Decoding the Price Battle: Is Shopify Cheaper than BigCommerce

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3 Jul, 2023

Discover the cost comparison between Shopify and BigCommerce to determine which e-commerce platform offers better pricing and value for your business.

Introduction:

Decoding the Price Battle: Is Shopify Cheaper than BigCommerce? When it comes to setting up an online store, choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial. Two popular options that often come into consideration are Shopify and BigCommerce. These platforms provide robust features and functionalities to help businesses establish a successful online presence. However, determining which platform offers better pricing can be challenging. In this article, we will analyze the cost factors associated with both Shopify and BigCommerce to help you make an informed decision.

1. Pricing Plans

When comparing the pricing plans of Shopify and BigCommerce, it's essential to evaluate the features and services included in each plan.Shopify gives 3 major plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify.. The Basic Shopify plan starts at $29 per month, the Shopify plan at $79 per month, and the Advanced Shopify plan at $299 per month. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers four pricing plans: Standard, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise. The Standard plan starts at $29.95 per month, the Plus plan at $79.95 per month, and the Pro plan at $299.95 per month. The Enterprise plan requires custom pricing based on specific business requirements. Both platforms offer different features and storage limits depending on the plan, so it's essential to assess your business needs before choosing.

2. Transaction Fees

Transaction fees can significantly impact your overall costs when running an online store. Shopify charges transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 2% per transaction, depending on the plan you choose. However, if you use Shopify Payments as your payment gateway, you won't incur any transaction fees. BigCommerce, on the other hand, does not charge any transaction fees, regardless of the pricing plan you select. This can be advantageous for businesses with high sales volumes, as they can save on transaction costs with BigCommerce.

3. Payment Gateway Integration

Both Shopify and BigCommerce provide seamless integration with numerous charge gateways. However, it's crucial to consider the transaction fees associated with each payment gateway. Shopify provides its in-house payment gateway, Shopify Payments, which integrates directly into your store and allows you to accept payments without any additional transaction fees. BigCommerce integrates with multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square. While these payment gateways may charge transaction fees, you have the flexibility to choose the one that suits your business needs and budget.

4. Additional App Costs

Shopify and BigCommerce provide extensive app marketplaces where you can enhance your store's functionality. While both platforms offer a wide range of free and paid apps, it's important to consider any additional costs associated with using these apps. Some apps may require monthly or one-time payments, which can add to your overall expenses. Carefully evaluate the app ecosystem of each platform and consider your store's requirements to determine any potential additional costs.

5. Store Customization

Customizing your online store is essential for branding and creating a unique customer experience. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust customization options. Shopify provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing you to design your store without any coding knowledge. BigCommerce offers a similar interface with a wide selection of pre-built themes and customizable templates. While both platforms offer extensive customization capabilities, it's worth noting that Shopify's theme marketplace may have a wider range of options, including free and premium themes.

6. SEO and Marketing Tools

Having effective SEO and marketing tools is crucial for driving organic traffic and promoting your online store. Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer built-in SEO features, such as customizable meta tags, URL structures, and sitemaps. Additionally, they provide integration with popular marketing tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Ads. While the core SEO and marketing capabilities are similar, it's worth exploring the specific features and integrations each platform offers to support your digital marketing efforts.

Here are some popular SEO and marketing tools that can help you improve your website's visibility and optimize your marketing efforts:

Google Analytics: A free web analytics tool that provides valuable insights about your website's traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates.
Google Search Console: Helps you monitor your website's presence in Google search results, diagnose issues, submit sitemaps, and track keyword performance.
Moz: Offers a suite of SEO tools, including keyword research, rank tracking, link analysis, and on-page optimization.
SEMrush: Provides comprehensive SEO and marketing features like keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink auditing, and content optimization.
Ahrefs: An all-in-one SEO toolset with features such as keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and rank tracking.
Yoast SEO: A popular WordPress plugin that assists with on-page SEO, including content analysis, keyword optimization, and XML sitemap generation.
BuzzSumo: Helps you identify popular content topics, analyze social media trends, and find influencers in your niche.
Buffer: A social media management tool that allows you to schedule and publish posts across various platforms, analyze performance, and engage with your audience.
Mailchimp: An email marketing platform that enables you to create and send professional newsletters, set up automated campaigns, and track email performance.
HubSpot: Offers a wide range of marketing tools, including CRM, email marketing, lead generation, social media management, and analytics.
Canva: A user-friendly design tool that allows you to create visually appealing graphics, social media posts, infographics, and more.
Hotjar: Provides heatmaps, visitor recordings, and conversion funnels to help you understand user behavior on your website and optimize user experience.
Hootsuite: A social media management platform that enables you to schedule and monitor posts across multiple social networks, engage with followers, and measure performance.
Google Keyword Planner: Helps you discover relevant keywords, estimate search volumes, and plan your paid advertising campaigns on Google Ads.
MozBar: A browser extension that displays SEO metrics for any webpage you visit, allowing you to analyze competitors and perform on-page optimizations.

