Big Cartel vs Shopify: Which is Better For You In 2023?

Big Cartel vs Shopify - HelloFBA

Big Cartel and Shopify are two popular e-commerce platforms that allow individuals and businesses to set up online stores and sell products. Both platforms offer a range of features and tools to help users manage their online store, process payments, and ship products to customers.

But, which one should you choose for your business? In this comparison, we will look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of Big Cartel and Shopify, including templates, customer support, pricing, ease of use, and integrations. You will know more about the advantages and disadvantages of each platform by the end of this comparison, and you will be better prepared to choose which one to use for your company.

Big Cartel vs Shopify: In A Nutshell (2023)

Here is a comparison of Big Cartel and Shopify in a tabular format:

FeatureBig CartelShopify
PricingFree plan available; paid plans start at $9.99/moPlans start at $29/mo, with a 3-day free trial
Design templatesLimited selectionExtensive selection
Customization optionsLimitedExtensive
Ease of useEasyEasy
Payment gateway optionsLimitedExtensive
Shipping optionsLimitedExtensive
IntegrationsLimitedExtensive
Customer supportEmail support only24/7 support via phone, email, and chat
Sales featuresLimitedExtensive

Big Cartel vs Shopify: Which is Better for You?

When it comes to choosing an e-commerce platform, the decision between Big Cartel and Shopify ultimately depends on your specific business needs and goals. Here’s a breakdown of each platform’s strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one might be better for you:

Pricing

Big Cartel and Shopify offer different pricing plans depending on your business needs and budget. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing:

Big Cartel Pricing Plan

Big Cartel offers four pricing plans:

  • Free Plan
  • Platinum at $9.99 per month
  • Diamond at $19.99 per month
  • Titanium at $29.99 per month

Shopify offers three pricing plans:

Shopify Pricing Plan
  • Basic Shopify at $29 per month
  • Shopify at $79 per month
  • Advanced Shopify at $299 per month 
  • Lite plan for $9 per month, which allows you to add buy buttons to an existing website or blog.

Overall, both Big Cartel and Shopify offer a range of pricing plans to suit different business needs and budgets. Big Cartel may be a better option for small businesses or artists who have a limited budget, while Shopify may be a better option for larger businesses with more complex needs and the budget to match.

Design Templates

Design templates are an important aspect of any e-commerce platform as they help to establish the overall look and feel of your online store.

Big Cartel has a limited selection of design templates compared to Shopify. There are 16 templates to choose from, and they all have a simple, clean design aesthetic. While there is some flexibility to customize the templates with your own branding, the options are limited.

Design Templates

Shopify, on the other hand, offers over 70 professional-looking templates to choose from. These templates are designed to be responsive and optimized for mobile devices, and they can be customized to fit your branding and design needs. Shopify’s templates are also divided into categories, such as fashion, electronics, and food, to make it easier to find a template that fits your industry.

Overall, Shopify has a wider selection of templates and more design flexibility compared to Big Cartel. However, Big Cartel’s templates have a simple, clean aesthetic that may appeal to some businesses, particularly those in the art and design industry. Ultimately, the choice between Big Cartel and Shopify will depend on your specific design needs and preferences.

Customization Options

Customization options are important for e-commerce platforms as they allow businesses to tailor their online store to their specific branding and design needs.

Big Cartel offers some customization options, but they are more limited compared to Shopify. With Big Cartel, you can customize your store’s logo, color scheme, font, and homepage layout. However, customization options for product pages are more limited.

Customization Options

Shopify, on the other hand, offers extensive customization options. You can customize your store’s logo, color scheme, font, and layout, as well as customize your product pages with options such as product images, product descriptions, and product variants. Shopify also offers a range of third-party apps and plugins that can be used to add additional functionality to your store.

Overall, Shopify offers more customization options compared to Big Cartel. If you need extensive customization options to create a unique look and feel for your store, Shopify may be the better option. However, if you are happy with a more limited range of customization options, Big Cartel may still meet your needs.

Ease Of Use

Ease of use is an important consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform, particularly for those who are new to online selling.

Big Cartel has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners to set up and manage their online store. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a clear and straightforward navigation system. However, some features may be limited, which could be frustrating for more experienced users.

Shopify is also user-friendly and has an easy-to-use interface, although it may be more complex compared to Big Cartel. The platform offers a wide range of features and customization options, which can be overwhelming for beginners. However, Shopify provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support, making it easier for users to get started and navigate the platform.

Overall, both Big Cartel and Shopify are relatively easy to use. Big Cartel is more straightforward, which may be better suited for beginners or those with simpler needs. Shopify, on the other hand, offers a wider range of features and customization options, which may be more appealing to those with more complex needs.

Payment Gateway Options

Payment gateway options are an important consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform, as they determine how customers can pay for your products. 

Big Cartel offers a limited number of payment gateway options. The platform integrates with PayPal and Stripe, which allows customers to pay via credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. However, there are no other payment gateway options available, which could be a limitation for some businesses.

Shopify offers a wider range of payment gateway options. The platform integrates with over 100 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and many more. This provides more flexibility and options for customers to pay for your products.

