If you’re looking to sell your products online, choosing the right e-commerce platform is essential for the success of your business.
Two popular options are BigCartel vs Shopify, but which one is the best fit for your needs?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the features, pricing, and usability of both platforms to help you make an informed decision.
Key Takeaway :
If you’re looking to sell your products online, choosing the right e-commerce platform is essential for the success of your business. When comparing BigCartel and Shopify, if you’re just starting and want a simple, affordable option, BigCartel may be the way to go. However, if you need advanced features, scalability, and flexibility, Shopify is likely the better choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and business goals.
Understanding BigCartel and Shopify
When it comes to setting up an online store, there are many options to choose from. Two popular e-commerce platforms are BigCartel and Shopify.
Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding them can help you make an informed decision about which one to use for your online store.
What is BigCartel?
BigCartel is an e-commerce platform that aims to make it easy for artists and makers to sell their products online. One of the main selling points of BigCartel is its simplicity.
Easy to Use:
BigCartel is a platform that’s simple to navigate and use, making it easy for anyone to sell products online.
Showcasing Products:
The platform focuses on presenting products in a visually appealing way, making them look attractive to potential customers.
Free Plan:
BigCartel offers a free plan where you can sell up to five products without paying any monthly fees. It’s great for testing the waters and getting started.
Paid Plans:
If you want to sell more products or access additional features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. This allows you to expand your business as it grows.
Perfect for artists and makers:
BigCartel is a great choice for artists and makers who want to sell their creations online. The platform understands their unique needs and provides tailored features for them.
For example, BigCartel allows you to customize your store with your branding, which can help you stand out from the competition.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is another popular e-commerce platform that’s suitable for businesses of all sizes. Shopify is considered to be the most demanded platform for Ecommerce Business Owners to handle and manage their business from the platform.
Shopify platform has its benefits that will help business owners to escalate their business, let’s get into them one by one.
Scalability:
Whether starting or established, Shopify has plans to match your requirements.
Popular platform:
Enjoy a large user base and developer community for assistance and guidance.
Seamless integrations:
Connect Shopify with other tools and services to streamline your business.
All-in-one solution:
Offers inventory management, payment processing, and analytics in a single platform.
Customization and flexibility:
Tailor your online store to suit your unique needs and goals.
Consider factors such as your budget, the size of your business, and the types of products you sell when making a decision.
1. Bigcartel Vs Shopify: Pricing and Plans
Before using any platform, it is important to understand the pricing plan of each as it should always fit into our budget, no matter what.
Let’s understand both of the platform’s pricing and respective provision of features.
BigCartel Pricing
BigCartel is a popular e-commerce platform that offers a free pricing plan for those who are just starting.
Gold Plan
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Plan | Gold |
| Price | Free |
| Products | 5 |
| Images per Product | 1 |
| Customizable Themes | Yes |
| Sell Online & In Person | Yes |
| Real-time Stats | Yes |
| Custom Domain | Yes |
| Discounts & Promos | Yes |
| Shipment Tracking | Yes |
| Product Option Groups | Yes |
| Sales Tax Autopilot | Yes |
Platinum Plan
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Plan | Platinum |
| Price | $9.99/month |
| Products | 50 |
| Images per Product | 5 |
| Customizable Themes | Yes |
| Sell Online & In Person | Yes |
| Real-time Stats | Yes |
| Custom Domain | Yes |
| Theme Code Editing | Yes |
| Google Analytics | Yes |
| Inventory Tracking | Yes |
| Discounts & Promos | Yes |
| Bulk Editing | Yes |
| Shipment Tracking | Yes |
| Product Option Groups | Yes |
| Sales Tax Autopilot | Yes |
Diamond Plan
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Plan | Diamond |
| Price | $19.99/month |
| Products | 500 |
| Images per Product | 5 |
| Customizable Themes | Yes |
| Sell Online & In Person | Yes |
| Real-time Stats | Yes |
| Custom Domain | Yes |
| Theme Code Editing | Yes |
| Google Analytics | Yes |
| Inventory Tracking | Yes |
| Discounts & Promos | Yes |
| Bulk Editing | Yes |
| Shipment Tracking | Yes |
| Product Option Groups | Yes |
| Sales Tax Autopilot | Yes |
Shopify Pricing
Shopify is another popular e-commerce platform that offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. The Basic Shopify plan is the most affordable, starting at $29 per month.
