Selecting the right platform for your online store is a crucial decision for your eCommerce business’s success. Two of the most prominent players in this arena are Shopify and BigCommerce. While both platforms offer robust features for building and managing online stores, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key differences between Shopify and BigCommerce and explore why Shopify might be the platform of choice for many merchants looking to start out or re-platform.
User-Friendly Design and Ease of Use
Shopify stands out with its intuitive and user-friendly interface. The platform’s drag-and-drop store editor, complemented by its innovative “sections,” makes it incredibly easy for merchants to create and customize their online stores. This ease of use extends to those without any design or coding experience, making Shopify an accessible platform for beginners and experienced users alike.
In contrast, while BigCommerce also offers a drag-and-drop editor, it might not be as straightforward as Shopify’s, particularly for users who are new to eCommerce.
App Ecosystem and Customization
One of Shopify’s most compelling advantages is its expansive app marketplace. With over 6,000 apps available, Shopify’s App Store offers a wider range of functionalities compared to BigCommerce’s offering of less than 1,000 apps. This extensive selection enables merchants to customize their stores to a greater extent, whether they’re looking to enhance SEO, improve customer engagement, or streamline operations.
Both Shopify’s and BigCommerce’s app ecosystems are dynamic, with continuous additions and updates, ensuring that merchants have access to the latest tools and features.
Integrated Solutions and Multichannel Selling
Shopify’s integrated point-of-sale (POS) system is a key feature that differentiates it from BigCommerce. This integrated POS allows merchants to seamlessly connect their online and offline sales, providing a unified solution for managing inventory, orders, and customer data. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that operate both physical and online stores.
Additionally, Shopify offers robust integrations with various sales channels like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and Google. This multichannel approach enables merchants to reach a wider audience and sell their products across different platforms efficiently.
Performance and Speed
Website performance and load times are critical factors in the success of an online store. Shopify is committed to ensuring that stores on its platform load quickly. By compressing images and providing store speed reports, Shopify helps merchants optimize their sites for better performance. This not only enhances the user experience but also contributes positively to SEO.
Advanced Payment Options
Shopify Payments, the platform’s own payment gateway, is a standout feature offering merchants a streamlined payment processing solution without additional transaction fees. It supports major payment methods and is available in multiple countries. Shop Pay, Shopify’s accelerated checkout option, further enhances the customer experience by offering faster and more secure transactions.
Global Reach and Support
Shopify’s international customer support in 21 languages and tools for global commerce makes it an appealing choice for merchants looking to expand their business globally. The platform’s capabilities for selling in multiple currencies and its localized apps cater to a global audience, allowing merchants to grow their business internationally.
SEO and Marketing Tools
Shopify’s built-in SEO functionality, coupled with a range of marketing tools, empowers merchants to effectively attract and retain customers. Features like Shopify Email, automatic discounts, and gift cards provide merchants with a comprehensive suite of marketing tools to enhance their online presence and drive sales.
Security and Reliability
Security is a paramount concern for online businesses. Shopify addresses this by including SSL certificates and offering a built-in fraud analysis tool. These features not only protect merchants from fraudulent transactions but also instill confidence in customers, knowing their data is secure.
While both Shopify and BigCommerce are robust eCommerce platforms, Shopify’s user-friendly design, extensive app marketplace, integrated POS system, and advanced payment solutions make it a particularly attractive option for merchants. For merchants looking for a platform that offers ease of use, scalability, and a wealth of features, Shopify emerges as a top choice.
If you’re considering opening an online store, or you have an existing store you’re looking to migrate to a new platform, we can help! Your Store Wizards will assess your needs and recommend a platform that suits you and your company’s goals. Our complete platform transfer service includes data transfer, store design, and programming on both Shopify and BigCommerce. We can also provide you with free demo stores so you can dig in and compare both platforms for yourself.
Feel free to contact us for more information on starting or migrating your business to Shopify!
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.