Article
icon
Read time : 8 min
icon
Published on 03-07-2024
icon
Article
icon
Read time : 8 min
icon
Published on 03-07-2024
icon

BigCartel Vs Shopify: Which Store Builder is Better?

Aakanksha Sharma
Aakanksha Sharma
Content Marketer
BigCartel Vs Shopify: Which Store Builder is Better?

Having worked with numerous small businesses, I've seen firsthand how the right e-commerce platform can be a game-changer. That's why I'm zeroing in on Big Cartel and Shopify – they're like the two best tools in your kit. For small businesses, particularly those in creative fields, these platforms are not just about selling; they're about bringing your brand story to life in the digital world. This article is your go-to guide, helping you navigate the ins and outs of both, so you can make a choice that truly aligns with your business's soul and growth plans

What is Shopify?

Working with small businesses, I often recommend Shopify for those who want a no-fuss, all-in-one e-commerce solution. It's like having a reliable assistant handling the nitty-gritty of running an online store. From web hosting to security, Shopify's got it covered. Setting up a store is a breeze – choose a design, add your products, and boom, you're selling in no time. What's really impressive is how Shopify caters to the mobile market. With most shopping now on phones, having a mobile-optimized store is crucial. Plus, the security and PCI compliance give you peace of mind. The app ecosystem is vast; think of adding cool features like live chat or loyalty programs with just a few clicks. And if you ever hit a snag, their 24/7 support is a lifesaver.

Take Beckendorf Gallery, for instance – they've successfully carved out their online art space on Shopify. It's a bit pricier in the long run, but for the ease and features you get, it's often worth it for businesses focused on growth and customer experience

What is BigCartel?

When we first introduced Big Cartel to a client, an emerging artist, it was a revelation. Unlike other platforms geared toward larger operations, Big Cartel felt tailored for creatives taking their first step in online sales. Its simplicity – pick a theme, add products, set shipping, and you're live – was a perfect fit.

What really struck a chord was Big Cartel’s affordability. For small-scale creators, the low monthly costs and zero sales commissions made it a stress-free choice. Integrating with familiar tools like PayPal was a bonus. For our client, and others like them, Big Cartel was the ideal starting point, blending ease of use with budget-friendliness, focusing on their passion rather than the complexities of e-commerce.

Shopify Vs BigCartel: Market Share

Shopify dominates the market. They have a 25.18% share of the shopping cart software space, while BigCartel holds just 4.25%. Shopify powers over 600,000 businesses, while BigCartel has around 30,000 stores. Shopify is a publicly traded company valued at over $100 billion, while BigCartel is still privately held.

The huge difference in market share tells me Shopify is likely the safer, more stable choice. They have more resources to improve their platform and support merchants continually. Shopify has a much larger app ecosystem, with over 2,500 apps available. This makes it easy to extend your store’s functionality.

However, bigger isn’t always better. The smaller size of BigCartel means they may be able to provide more personalized support. Their simpler, pared-down platform is appealing if you want an easy-to-use solution without many bells and whistles. Lower fees are another benefit of BigCartel.

BigCartel Vs Shopify: Main Differences

Shopify Features that Win Over BigCartel

  • Robust E-commerce Features: Shopify offers a comprehensive set of tools and features for e-commerce, ideal for businesses aiming to scale quickly.
  • Extensive App Marketplace: A vast range of add-ons and integrations are available in Shopify's marketplace, catering to diverse business needs.
  • Advanced Marketing and SEO Tools: Shopify provides superior marketing and SEO capabilities, crucial for expanding online presence and reach.
  • Global Payment and Multi-Currency Support: Supports a wide array of payment gateways and multi-currency, essential for targeting international markets.
  • 24/7 Customer Support: Round-the-clock support ensures immediate assistance, vital for resolving operational issues swiftly.
  • Customization and Flexibility: High degree of customization and flexibility in design and functionality to meet specific business needs.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Advanced tools for analytics and reporting offer valuable insights for data-driven decision-making.

BigCartel Features that Win Over Shopify

  • Free for Fundamentals: The 'Gold' plan is completely free, allowing listing of five products without hidden costs, perfect for businesses starting out.
  • Affordable Scaling: Transition to feature-rich plans is economical, with plans at $9.99 or $19.99 a month, compared to Shopify's starting plan of $29.
  • Inclusive Design Options: Offers 18 built-in themes at no extra cost, encouraging visual experimentation and brand evolution.
  • Transparent Transactions: Partners with established payment processors like PayPal and Stripe without additional costs.
  • Curated Convenience: A more streamlined selection of extensions, aligning closely with the needs of independent artists and small businesses.
  • Ease of Transition: Features a product importing tool for seamless migration from platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or Squarespace.

BigCartel Vs Shopify: Pricing and Fees

Let’s focus specifically on their fees and commissions. Consulting with clients over the years, I've seen how these costs can influence your platform choice. We'll dive into the details of Big Cartel vs Shopify fees and compare the commission taken by Shopify vs Big Cartel. This comparison is essential for anyone deciding where to set up their online store, ensuring you make an informed choice that aligns with your budget and business goals. Let's explore these two platforms and their pricing structures.

