Shopify and Big Cartel are two of the most popular ecommerce platforms on the market. Both platforms offer a variety of features and tools to help you build and grow your online store. So, which platform is the best for your business?
To help you decide, we’ve put together a comparison of Shopify and Big Cartel. We’ll cover the key features of each platform, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms on the market. It’s used by big brands like Tesla, Red Bull, and The Guardian, as well as small businesses and entrepreneurs. Shopify is a complete ecommerce platform that offers everything you need to build and grow your online store.
Some of the key features of Shopify include:
- A customizable platform – you can change the look and feel of your store to match your brand
- Hundreds of apps and integrations – there’s an app for almost everything, from accounting to email marketing
- 24/7 support – Shopify offers excellent customer support, with live chat, phone, and email support available 24/7
- A built-in blog – you can use Shopify’s built-in blog to write articles about your products or industry
Shopify also has some drawbacks, including:
- Transaction fees
Shopify charges a transaction fee on every sale you make. The transaction fee is 2% if you’re using Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in payment processor), or 0.5% if you’re using a third-party payment processor like PayPal or Stripe. This can add up if you have a high volume of sales.
- Restrictions on shipping and payment methods
Shopify places restrictions on which shipping and payment methods you can use. For example, you can only use certain shipping methods if you sign up for Shopify Shipping (which starts at $9 per month). And, you can only use certain payment methods if you’re using Shopify Payments.
- Themes can be expensive
While Shopify does offer free themes, many of the best themes cost upwards of $180.
- You need to be tech-savvy to use it
Shopify is a complex platform with a lot of features. If you’re not comfortable with technology, it may be difficult for you to use.
Big Cartel
Big Cartel is an ecommerce platform designed specifically for artists and small businesses. It offers everything you need to build and grow your online store, including customizable themes, powerful tools, and 24/7 support.
Some of the key features of Big Cartel include:
- A simple platform – Big Cartel is designed for simplicity. It’s easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
- No transaction fees – Unlike Shopify , Big Cartel doesn’t charge transaction fees. This means you keep more of your revenue.
- No restrictions on shipping or payment methods – You can use any shipping or payment method with Big Cartel. There are no restrictions.
- A built-in blog – You can use Big Cartel ’ s built – in blog to write articles about your products or industry.
Big Cartel also has some drawbacks, including:
- Limited functionality compared to other ecommerce platforms.
While it is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface, it does not offer the same range of features as platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. For example, Big Cartel does not have a built-in blogging platform, and it does not offer as many payment gateways or shipping options.
- Limited customization options.
While you can customize the look and feel of your store, you are limited to the themes and design options provided by Big Cartel. This can be a problem if you want to create a truly unique store that stands out from the competition. - Limited scalability.
While it is a good platform for small businesses and artists, it may not be suitable for larger businesses that need more advanced features and more room to grow.