Overall, Shopify offers a wider range of payment gateway options compared to Big Cartel. This can be beneficial for businesses that want to offer their customers a variety of payment options or that require specific payment gateway integrations. However, if your business only requires PayPal or Stripe, then Big Cartel’s limited payment gateway options may be sufficient.

Shipping Options

Shipping options are an important consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform, as they determine how you can ship your products to customers. 

Big Cartel provides some basic shipping options, including the ability to set up flat-rate shipping or free shipping for specific products or orders. However, there is no built-in shipping calculator or integration with shipping carriers. This means that you will need to calculate shipping costs and manage shipping logistics manually.

Shipping Option

Shopify offers more advanced shipping options compared to Big Cartel. The platform includes a built-in shipping calculator that can be customized to your specific needs, as well as integration with popular shipping carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Shopify also offers the ability to set up shipping rates based on order weight, location, and other factors.

Overall, Shopify provides more advanced shipping options compared to Big Cartel. If you require a more sophisticated shipping solution, such as integration with shipping carriers or the ability to set up shipping rates, then Shopify may be the better option. However, if you have simpler needs, Big Cartel may be sufficient.

Integrations

Integrations are an important consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform, as they determine how easily you can connect your store to other tools and services. 

Big Cartel offers limited integrations compared to Shopify. The platform has a few third-party integrations available, including tools such as Mailchimp, ShipStation, and Google Analytics. However, the range of integrations is more limited compared to Shopify, which could be a limitation for businesses that require more extensive integration options.

Integrations

Shopify offers a wide range of third-party integrations, including popular tools such as Facebook, Instagram, QuickBooks, and many more. The platform also offers an extensive app store, where users can find and install apps to add additional functionality to their store.

Overall, Shopify provides more extensive integration options compared to Big Cartel. If you require integration with specific tools or services or need a wider range of integrations to manage your store effectively, then Shopify may be the better option. 

Customer Support

Customer support is an important consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform, as it can impact how quickly and effectively you can resolve issues or get help with using the platform. 

Big Cartel provides customer support via email and a help center. The help center includes documentation and FAQs, as well as a community forum where users can ask and answer questions. However, there is no live chat or phone support available, which could be a limitation for businesses that require more immediate support.

Shopify Help Center

Shopify provides customer support via email, live chat, phone, and a help center. The help center includes documentation, FAQs, and community forums, as well as access to Shopify experts who can help with technical issues or customization. Shopify also offers 24/7 support, which can be beneficial for businesses that operate outside of regular business hours.

Overall, Shopify provides more extensive customer support options compared to Big Cartel. If you require more immediate or personalized support or need access to a wider range of support channels, then Shopify may be the better option. 

Sales Feature

Sales features are an important consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform, as they determine how effectively you can sell products and generate revenue. 

Big Cartel offers some basic sales features, such as the ability to sell physical or digital products, manage inventory, and create discounts or coupon codes. The platform also includes some social media integration options, such as the ability to sell products directly on Facebook or Instagram.

Shopify offers more advanced sales features compared to Big Cartel. The platform includes tools for managing and fulfilling orders, setting up abandoned cart recovery, and creating and managing gift cards. Shopify also offers the ability to sell subscriptions or recurring payments, as well as the ability to create and manage customer accounts.

Overall, Shopify provides more advanced sales features compared to Big Cartel. If you require more sophisticated sales tools, such as abandoned cart recovery or the ability to sell subscriptions, then Shopify may be the better option. However, if you have simpler sales needs and are willing to work with basic sales features, then Big Cartel’s sales options may be sufficient.

BigCartel vs Shopify: Pros & Cons 

Here are the pros & cons of BigCartel and Shopify, let’s have a look. 

BigCartel Pros: 

  • Real-time track and shipment tracking 
  • It is easy to use and friendly interface 
  • Automatic sales tax tracking 
  • Simple to add integrations 
  • You can get free customization themes 

BigCartel Cons: 

  • Difficult to sell in multiple currencies at a time 
  • Lack of abandoned cart-saving tool

Shopify Pros: 

  • Offers a variety of themes 
  • Support many categories of e-commerce business 
  • Offers multiple payment processes 
  • Extensive payment option 
  • Best for a large store 

Shopify Cons: 

  • High transaction fees 
  • Need to improve customer support 

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Conclusion: Big Cartel vs Shopify (2023)

Big Cartel is a simpler, more affordable platform that is designed for small businesses and artists who are just starting out. It has a limited selection of design templates and customization options, but it is very easy to use and has a free plan available, making it a great option for those on a tight budget.

Shopify, on the other hand, is a more feature-rich platform that is designed for businesses of all sizes. It has a wider range of design templates, customization options, payment and shipping gateways, integrations, sales features, and SEO tools. It also offers a mobile app and 24/7 customer support, making it a more scalable option for larger businesses.

Overall, Shopify is a more feature-rich platform, making it a more scalable option for larger businesses. On the other hand, considering its limited resources, Big Cartel may be a better choice for small businesses or artists looking for a simple and affordable way to sell their products online.

Ultimately, the choice between Big Cartel and Shopify will depend on your specific business needs, budget, and growth potential. 

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