Big Cartel vs WooCommerce: Choosing the Right Ecommerce Platform for You

The world of ecommerce is booming, with more and more businesses taking their products online. But with so many ecommerce platforms available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Two popular options are Big Cartel and WooCommerce. This guide will break down their strengths and weaknesses between Big Cartel vs WooCommerce to help you pick the perfect platform for your online store.

Big Cartel vs WooCommerce: An Overview

Big Cartel is a hosted platform designed for simplicity. It’s ideal for creatives and small businesses selling a limited number of products. Big Cartel offers a user-friendly interface and attractive themes, making it easy to set up a beautiful online store without any coding knowledge. Think of it as a user-friendly storefront builder that allows you to showcase your products in a clean and visually appealing way.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, is a free, open-source plugin for WordPress. It offers extensive flexibility and scalability, making it a powerful choice for businesses of all sizes. However, WooCommerce requires some technical knowledge for installation and customization. Imagine WooCommerce as a versatile toolbox that gives you complete control over building and customizing your online store, but it requires some know-how to use the tools effectively.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Big Cartel vs WooCommerce

Now, let’s delve deeper and compare Big Cartel and WooCommerce across key factors:

Ease of Use and Setup:

Big Cartel wins in this category. Its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editing make setting up a store effortless. Even someone with no prior experience can create a professional-looking online store within minutes. WooCommerce requires some technical knowledge for installation and customization. You might need to install WordPress itself, configure settings, and potentially deal with code editing if you want to achieve a highly customized look and feel.

Pricing and Value for Money:

Big Cartel offers tiered plans with monthly fees. Transaction fees apply as well, which can eat into your profits as your sales grow. WooCommerce itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for WordPress hosting, which can range from affordable shared plans to dedicated servers depending on your traffic and needs. You might also need to factor in additional costs for premium themes and plugins that extend WooCommerce’s functionalities.

Features and Functionality:

WooCommerce boasts a wider range of features, including advanced product management tools like variations and stock control, built-in marketing tools like coupons and discounts, and extensive customization options through themes and plugins. Big Cartel offers basic features like product listings, order management, and some marketing integrations, but it’s not as feature-rich as WooCommerce. For businesses with complex product offerings or specific marketing needs, WooCommerce provides a more comprehensive toolkit.

Design and Customization:

Both platforms offer a variety of themes. Big Cartel’s themes are generally more user-friendly for beginners and tend to have a focus on clean aesthetics, making them ideal for showcasing artwork, photography, or other visually-driven products. WooCommerce offers a wider range of themes with more diverse styles, and the ability to heavily customize them through code editing or page builders. This gives you more control over the overall look and feel of your store, but it requires more technical expertise.

Scalability and Growth Potential:

WooCommerce is the clear winner here. Its extensive features and customizability allow you to scale your store as your business grows. You can add new features and functionalities through plugins, manage a large product catalog, and handle increasing traffic volumes. Big Cartel might feel limiting for larger businesses with a wider product range or complex needs. As your business expands, you might find yourself outgrowing Big Cartel’s capabilities.

Choosing the Right Platform

• Who Should Choose Big Cartel? Ideal for artists, designers, and small businesses selling a handful of products. It’s perfect if you prioritize ease of use, beautiful design templates, and a hassle-free setup. Big Cartel allows you to quickly create a visually-appealing online store to showcase your products without getting bogged down in technical complexities.
• Who Should Choose WooCommerce? A great choice for businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurs starting out to established brands. It’s ideal if you need a powerful, scalable platform with extensive features and customization options. WooCommerce empowers you to build a feature-rich online store that can grow alongside your business.

Additional Considerations:

• Security and Payment Processing: Both platforms offer secure payment processing options through reputable providers. However, it’s always a good practice to research their security features and compliance standards to ensure they meet your business’s specific needs.
• Customer Support: Big Cartel offers email and knowledge base support. This can be helpful for getting started and resolving basic issues, but it might not be as comprehensive as the support options available for WooCommerce. WooCommerce relies heavily on a community-driven support model, with a vast amount of documentation, tutorials, and forums available online. Additionally, many premium WooCommerce themes and plugins offer their own dedicated support channels.
• App Integrations and Extensions: WooCommerce shines in this area. Its open-source nature allows for a vast ecosystem of third-party plugins and extensions. You can find extensions for almost anything imaginable, from adding advanced shipping options to integrating with marketing automation tools and social media platforms. Big Cartel offers a more limited selection of apps and integrations, which can restrict its functionality for businesses with specific needs.

Conclusion

The battle between Big Cartel vs WooCommerce is a close one, with each platform offering distinct strengths. By carefully considering the factors explored in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and technical expertise. Remember, there’s no single “best” platform – the optimal choice depends on your unique needs.

Don’t Let the Tech Overwhelm You! Building a successful online store goes beyond selecting a platform. OnextDigital can be your trusted partner throughout your ecommerce journey. We offer a range of services designed to empower your online presence: Web Development Service, Mobile App Development, UX/UI Design Service, White label software service, and CRM & auto marketing implement service. Visit OnextDigital today and let’s discuss how we can help you unlock the full potential of your ecommerce business!