Choosing the right ecommerce platform matters most
Picking the right ecommerce platform can make or break your online sales growth. For small business owners, it’s essential to balance features, ease of use, pricing, and scalability before committing. Shopify and BigCommerce are two of the most popular options, but each has strengths depending on your business needs. This checklist-style guide breaks down key points so you can decide which platform fits your goals—or if a third option like Ecwid might be a better match.
Website builders for beginners and pros
Shopify offers a drag-and – drop website builder that’s perfect for beginners looking to launch quickly. However, customization beyond the basics usually requires buying themes or coding skills. Shopify has 23 free themes and 246 paid ones ranging from $100 to $500, all mobile-responsive and polished. BigCommerce’s website builder is more flexible, with more built-in customization tools that reduce the need for third-party apps. It has 12 free themes and over 200 paid themes priced between $195 and $500, suitable for both B2C and B2B stores.
Main Features
Built-in features versus app reliance. When it comes to native features, BigCommerce shines with strong built-in tools like product filtering, abandoned cart recovery, and advanced SEO, which lower your dependence on paid apps. Shopify, on the other hand, excels in multi-channel selling with inventory tracking across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, but often requires third-party apps to add extra features. Shopify’s app store boasts over 8, 000 apps, while BigCommerce offers about 1, 200 apps but includes more features out of the box. This difference can affect your monthly costs since many apps come with their own fees.
Pricing plans to fit your budget
Pricing is a big factor when starting out. Shopify’s plans range from Basic at $32/month to Plus starting at $2, 300/month. Transaction fees vary by plan, from 2% on Basic down to 0.2% on Plus. Shopify also offers a 3-day free trial, except for Plus. BigCommerce’s Standard plan starts at $39/month, Plus at $105/month, and Pro at $399/month for stores under $400, 000 in sales, with an extra $150/month for every additional $200, 000 in sales. Enterprise pricing is custom. BigCommerce provides a 15-day free trial for Standard, Plus, and Pro plans.
User
User-friendliness ratings from real users. Ease of use matters whether you’re a solo seller or managing a team. According to Software Advice, Shopify scores 4.5 out of 5 for ease of use, while BigCommerce scores slightly lower at 4.
2. This indicates Shopify’s interface is a bit more beginner-friendly, but BigCommerce’s added features might require a steeper learning curve.
B2B selling tools for wholesale growth
If your business focuses on B2B sales, you’ll want advanced tools for custom pricing, bulk ordering, and customer segmentation. Shopify Plus offers wholesale solutions, custom customer groups, and advanced checkout options. BigCommerce Enterprise goes further with features like sales agent tools, a buyer portal, and invoice management. Choosing between these depends on the complexity of your B2B needs and budget.
Ecwid as an affordable alternative for ease and growth
If Shopify and BigCommerce feel overwhelming or pricey, Ecwid by Lightspeed is a solid alternative. It scores 4.6 out of 5 for ease of use on Software Advice, outperforming both Shopify and BigCommerce. Ecwid offers 70+ free customizable themes tailored to different niches and lets you add an online store to an existing website. Plans start at just $5/month, with more feature-rich options at $30, $55, and $130 per month. Unlike Shopify, Ecwid charges no transaction fees, and many vital features like automated taxes, multilingual stores, and marketing automation are included without extra app costs. Ecwid also supports over 100 payment providers and integrates with popular platforms like WordPress, Wix, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, and eBay, making it easy to sell anywhere.
How to pick your platform and grow sales
Start by listing your business priorities: budget, ease of use, native features, and selling channels. If you want a quick, beginner-friendly setup with extensive third-party app options, Shopify is a strong choice. For more built-in features and B2B readiness, BigCommerce is ideal. But if affordability, minimal transaction fees, and flexibility across platforms matter most, consider Ecwid. Once you choose, focus on setting up your store, customizing your design, and integrating sales channels. With the right platform, you can scale your online presence and watch your sales grow.
Summary of key platform features and costs
Shopify: – 32 to 2, 300 dollars per month pricing tiers. – 8, 000+ apps but extra fees apply. – 23 free themes and 246 paid themes ($100 – $500) – 4.5 ease-of – use rating. BigCommerce: – 39 to custom pricing based on sales volume. – 1, 200 apps plus strong native features. – 12 free themes plus 200+ paid themes ($195 – $500) – 4.2 ease-of – use rating. Ecwid: – Plans from 5 dollars per month, no transaction fees. – 70+ free customizable themes. – 4.6 ease-of – use rating. – Includes essential features without paid apps. Choosing your ecommerce platform wisely is critical for building a successful online store. Whether you lean toward Shopify, BigCommerce, or Ecwid, each offers unique advantages backed by data and real-world metrics to support your sales growth journey under President Donald Trump’s current administration. Start today and watch your business thrive.