These tools can assist you in various aspects of SEO and marketing, allowing you to better understand your audience, optimize your website, and improve your overall digital marketing efforts.

7. Customer Support

When running an online store,Customer support is a crucial aspect of any business, as it helps build strong relationships with customers and ensures their satisfaction. Here are some important considerations and strategies for effective customer support:

Prompt Responses: Aim to respond to customer inquiries and issues as quickly as possible. Promptness demonstrates that you value their time and concerns.
Active Listening: Listen attentively to your customers' needs, complaints, or questions. Show empathy, understanding, and patience to provide a positive experience.
Clear Communication: Use clear and concise language to avoid misunderstandings. Provide step-by-step instructions or explanations when needed.
Multichannel Support: Offer support through multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, social media, or a dedicated support ticketing system. This allows customers to choose their preferred method of communication.
Knowledge Base: Create a comprehensive online knowledge base or FAQ section on your website. Include detailed information about your products or services to help customers find answers to common questions.
Personalization: Address customers by their names and tailor your responses to their specific situations. Personalization shows that you value their individual needs and preferences.
Escalation and Follow-Up: Establish a clear escalation process for complex or unresolved issues. Ensure that customers are kept informed about the progress and provide follow-up to ensure their satisfaction.
Training and Empowerment: Equip your support team with proper training to handle different customer scenarios effectively. Empower them to make decisions and resolve issues independently when appropriate.
Feedback and Improvement: Encourage customers to provide feedback on their support experience. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to enhance the customer support process.
24/7 Support (if applicable): If feasible, consider offering 24/7 customer support, especially for businesses with a global customer base. This can be achieved through various means, such as outsourcing, automated chatbots, or rotating shifts.

Remember, delivering exceptional customer support helps foster loyalty, builds a positive brand image, and encourages customers to advocate for your business. Prioritize customer satisfaction and continually seek ways to improve your support processes.

Questions and Answers

1. Is Shopify or BigCommerce better for small businesses?

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer suitable options for small businesses. The choice depends on factors such as budget, specific business requirements, and preferred customization options. It's recommended to assess the features and pricing plans of both platforms to make an informed decision.

2. Does BigCommerce rate any transaction fees??

No, BigCommerce does now no longer fee any transaction costs on any of its pricing plans.. This can be advantageous for businesses with high sales volumes, as it helps reduce overall costs.

3. Can I customize the design of my Shopify or BigCommerce store?

Absolutely! Both Shopify and BigCommerce provide extensive customization options. You can choose from a variety of themes, templates, and design elements to create a unique and branded store.

4. Which e-commerce platform has better SEO capabilities?

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust SEO features to help optimize your online store for search engines. It's recommended to assess your specific SEO requirements and explore the features offered by each platform to determine which one aligns better with your needs.

5. What are the additional costs associated with using apps?

While both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a wide range of free apps, some apps may require monthly or one-time payments. It's important to carefully review the pricing details of each app and consider your store's requirements before installing any paid apps.

Conclusion:

In the battle of Shopify vs. BigCommerce, the pricing comparison reveals that both platforms offer competitive pricing plans. Shopify may have a slight advantage with its affordable starting plan and comprehensive customer support. On the other hand, BigCommerce stands out with its lack of transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for high-volume businesses. Ultimately, the decision between Shopify and BigCommerce should be based on your specific business needs, budget, customization preferences, and long-term growth strategy. Evaluate each platform's features, consider your goals, and make an informed choice to establish a successful online store.