Shopify and Big Cartel are both big players in the e-commerce platform business. But which one should you choose? Our team put both platforms to the test. Here's what you need to know before making a decision:
Big Cartel styles itself as an artist-friendly platform, but we found too many limitations in features and scalability. On the other hand, Shopify is a much better and more robust choice, with a wealth of features, integrations, and customization options.
** Big Cartel vs Shopify: An Overview **
Big Cartel is positioned as an artist-friendly platform, ideal for small online stores and creative entrepreneurs who want to showcase their work. However, its limitations in features and scalability make it less suitable for businesses with ambitious growth plans.
Shopify, on the other hand, is a robust e-commerce platform designed to support scalable online businesses. With a wealth of features, integrations, and customization options, Shopify is perfect for those who want to build a professional online store that can adapt to their evolving needs.
** Why Shopify Is The Superior Choice **
1. Scalability and Flexibility
Shopify allows you to list an unlimited number of products, making it the go-to choice for businesses looking to expand their inventory. Big Cartel鈥檚 limit of 500 products can quickly become a barrier as your business grows.
2. Built-In Payment Processing
Shopify offers a fully integrated payment processor, Shopify Payments, allowing you to manage all payment data within the platform without additional transaction fees. Big Cartel relies on external processors like PayPal or Stripe, which can complicate payment management and lead to higher fees.
3. Superior Customization Options
Shopify provides a plethora of themes with extensive customization capabilities. You can tweak layouts, colors, and fonts to reflect your brand. Big Cartel's themes are less flexible, which can limit your branding potential.
4. Extensive App Integrations
With over 6,000 apps available in the Shopify app store, you can enhance your store鈥檚 functionality with tools for marketing, inventory management, and customer engagement. Big Cartel's reliance on Zapier for integrations can limit the features you can add.
5. Robust SEO Features
Shopify offers comprehensive SEO tools, allowing you to optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs easily. You can also create a blog to drive traffic to your store. In contrast, Big Cartel鈥檚 SEO capabilities are limited, making it harder to improve your search engine rankings.
6. 24/7 Customer Support
Shopify provides round-the-clock support through email, phone, and live chat, ensuring you can get help whenever you need it. Big Cartel's support is limited to email during business hours, which can be a disadvantage for users needing immediate assistance.
Pricing Comparison
While Big Cartel promotes itself with lower starting prices, Shopify鈥檚 pricing structure provides much more value as you grow your business.
- Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to five products, but this is not suitable for serious sellers. Paid plans range from $9.99 to $19.99 per month but come with significant limitations in features and scalability.
- Shopify鈥檚 plans start at $29 per month, which includes powerful e-commerce features, a built-in payment processor, and unlimited product listings. While it may seem more expensive initially, the return on investment is significant as you begin to scale.
** Conclusion: Choose Shopify for Growth **
If you鈥檙e serious about building a successful online business, Shopify is the clear winner over Big Cartel. Its scalability, customization options, integrated payment processing, extensive support, and robust features make it the ideal choice for entrepreneurs looking to grow.
While Big Cartel may be tempting for those just starting or with very small inventories, it simply cannot compete with Shopify's capabilities for businesses aiming for long-term success. Choose Shopify to ensure your e-commerce journey is equipped for growth.