Bigcommerce Review: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons

BigCommerce Review: The E-Commerce Platform that Packs a Punch

Are you planning to start your own online store but feel overwhelmed by the choices out there? Well, you’re not alone! With so many e-commerce platforms available, picking the right one can be tricky. But if you want a platform that’s easy to use, scalable, and packed with features, BigCommerce might just be the solution you’re looking for. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what BigCommerce has to offer, how it stacks up against other platforms, and whether it’s the right fit for your business.

Key Features and Benefits

BigCommerce is a cloud-based e-commerce platform designed to help businesses create online stores quickly and manage them with ease. Here’s what makes it stand out:

1. Customizable Templates: BigCommerce offers a wide range of professionally designed templates, giving you flexibility in how your store looks. Whether you’re into minimalist designs or something more complex, there’s something for everyone.
2. Built-in SEO Features: BigCommerce offers powerful SEO tools to help you rank higher on Google. It lets you customize URLs, add meta descriptions, and even offers a blog feature to drive traffic to your store.
3. Mobile Optimization: All BigCommerce templates are mobile responsive, meaning your store will look great on phones and tablets—no additional work needed.
4. Multiple Payment Gateways: BigCommerce supports a variety of payment gateways including PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay, making it easier for you to accept payments globally.
5. Multi-Channel Selling: One of BigCommerce’s standout features is its ability to integrate with popular sales channels like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. This makes managing your sales on multiple platforms a breeze.
6. Advanced Reporting Tools: With BigCommerce, you get access to in-depth analytics and reports that allow you to track sales, customer behavior, and product performance. This helps you make smarter business decisions.

Personal Experience

I decided to try BigCommerce for a small online store I launched a few months ago. The setup was relatively simple, and I was able to get my store up and running in no time. The interface was pretty intuitive, and I appreciated how easy it was to customize the design, even with limited coding knowledge. The SEO tools were a big help in driving traffic to my site early on. However, the real kicker was when I expanded my store to sell on Facebook. The integration was seamless, and it saved me so much time in managing orders across multiple platforms.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• User-Friendly: Even beginners can quickly get the hang of it.
• Feature-Rich: Offers advanced features like multi-channel selling, detailed reports, and built-in SEO.
• Scalability: Great for growing businesses, thanks to its flexible plans and advanced tools.
• Secure & Reliable: BigCommerce provides SSL certificates and is PCI compliant, ensuring your store’s security.
• Excellent Customer Support: 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email. I never had to wait long for a response.

Cons:

• Pricing Can Be High: Compared to other platforms, BigCommerce’s pricing is on the higher end, especially if you’re just starting out.
• Limited Themes on Lower Plans: The best templates are only available on higher-tier plans.
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic setup is easy, using some of BigCommerce’s more advanced tools may require a learning curve.
• Transaction Fees on Lower Plans: The lower-tier plans come with transaction fees if you don’t use the BigCommerce payment gateway.

Comparison With Alternatives

When compared to other e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace, BigCommerce offers a good balance between features and price. Let’s break it down:

• BigCommerce vs. Shopify: Shopify is more popular and offers more app integrations, but BigCommerce tends to be more feature-rich right out of the box without needing extra plugins. Shopify’s pricing can get steep with the added costs of apps and transaction fees.
• BigCommerce vs. Wix: Wix is great for beginners, but its e-commerce capabilities are more limited than BigCommerce. If you’re looking to scale, BigCommerce offers more advanced features and better customization.
• BigCommerce vs. Squarespace: Squarespace is more affordable and visually appealing for creatives, but BigCommerce is better suited for those serious about growing an online store, offering more powerful tools like reporting and multi-channel selling.

Ideal User Profile

BigCommerce is best suited for growing businesses that are serious about scaling. Whether you’re a small business just starting out or an established brand looking to expand your online presence, BigCommerce offers the tools you need to succeed. However, if you’re a hobbyist or just want to run a small shop, it might be a bit too much for your needs.

Pricing and Where to Buy

BigCommerce offers a variety of pricing plans depending on your business needs:

• Standard Plan: $39/month
• Plus Plan: $105/month
• Pro Plan: $399/month
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

While the entry-level plan is affordable, businesses looking to scale might find themselves jumping to the Plus or Pro plans for more features. The higher-tier plans are expensive, but they come with advanced tools and more comprehensive customer support.

You can sign up for BigCommerce directly on their website. They also offer a 15-day free trial, so you can test out the platform before committing to a plan.

Final Verdict

Overall, BigCommerce is an excellent choice for businesses that want a comprehensive and scalable e-commerce solution. It’s feature-rich, customizable, and offers excellent customer support. However, it may not be the best fit for beginners or small businesses on a tight budget. If you’re serious about growing your store and need advanced tools right from the start, BigCommerce is definitely worth considering.

In short, if you’re looking to take your e-commerce business to the next level, BigCommerce can provide the tools and flexibility you need. But if you’re just starting out or have a smaller budget, you might want to explore other options first.