With so many ecommerce platforms available today, it can be challenging to figure out which one is the best for your business.
That’s why they’re here to compare two of the most popular solutions: Shopify and Big Cartel.
You’ll look at their individual capabilities, pricing plans, feature sets and more to help you determine if either solution should serve as a primary choice for your online store.
From ease of use to SEO tools and everything in between, let’s dive right into this comparison of Shopify vs Big Cartel.
Shopify Vs Big Cartel 2024: In-Depth Comparison
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As of 2022, Shopify and Big Cartel remain two popular e-commerce solutions.
While both services offer a variety of features to help merchants get their business up and running, there are important differences between them that prospective users should be aware of.
In this article, you’ll take an in-depth look at Shopify vs Big Cartel in 2022 and help you decide which platform is the best fit for your business.
When it comes to managing inventory, Shopify offers more robust features than Big Cartel. Users have access to sophisticated tools like inventory tracking, product variations, and bulk discounting.
Big Cartel also has some basic inventory management capabilities but lacks the same level of detail and options.
When it comes to payment processing, Shopify has a number of features including built-in support for credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and more.
Big Cartel doesn’t currently offer as many payment options but does provide an easy way to accept payments via Stripe.
When it comes to customer support, both Shopify and Big Cartel offer comprehensive help centers that include FAQs, tutorials, and contact information.
Shopify also provides 24/7 phone support while Big Cartel relies solely on email support.
Finally, Shopify is more expensive than Big Cartel but offers a much more feature-rich platform.
With Shopify you get access to a wide range of advanced features and services, while Big Cartel is better suited to small businesses with limited budgets.
Big Cartel Features:
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1. Easy Setup –
Big Cartel offers an easy setup process that can get your store up and running in minutes. It also allows you to customize the look and feel of your store so it’s unique to you.\
2. Store Management –
It offers a range of store management features to help keep your store running smoothly. This includes inventory tracking, order fulfillment, shipping and taxes.
3. Payments –
Big Cartel supports payments from major credit cards and other popular payment services like PayPal and Apple Pay. This makes it easy for customers to checkout quickly.
4. Mobile
Optimization – Big Cartel is optimized for mobile use, which means your store will look great no matter what device your customer uses.
5. Analytics and Insights –
It offers a range of analytics and insights to help you understand how your store is performing. This includes tracking sales, customer feedback and more.
Shopify Features:
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1. Customizable Storefronts:
Shopify allows you to create a custom storefront that reflects your brand and product offering. You can add themes, colors, images, and videos to create a truly unique online shop.
2. Payment Options:
With Shopify, you can accept payments via credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, and other payment gateways. You also get access to high-security encryption and fraud detection technology to keep your customers’ data safe and secure.
3. Inventory Management:
Shopify makes it easy to keep track of your inventory. You can manage orders and stock levels, restock when necessary, and process returns quickly and easily.
4. Shipping Options:
Shopify offers a range of shipping options, from flat-rate to free shipping. You can also use third-party integrations like USPS or FedEx for easy shipping and tracking.
5. Analytics and Reporting:
Shopify’s analytics tools track your sales and customers, giving you insight into how to better optimize your store performance.
Pros & Cons:
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Big Cartel:
Pros:
- Simple setup process allows users to quickly get their store up and running in no time.
- Intuitive user interface makes it easy to manage products and orders, as well as customize the look and feel of your online shop.
- Offers multiple plans that cater to various skill levels and budgets.
- No transaction fees on any of its plans.
- Allows users to easily integrate with payment gateways, such as PayPal and Stripe, for secure checkout.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to other ecommerce platforms.
- No real-time shipping or tracking capabilities.
- Limited customization options and lack of a mobile app.
- No inventory management system or automated notifications for customers.
- Is not as well known as other ecommerce platforms, so it may be harder to attract shoppers.
Shopify:
Pros:
- Easy to use and navigate platform with a user-friendly dashboard.
- Offers free themes for beautiful storefronts, so customers get an attractive experience.
- Access to hundreds of apps that can help improve your store’s functionality.
- Comprehensive marketing tools make it easy to advertise your products.
- 24/7 customer support is available for any questions or issues.
Cons:
- Fees can add up quickly, depending on what payment gateway you use and other add-ons you choose.
- Limited customization options can be limiting for some users.
- Limited control over the look and feel of your store as compared to other e-commerce platforms.
- Shipping rules are not always flexible, which can be an issue if you offer free or discounted shipping.
