BigCommerce and WooCommerce are both reliable platforms for building an online store and selling products. If you’re already using WordPress, WooCommerce is a very suitable option, while BigCommerce makes an all-in-one platform available.
BigCommerce has more integrated features and functions than Shopify and other popular solutions. It supports online and in-person sales. Thanks to its wealth of customization and optimization features, it can help your store stand out from the competition.
On the other hand, WooCommerce is faster to set up. If your site is on WordPress, it already comes with the content management system as a plugin. It features integrations with multiple other tools and has lots of extensions to improve its capacity beyond the basics.
WooCommerce Pros
WooCommerce is easier to set up than most e-commerce platforms because it is not an autonomous solution but part of WordPress. You simply install it with the CMS and build your online store, then manage it via the WordPress dashboard. It has a wide variety of free and premium themes, and getting started is quick with the Storefront theme.
The platform is customizable
WooCommerce is a perfect option for beginners who don’t know how to code. If you do, its customization options are even more extensive. WooCommerce is open-source, which means you can change its code and setup as you wish. This includes product listings, the header and footer, the checkout, and more. Finally, it’s compatible with all kinds of sectors, so you can sell virtual or physical items.
Free to use
WooCommerce is free with WordPress, and even its premium themes are affordable. Its Standard plan and Premium plan cost $12.95 resp. $24.95 per month. What’s more, each plan comes with a long money-back guarantee. If the Premium plan doesn’t work for you for whatever reason, you face no risk, and this also goes for any add-ons you opt for.
Advanced security
Your and your customers’ data will be well-protected because this plugin has among the top e-commerce security features on the market. These features undergo regular automatic updates. While there are no backup tools or SSL certificates, WooCommerce’s advanced settings include those. Moreover, companies providing web hosting for WooCommerce offer free SSL certificates for WordPress users.
WooCommerce Drawback
WooCommerce has fewer features than BigCommerce and other all-in-one solutions. It’s recommended that you plan your ecommerce store structure in advance because you might end up paying too much for excessive functionality.
BigCommerce Pros
This solution comes with most of the functions and features you need to get started. As it has everything a new business needs to launch, you won’t need to install any extras, especially if you plan on selling across platforms. The platform can work for companies of all sizes and is highly scalable, so you don’t have to worry about outgrowing it with time.
Wide range of integrated features
BigCommerce has a multitude of integrated features, including B2B and B2C solutions, design tools, conversion options, etc. It also connects to WordPress. The design tools include coupon and discount sections, a visual editor, customer groups, checkout and theme customization, APIs, multi-currency, and many more.
Multi-channel sales
BigCommerce comes with out-of-the-box tools to sell all kinds of services and products across multiple channels. If you are active in numerous locations, BigCommerce will be a great fit. It can accommodate physical venues, online businesses, marketplaces, and social media. You’ll be able to meet customers at their locations and increase your sales.
BigCommerce Drawback
The multitude of options and features goes with a certain complexity, and that’s understandably associated with a steeper learning curve. You have to learn how each feature works, a fact mildly alleviated by the existence of a drag-and-drop website builder. BigCommerce is a better fit for people with experience in ecommerce, for whom the learning curve won’t be an issue. The platform is easy to manage once you get used to it.
Final Thoughts
With intuitive functionality and comprehensive ecommerce features, both of these solutions will make store management easy in 2024 and beyond. If you’re on WordPress, you have an obvious preference for WooCommerce. Its easy setup and customization make it the perfect option if you want centralized control over your sales and website. If you’re selling across channels and need more features, then BigCommerce is the way to go.
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