The Return Season is here! Retain over 40% of your returns as exchanges! - Learn More
    • Tracking & Notifications

      Boost customer experience and reduce support tickets

      Identify and Resolve Order Issues

      Realtime order and shipment tracking

      Delivery Notifications

      Proactive order and shipping notifications

      Increase Conversion Rate

      Predictive pre-purchase estimated delivery dates

      Branded Tracking

      Self-Serivce branded order tracking

      Reduce Operational Cost

      Effortless experience delivered

      Returns & Exchanges

      Make returns profitable and delight customers

      Flexible Return Policies

      Flexibility to define any return destinations & conditions

      Self-Service Returns

      Simplify returns for your customers and team

      Exchanges

      Incentivize exchanges over returns

      Automate Returns Management

      Returns management made easy for your team

      Returns Analytics

      Understand why your customers are returning

      In-Store and Curbside Pickup

      Unify the online and the in-store experience

      Curbside Pickup Check-in

      Hassle-free pickup experience for customers

      Pickup order management

      In-Store Dashboard to keep operations streamlined

      Unified Commerce

      In-Store and Online orders unified

      Store Locator

      Drive foot-traffic to your stores

  • Integrations
  • Customers
    • Help Center

      Find the answer to all your questions

      WeSupply FAQ

      Explore the most comon questions about WeSupply

      Post Purchase ROI Calculator

      Calculate the ROI that WeSupply can bring you

      FREE Website Review

      Request a no strings attached review of your current shopping experience and missed conversion opportunities

      Blog & Guides

      Read actionable articles on how to optimize your post-purchase experience and decrease support tickets

      Case Studies

      Get inspired by stories of how our customers implemented an effortless post-purchase experience

      Behind The Brand

      A Deep Dive into Top Companies' Order Tracking & Returns Strategy

      Pre-built Return Policies

      Wondering if WeSupply is a good fit for you? Read through our use cases to see how we can help you increase conversion & improve CX!

  • Pricing

Sign in

BigCommerce vs Shopify:
What You Need To Know in 2023

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which platform works best for your business and what to consider before signing up for either? Find out in this article!

BigCommerce vs Shopify cover

There are a lot of eCommerce platforms available nowadays, and it can be hard to decide which one is the right fit for your business.

 

In fact, the global market for eCommerce software was worth about $6.2 billion in 2019 and is predicted to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% through 2027.

Moreover, 0nline sales amounted to 4.9 Trillion U.S dollars worldwide in 2021 alone, and it’s forecast to grow over 50% by 2025.

 

In this article, we compare BigCommerce and Shopify to help you decide which platform is better for you. We’ll look at features, pricing, scalability, and more to help you make the best decision for your business.

 

BigCommerce and Shopify are two of the most well-known eCommerce platforms on the market. They both offer a wide range of features, great scalability, and good value for money.

 

According to BuildWith, there are 3,947,260 current Shopify customers and over 2.1 million daily active users as of 2021.

 

On the other hand, there are 147,555 websites using BigCommerce as their eCommerce platforms, according to BuildWith. Other sources suggest that there’s a total number of 60,000+ BigCommerce customers.

 

Although both are popular choices, there are some key differences between the two platforms that could make one better suited to your business than the other.

 

By taking the time to compare BigCommerce and Shopify, you can be sure to choose the platform that’s right for you.

BigCommerce vs Shopify Features

In terms of features, BigCommerce has the following main ones: mobile responsive website, mobile app, page builder, single-page checkout, payment options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Free Sitewide HTTPS & dedicated SSL, and ShipperHQ shipping rules engine.

 

Besides the built-in features and add-ons, you can also find numerous other tools on their Ecommerce App Marketplace, like WeSupply.

 

Here’s a list of the $29.95/month basic plan BigCommerce main features:

For $29, Shopify offers you similar features to BigCommerce, including free SSL certification, abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, reporting tools, and customer segmentation, but also Shopify Lite POS.

 

On the Shopify app store, you can find a variety of tools from basic Shopify themes to marketing and post-purchase operations management solutions (including WeSupply).

 

All available features for the Shopify Basic plan are the following:

Shopify vs BigCommerce Plans & Pricing

BigCommerce comes with 3 standard plans, plus an enterprise solution. Shopify also offers 3 standard plans, alongside enterprise solution Shopify Plus.

 

When it comes to pricing, BigCommerce and Shopify provide similar options ranging from $29.00 USD per month to $299.00 USD per month.

 

Moreover, BigCommerce offers 0% transaction fees regardless of the payment gateway you use. By enabling Shopify Pay, you can also enjoy 0% transaction fees on Shopify Payments. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce won’t charge additional credit or debit card processing fees for transactions.

