Are you looking to start an online store but struggling to choose between WooCommerce and BigCommerce? Both are popular e-commerce platforms that offer many features and benefits to help boost sales and growth, but which one is better? In this article, we will compare WooCommerce and BigCommerce to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Overview
WooCommerce is a popular open-source plugin for WordPress websites that allows you to add e-commerce functionality to your site. It has a large global community of developers and users who contribute to its development and maintenance. BigCommerce, on the other hand, is a stand-alone e-commerce platform that does not require a website to function.
Ease of Use
WooCommerce is straightforward to install and set up, but it can be quite technical if you don’t have a good understanding of WordPress. However, if you already have a WordPress website, WooCommerce integrates easily and requires no additional learning curve. BigCommerce, on the other hand, is easy to set up and use, with no technical knowledge required. It has a more intuitive interface, making it ideal for beginners or those without a website.
Features
Both platforms offer an extensive range of features that can help your online store succeed. However, BigCommerce has more built-in features than WooCommerce and includes several key features that are not available in WooCommerce, such as abandoned cart saver, product ratings, and reviews. WooCommerce, on the other hand, requires additional plugins to unlock many critical features, including stock management, payment gateway integrations, and shipping calculation.
Design and Customization
WooCommerce is ideal if you want complete control over the look and feel of your online store. It offers thousands of free and paid templates and themes that can be easily customized. You can also add custom functionality with plugins. BigCommerce, on the other hand, has more predefined templates, which are also customizable, but with less flexibility than WooCommerce.
Scalability
Both platforms are scalable and can handle a high volume of products and orders. However, when it comes to scaling, BigCommerce stands out as it handles the server setup, maintenance, and security, allowing you to focus on growing your business. WooCommerce, on the other hand, requires you to manage your website’s server, which can be time-consuming and require technical expertise.
Pricing
WooCommerce is free to install and use, but you may need to pay for premium themes, plugins, and integrations, depending on your needs. BigCommerce offers a range of pricing plans that cater to different needs and budgets. It has a 15-day free trial, and pricing starts at $29.95/month.
Customer Support
Both platforms offer support via email, live chat, and phone, but BigCommerce provides more extensive 24/7 support, including priority support for its enterprise customers. WooCommerce relies on its community of developers and users for support, which could be time-consuming and less reliable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both WooCommerce and BigCommerce have their pros and cons, making it difficult to determine which is better. It ultimately depends on your business needs, budget, and technical expertise. WooCommerce is ideal for those who want a customizable online store that integrates with their WordPress website, while BigCommerce is perfect for those looking for an all-in-one e-commerce solution that is easy to use and offers more built-in features. Whatever platform you choose, they both offer many benefits that can help your online store succeed.