Basic Plan
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Competitive transaction fees | Shopify offers more competitive transaction fees. |
| Staff | The Shopify plan supports five staff accounts. |
| Reports | You can track your business performance using reports. The Shopify plan comes with an analytics page, finances reports, product analytics, Live View, acquisition reports, inventory reports, behaviour reports, marketing reports, order reports, sales reports, retail sales reports, profit reports, and customer reports. |
| International commerce | The Shopify plan supports your international growth through Shopify Markets, a cross-border management tool that lets you configure specific settings for each international region. |
Advanced Shopify Plan
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Competitive transaction fees | The Advanced Shopify plan offers the most competitive transaction fees. |
| Staff | The Advanced Shopify plan supports 15 staff accounts. |
| Carrier-calculated shipping | Carrier-calculated shipping lets you integrate with a third-party shipping service to provide your customers with up-to-date shipping rates and options at the time that they place an order in your store. |
| Reports | The Advanced Shopify plan offers the most comprehensive reports to help you track your business performance. The Advanced Shopify plan comes with the analytics page, finances reports, product analytics, Live View, acquisition reports, inventory reports, behaviour reports, marketing reports, order reports, sales reports, retail sales reports, profit reports, and customer reports. |
| International commerce | The Advanced Shopify plan supports your international growth through Shopify Markets, a cross-border management tool that lets you configure specific settings for each international region. |
2. Comparing Costs and Value
BigCartel is a more affordable option, with plans starting at $9.99 per month. It’s a great choice for small businesses or individuals just starting.
On the other hand, Shopify, while more expensive, offers robust features and scalability. It’s ideal for larger businesses or those needing advanced features for growth.
In short, if you’re budget-conscious and just starting, BigCartel could be your go-to. But if you’re aiming for growth and need advanced features, Shopify is worth the investment.
Remember, both platforms offer a range of tools to help you build and grow your online store.
With the right plan and strategy, you can create a successful e-commerce business
3. User Interface Flexibility: Bigcartel Vs Shopify
When it comes to setting up an online store, ease of use and customization are two key factors to consider. You want a platform that is user-friendly and easy to navigate but also offers enough customization options to make your store stand out and reflect your brand.
BigCartel’s User Interface
- Simplicity: BigCartel is designed with simplicity in mind, making it ideal for artists and creatives who prefer a straightforward platform.
- Ease of Navigation: The platform features a clean, easy-to-navigate dashboard for managing your store, viewing orders, and tracking sales.
- Customization: Even on its free plan, BigCartel offers customization options. You can add your logo and adjust the colour scheme to match your brand.
In summary, BigCartel’s user-friendly interface, combined with its customization options, makes it a great choice for those who want a simple yet personalized online store.
Shopify’s User Interface
- Shopify has a more complex user interface compared to BigCartel, but it offers extensive customization options.
- The platform is scalable and can adapt as your business expands and introduces new products.
- Shopify provides a wide range of templates, making it easy to set up your store without designing from scratch.
- You can personalize your store by adding your branding elements like logos and colour schemes.
- Shopify allows the use of third-party apps, enabling the addition of features like social media integration and email marketing tools to support business growth.
4. Customization and Flexibility
BigCartel
- BigCartel offers a level of customization for your online store.
- It provides a simpler and more user-friendly interface compared to Shopify.
- The platform is suitable for those starting and looking for a straightforward solution to sell products.
- It may not offer as many advanced customization options as Shopify.
- BigCartel’s focus is on simplicity and ease of use.
Shopify
- Shopify offers more advanced customization options compared to BigCartel.
- It allows the use of custom HTML and CSS, providing complete control over store design and functionality.
- The platform is scalable and can accommodate businesses of various sizes.
- Shopify is suitable for those seeking a highly customizable and scalable platform.
- It requires a higher level of technical skill but offers extensive control over store customization.
5. E-commerce Features
E-commerce has become a popular way for businesses to sell their products online. With the rise of online shopping, businesses need to have a strong online presence and offer a seamless shopping experience to their customers.
There are many e-commerce platforms available, each with its own set of features and capabilities.
BigCartel’s E-commerce Capabilities
- Product Showcase: BigCartel allows sellers to add product images, descriptions, and prices to showcase their products effectively.
- Visual Appeal: Sellers can present their products in a visually appealing manner to attract customers.
- Order Management: BigCartel provides order management features, allowing sellers to keep track of their orders.
- Payment Processing: Sellers can process payments through PayPal or Stripe, making it convenient to receive payments from customers.
Shopify’s E-commerce Capabilities
- All-in-One Solution: Shopify offers a comprehensive solution for online sellers, encompassing various e-commerce features.
- Inventory Management: Sellers can manage their inventory efficiently using Shopify’s inventory management system.
- Shipping and Fulfilment: Shopify provides built-in shipping and fulfilment capabilities, simplifying the shipping process.
- Payment Options: Shopify supports multiple payment options, including credit card payments, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
- Advanced Analytics: Shopify offers advanced analytics and reporting features to track sales, website traffic, and customer behaviour.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Sellers can make informed decisions based on analytics, shaping their marketing and sales strategies.
Choose the Best Platform: BigCartel Vs Shopify
When choosing an e-commerce platform, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget. If you’re just starting and want a simple, affordable option, BigCartel may be the way to go.
However, if you need advanced features, scalability, and flexibility, Shopify is likely the better choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and business goals.
