Big Cartel Vs Shopify is a common question when deciding the best e-commerce platform for your online store. Both are great options, but they cater to different needs. In this blog, we will compare Big Cartel and Shopify, exploring their features, pricing, and benefits to help you determine which platform suits your business.
What Is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform designed primarily for small businesses and independent creators. It's ideal for entrepreneurs who have a small product range, such as artists, makers, and craftspeople. Big Cartel keeps things simple by offering easy setup and minimal features. If you need a straightforward platform to sell your products, Big Cartel might be a great choice. However, it’s not as scalable or feature-rich as Shopify.
Big Cartel is best for businesses with fewer than 50 products, as the platform focuses on ease of use rather than offering complex e-commerce features. It's an excellent option for smaller stores or individuals just getting started.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify, on the other hand, is a complete e-commerce solution for businesses of all sizes. It provides everything you need to build, launch, and grow your online store. Whether you're selling physical products, digital downloads, or even running a subscription-based service, Shopify can handle it all.
One of the major benefits of Shopify is its scalability. As your business grows, Shopify can grow with you, offering advanced tools, integrations, and customization options. You can also hire Shopify expert developers or work with a Shopify consultant to help you optimize your store for the best performance.
Big Cartel Vs Shopify: Key Differences
To help you decide between Big Cartel vs Shopify, let’s break down the major differences between the two platforms:
1. Ease of Use
Big Cartel: Big Cartel is known for its simplicity. You can get your store up and running quickly without needing much technical expertise. Its interface is minimal, with basic tools that are easy to navigate.
Shopify: Shopify is more feature-packed and may require a bit more time to learn. It offers greater customization, but for those unfamiliar with e-commerce, it can be a little overwhelming. However, Shopify expert developers can help you navigate the platform and set up a custom store.
2. Features and Customization
Big Cartel: Big Cartel offers only the essentials: product listings, basic payments, and limited customization options. It is perfect for those who need a simple setup and don’t need extensive features.
Shopify: Shopify provides advanced features such as inventory management, customer analytics, detailed reporting, and multiple payment gateways. If you're looking to expand, Shopify's vast range of apps and integrations allows you to add advanced functionalities to your store. For more complex needs, hire Shopify expert to get a fully customized store.
3. Pricing
Big Cartel: Big Cartel offers a free plan for stores with up to 5 products. Its paid plans start at just $9.99 per month. This makes it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs on a budget or those who are just starting out.
Shopify: Shopify's plans start at $39 per month for the basic plan, which includes more features than Big Cartel. The higher-tier plans come with additional features like advanced reporting, more shipping options, and better customer support.
4. Payment Options
Big Cartel: Big Cartel supports only a few payment gateways, like PayPal and Stripe, which can be limiting if you want to accept payments from global customers.
Shopify: Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways, including its own Shopify Payments system, which can make it easier to sell globally and handle multiple currencies.
5. Support
Big Cartel: Big Cartel offers email support, and although it has a knowledge base, there is no live chat or phone support.
Shopify: Shopify provides 24/7 customer support through phone, live chat, and email. Plus, it has an extensive community forum, tutorials, and a robust knowledge base to help you with any questions.
Is Shopify Worth It?
If you're wondering, “Is Shopify worth it?”, it depends on your business goals. Shopify is an investment, but it’s one that pays off if you want to build a scalable, professional e-commerce store. The platform offers everything you need to run an online store and grow your business.
If you're unsure about getting started or need help building your store, hiring a Shopify expert can be a great option. Whether you're a small business owner or planning to expand, a Shopify Consultant can guide you through the setup process, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
How to Delete Shopify Account
If you decide to move away from Shopify, you can delete your account by following these steps:
- Log in to your Shopify admin.
- Go to Settings > Plan.
- Click Deactivate Store and follow the instructions to complete the process.
Be sure to back up your data before deactivating your account, as it will be lost once deleted.
How to Cancel Shopify Subscription
To cancel your Shopify subscription, you’ll need to:
- Go to Settings > Plan in your Shopify admin.
- Click Cancel subscription and follow the prompts.
Make sure to check Shopify's cancellation policy before proceeding to avoid any unnecessary charges.
How to Change Shopify Store Name
If you’d like to change your Shopify store name, here’s how:
- From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Store details.
- Edit your store name and click Save.
This change only affects your store’s name, not the domain. To change your domain, you will need to purchase a new one.
Big Cartel Vs Shopify: Which One Should You Choose?
When comparing Big Cartel vs Shopify, it all comes down to the needs of your business. If you're a small, independent creator with a limited product range, Big Cartel could be the perfect solution. However, if you’re looking to scale your business and need a full-featured platform, Shopify is the better choice. Shopify is flexible, powerful, and has the tools necessary to run a successful online store.
Final Thoughts: Get Help from Aron Web Solutions
If you're still unsure whether to go with Big Cartel or Shopify, Aron Web Solutions can help. Whether you need to hire a Shopify expert or require custom development, Aron Web Solutions has the experience to guide you every step of the way. From store setup to ongoing optimization, Aron Web Solutions offers expert support for businesses of all sizes.
When you choose Aron Web Solutions, you can trust their team of Shopify experts developers to help you get the most out of Shopify and grow your business efficiently. If you’re ready to start or need help improving your Shopify store, don’t hesitate to reach out.
