top of page

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace Which Is Best?


BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace Which Is Best?
BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace

The rise of online shopping is undeniable, and as more people turn to the web to make their purchases, businesses are left wondering which e-commerce platform will best support their growth. As I've explored different options over the years, I've realized that BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace each have unique strengths. But which one is right for you?


It depends on your business, specific needs, and where you envision your brand going. This isn't a decision to rush into. In this guide, I'll break down the key elements of each platform—BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace—so you can make an informed choice. We'll dive into features, pricing, ease of use, SEO benefits, customer support, and much more to ensure you pick the platform that will work best for your online store.


What is BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace?

Let me briefly introduce each of these platforms. This way, you can understand what each one is about before diving into the details.


Introduction to BigCommerce


Introduction to BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a solid, highly scalable e-commerce platform designed for businesses that need many features without diving into the complexity of enterprise-level software. It's perfect for medium—to large-sized companies that want built-in tools for things like marketing, shipping, and inventory management—all in one place. If you're looking for more advanced options, BigCommerce even supports B2B e-commerce, making it an excellent choice for businesses catering to individual customers and other companies.


BigCommerce Features:

  • One of the things I like about BigCommerce is how seamlessly it integrates with major payment gateways, making transactions smooth and secure for you and your customers.


  • Plus, it offers advanced shipping options, including live rates and real-time order tracking. This means your customers get an up-to-date view of their shipments, a considerable trust booster.


  • BigCommerce also comes with robust reporting and analytics tools, which are crucial for monitoring performance. You can analyze sales data, customer behavior, and inventory stats to make more informed business decisions.


  • And, if your business is growing, you don't have to worry about outgrowing the platform. It's built with scalability in mind, meaning it can easily handle a large inventory and adapt to your business as it expands. Knowing that your platform won't hold you back as you scale is reassuring!


Introduction to Shopify

Shopify has made a name for itself in the e-commerce world. It's known for being super easy to use—which is why so many entrepreneurs and small businesses love it. If you're starting out or already have some experience, Shopify's simple, clean interface makes it easy to get your store up and running. Plus, it's pretty flexible with many third-party integrations and can grow with you as your business scales.


What I love most is how quickly you can get set up. Whether launching your first store or expanding into something bigger, Shopify's tools make everything manageable without a steep learning curve. It's like having a reliable partner who makes things easier for you from day one.


Shopify Features:

  • One of the things that stands out about Shopify is its vast library of over 1,500 apps that you can add to extend your store's functionality. Whatever feature or tool you need, there's likely an app to help with it, from marketing to inventory management and everything in between.


  • Shopify also does a fantastic job of integrating various sales channels, including social media platforms and online marketplaces. This means you can sell seamlessly on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and more while managing your store in one place.


  • For those with a physical store, Shopify includes a built-in Point of Sale (POS) system to sync up your online and offline sales, making everything cohesive and easier to track.


  • And if you plan to go international, you'll love the multi-currency support. It lets you handle sales from customers worldwide without the hassle, offering them a local currency option and giving you more reach. So, whether you're selling in your local area or overseas, Shopify's got you covered.


Introduction to Squarespace

Squarespace has earned its reputation for having some of the most beautiful design templates, which is why it's such a popular choice for creatives—think photographers, artists, and designers. If your website's look is your priority, Squarespace shines. While it's not as packed with e-commerce features as platforms like BigCommerce or Shopify, it perfectly balances simplicity and aesthetics. You'll find customizable themes that let you make your online store look polished and professional without needing to be a web design expert.


Your brand revolves around showcasing your work and maintaining a stunning online presence. In that case, Squarespace makes it easy to do just that while offering the essential tools to get your online shop going. It might not have everything for large-scale selling, but it has everything you need to start and run an elegant, small-scale e-commerce store.


Squarespace Features:

  • Squarespace makes it easy to create a visually stunning, mobile-optimized online store that looks fantastic across any device. You don't have to worry about complicated coding or design details—pick one of their beautiful templates, and you're good to go.


  • The platform is excellent for small shops or creative businesses. Its e-commerce integration is straightforward, so you won't get bogged down with complex features if you start or sell a few products. It's more about creating a beautiful presence and streamlining the process, perfect for anyone looking to keep things simple.


  • On the SEO front, Squarespace offers essential but effective tools to help your store get noticed. You can easily customize your URLs and add image alt texts, and it integrates smoothly with Google Search Console. While it doesn't have the depth of SEO features other platforms offer, it's still a solid starting point for getting found online and driving traffic to your site.


How Do BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace Compare?

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace
Source by: subscriptionflow.com

Ease of Use: BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace

In evaluating an e-commerce platform, ease of use is key. You want a platform that can handle the complexities of your business, but at the same time, it shouldn't be so complicated that you're stuck figuring it out for hours. After all, you've got a business to run! The goal is to find something that supports your growth but is intuitive enough that you don't have to be a tech expert to navigate it.


  • BigCommerce Ease of Use:

    BigCommerce offers a pretty intuitive interface, but let's be honest—it might feel overwhelming if you're starting. The learning curve is steeper than you'll find with Shopify or Squarespace, mainly because BigCommerce packs many powerful features. It's great for those with technical experience or businesses with larger teams handling complex stores. If you're ready to dive deep and learn the ropes, BigCommerce will give you much flexibility and control.


