The Great Debate: Shopify vs Big Cartel for Your Store
Rahul Vij
Updated: August 2
Embarking on your e-commerce journey?
Fret not, as we’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ll unravel the battle between Shopify and Big Cartel, dissecting their features, performance, and usability. The importance of making the right choice for your online store cannot be understated.
Unraveling the Distinction
Fasten your seatbelts, and let’s find the ultimate e-commerce solution together!
Shopify:
- Offers a wide range of customizable templates and themes for creating visually appealing online stores.
- Includes robust features like inventory management, order tracking, and shipping options.
- Supports a large number of payment gateways for easy transaction processing.
- Offers a vast app ecosystem, allowing users to add various functionalities to their stores.
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Big Cartel:
- Designed for creative entrepreneurs and artists looking for a simple e-commerce solution.
- Easy to set up and use, making it ideal for small businesses and artists with limited technical skills.
- Offers a selection of pre-designed templates for a quick and straightforward store setup.
- Allows users to sell both physical and digital products.
- Provides basic inventory and order management features.
- Suited for small-scale operations or those with a limited product range.
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Comparison Table
| Factor | Shopify | Big Cartel |
| Customization | High level of customization and flexibility | Limited customization options |
| Scalability | Ideal for businesses of all sizes | Best suited for small-scale operations |
| Target Audience | Broad range of businesses and industries | Creative entrepreneurs and artists |
| Branding and Control | Extensive control over branding and design | Limited control over branding elements |
| Fees and Pricing | Subscription-based with transaction fees | Affordable pricing for small businesses |
| Marketing and Discoverability | Strong marketing tools and SEO capabilities | Basic marketing features |
| Support and Community | Robust support and active community | Decent support, but smaller community |
| Integration with 3rd-party apps | Vast app ecosystem for additional features | Limited integration options |
| Payment Gateway Options | Supports numerous payment gateways | Limited selection of payment options |
| Inventory Management | Comprehensive inventory management tools | Basic inventory features |
| Mobile Commerce | Mobile-responsive design for mobile sales | Limited mobile optimization |
| Shipping and Fulfillment | Various shipping options and integrations | Basic shipping and fulfillment features |
| Analytics and Reporting | Detailed analytics and reporting capabilities | Limited analytics and reporting |
| Multi-Channel Selling | Supports multi-channel selling integration | Primarily focused on own online store |
| Security and Data Protection | High level of security and data protection | Standard security measures |
| Accessibility and Ease of Use | User-friendly interface for easy navigation | Simple and easy-to-use platform |
Comparing Key Aspects: Shopify vs Big Cartel
Ease of Use:
Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface and easy setup process, making it suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.
Big Cartel: Also user-friendly, especially geared towards artists and small business owners, with a simple and straightforward setup process.
Reliability:
Shopify: Highly reliable platform with a robust infrastructure and 24/7 customer support, ensuring minimal downtime for online stores.
Big Cartel: Generally reliable, but some users have reported occasional server issues due to its smaller scale.
Design Flexibility:
Shopify: Offers a wide range of customizable themes and extensive design options, providing more flexibility for store appearance.
Big Cartel: Provides a selection of themes, but design options are relatively limited compared to Shopify.
Subscription Fees:
Shopify:
- Basic plan: $29 per month
- Shopify plan: $79 per month
- Advanced plan: $299 per month
- Shopify Lite: $9 per month (to add a ‘buy’ button on an existing website)
Big Cartel:
- Gold Plan: Free
- Platinum Plan: $9.99 per month
- Diamond Plan: $19.99 per month
- Titanium Plan: $29.99 per month
Store Customization:
Shopify: Allows advanced customization through coding, giving merchants the freedom to create unique store layouts.
Big Cartel: Offers basic customization options, but not as extensive as Shopify in terms of design personalization.
Number of Users:
Shopify: Has a large user base, including businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprise-level companies.
Big Cartel: Smaller user base, with a focus on creative entrepreneurs and artists.
E-commerce Tools Availability:
Shopify: Provides an extensive app store with a wide range of third-party integrations and add-ons to enhance store functionality.
Big Cartel: Offers a more limited selection of apps and integrations compared to Shopify.
Payment Gateway Integration:
Shopify: Supports numerous payment gateways, offering flexibility for customers to pay using various methods.
Big Cartel: Integrates with popular payment gateways, but the options are more limited compared to Shopify.
Help and Support System:
Shopify: Offers excellent customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone, along with a comprehensive knowledge base.
Big Cartel: Provides customer support through email only, which may not be as comprehensive as Shopify’s options.
Conclusion
The choice between Shopify and Big Cartel ultimately boils down to your specific business goals and requirements.
Whichever platform you choose, remember that success in the e-commerce world hinges on your dedication, marketing efforts, and understanding of your target audience. So, take the time to explore, experiment, and make an informed decision that empowers your online venture to thrive.
FAQs
Which platform is better for beginners: Shopify or Big Cartel?
Both platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, but Shopify may be more suitable for beginners due to its extensive resources, customer support, and straightforward setup process.
Can I customize the appearance of my online store on both platforms?
Yes, both Shopify and Big Cartel allow customization of your store’s appearance, but Shopify offers more design flexibility with a wider range of themes and customization options.
Are there any hidden fees or transaction costs on Shopify and Big Cartel?
Shopify does charge monthly subscription fees and transaction costs for certain payment gateways, while Big Cartel offers free and paid plans, making it more budget-friendly for smaller businesses.
Which platform is more suitable for creative entrepreneurs and artists?
Big Cartel is specifically geared towards creative entrepreneurs and artists, providing a simpler platform with basic customization options, making it easier for showcasing and selling creative products.
Can I integrate third-party apps and tools with both platforms?
Yes, both Shopify and Big Cartel offer integrations with third-party apps, but Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem provides more options for enhancing your store’s functionality.
Which platform offers better marketing and SEO capabilities?
Shopify is known for its strong marketing tools and SEO capabilities, helping improve the discoverability and visibility of your online store compared to Big Cartel.
Is there a limit to the number of products I can sell on both platforms?
Both platforms offer different plans with varying limits on the number of products you can sell. Shopify has higher limits for products across its plans.
Which platform provides better customer support options?
Shopify offers robust customer support with multiple channels, including live chat, email, and phone, while Big Cartel primarily provides support through email communication.