BigCommerce and Shopify stand out as leading competitors in the realm of e-commerce software solutions. Both platforms are renowned for their extensive user communities and the impressive array of high-quality online stores crafted using their tools. Deciding between BigCommerce and Shopify for your e-commerce needs can be challenging. This article provides a detailed comparison of the two leading shopping cart solutions.
![BigCommerce](https://coalitiontechnologies.com/blog/data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=’http://www.w3.org/2000/svg’%20viewBox=’0%200%20300%20126’%3E%3C/svg%3E)
BigCommerce offers the dual advantage of being user-friendly and versatile, providing both simplicity for beginners and depth for advanced customization. New users can swiftly create a fully functional and visually appealing online store. For those seeking a unique shopping experience, BigCommerce provides robust customization controls, albeit requiring some technical expertise. While basic templates may seem plain, the platform allows for a decent-looking and efficient online store with minimal effort.
Equipped with a comprehensive set of tools, BigCommerce assists in creating, managing, and promoting your e-commerce site, including international shipping support, SEO customization, social media integration, Google Analytics compatibility, a single-page checkout, email marketing, automated photo galleries, mobile site options, inventory control, promotional codes, third-party accounting software integration, product search, business intelligence reports, and more. In the BigCommerce vs Shopify debate, BigCommerce emerges as a strong candidate, offering a seemingly exhaustive suite of features.
![Shopify](https://coalitiontechnologies.com/blog/data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=’http://www.w3.org/2000/svg’%20viewBox=’0%200%20272%2075’%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Shopify is celebrated for being one of the most user-friendly e-commerce platforms, with an interface that is straightforward and accessible. It’s an excellent choice for those with limited time or resources. However, the platform’s simplicity comes with the trade-off of limited customization options, necessitating a deeper dive into Shopify’s proprietary “Liquid” programming language for more advanced adjustments—a process that can be daunting for even experienced developers.
Another issue with Shopify is its pricing structure. At lower tiers, Shopify takes a 2% cut of your revenue, which can accumulate over time. To avoid this fee, you must opt for a more expensive plan, making Shopify less cost-effective compared to BigCommerce.
Despite its utility, Shopify’s features include straightforward product page creation, software updates, hosting, various payment options, SEO tools, discount codes, Google Analytics integration, excellent customer support, and more.
While Shopify is a valuable tool, our assessment in the BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison leans towards BigCommerce, mainly due to the challenges associated with customization using Liquid and the platform’s pricing structure.
**Conclusion**
In the BigCommerce vs Shopify showdown, BigCommerce is the clear winner, offering superior features and customization options, along with a more favorable payment scheme. If you’re considering an e-commerce platform, maximizing your investment by hiring a professional web design and e-commerce agency is advisable. Coalition Technologies, with its extensive experience in BigCommerce and Shopify development, can create an outstanding online store to draw significant traffic. Contact us at 1-310-827-3890 for a free quote.