Shopify Pricing

Depending on which Shopify plan you’re choosing, you’ll have different options for the number of staff members with access to the Shopify admin and Shopify POS, inventory location, shipping discounts, and online/in-person debit/credit card rates, as seen below:

Shopify supports in-store shopping and in-person payments through its advanced POS system. If you also have physical stores, this enables you to provide your own customers with BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In-Store) and BOPAC (Buy Online, Pickup At Curbside) options to add more flexibility and boost sales.

 

Here’s a breakdown of the three available subscription options, from Basic to Advanced Shopify plans:

BigCommerce Pricing

BigCommerce comes in three standard subscription plans. You can pay monthly or yearly and benefit from a discount.

 

You can also opt for the BigCommerce enterprise solution by contacting them directly for a custom pricing quote, depending on the size of your business in terms of sales, headcount, physical locations, and more.

 

The Standard $29.95/month plan is packed with essential features such as a page builder, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, a multi-currency converter, real-time shipping quotes, professional reporting tools, product ratings and reviews, SSL certification, and a built-in blog, among the most popular and convenient.

 

Here’s a breakdown of the BigCommerce monthly plans pricing:

Note that BigCommerce also comes in yearly plans, saving you a couple of bucks on the Plus plan per month ($71.95/month) and a few more on the Pro plan monthly ($269.96/month).

Shopify vs BigCommerce Usability

Both Shopify and BigCommerce, as eCommerce website builders, stand out from the crowd. when it comes to User Interface (UI), having intuitive, simple-to-use interfaces that make website building feel like a walk in the park for merchants with no coding experience or skills.

 

Time is extremely precious, especially if you’re just starting out with your eCommerce store. If you would like to save precious time on creating your website from scratch, you can choose from a variety of templates on the Shopify theme store and browse through a variety of BigCommerce themes, both free and paid.

 

The fun part is that you can easily customize them to meet your expectations and branding guidelines, and have them mobile-ready to meet your customers where they shop!

 

Having a mobile-friendly website is a must, considering the fact that U.S. retail mobile sales exceeded 360 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 alone.

BigCommerce vs Shopify Customer Service

Both BigCommerce and Shopify are more DIY online store builders aimed at people without coding skills. This might require you to access help documentation or contact their customer support team with inquiries related to functionalities, customization, or even app integrations.

 

You need a well-documented knowledge base and reliable customer care services that can help you get your store up and running in no time.

 

In terms of customer service, both BigCommerce and Shopify offer 24/7 live chat and phone support. Besides 24/7 live support, both eCommerce platforms come with their own help centers, community forums, and online video tutorials.

 

Whether you’re a BigCommerce or Shopify user, you’ll always be able to find the answers you need to run your store successfully.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Setup

Both eCommerce platforms are quite simple to set up and get started. Both solutions offer an “out-of-the-box” experience. All you have to do is to sign up, add your personal and business details, customize your store, set up your payment methods, and launch it!

 

In terms of customization, you can start with a theme of your choice and then change details as you go. Add your products with appropriate descriptions, images, prices, and so on.

Setting Up Your Shopify Store

Before the long-awaited moment of adding your products to the website, you need to add some essential business details.

 

Here’s how you can set up your Shopify online store in 10 easy steps:

  1. Log into your store

  2. Name your store

  3. Add your business details

  4. Add your billing information

  5. Set up your payment provider

  6. Set your default currency

  7. Set up shipping setting

  8. Set up pickup and local delivery (if necessary)

  9. Set up taxes

  10. Set up payment gateways

Last but not least, make sure you test before actually launching your Shopify store. You want to make sure everything goes as planned to avoid any confusion.

Setting Up Your BigCommerce Online Store

Just as with Shopify, you can easily set up your BigCommerce online store in 10 quick steps:

  1. Sign up and log into your account

  2. Fill in business and user details

  3. Add your contact information

  4. Set your store name and address

  5. Pick payment gateways

  6. Set up currency and providers

  7. Set up shipping settings

  8. Set up your taxes

  9. Choose your domain name

  10. Set up analytics

Then, all you need to do is to customize your shop theme, add your products individually, create product categories, and launch your BigCommerce online store!

Shopify-Powered Websites

You know what they say, “lead by example.”

 

One way to better understand the customer base of Shopify is to look at clear customer examples and see which Shopify-powered stores match your own in terms of business needs and customer expectations.

 

Here are some Shopify store picks from different industries (from fashion retail to outdoor living and beauty) to help you have a better overview:

BigCommerce-Based Sites

The same goes for BigCommerce— social proof and leading by example are key.

 

Before making your decision, you need to take a closer look at BigCommerce’s customer base to find a match for your business.

