WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: Choosing the Right Option for Your Online Store

Thinking of opening your online store? Exciting times! But before you welcome your first customers, there's a crucial decision: choosing the right platform to power your business. It's like picking the perfect car for a road trip – there are options galore, and some might leave you scratching your head.

Two platforms rise above the rest: WooCommerce and BigCommerce. Both are powerhouses for building online stores, but which one is your perfect travel buddy? This guide will compare features, pricing, and ease of use to help you find the platform that fuels your online store adventure!

Let's ditch the confusion! We understand choosing between WooCommerce and BigCommerce can be overwhelming. This guide dives deep into both platforms, so you can make an informed decision

WooCommerce vs BigCommerce: Features Face-off

These are the basic feature comparison of WooCommerce and BigCommerce. 

Pricing Plans

Cost is a crucial factor. Let me explain the cost of WooCommerce vs BigCommerce

• WooCommerce: WooCommerce itself is free, like a basic car you can get running. But to really make your online store shine, you'll need some extras, kinda like adding cool wheels or a sound system. These extras can include: Website hosting, Domain name, Themes and Plugins.
• BigCommerce: Offers subscription plans with a free trial. Budgeting but may be more expensive in the long run because of hosting, advanced security features, eCommerce tools, and unlimited bandwidth and storage.

WooCommerce lets you keep a tighter grip on your budget. WooCommerce is free to use, you only pay for extra things like hosting, themes, and extra plugins. This can be better if you're just starting out and want to keep costs low. However, it can also mean more things to manage and potentially more bills to juggle.

Theme Options

Themes are very important to create an attractive and user-friendly online store. Here's how they compare:

• WooCommerce has a smaller collection of themes (around 85) compared to BigCommerce. But WooCommerce offers more than 3 themes for free.
  If you want something more unique, there are paid themes available too. These are generally budget-friendly, with most costing between $50 and $130 a year – like buying a nice new outfit for your online store without breaking the bank!
• BigCommerce offers a wider selection of themes, like having more store designs to choose from. They even have some free themes (around 12) to get you started.
  But if you want something fancier, there are paid themes available too. The costs of these themes are much higher starting from $100 to $400  like picking out a designer outfit for your online store..

You can also Read WooCommerce vs PrestaShop

E-commerce Tools: Built-in Features vs. Extension Frenzy

E-commerce functionalities are essential for managing your online store:

• WooCommerce: Offers fewer built-in features but allows adding advanced functionalities through extensions. This can be more complex to manage.
• BigCommerce: Offers robust built-in e-commerce features for sales, marketing, inventory management, and more, making it easier to use but less customizable

Add-ons: Expanding Functionality

Both platforms offer add-ons to extend functionalities:

• WooCommerce lets you add tons of cool features to your store, kind of like giving it superpowers! They have a huge selection of free and paid "plugins" (almost 60,000!), which are like special tools that add things like extra security or fancy marketing options.
  The prices for paid plugins vary, but they can be a good way to add specific features without spending a fortune. You can also check WooCommerce Plugins here
• BigCommerce offers a marketplace with over 1,200 apps and tools to boost your store, like adding sprinkles to an ice cream sundae! There are more than 600 free options to get you started, and for features you really want, there are paid apps too.
  The catch? The price for these paid apps can vary a lot. BigCommerce might give you a custom quote, which means they'll tell you the exact price based on your needs. This can be pricier than WooCommerce's flat-rate plugins.

Choosing the Right Option

The best platform depends on your specific needs and goals. Here's a quick guide:

Choose WooCommerce if:

• You're already invested in the WordPress ecosystem.
• You possess technical skills and enjoy customization.
• You're budget-conscious and want granular cost control.

Choose BigCommerce if:

• Ease of use and a streamlined setup process are paramount.
• You prefer a platform with built-in features and minimal customization needs.
• A subscription-based pricing model aligns better with your budget.

If you still can’t decide between these two, consider trying out free trials offered by both of these platforms. This will give you a free demo of their functionalities and interfaces. Remember, the ideal platform empowers you to effortlessly launch, manage, and grow your online store.

To Conclude

In short, WooCommerce is the best option if you're experienced with WordPress and customize your store more. It's also a good option if you have a low budget, as the core platform is free. However, you'll need to pay charges for extra things like website hosting and beautiful themes. Plus, it takes a little more technical know-how to set up and use. 

BigCommerce is user friendly and perfect for beginners and it is an all-in-one solution. Plus, it's easy to set up and use, even if you're not a technical expert. The downside? BigCommerce has a subscription fee, which can be more expensive than WooCommerce in the long run.

The best way to decide? Both platforms offer free trials, so you can take them for a spin and see which one feels like a better fit for you and your online store dreams!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch between these switching platforms?

Yes, switching between WooCommerce and BigCommerce is possible, but plan carefully. Migrating your store data requires effort. Consider a professional for a smooth transition.

Which one has low charges?

WooCommerce seems free initially, but you'll need to pay extra for hosting, themes, and extensions. These costs can add up. BigCommerce has a subscription plan with hosting, security, and built-in features, making budgeting easier, but potentially pricier in the long run.

Have more Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us