WooCommerce vs BigCommerce: A Comprehensive Comparison for WordPress Users

If you’re starting an online store, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the eCommerce platform you’re going to use. The right choice will depend on your specific business, the type of eCommerce you’re pursuing, your budget, and your experience level. In this article, we’ll compare two of the best eCommerce platforms for WordPress users – WooCommerce and BigCommerce – and provide a detailed analysis of their key differences, pricing, ease of use, features and add-ons, themes, payment options and gateways, SEO-friendliness, scalability, security, inventory management, and customer support. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision and kickstart your journey to online success.

Key Differences

BigCommerce is a hosted eCommerce store builder that offers only premium plans. It provides pre-built themes and SEO-friendly features to set up online stores quickly and easily. On the other hand, WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin specifically for the WordPress CMS. It offers ultimate flexibility and customizability for enterprises and small businesses. While WooCommerce is free, some advanced features are paid.

Pricing

Pricing is an important consideration when starting an online store. WooCommerce is completely free, as is WordPress, the CMS it runs on. You won’t have to pay any fees as your eCommerce business grows unless you decide to purchase premium extensions. However, WooCommerce requires separate web hosting, which generally costs between $3-$15/month. BigCommerce, on the other hand, is a website builder platform with pricing plans that include hosting and SEO tooling. The plans range from $29/month to custom pricing for enterprise plans.

Ease of Use

Both WooCommerce and BigCommerce are generally easy to use. WooCommerce utilizes the familiar WordPress dashboard and is great for WordPress users. BigCommerce offers a drag-and-drop page builder and takes care of website management tasks. Both platforms have user-friendly dashboards and a small learning curve.

Features and Add-Ons

BigCommerce includes more built-in features by default, while WooCommerce allows you to add advanced features using free and premium extensions. BigCommerce has hundreds of free and premium apps, while WooCommerce offers tens of thousands of options in the form of extensions and plugins.

Themes

WooCommerce has a larger selection of free and premium themes compared to BigCommerce. Premium WooCommerce themes are also more affordable.

Payment Options and Gateways

Both platforms offer similar payment options and do not charge additional transaction fees. They support various payment gateways and methods.

SEO-Friendliness

WooCommerce provides more flexibility and capabilities for creating and optimizing content for SEO. BigCommerce has built-in performance optimization and other SEO features, but WooCommerce allows for more detailed custom changes.

Scalability

While both platforms allow you to scale and upgrade your plan as you grow, WooCommerce offers more freedom in terms of hosting providers and plans. It also has a huge library of extensions and the ability to edit source code, making it suitable for small businesses and enterprises alike.

Security

BigCommerce has all the security features an online store owner may need, including an SSL certificate, firewall, and backup options. WooCommerce offers more flexibility but requires users to implement their own security measures or hire an expert.

Inventory Management

Both platforms offer built-in inventory management tools, but WooCommerce stands out due to its vast library of inventory extensions.

Customer Support

BigCommerce offers more dedicated support options, including 24/7 live chat and phone support. WooCommerce has community support options, extensive documentation, and setup wizards.

Conclusion

Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your online store depends on your specific needs. If you want a hands-off solution, BigCommerce is a great choice, while WooCommerce offers more flexibility and customization options. By considering factors such as pricing, ease of use, features, themes, payment options, SEO-friendliness, scalability, security, inventory management, and customer support, you can make an informed decision that will help you succeed in the online marketplace.

FAQ

What Is the Difference Between WordPress and BigCommerce?

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that’s great for building and managing any type of website. It’s open source and highly customizable. BigCommerce, on the other hand, is a hosted website builder specializing in eCommerce. It’s a paid platform that provides all the necessary features for building and managing an online store.

Is WooCommerce Still Relevant?

Yes, WooCommerce is the most popular eCommerce platform, with a 38.74% market share. It’s a great option for online business startups and established eCommerce brands.

Which eCommerce Platform Is Best For a Big Business?

WooCommerce is the best eCommerce platform for enterprise businesses. Its open-source nature allows for limitless customization, and there are no limits on sales or site traffic. WooCommerce also offers a vast library of extensions and the ability to edit source code.

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