People know that location is everything when you set up a brick-and-mortar business. If you build an online store, you want to pay similarly close attention to your foundation. Choosing the right eCommerce platform for a store can have a major impact on your business operations and the long-term prosperity of your company.
eBook
BigCommerce vs. Shopify: Everything You Need to Know
BigCommerce has emerged as a popular choice for online retailers, thanks to its wealth of features and capabilities. However, it is not the only option, and many businesses have decided they need a BigCommerce alternative that better fits their needs.
We will walk you through some reasons why you may want to look for a BigCommerce alternative and provide details on a few options to consider.
Why You Might Seek a BigCommerce Alternative
Businesses often find several reasons to consider other eCommerce platforms. Here are some common justifications we hear when people ask us about BigCommerce alternatives.
Specific Business Needs
BigCommerce may not suit the needs of every organization. For example, if you don’t have a dedicated IT team and need more back-end support, BigCommerce might not be a good fit. You may need a better way to manage your products.
Some businesses find it appealing to join one of the extensive communities that have sprouted up around other platforms, such as Shopify. Community members can help each other navigate the platform.
Finally, BigCommerce users sometimes complain that the platform’s free or inexpensive templates are too simplistic. The more sophisticated templates may prove unaffordable for online stores that don’t have high profit margins.
Budget Considerations
Regardless of what templates they choose, companies also have to consider the cost of using BigCommerce. Its pricing structure frustrates some users because it makes certain features cost significantly more than they would on other platforms.
Top BigCommerce Alternatives
Three major platforms serve as viable alternatives to BigCommerce. We’ll walk you through the options and explain what each platform offers.
BigCommerce vs. Shopify
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that provides a user-friendly system, an extensive app store, and various responsive themes. These benefits make it a popular choice.
Overall, some of the biggest advantages mentioned by Shopify store owners include an intuitive, easy-to-use interface and a wide range of customization options. However, when you compare BigCommerce vs. Shopify, note that BigCommerce is generally more scalable and offers greater overall flexibility.
BigCommerce vs. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a customizable WordPress plug-in that lets you set up and run an online store. This option provides considerable flexibility and ample community support, which may help you solve challenging problems.
Business owners appreciate WooCommerce because it permits greater customization and lets them create online stores at relatively little expense. However, keep in mind that BigCommerce and some of the other options make it easier to integrate your website with different platforms (like social media). When comparing BigCommerce vs. WooCommerce, this is an important point to consider.
BigCommerce vs. Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Magento (Adobe Commerce) is a scalable solution that works well as a BigCommerce alternative for relatively large businesses. This platform includes advanced customization options and has robust features that are easy to implement.
Generally, online retailers appreciate the customization, sophisticated capabilities, and flexibility that Magento offers. However, it can get expensive, and its features are unnecessarily advanced for most small businesses.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an eCommerce Platform
When you start evaluating different eCommerce options and BigCommerce competitors, it helps to break down the choices by looking at four critical factors.
Cost
The first step should be to compare pricing models. Look at how much different platforms charge for the features and capabilities you need. Remember to calculate the total cost of ownership and include any applicable fees or maintenance expenses.
Scalability
Next, you’ll want to consider differences in scalability. As your business grows, you’ll have to make sure that your platform can meet its needs. This will help you avoid having to switch platforms or make other major changes when greater capabilities become necessary.
Ease of Use
Don’t forget to evaluate each platform’s usability. Think about the user interface, and determine how much technical expertise is needed to set up and run an online store. If you select a complex platform, your business will likely need a dedicated team to manage it.
Customization
Finally, remember the value of customization when considering alternatives to BigCommerce. It’s best to have a platform that you can easily customize with your branding. From the design to its overall functionality, a platform should reflect the needs and priorities of your business.
How We Can Help
We are here to help companies evaluate their eCommerce platform needs and determine if they should work with BigCommerce or a BigCommerce alternative. Here is what we can offer:
Expertise in eCommerce Website Design and Development
At Groove Commerce, we have long-term experience in assisting businesses as they navigate platform selection and implementation. We’ve served companies that use BigCommerce as well as multiple BigCommerce competitors. If you’d like to boost your online sales, our eCommerce development services can help enhance your digital capabilities and grow your business.
To support the growth of your overall web presence, we also provide eCommerce website design. This service can help you build an effective retail website that attracts buyers and successfully meets their needs.
Experience With Multiple Platforms
Clients also appreciate that we have ample experience with various eCommerce platforms, including BigCommerce, Shopify, and custom solutions. With this experience, we can offer personalized advice about what will work best for your company. Our staff can also help you set up the desired platform and maximize its potential.
Conclusion
Choosing one of the best eCommerce platforms will have a lasting impact on your online retail capabilities and overall business growth. Whether you want to work with BigCommerce or prefer a BigCommerce alternative, it’s important to base your decision on the unique needs of your specific organization.
If you’re interested in building an online presence, reach out to us for a personalized consultation on the platform that will suit your needs and how it can help your business succeed. You can also speak with us about a free audit that will identify the best ways to optimize your company’s website.
Interested in learning more about the major factors that differentiate the best eCommerce platforms? Come read our “BigCommerce vs. Shopify” eBook, or contact us to learn more about how we can help your business thrive.
