WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: Which is Best

When we are talking about developing an online store, two popular platforms often take the spotlight: BigCommerce and WooCommerce. These eCommerce platforms provide a wide range of features and advantages. Hence, it is important to understand their key differences.

In simple terms, BigCommerce is a cloud-based platform popular for its simplicity and scalability. On the contrary, WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress that offers a flexible and customizable approach. While both platforms have their strengths, your choice depends on your needs and preferences.

In this comparative guide, we will understand the differences between BigCommerce and WooCommerce to help you make an informed decision for your online store.

BigCommerce vs WooCommerce: A Comprehensive Comparison

Let’s compare BigCommerce and WooCommerce based on some key factors.

1. Ease of Use

BigCommerce is popular for its easy-to-use interface, featuring a simple and user-friendly dashboard. This makes it a perfect choice for entrepreneurs who are not tech-savvy.

Whereas WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin, which can be a bit complicated. Setting up and personalizing WooCommerce may need some technical skills.

Hence, if you prefer a simple and user-friendly experience, BigCommerce is the way to go. However, if you have a profound knowledge of WordPress or are willing to learn, then WooCommerce can provide more flexibility.

2. Design Flexibility

BigCommerce provides various responsive templates and a simple drag-and-drop builder. This makes it easy to create a stylish online store. You can easily customize themes and templates, personalize your site’s look.

If you need a more advanced and responsive design, then an experienced BigCommerce development company can help you achieve that.

Now, in the case of WooCommerce, it depends on themes and plugins, which can give you more control over design but might require technical knowledge. Hence, if you are well versed in the technology, WooCommerce can be very flexible for your unique business requirements.

3. Scalability

Scalability is crucial when comparing BigCommerce and WooCommerce, as it determines how well each platform can adapt and grow alongside the changing needs of your business.

BigCommerce is a hosted platform, so you do not have to handle technical aspects such as storage, backups, updates, downtimes, or security. When your eCommerce store grows, you must upgrade your plan, and BigCommerce will take care of the rest. Moreover, you can also choose to go headless with BigCommerce to enhance your store’s performance and scalability.

Whereas in WooCommerce, you have to completely manage your website’s resources, backups, updates, and security. In addition, it may need extra optimization and hosting resources to handle high-traffic loads.

In short, BigCommerce typically provides better scalability for growing your online business.

4. eCommerce Tools & Features

BigCommerce has many features, such as abandoned cart recovery, advanced product options, product reviews, etc. You do not have to hunt for extra tools to integrate these features with your eCommerce store. This is one of the main reasons why you should consider BigCommerce for your online store.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, depends on plugins or extensions to offer these functionalities. It may require extra time and effort to find and install suitable plugins.

Hence, if you prefer a simple and easy solution, BigCommerce may be the way to go. It can save you time and help you focus on managing and running your eCommerce business seamlessly.

5. Apps And Plugins Integrations

BigCommerce and WooCommerce offer various apps and plugins to enhance your eCommerce store.

BigCommerce features over 1,000 apps across categories like marketing, analytics, payments, and more. With such a wide selection, it’s easier for store owners to integrate essential tools with BigCommerce and tailor their store functionality as per their business needs.

If you’re unsure which apps to start with, exploring some of the best BigCommerce apps can give you insights into must-have tools that can boost performance, improve UX, and streamline store management.

WooCommerce, on the contrary, provides even more diverse plugins. It gives you access to over 55,000 plugins, including both free and premium ones. These contain various areas, such as shipping, payments, and store management.

6. Payment Options and Fees

Regarding payment choices, both BigCommerce and WooCommerce offer various ways to pay on your online store. You can easily integrate popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and Square.

BigCommerce supports 65+ third-party payment processors, depending on your location. Note that some of these might have monthly fees or transaction charges, which vary based on your chosen payment gateway. You will have to contact the gateway provider for specific fee details.

On the contrary, WooCommerce supports over 100+ payment gateways, including Authorize.Net. Therefore, if you are looking for a wide range of payment options, WooCommerce may be the better choice for you.

It is important to note that neither BigCommerce nor WooCommerce impose their own transaction fees. Any extra costs come directly from your chosen payment gateway.

7. SEO

If your online store is not SEO-optimized, it will struggle with common eCommerce challenges like low visibility and sales. Luckily, BigCommerce and WooCommerce provide SEO features, but there are a few differences one must consider.

BigCommerce offers built-in SEO tools that make it easier for beginners to optimize their eCommerce site. ReloadSEO, FavSEO, and ProSEOTracker are some key SEO apps that BigCommerce offers to improve your SEO Performance. Apart from that a custom URL, meta title, meta description, and 301 redirects are also some essential SEO features in BigCommerce.

In contrast, WooCommerce is dependent on plugins for SEO. However, this gives you more control but requires extra effort. While WooCommerce has SEO plugins available, they often need more manual setup and ongoing maintenance.

In the end, BigCommerce wins the SEO battle for its SEO simplicity. Its integrated tools make it easier for users to optimize their eCommerce store.

8. Help and Support

BigCommerce provides 24/7 customer support. That means you can get help anytime you want. They provide various ways to reach out for assistance.

On the other hand, WooCommerce relies on community forums and plugin support. You may have to do more troubleshooting on your own or rely on the community to resolve the problem.

Hence, if you prefer prompt and professional support, BigCommerce can be your better choice. WooCommerce, on the contrary, leans more towards a do-it-yourself approach.

9. Pricing

BigCommerce offers three pricing plans to choose from:

1. Standard – $29/ month
2. Plus – $79/ month
3. Pro – $299/ month

The above pricing is billed annually. There is also an Enterprise plan for large enterprises. You have to contact BigCommerce for a quote.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, is a free WordPress plugin, so you do not have to pay a penny. You only have to pay for themes, plugins, SSL certificates, and web hosting if you choose WooCommerce.

Regarding pricing, WooCommerce is clearly a winner as it is a simple, cost-effective solution. However, if you prefer an all-inclusive package with features and support, BigCommerce can be the choice.

Conclusion

When we talk about WooCommerce vs BigCommerce, both platforms have their own strengths. BigCommerce stands out with its all-in-one approach, scalability, and user-friendly features that make it a perfect choice for enterprises looking for a hassle-free experience.

On the contrary, WooCommerce provides more flexibility and control. It is ideal for those who want to personalize their online store extensively.

The winner ultimately depends on your specific requirements. For simplicity and ease of use, BigCommerce takes the lead. However, if you prefer complete control and versatility, WooCommerce may be your choice.

If you still have any doubts about choosing between these two platforms, feel free to contact us.

At WebDesk Solution, we offer professional eCommerce development services catering to businesses of all sizes. Our skilled developers can help you build your desired eCommerce store on BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or any other eCommerce platform you choose and offer top-tier client support.