’s simplicity, however, is its limited customization options. If you’re not satisfied with the basic templates the program provides, you have to dive into the limited customization options, which requires knowledge of Shopify’s proprietary programming language called “Liquid.” Needless to say, this can be a major headache even for knowledgeable programmers.

The other problem with Shopify is the program’s payment scheme. On the lower tiers, which are comparable to other ecommerce solutions, Shopify takes a 2% share of your revenue, which adds up fast. In order to remove that 2% fee, you have to enlist in a more expensive payment plan. This program is not as cost-effective as BigCommerce.

In terms of features, Shopify has plenty of useful tools: easy drag-and-drop product page creation, software updates, hosting, multiple payment options, SEO tools, discount codes and coupons, Google Analytics integration, great customer support, and more.

Shopify is a great program, but in terms of BigCommerce vs Shopify, we give Shopify lower marks due to the Liquid customization issues and the odd pricing scheme.

Conclusion

Considering BigCommerce vs Shopify, we think BigCommerce is the stronger ecommerce platform by far. BigCommerce offers better features and customization options for the payment scheme. If you end up enlisting the services of one of these ecommerce platforms, consider maximizing your investment by hiring a professional web design and ecommerce agency. Coalition Technologies has extensive experience with both BigCommerce and Shopify Web Development and can build you an excellent online store that attracts big traffic. Give us a call today at 1-310-827-3890 for a free quote.

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