Starting an online business can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to building your website. With so many website builders available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. TFA3000.com has taken on the task of researching and comparing to help you make a decision! Three of the most popular website builders for e-commerce are Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce. Each of these platforms has its own unique features and benefits. In this blog post, we'll compare and contrast these three platforms and help you decide which one is best for your business needs. And just as a reminder, TFA3000.com is happy to help you build your perfectly branded site on either of these platforms!
Shopify
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that powers more than 1 million businesses worldwide. It is designed specifically for online businesses and provides a range of features and tools to help businesses sell products and services online. One of the significant advantages of Shopify is its user-friendly interface, making it easy for new start-ups to use.
Pricing
Shopify offers three different pricing plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. The Basic Shopify plan costs $29 per month and includes features such as an online store, unlimited products, and 24/7 support. The Shopify plan costs $79 per month and includes additional features such as gift cards and professional reports. The Advanced Shopify plan costs $299 per month and includes even more advanced features such as advanced report building tools, real-time carrier shipping, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
Free Options
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, which is an excellent way for new start-ups to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan. Shopify also offers a free app called 'Shopify Lite,' which allows businesses to sell products on their existing website or Facebook page without creating a new online store.
Customization
Shopify is known for its excellent customization options. The platform has a range of free and paid themes that businesses can choose from to customize their online store's look and feel. Shopify's drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to customize the website's layout and design without any coding experience. Shopify also has a large marketplace of third-party apps that businesses can use to add extra features to their online store, such as customer reviews or email marketing campaigns.
Wix
Wix is a popular website builder that allows businesses to create a website without any coding experience. It offers a range of features and tools that businesses can use to create an e-commerce website. Wix's user-friendly interface makes it easy for new start-ups to use, and it offers a wide range of customization options.
Pricing
Wix offers several pricing plans, including a free plan. The free plan is an excellent way for new start-ups to test out the platform and includes features such as a drag-and-drop builder, secure hosting, and a range of templates. The paid plans start at $14 per month for the 'Combo' plan and include additional features such as a custom domain name and ad vouchers. The most expensive plan, the 'VIP' plan, costs $39 per month and includes advanced features such as priority support and a professional site review.
Free Options
As mentioned above, Wix offers a free plan, which is an excellent way for new start-ups to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan. However, the free plan does come with some limitations, such as Wix branding on your website and limited storage and bandwidth.
Customization
Wix is known for its excellent customization options. The platform offers a range of templates that businesses can use as a starting point for their website. Wix's drag-and-drop builder makes it easy for businesses to customize their website's layout and design without any coding experience. Wix also offers a range of third-party apps that businesses can use to add extra features to their website, such as email marketing campaigns or social media feeds.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another popular e-commerce platform that offers a range of features and tools to help businesses sell products online. BigCommerce is designed for businesses of all sizes and is known for its scalability.
Pricing
BigCommerce offers three pricing plans: Standard, Plus, and Pro. The Standard plan costs $29.95 per month and includes features such as unlimited products, professional reporting, and a range of payment options. The Plus plan costs $79.95 per month and includes additional features such as abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation. The Pro plan costs $299.95 per month and includes even more advanced features such as Google customer reviews and custom SSL.
Free Options
BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial, which is an excellent way for new start-ups to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan. BigCommerce also offers a free plan for businesses that are just getting started. The free plan includes features such as an online store and unlimited products, but it does come with some limitations, such as a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Customization
BigCommerce offers a range of customization options, including a range of free and paid themes that businesses can use to customize their online store's look and feel. BigCommerce also offers a drag-and-drop builder that makes it easy for businesses to customize their website's layout and design without any coding experience. Additionally, BigCommerce offers a range of third-party apps that businesses can use to add extra features to their online store, such as customer reviews or email marketing campaigns.
Comparing the Three Platforms
When it comes to choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business, there are several factors to consider. Here's a breakdown of the differences between Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce:
Pricing: All three platforms offer a range of pricing plans, but Shopify and BigCommerce tend to be more expensive than Wix. However, they also offer more advanced features and tools.
Free Options: Shopify and BigCommerce both offer free trials, while Wix offers a free plan. However, all three platforms come with some limitations on their free plans.
Customization: All three platforms offer a range of customization options, including free and paid themes and a drag-and-drop builder. Shopify and BigCommerce also offer a range of third-party apps that businesses can use to add extra features to their online store.
Ease of Use: Shopify and Wix are both known for their user-friendly interfaces, making them easy for new start-ups to use. BigCommerce is also user-friendly but may be slightly more challenging to use for businesses with no e-commerce experience.
Conclusion
Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business can be challenging, but with the right research and knowledge, you can find the platform that best meets your needs. Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce all offer unique features and benefits, but ultimately, the best platform for your business will depend on your budget, customization needs, and level of e-commerce experience. We hope this comparison has helped you narrow down your options and find the perfect platform to help your business succeed online.
1. Shopify. (n.d.). Plans and pricing. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.shopify.com/pricing
2. Wix. (n.d.). Pricing. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.wix.com/pricing/website
3. BigCommerce. (n.d.). Pricing. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.bigcommerce.com/pricing/
4. Shopify. (n.d.). Free trial. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.shopify.com/free-trial
5. Wix. (n.d.). Free website builder: Build a website for free. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.wix.com/ 6. BigCommerce. (n.d.). Start selling for free. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.bigcommerce.com/sell-online/
7. Shopify. (n.d.). Theme store. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://themes.shopify.com/
8. Wix. (n.d.). Templates. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.wix.com/website/templates
9. BigCommerce. (n.d.). Themes. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://themes.bigcommerce.com/
10. Shopify. (n.d.). App store. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://apps.shopify.com/
11. Wix. (n.d.). App market. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.wix.com/app-market/main
12. BigCommerce. (n.d.). Apps. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.bigcommerce.com/apps/
13. Oberlo. (2021, December 16). Shopify vs. Wix vs. BigCommerce: Which Is Best? Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.oberlo.com/blog/shopify-vs-wix-vs-bigcommerce
Statistics:
According to BuiltWith, as of February 2023, Shopify is the leading e-commerce platform, powering over 1.9 million websites worldwide. In comparison, Wix powers over 532,000 e-commerce websites, while BigCommerce powers over 70,000 websites.
According to Statista, e-commerce sales in the US are expected to reach $908.73 billion in 2023, up from $601.65 billion in 2020. As more businesses move online, the demand for e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce is only set to increase.
In conclusion, Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce are all popular e-commerce platforms that offer a range of features and tools to help businesses sell products online. While each platform has its own unique features and pricing plans, all three platforms offer customization options and free options to get started. Ultimately, the best platform for your business will depend on your budget, customization needs, and level of e-commerce experience. With the right research and knowledge, you can find the perfect platform to help your business succeed online.