When it comes to building an eCommerce store from scratch without any technical knowledge, platforms like Shopify and Big Cartel stand out as some of the best in the industry.
But if I ask you—which one is better and truly worth the investment?
Are you considering Big Cartel or Shopify? I know it can be confusing, but this blog is the ultimate Big Cartel vs Shopify comparison to help you choose the right platform for building your high-performing store.
So, who’s the real winner? Let’s find out!
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Quick Comparison
| Element | Shopify | Big Cartel | Winner |
| Ease of Use | Easy to navigate but requires some technical knowledge | Easy to use with efficient features for better usability | Big Cartel |
| Pricing & Fees | Plans range from $29 to $299. No transaction fees when using Shopify Payments. | Free plans are available. Premium plans start at $15 per month with a product limit | Shopify |
| SEO Friendliness | Includes advanced SEO features like customizable URLs, titles, robots.txt, and many SEO integrations. | Offers basic SEO capabilities, such as title changes, clean headers, alt text, and simple navigation. | Shopify |
| Templates & Themes | Over 100+ premium and free themes, highly customizable | Limited themes and customization options | Shopify |
| Apps & Integration | Extensive app store with over 6,000 apps and third-party integrations | Limited apps over 1500 & fewer integrations available | Shopify |
| Payment Gateways | Supports 100+ payment gateways | Limited to PayPal, Stripe, and a few others | Shopify |
| Inventory Management | Access to advanced inventory tools, including bulk management, tracking, and reporting. | Basic inventory management, mostly suited for small product ranges. | Shopify |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support via chat, phone, and email | Mostly Email-only support and has limited availability | Shopify |
Big Cartel vs. Shopify: In-Depth Comparison
Now, let’s take a closer look at each element to highlight the main differences between Shopify and Big Cartel, helping you find the e-commerce platform that best meets your needs.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, Big Cartel actually keeps it simple. You get prompts that help you manage your store smoothly and stress-free. It’s also great for beginners who want to start right away.
Shopify, on the other hand, offers a more advanced experience. It’s designed for those willing to learn a bit more. Once you get to know it better, managing your store becomes much easier with Shopify’s powerful features.
Still, if simplicity is your top priority, Big Cartel wins for ease of use.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Pricing & Fees
If you want to compare Shopify vs Big Cartel, pricing is a key factor to consider for your investment.
Big Cartel offers a free plan for a lifetime, with premium plans starting at $15/month.
Shopify, on the other hand, starts at $29/month and can go up to $299. However, you can try Shopify free for 3 days and get the first month for just $1.
So, is Big Cartel better than Shopify in terms of pricing?
Not necessarily. While Big Cartel is more affordable, the winner is Shopify. In terms of investment value, Shopify is the industry leader.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: SEO Friendliness
SEO is crucial for ranking your store and improving your search engine visibility.
Shopify is better in SEO, offering powerful features for managing product titles, descriptions, and robots.txt files. It also automatically generates an XML sitemap, enhancing how search engines crawl your site.
On the other hand, Big Cartel’s SEO features are basic and simpler. They may not be as effective for maximizing SEO potential.
So, Shopify is the clear winner here.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Templates & Themes
Shopify offers over 100+ free and premium themes and templates to optimize your eCommerce store, enhancing both visual appeal and customer experience. It also provides extensive customization options.
In contrast, Big Cartel has only 20+ themes, which limits your design capabilities. The available designs are less premium and may impact the visual appeal for customers.
So yes, Shopify is definitely the winner here.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Apps & Integration
Shopify gives you more capabilities to grow. It has its own official store with over 6,000 premium apps to integrate and effectively manage your store.
With Shopify, adding social media to your store is straightforward, especially if you’re advertising and want to drive customers directly to your site. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for some monthly or annual fees to use paid apps.
On the other hand, Big Cartel offers over 1,500 apps and extensions to support additional features. While it provides many useful apps, it doesn’t offer as many options as Shopify.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Payment Gateways
Shopify offers over 100+ payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Amazon Pay. You can also avoid extra transaction fees with Shopify Payments.
In contrast, Big Cartel only supports PayPal and Stripe. While these options are popular, the selection is limited. However, Big Cartel doesn’t impose additional transaction fees, just the usual credit card processing charges.
The major difference is that Shopify is PCI compliant, whereas Big Cartel isn’t. This means you must manage security guidelines yourself with Big Cartel.
So, Shopify is the better option and the real winner.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Inventory Management
Shopify proves to be more useful in inventory management, turning your store into a comprehensive selling point with options like POS and online websites.
Shopify also offers advanced features for tracking, managing, and adding product catalogs, simplifying the process.
In contrast, Big Cartel’s inventory management is limited to basic settings and options.
Therefore, due to its superior inventory management, Shopify takes the lead.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Customer Support
Customer support is crucial when using any platform. If something goes wrong, good support makes you feel secure.
Unfortunately, Big Cartel falls short in this area. It only offers email support with limited availability.
On the other hand, Shopify provides premium support with 24/7 availability. You can schedule a call, use live chat, or get your queries resolved via email.
Doesn’t that feel reassuring? Yes, and so, Shopify is the winner here.
How to Choose Between Shopify vs Big Cartel?
Choosing the right eCommerce platform is all about finding the perfect match for your business needs. Here’s how to decide whether Shopify or Big Cartel is right for you.
1. Identify Your Needs
Start by asking yourself a few questions:
- Are you launching a large-scale online store or a smaller shop?
- Do you need advanced features and integrations, or are basic tools enough?
- How much are you willing to spend?
Shopify could be the best choice even if you’re starting from scratch, but it’s mostly preferred by large or growing businesses.
2. Consider Your Budget
Big Cartel’s pricing might persuade you to start with it. It’s a great option if you’re really starting from zero, especially with its free plan.
However, if budget isn’t a major concern and you need more capabilities, consider Shopify. It offers better growth opportunities through SEO, app integrations, and payment options.
3. Think About Usability
If you’re comfortable using advanced tools and customizing your e-commerce store, Shopify could be the top choice.
If you prefer simplicity and less control, Big Cartel might be a better fit.
4. Customer Support
As mentioned earlier, premium customer support feels more secure when things go wrong. Shopify offers comprehensive support, while Big Cartel is limited to email support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many products can I sell on Big Cartel for free?
You can sell up to 5 products for free on Big Cartel. To list more products, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan starting at $15/month.
Is it easy to switch from Big Cartel to Shopify?
Yes, switching from Big Cartel to Shopify is relatively straightforward. Shopify provides tools and support to help you migrate your products and data easily.
What are the top differences between Shopify and Big Cartel?
Shopify offers better SEO features, app integrations, and customer support, making it ideal for growing businesses. Big Cartel is simpler and more budget-friendly, suited for smaller stores or startups.
Final Take: Which is Better, Big Cartel or Shopify?
Both Shopify and Big Cartel have their best features and capabilities, but the right eCommerce platform is always chosen by analyzing your needs and growth plans.
When comparing features and benefits for building your online store, Shopify clearly stands out as the better option. Its exceptional capabilities make eCommerce better.
So next time, you won’t need to worry about the Shopify vs. Big Cartel comparison. You’ve got the best option—Shopify!
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