- Some third-party apps require additional fees outside of Shopify’s monthly subscription.
Shopify Vs Big Cartel – Themes
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When it comes to themes, Big Cartel offers fewer options than Shopify.
However, the themes they do offer are highly customizable and give you the freedom to create a unique look for your store that stands out from the competition.
The customization features of Big Cartel are much more advanced than Shopify’s, so if you want to make your store look exactly the way you want it, Big Cartel is definitely the better option.
Furthermore, Big Cartel’s themes are also cheaper than Shopify’s, so if budget is an issue for you, this might be a better choice.
When it comes to design and coding capabilities, both platforms offer a wide range of options.
Shopify has more advanced design tools and coding capabilities, making it the ideal choice for those with a technical background who want to take full control of their store’s look and feel.
On the other hand, Big Cartel provides basic design features which are simpler to use and perfect for users who don’t have much experience in web design.
Overall, when it comes to themes, both Shopify and Big Cartel have their pros and cons. It all depends on your particular needs.
If you are looking for customization options with a budget-friendly price tag then Big Cartel is the perfect choice for you.
On the other hand, if you need more advanced design tools and coding capabilities then Shopify is the way to go.
Whichever platform you choose, make sure it provides all the features you need in order to create a successful e-commerce store.
Payment Methods: Shopify VS Big Cartel
Shopify:
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Big Cartel:
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One of the key differences between Shopify and Big Cartel is their payment methods.
While Shopify offers a wide variety of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and more, Big Cartel only supports credit card payments.
This could be a major issue for customers who prefer alternative forms of payment.
Additionally, Shopify offers a Point of Sale system that allows customers to pay in person with debit or credit cards. Big Cartel does not have this feature available.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a more flexible payment solution, Shopify is the better choice.
However, if having the ability to accept payments from different sources is not a priority, then Big Cartel could be the better solution for you. Both Shopify and Big Cartel offer a secure payment system to protect customers’ sensitive data.
In conclusion, if having multiple payment options is important to your business, Shopify is the clear choice over Big Cartel.
However, if being able to accept payments from a variety of sources is not your top priority, then Big Cartel could offer the perfect solution.
Customer Reviews:
The customer reviews for Shopify and Big Cartel reflect their respective advantages.
Shopify is known for its extensive feature set, which includes an easy-to-use store builder, payment gateway integrations, rich analytics tools, and a wide selection of apps to extend the functionalities of the platform.
Customers appreciate this level of customization and flexibility when compared to what Big Cartel has to offer.
Customers find it a great choice for small businesses that don’t need all of the features offered by Shopify.
When comparing customer reviews, it’s important to look at feedback from actual users of the platforms.
Shopify comes out ahead in terms of overall customer satisfaction, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot compared to Big Cartel 3.3 out of 5 stars.
Customers tend to love Shopify for its ease-of-use and comprehensive feature set, but some have complained about unreliable customer service and confusing pricing structures.
On the other hand, Big Cartel’s reviews are generally more positive, with users praising the platform for its affordability and simplicity.
Customers do note that while it is a good choice for small businesses who don’t need extensive features, it can be quite limited when compared to Shopify’s robust offering.
When choosing between Shopify and Big Cartel, it’s important to take into account customer reviews as well as the specific needs of your business.
FAQs: Shopify Vs Big Cartel
Q: What type of themes does Shopify offer?
A: Shopify offers a variety of free and paid themes to customize your online store, ranging from minimalistic designs to modern, sophisticated ones. With its Theme Store, you can find the perfect theme for any business. You can also use third-party themes or create your own theme with HTML and CSS.
Q: What type of themes does Big Cartel offer?
A: Big Cartel provides a selection of professionally designed, modern themes to choose from. All of their themes are mobile-friendly and adjustable to fit your needs. You can also customize the look and feel of your store with custom HTML or CSS.
Q: Does Shopify have an app store?
A: Yes, Shopify has an App Store with a wide selection of apps to customize and extend the functionality of your online store. Apps range from marketing tools, accounting solutions, product personalization options, and more.
Quick Links:
Best Shopify Themes That Boost Your Conversions
Conclusion: Shopify Vs Big Cartel
If you’re looking for an ecommerce platform that is easy to use and offers a lot of features, Shopify is the way to go.
However, if you want a more personalized experience with fewer bells and whistles, Big Cartel could be a better fit.
No matter which route you choose, make sure you do your research so you can find the best platform for your business. Thanks for reading.
