WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: Which One's Right for You?

Thinking about starting your online store but don’t know which platform to choose? We’ve got you covered!

Starting your e-commerce business is a big deal. It’s exciting but can also feel like you're drowning in decisions. One of the most important? Choosing the right platform to power your online store. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 

Today, we’re breaking down WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce — two popular options for building your online shop. Whether you're a newbie or looking to scale an already successful business, this comparison will help you figure out which one suits your needs better. Let’s dive in!

WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: A Quick Look

First things first — WooCommerce and BigCommerce are two very different tools.

• WooCommerce: It's a WordPress plug-in, which means it’s ideal if you already have a WordPress site and want to turn it into an online store.
• BigCommerce: This is a full-on website builder, best for people who want an all-in-one package and a quick way to launch their store.

In other words, WooCommerce offers more customization, while BigCommerce focuses on simplicity and ease of use. Both can handle your e-commerce needs — but the choice depends on how much control you want over the design and function of your site.

Pricing: What’s the Damage?

Let’s get real: pricing is a big deal, especially when you’re starting out. So, what do these two platforms cost?

• WooCommerce is technically free to install, but (and it's a big but) there are hidden costs. You’ll need to pay for things like hosting, a domain name, SSL certificates, premium themes, and possibly some plug-ins. For example, hosting alone can range from $5 to $25+ per month, depending on the provider.
• BigCommerce has upfront pricing with clear tiers. Plans start at $29/month, and the cost goes up as your store grows, with the Plus plan at $79/month and Pro at $299/month (all billed annually). The best part? BigCommerce covers everything in one bill — hosting, SSL, and more.

Ease of Use: What’s Your Tech Comfort Zone?

Now, this is where we see a clear divide between WooCommerce and BigCommerce.

• WooCommerce: This one requires some WordPress knowledge. If you’re comfortable navigating WordPress and adding plug-ins, WooCommerce is super versatile. You can get as creative as you want. But if you’re not familiar with WordPress, it might feel overwhelming at first.
• BigCommerce: If the idea of coding or dealing with a complex system gives you a headache, BigCommerce is your friend. It’s a drag-and-drop builder, meaning you can visually tweak your store without much fuss. No coding skills required. It’s perfect if you want a simple setup and don’t want to spend hours tweaking small details.

Features and Add-Ons: What Can They Do?

Both platforms offer a lot, but they do it in different ways.

• WooCommerce has a massive library of extensions and add-ons. It’s like a candy store for developers! You can customize nearly everything, but each add-on might come with a separate cost. The upside is flexibility: if you can dream it, WooCommerce can probably do it.
• BigCommerce, on the other hand, is designed to be more “ready out of the box.” It comes with essential features like payment gateways, SEO tools, and a variety of built-in apps (around 800). While you might not get the same level of customization as WooCommerce, you’ll get all the tools needed for a solid, functional store right from the start.

Payment Options: No Extra Fees, Please!

No one likes extra fees eating into their profits, right? Let’s see how these platforms handle payments:

• WooCommerce: Supports over 100 payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Square, and more. The big win? There are no transaction fees, which means more money stays in your pocket.
• BigCommerce: Also offers a variety of payment options and doesn’t charge any transaction fees, so you’re good to go here too.

SEO Tools: Getting Found Online

Both WooCommerce and BigCommerce come with decent SEO tools, which are key for getting found on Google.

• WooCommerce: Since it’s built on WordPress, you get all the power of WordPress SEO plug-ins like Yoast. You can tweak image alt text, customize URL slugs, and edit meta descriptions — everything you need to keep Google happy.
• BigCommerce: BigCommerce’s SEO game is strong too. You can adjust similar elements, like image alt text, URLs, and meta descriptions, but with fewer plug-ins required. It’s simpler, but still effective for boosting your store’s visibility.

Design and Themes: How Pretty Can Your Store Be?

When it comes to design, both platforms offer plenty of options:

• WooCommerce: You’ve got hundreds of themes available, and you can buy even more from third-party providers. Most themes are responsive (which is super important for mobile shoppers) and customizable. You can make your store look exactly how you want, but expect to invest time into tweaking things.
• BigCommerce: While it doesn’t have quite as many themes, BigCommerce offers 12 free themes and 130 premium themes (ranging from $145 to $300). You can tweak these templates too, but it’s more of a straightforward process, especially if you stick to their design tools.

Customer Support: Who Has Your Back?

No matter how easy a platform is, you’re bound to have questions. So, who’s going to help when you hit a snag?

• WooCommerce: You’ll need to rely mostly on documentation and community forums. There’s also email and live chat support, but it’s not 24/7. If you run into a complex issue, expect to spend some time finding the right answers online.
• BigCommerce: BigCommerce offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat. If you’re someone who likes knowing you can reach out to a real human any time you need help, this could be a big deal.

Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?

To sum it up:

• WooCommerce is best if you already have a WordPress site and need full control over your store’s look and features. It’s also great if you have the technical know-how (or want to learn) and don’t mind managing the extra details, like hosting and security.
• BigCommerce is your go-to if you want an all-in-one platform that’s simple to set up and maintain. It’s perfect for beginners who want an easy, no-fuss solution but still need powerful tools to grow their business.

So, which one are you going to choose? Think about how much time you want to spend setting up and maintaining your store, and go from there. Both platforms can help you build a successful online shop — it’s all about finding the one that clicks with your style!

FAQs

1. Which platform is cheaper – WooCommerce or BigCommerce?

• WooCommerce: It’s a free plug-in, but remember, you’ll still need to cover separate costs like hosting, SSL certificates, premium themes, and more. These costs can add up depending on your needs.
• BigCommerce: Plans start at $29/month, with everything bundled in — hosting, SSL, and other essentials. No hidden costs, but the upfront price is higher.

2. Which one is easier for beginners?

• BigCommerce wins this one. It’s built for ease of use, offering drag-and-drop tools and built-in features that make store creation simple, even for newbies.
• WooCommerce: Best for users comfortable with WordPress, as it requires more customization and technical know-how.

3. Do both platforms offer support for multiple payment options?

Yes! Both WooCommerce and BigCommerce provide plenty of payment gateways without any extra transaction fees. WooCommerce has over 100 options, while BigCommerce covers all the essentials.

4. Can I customize my store’s design easily?

• WooCommerce: Offers hundreds of themes, with the ability to add third-party designs. It’s highly customizable if you have the skills or plug-ins.
• BigCommerce: Comes with 12 free themes and over 130 premium options, which can also be customized with a bit of HTML/CSS.

5. How do the platforms handle SEO?

Both platforms are solid for SEO.

• WooCommerce: Since it’s part of WordPress, you can use plug-ins like Yoast to optimize your store's SEO with ease.
• BigCommerce: Has built-in SEO tools that allow you to optimize alt texts, meta descriptions, and URL slugs without needing extra plug-ins.

6. What kind of customer support do I get?

• WooCommerce: Offers email and live chat support, but you’ll mostly rely on community forums and documentation for help.
• BigCommerce: Provides 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, so help is always available when you need it.

7. Which one is better for scaling a growing business?

Both platforms can grow with your business, but BigCommerce may have a slight edge due to its all-in-one nature and built-in tools. WooCommerce can also scale, but you’ll need to manage more moving parts (like upgrading hosting).

Still have questions?

Feel free to drop a comment below or contact us for more personalized advice!