The field of Internet marketing and sales is constantly changing (not to mention at breakneck speed). Regular merchants could use a Software as a Service (SaaS) based e-commerce platform to stand any chance of competing.
But what about the variety available, which one should you choose? What is most advantageous for you and your organization? It’s up to you to determine prior to committing yourself to any given platform.
Among the best SaaS platforms are Shopify Plus and BigCommerce; both of them are worth considering when planning on investing in your company.
However, should you hire BigCommerce developers or Shopify developers?
A platform that can handle high sales volumes, complex product catalogs, and smooth integration with other corporate systems—this is what you want. This blog post takes a look at each of them as BigCommerce and Shopify Plus remain two main competitors for large enterprises.
What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is an online shopping platform designed especially for companies that take their online sales seriously. With an emphasis on adaptability and customization, it provides a trustworthy and scalable solution. BigCommerce shops are renowned for their capacity to manage large levels of traffic and quick loading times.
So, you can hire BigCommerce developer if you want to create a store on the platform but do not want to get into the nitty-gritty of creating one.
What is Shopify Plus?
The enterprise edition of the well-known Shopify platform is called Shopify Plus. It serves well-established companies with substantial customers and complex requirements. Shopify Plus provides capabilities made especially for large-scale operations coupled with a high degree of flexibility and control.
In this BigCommerce vs Shopify Plus blog let’s start by analyzing the features of each platform.
What are the Features of BigCommerce?
Open API: BigCommerce features an open API that enables you to connect your store with numerous external applications and services. This provides you with the liberty to personalize your store in a way that suits your needs perfectly.
Built-in Scalability: When it comes to scalability, BigCommerce has it all figured out. The platform is designed to support expansion which means it can handle huge product catalogs, significant traffic flow as well and complicated business requirements.
Headless Commerce: For instance, BigCommerce supports headless commerce whereby it allows BigCommerce development services to separate back-end data storage from front-end displays. As a result, this division offers easier integration and more design flexibility.
Built-in Marketing Tools: BigCommerce provides a collection of built-in marketing tools such as email marketing plus SEO functionalities and coupon codes. These enable you to initiate your marketing campaigns straight from your store.
Multiple Payment Gateways: BigCommerce presents a vast selection of payment gateway integrations to meet your needs. By having access to multiple gateways, you can select the one that best suits your business and your customers.
What are the Features of Shopify Plus?
High Volume Support: Shopify Plus is built to support high sales volumes and intricate product catalogs. It keeps your store operational throughout high-demand periods.
Advanced Analytics: Shopify Plus’s analytics tools are not basic in any way as they provide a detailed analysis on customer behavior and purchase patterns which will help you understand your clients on a deep level. This information can enable you to tweak your marketing strategies to ensure that they resonate with your followers hence optimizing the performance of your online store.
Subscription Management: If you love seeing recurring sales in your business (who doesn’t?), then you will find all the subscription management features that you need for this purpose.
Wholesale Functionality: Some of the features available in Shopify Plus are specially meant for B2B companies like custom pricing, order approvals, and net terms.
Dedicated Account Management: If you opt for Shopify Plus in the battle of Shopify Plus vs BigCommerce that’s when the dedicated account manager is going to be assigned who will help any aspect starting from installation up to maintenance.
Benefits and Challenges: Weighing the Options
BigCommerce
Benefits:
Open and Flexible: BigCommerce web design has an open API which is highly customizable and easy to integrate with a wider range of third-party tools.
Cost-Effective: As compared to the Shopify Plus, BigCommerce can be more cost-effective for businesses having complicated needs because it attracts fewer transaction fees.
Scalable Solution: For businesses that plan rapid growth, BigCommerce is constructed so that it grows at their pace.
Challenges:
Customization Requires Technical Expertise: The open API in BigCommerce gives you more control, However, it takes a lot of technical knowledge to set up and manage complex integrations as well.
Limited Built-in Marketing Tools: In comparison with Shopify Plus, although Bigcommerce offers some marketing tools, they are not as comprehensive.
Shopify Plus
Benefits:
Simplicity of use: The store can easily be managed by non-technical users because Shopify Plus is known for its easy-to-use interface. However, you may need BigCommerce website designers if you want to develop custom solutions on BigCommerce.
All-in-one Solution: Shopify Plus offers a wide range of built-in features, reducing the need for additional integrations and add-ons.
Dedicated Support: Any issue you have will be dealt with by a dedicated account management team from Shopify Plus which consists of experts.
Challenges:
Higher Cost: Shopify Plus has a higher monthly fee compared to BigCommerce, and additional transaction fees depend on your sales volume.
Limited Customization: While Shopify Plus offers some customization options, it may not be as flexible as BigCommerce for businesses with highly unique needs.
Choosing the Right Platform
Ultimately, the best platform for your big business depends on your specific needs and priorities.
Technical Expertise: If you have a strong development team in-house or are willing to work with BigCommerce store designers, the open API of BigCommerce, coupled with its flexibility, will provide great technical benefits.
Budget: When cost is a major concern, the choice between Shopify Plus and BigCommerce app development could be determined by lower monthly fees and reduced transaction fees.
Customization Needs: In the case that you need an extensively customized store or plan to merge it with many other third-party tools because of their compatibility needs; then using the open API of BigCommerce can make you more independent.
Ease of Use: If you prefer an easy-to-use platform that does not require much technical knowledge for managing, consider Shopify Plus.
Support Needs: If you are looking for ongoing support and expert guidance, then Shopify Plus’s dedicated account management can be crucial for your business.
Growth Plans: What are your future growth prospects? For both BigCommerce app development and Shopify Plus it makes sense if it’s significant. Still, the built-in scalability may tip the balance towards bigcommerce for certain entrepreneurs.
Additional considerations for choosing the right platform
Selecting an e-commerce platform that fits your big business needs is not child’s play: there are many more pieces to this puzzle. Notably…
Development and Design: No matter what platform you opt for, it is probable that you will have to put money into custom development and design. The intent is to come up with a unique and branded store experience. You can hire a BigCommerce development agency or Shopify specialists, as this can ensure a seamless execution on your end.
App Integrations: In terms of app integrations, both BigCommerce and Shopify Plus have app marketplaces where one can get a wide range of third-party apps to enhance their store capabilities. Take time to go through the apps available and be sure they align with what you are looking for.
Marketing Strategy: When it comes to the marketing strategy, understand that having a good one in place is critical for success on any e-commerce platform. Use the marketing tools provided within the platform and also consider BigCommerce development services that can help bring more visitors and potential customers to your store.
Parting words!
The choice between BigCommerce and Shopify Plus comes down to understanding your unique business requirements.
By meticulously analyzing what you need, what you value, and what you have at your disposal, you can opt for the system that enables you to create a successful online store for your large business.
Keep in mind that the success of an online store is not limited to the platform chosen. A focus on high-quality development, design, and marketing efforts post establishment are tantamount to driving it toward long-term success.