 

Discover below five BigCommerce sites from a variety of industries, including audio equipment and tech, furniture, and fashion:

See how WeSupply helps eCommerce websites build premium post-purchase experiences!

london drugs order notification
london drugs order notification

See how WeSupply helps eCommerce websites build premium post-purchase experiences!

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs WooCommerce

Deciding on an eCommerce platform is a big decision for any business. After all, this is the software that will power your online store and help you to make sales.

 

Three of the most popular options are BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

 

All three platforms have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider your needs before making a decision carefully.

 

BigCommerce is a great option for businesses that need an all-in-one solution. It offers features like built-in abandoned cart recovery and support for multiple languages.

 

Although the setup might be more challenging than the other two options, you can enjoy a variety of functionalities and integrations that enable you to create a seamless, personalized, and fully-branded shopping experience for your customers.

 

Shopify is another popular choice, and it’s known for being easy to use and affordable. It also offers a wide range of features, including third-party apps and integrations that can help you elevate the post-purchase experience.

 

Last but surely not least, WooCommerce is a great choice for businesses that need a lot of customization options. It’s also free to download and use, which can save you money upfront.

 

In fact, getting started with WooCommerce for your already-existing WordPress website can be even easier than setting up a Shopify or BigCommerce store. All you have to do is to sign up and install the plugin. However, this does come with certain limitations.

 

For instance, it requires a more hands-on approach after launching the store and fewer extensions and app integrations than you’d find for Shopify and BigCommerce.

WeSupply Works With BigCommerce & Shopify

WeSupply is your one-stop post-purchase CX automation platform that offers pre-purchase delivery prediction, automated shipping tracking, proactive notifications, and self-service returns.

 

With over 1000+ carrier integrations, we are committed to connecting you with the best last-mile couriers, freight services, and white-glove delivery providers.

 

Moreover, our post-purchase CX automation platform enables you to:

  • Increase your team’s workload capacity by 20% by enabling customers to initiate returns themselves.

  • Increase profitability by up to 95% by turning product returns into profitable exchanges & boosting sales with online store credit.

  • Gather all data into one platform to build a foundation that allows true data-driven decision-making.

Shopify and WeSupply Integration

First and foremost, you might be wondering “Why should I connect my Shopify Store to WeSupply?” and to that we say:

  • You’ll enable customers to track all orders on the Branded Order Tracking Page, with a clear overview of any split shipments.
  • You can send out branded SMS and email notifications to ensure efficient communication throughout the post-purchase journey.
  • You’ll be able to easily handle product returns based on flexible and fully-customizable rules and logics.
  • You can automatically generate single or multiple return shipping labels for split returns and heavy, bulky items.
This way, you’ll be making your job and your customers support team’s jobs much easier and less time-consuming. You can add WeSupply to your Shopify store in just a few steps. From the Shopify App Store, you can install the WeSupply Track Order & Returns app. You’ll be automatically redirected to your newly created WeSupply account. Once you’ve created an account, all you have to do is to add any physical stores, customize return rules, and play around with your SMS & email notifications, as well as with your order tracking page.

BigCommerce and WeSupply Integration

You can easily install WeSupply Track Order & Returns app from the BigCommerce app store. Next up, you’ll be automatically redirected to your newly created WeSupply account.

Any new BigCommerce order data will be processed by our system, including all tracking numbers, to get the latest status of each shipment. It’s easy as pie! Once completing the installation steps for the BigCommerce & WeSupply integration, you’ll be all set and ready to go.

Final Thoughts on BigCommerce vs Shopify

BigCommerce and Shopify are both robust eCommerce platforms with a lot to offer, for businesses of all sizes— from merchants starting out to enterprises looking for ways to grow and scale their operations.

 

However, there are some key differences between the two platforms, from functionality to add-ons and integrations.

BigCommerce is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that offers merchants a lot of features and functionality “out-of-the-box”.

 

BigCommerce is also scalable, so it can grow with your business. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution and you’re willing to pay for it, BigCommerce could be a good option for you.

 

Shopify also matches up to the performance of BigCommerce with a huge and varied app store, full of add-ons and integrations.

 

At the end of the day, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs and goals. If you’re not sure which platform is right for you, we recommend trying out both BigCommerce and Shopify with their free trials. That way, you can experience firsthand what each platform has to offer before making a final decision.

 

If you’re wondering how WeSupply can help you track orders, ease shipping anxiety, remove post-purchase dissonance, and manage returns, check out our demo or book a quick call with one of our experts!

See how WeSupply can help! Watch our platform in action to convince yourself.

In this article you'll learn:

Learn How To Create Successful Post Purchase Email Campaigns

Build post-purchase email flows to drive customer satisfaction and revenue growth!

Related articles