Are you ready to take your business to the next level and venture into the world of e-commerce? If so, choosing the right platform for your online store is crucial. BigCommerce and Shopify are two popular options that offer a range of features to help you succeed in the competitive online marketplace. However, before diving in headfirst, it’s essential to consider one important factor: cost. In this blog post, we will break down the expenses involved in developing your online store on BigCommerce versus Shopify, allowing you to make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and business goals. Get ready to uncover the true investment required for launching a successful e-commerce venture!
Introduction to BigCommerce and Shopify
In today’s world, having an online store is essential for any business looking to thrive in the competitive market. With more and more consumers turning towards online shopping, it has become imperative for businesses to have a strong online presence. However, building an e-commerce website from scratch can be a daunting and expensive task. This is where platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify come into play.
BigCommerce and Shopify are two of the most popular e-commerce platforms used by businesses of all sizes to build their online stores. They provide users with a user-friendly interface, customizable design options, secure payment gateways, and other features that make it easier for businesses to set up their online presence. In this section, we will take a closer look at these two platforms and explore their features, benefits, and costs.
What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce was founded in 2009 as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed specifically for e-commerce businesses. It powers over 90,000 online stores globally and has helped its customers generate billions of dollars in sales. Its user-friendly interface allows even those without technical skills or coding knowledge to create professional-looking websites easily.
One of the biggest advantages of using a bigcommerce website development company is its scalability – it can support small businesses just starting out as well as large-scale enterprises with high traffic volumes. It also offers numerous built-in features such as product management tools, marketing tools, multi-channel selling capabilities, SEO optimization features among others.
Benefits of Investing in an Online Store
Investing in an online store can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses or new entrepreneurs. However, with the growing trend of e-commerce and the increasing consumer preference for online shopping, having an online store has become a crucial aspect of any successful business strategy. In this section, we will discuss the various benefits of investing in an online store and how it can help your business thrive.
- Cost-Effective
One of the biggest advantages of investing in an online store is its cost-effectiveness. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores require significant investments in rent, utilities, staffing, and inventory management. On the other hand, setting up an online store on platforms like BigCommerce or Shopify requires relatively lower initial investments and ongoing maintenance costs. This allows small businesses to compete with larger companies without breaking the bank.
- Global Reach
Unlike physical stores that have limited reach within a particular geographical area, an online store has a global reach. With just a few clicks, customers from all over the world can access your products or services. This opens up endless opportunities for businesses to expand their customer base and increase sales.
- 24/7 Availability
An online store is always open for business – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that customers can shop at their convenience without any time restrictions. This is particularly beneficial for those who work odd hours or live in different time zones.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Development Platform
When it comes to building an online store, choosing the right development platform is crucial. The platform you choose will determine the functionality, design, and overall success of your online store. With so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for your business. In this section, we will discuss the key factors that you should consider when choosing a development platform for your online store.
- Budget:
The first and foremost factor to consider when choosing a development platform is your budget. Different platforms have different pricing structures and features included in their plans. It’s important to choose a platform that fits within your budget while also providing all the necessary features and tools for your business.
BigCommerce offers three main pricing plans – Standard ($29.95/month), Plus ($79.95/month), and Pro ($299.95/month). On the other hand, Shopify has three main plans – Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month). Both platforms offer additional add-ons or apps at an extra cost.
- Ease of use:
Another crucial factor to consider is how user-friendly the platform is for both beginners and experienced users alike. You want a platform that is easy to navigate, customize, and manage without any technical knowledge or coding skills.
In terms of ease of use, BigCommerce has a drag-and-drop page builder that allows users to easily design their store without any coding experience needed. However, some advanced customization options may require
Cost Comparison: BigCommerce vs. Shopify
When it comes to creating an online store, one of the most important considerations is cost. As a business owner, you want to make sure that you are investing in a platform that not only meets your needs but also fits within your budget. Two popular platforms for creating and managing online stores are BigCommerce and Shopify website development company. In this section, we will compare the costs associated with developing an online store on these two platforms.
Basic Plan Costs:
BigCommerce offers three different pricing plans – Standard, Plus, and Pro. The Standard plan starts at $29.95 per month and includes all the essential features needed to run an online store. This plan allows up to $50k in sales per year and is suitable for businesses just starting out or those with lower sales volumes.
On the other hand, Shopify offers four pricing plans – Basic Shopify, Shopify, Advanced Shopify, and Shopify Plus. The Basic Shopify plan starts at $29 per month and includes features such as unlimited products, 24/7 support, integrated payment options, and more.
Winner: It’s a tie between BigCommerce’s Standard plan and Shopify’s Basic Plan as they offer similar features at the same price point.
Transaction Fees:
Both BigCommerce and Shopify charge transaction fees on top of their monthly plans for using third-party payment gateways (such as PayPal or Stripe). However, if you use their built-in payment solutions (BigCommerce Payments for BigCommerce or Shopify Payments for Shopify), then no additional transaction fees will be charged.
Set-Up Fees
Setting up an online store can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the financial aspect. From choosing the right platform to designing and customizing your store, there are several factors that need to be considered before investing in an e-commerce website. One of the key elements that often gets overlooked is the set-up fees associated with different platforms.
In this section, we will take a closer look at the set-up fees for two popular e-commerce platforms – BigCommerce and Shopify. Both these platforms offer unique features and benefits, but understanding their respective set-up fees will help you make an informed decision about which one is more suitable for your online business.
BigCommerce Set-Up Fees:
BigCommerce offers three pricing plans – Standard, Plus, and Pro. Each plan has a monthly fee associated with it as well as a transaction fee based on your sales volume. However, when it comes to set-up fees, BigCommerce offers a straightforward approach with no additional costs.