Big Cartel Pricing:

  • Free Plan: $0 per month, allows up to 5 products.
  • Platinum Plan: $9.99 per month, up to 50 products.
  • Diamond Plan: $19.99 per month, up to 500 products.
  • Transaction Fees: None, regardless of the plan.

Shopify Pricing:

  • Basic Shopify: $29 per month, plus 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction.
  • Shopify: $79 per month, plus 2.6% + 30¢ per online transaction.
  • Advanced Shopify: $299 per month, plus 2.4% + 30¢ per online transaction.
  • Transaction Fees: Waived if using Shopify Payments; otherwise, an additional fee applies depending on the plan.

Features for the Price:

  • Big Cartel: More suited for smaller operations, offering basic e-commerce features. Ideal for artists and independent sellers.
  • Shopify: Provides a comprehensive suite of features, including advanced analytics, a wider range of sales channels, and extensive marketing tools, suitable for businesses looking to scale.

Ease of Scaling:

  • Big Cartel: Great for startups and small businesses, but may lack the advanced features needed for larger operations.
  • Shopify: Designed to grow with your business, offering more robust features and integrations in higher-tier plans.

Overall Value:

  • Big Cartel: An excellent choice for small-scale sellers due to its affordability and no transaction fees.
  • Shopify: Offers greater value for growing and established businesses that need a scalable, feature-rich platform.

Shopify Vs BigCartel: Pros and Cons

BigCartel Pros:

  • Simplicity and Ease of Use: BigCartel is designed for artists and makers, offering a straightforward platform that's easy to navigate.
  • Affordability: It offers a free plan and relatively low-cost plans, making it accessible for small businesses and individual artists.
  • Customization: While it has fewer themes than Shopify, BigCartel allows for HTML and CSS customization, offering some flexibility in design.
  • No Transaction Fees: BigCartel doesn't charge transaction fees on sales.

BigCartel Cons:

  • Limited Features: Compared to Shopify, BigCartel has limited features, especially in marketing and SEO tools.
  • Fewer Integrations: It has fewer integrations and apps compared to Shopify, which can limit functionality for growing businesses.
  • Limited Payment Options: BigCartel offers fewer payment gateways, which might not suit all customers.
  • Scaling Limitations: It's more suited for small-scale businesses and might not be the best option for rapidly growing businesses.

Shopify Pros:

  • Extensive Features: Shopify offers a wide range of features, including advanced marketing and SEO tools.
  • Numerous Integrations: It has a large app store with numerous integrations, enhancing its functionality.
  • Versatility: Shopify is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small to large enterprises.
  • Multiple Payment Options: It supports a wide range of payment gateways, catering to a broader customer base.

Shopify Cons:

  • Cost: Shopify can be more expensive, especially when adding apps and integrations.
  • Transaction Fees: Unless using Shopify Payments, it charges additional transaction fees.
  • Complexity: With its extensive features, Shopify can be overwhelming for beginners or small-scale businesses.
  • Less Customization in Free Themes: While it offers more themes than BigCartel, the free themes have limited customization options.

Conclusion

In summing up the choice between BigCartel Vs Shopify, it comes down to your current needs and future plans. Big Cartel is ideal for those starting small, offering just enough features to get your creative products out there without overwhelming you. It's cost-effective for businesses that are in the early stages of growth. On the flip side, Shopify is your go-to for a more feature-rich environment that supports scaling up your operations. Each platform serves different stages of business growth, so consider your product, resources, and vision to make the right choice for your e-commerce venture.

FAQs

1. Is Big Cartel as good as Shopify?

Big Cartel and Shopify cater to different needs. Big Cartel is simpler and more suited for small, independent artists and creators. Shopify, with its extensive features, is ideal for larger businesses and those needing more scalability.

2. Is Big Cartel good for selling?

Yes, Big Cartel is good for small-scale sellers, especially artists and indie brands. Its simplicity and artist-focused features make it a great starting point for small online stores.

3. Can I switch from Big Cartel to Shopify?

Absolutely. Switching from Big Cartel to Shopify is possible and is often done as businesses grow and require more advanced features that Shopify offers.

4. Is it free to sell on BigCartel?

Big Cartel offers a free plan, allowing you to list up to 5 products without monthly fees. However, for more products and features, you'll need one of their paid plans.

5. Do luxury brands use Shopify?

Yes, many luxury brands use Shopify for its robust e-commerce features, scalability, and ability to create a high-end online shopping experience.

6. What is better than Big Cartel?

"Better" depends on your needs. For larger businesses or those needing more features, Shopify or WooCommerce might be better. For simplicity and ease of use, Big Cartel is excellent.

7. Can Big Cartel sell digital products?

Yes, Big Cartel supports the sale of digital products. You can sell items like digital art, music, ebooks, and more.

8. How do I merge Shopify and Big Cartel?

Merging Shopify and Big Cartel directly isn't straightforward. You might need to use third-party tools or services to migrate products and customer data from one platform to the other.

9. Can you link Big Cartel to Instagram Shop?

Yes, you can link Big Cartel to Instagram Shop. This allows you to tag products in your Instagram posts and direct customers to your Big Cartel store.