Monthly Subscription Costs
When it comes to choosing the right ecommerce platform for your online store, one of the most important factors to consider is the monthly subscription cost. This ongoing expense will directly impact your budget and bottom line, so it’s essential to understand what you’re paying for with each platform.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the monthly subscription costs for two popular ecommerce platforms: BigCommerce and Shopify. We’ll examine what each platform offers at different price points, as well as any additional fees or charges that may affect your overall cost.
Monthly Subscription Costs for BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers four different pricing plans: Standard, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise. The Standard plan starts at $29.95 per month and includes all the basic features you need to get your online store up and running. This plan is best suited for small businesses or new startups.
The Plus plan is priced at $79.95 per month and includes advanced features such as abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation. It also allows for higher annual sales volumes compared to the Standard plan.
Transaction Fees
When it comes to running an online store, one of the most important considerations is transaction fees. These are the fees charged by your chosen e-commerce platform for each sale made on your website. In this section, we will take a closer look at the different transaction fees associated with BigCommerce and Shopify and how they can impact your overall cost of developing and maintaining an online store.
BigCommerce has a transparent pricing structure with no hidden transaction fees. They offer three main plans – Standard, Plus, and Pro – with varying monthly subscription costs based on the size of your business. The Standard plan starts at $29.95 per month and includes all essential features such as unlimited products, bandwidth, storage, and staff accounts. However, if you want advanced features like abandoned cart recovery or customer segmentation, you’ll need to upgrade to either Plus or Pro plans for $79.95/month and $299.95/month respectively.
Additional App/Plugin Costs
When building an online store, it’s important to consider all of the potential costs that may come along with it. While platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify offer a variety of features and templates to help you get started, there may be additional app or plugin costs that can greatly impact your overall investment. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at what these additional costs could be and how they compare between BigCommerce and Shopify.
App/Plugin Marketplace
Both BigCommerce and Shopify have their own marketplace where you can browse and purchase various apps or plugins to enhance your online store’s functionality. These apps range from marketing tools, inventory management systems, customer service solutions, and much more. While some apps may be free, most require a monthly subscription fee or a one-time payment.
Custom Development
Another potential cost to consider is custom development work for your online store. This could include hiring a developer to create unique features or integrations that are not available through the platform’s existing apps/plugins.
Case Studies: Small Business vs. Large Enterprise on BigCommerce and Shopify
When it comes to developing an online store, there are many different platforms to choose from. Two popular options for ecommerce businesses are BigCommerce and Shopify. While both of these platforms offer a range of features and tools to help businesses build and manage their online stores, there are some key differences between the two that may have an impact on your decision.
In order to better understand the pros and cons of each platform, let’s take a look at some case studies comparing small businesses and large enterprises using BigCommerce and Shopify.
Case Study 1: Small Business on BigCommerce
One example of a successful small business operating on BigCommerce is Happy Paws Co., a pet supply store based in California. The owner, Sarah, started her business as an Etsy shop but quickly realized the potential for growth by having her own standalone website.
After researching various ecommerce platforms, Sarah decided to use BigCommerce due to its robust features such as inventory management, SEO tools, and integrations with popular marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
The cost of developing her online store on BigCommerce was relatively low compared to other options she considered. With plans starting at $29.95 per month, Sarah found it affordable for her budget while still providing all the necessary tools she needed to run her business effectively.
Hidden Costs and Potential Savings
When considering building an online store, it is important to factor in all potential costs and savings. While platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify offer affordable solutions for creating an e-commerce website, there may be hidden costs that can significantly impact your budget. In this section, we will explore some of the hidden costs you may encounter when developing on BigCommerce or Shopify and how you can potentially save money during the development process.
- Transaction Fees: One of the most significant hidden costs associated with running an online store is transaction fees. Both BigCommerce and Shopify charge a transaction fee for each sale made through their platform. This fee can range from 0.5% to 2% depending on your plan and payment gateway. While this may seem like a small amount, it can add up quickly, especially if you have a high volume of sales.
- App/Plugin Fees: Another potential cost to consider is the fees associated with using apps or plugins on your website. While both platforms offer a wide range of free apps/plugins, many advanced features come at an additional cost. These costs can quickly add up if you need multiple apps/plugins for your online store.
Customer Support and Resources
Customer support and resources are essential factors to consider when investing in an online store. As a business owner, you want to ensure that your customers have a smooth shopping experience and any concerns or issues they may encounter are addressed promptly. With both BigCommerce and Shopify being popular ecommerce platforms, it is important to understand the level of customer support and available resources each platform offers.
- Customer Support:
Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer 24/7 customer support through various channels such as live chat, email, phone, and community forums.
- Resources:
When it comes to resources for building your online store on either platform, there are multiple options available.
Conclusion: Which Platform is Right for
After analyzing the various factors and costs associated with developing an online store on both BigCommerce and Shopify, it is clear that both platforms offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the decision of which platform is right for your business will depend on your specific needs and goals.
If you are a small business or just starting out with limited technical knowledge, Shopify may be the best option for you. Its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop design make it easy to set up and manage your store without needing extensive coding experience. Additionally, its all-in-one pricing structure may be more affordable for smaller businesses who do not want to pay additional fees for apps or features.
On the other hand, if customization and flexibility are key priorities for your online store, then BigCommerce may be a better fit. With its open API architecture and access to HTML/CSS code, developers have more freedom to create a unique storefront tailored to their brand’s aesthetic. Plus, BigCommerce offers unlimited products from the get-go compared to Shopify’s product limits on lower-tier plans.