  • Shopify Ease of Use:

    What I love about Shopify is how user-friendly it is. The interface is clean, and navigating around feels super intuitive—even if you have no background in coding. Shopify makes it easy to get started. The setup is straightforward, and the dashboard is designed to not overwhelm newcomers. It's the go-to for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for a platform that's simple to use but still powerful enough to help them scale.


  • Squarespace Ease of Use:

    Squarespace sits somewhere in between. It strikes a balance between offering ease of use and giving you control over design. While it's not as easy to use as Shopify, it's more manageable than BigCommerce if you're into minimalist design tools. It has drag-and-drop functionality, excellent for creating beautiful websites without coding. Still, when it comes to e-commerce tools, they are more limited than Shopify and BigCommerce offer. Still, if design and aesthetics are a big deal to you, Squarespace makes it easy to build something beautiful.


Pricing: BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace Cost Breakdown

Pricing differs across the platforms, and each offers different tiers depending on your needs. BigCommerce vs Shopify provide more pricing options than Squarespace, giving you more flexibility as your business grows. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, both BigCommerce and Shopify offer a variety of plans.


Squarespace, however, keeps things simpler with fewer tiers, which works well if you prefer a straightforward approach. However, if you need more customization or growth potential, BigCommerce and Shopify allow you to expand.


  • BigCommerce Pricing: BigCommerce's plans start at $39 per month, with up to 25,000 products in the most basic plan. Higher tiers provide more advanced features like advanced reporting and customization options, with pricing scaling as your business grows. BigCommerce doesn't charge transaction fees, which is excellent for high-volume stores.


  • Shopify Pricing: Shopify has similar pricing tiers but with an added Cost for additional apps and transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Plans start at $39 per month and can go up to $399/month for enterprise-level needs.


  • Squarespace Pricing: Squarespace costs $16 per month and can scale up depending on the e-commerce functionality required. It's cost-effective for small stores, but the lowest-tier plan lacks the advanced e-commerce features provided by BigCommerce or Shopify.


Features and Tools: BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace Comparison


BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace

BigCommerce vs Shopify are the heavy hitters, offering the most advanced e-commerce tools. If you're running a larger store or need many customization options, these two have you covered. Conversely, Squarespace doesn't match up, especially for larger-scale selling. While it's perfect for smaller businesses or creatives looking for a beautiful website, it falls short regarding the more complex features that BigCommerce and Shopify offer. So, if you plan to scale oversized or need robust e-commerce tools, BigCommerce and Shopify are the way to go.


  • BigCommerce Features:

    BigCommerce packs a punch when it comes to features. You'll find powerful marketing tools like email campaigns, built-in SEO options, and even a blog to engage customers. Plus, it's got solid inventory management tools, which is great if you've got a lot of products. BigCommerce also supports multichannel selling, meaning you can sell across different platforms, and it's got a complete set of API integrations if you need to connect with other software. Overall, it's super robust and designed for businesses that want all-in-one capabilities.


  • Shopify Features:

    Shopify stands out with its app store, boasting thousands of third-party apps covering just about every function you could need, from marketing to analytics. Some features include customizable shipping options, a straightforward checkout process, and handy customer profiles. On top of that, Shopify is fully optimized for mobile commerce, meaning your store will look great on any device, and customers can shop easily on the go.


  • Squarespace Features:

    While Squarespace isn't as feature-heavy as BigCommerce or Shopify, it still gives you the basics for e-commerce. You can easily manage products, track inventory, and even sell via social media integrations, which is handy for creatives who love showcasing their work. However, Squarespace may be lacking for businesses that need more advanced features like B2B support or complex shipping tools. It's great for a more straightforward, more design-focused approach but doesn't offer the deep customization or extensive e-commerce features of BigCommerce and Shopify.


Special Considerations for Your E-Commerce Business

Picking the right platform goes beyond features and pricing. Key factors such as SEO capabilities, mobile responsiveness, and the payment gateways it supports can significantly impact your business's success. These aspects are crucial in making sure your store is easy to find, mobile-friendly, and convenient for customers to shop. It's about looking at the entire package, not just the basics.


SEO Features in BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace

SEO Features in BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace
Source by: growthmindedmarketing.com

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential to driving organic traffic to your online store. Each platform has its own set of SEO tools, but the level of complexity and depth of those features can vary greatly. So, it's essential to consider what SEO capabilities you need to get your store noticed in search engines.


  • BigCommerce SEO Features:

    BigCommerce really shines in SEO, offering robust tools that let you optimize your product pages, blog posts, and overall site structure. You can edit meta descriptions, URLs, and title tags from the platform, making it super easy to customize your pages. Plus, BigCommerce supports structured data, which helps search engines like Google understand your content more effectively, giving you an edge in the rankings.


  • Shopify SEO Tools:

    Shopify also has strong SEO capabilities. It lets you customize title tags and product page metadata, and it's easy to set up redirects. Some apps can help you optimize images and give you advanced insights into your site's performance. The only thing to note is that some of these advanced features require third-party plugins so that it might take a bit of setup.


  • Squarespace SEO Capabilities:

    Squarespace offers a more straightforward approach to SEO. While it doesn't have as many customization options as Shopify or BigCommerce, it does provide essential tools to tweak page titles, URLs, alt text for images, and more. If you're running a smaller store or have more straightforward SEO needs, Squarespace might be all you need to get started—it's not as flexible, but it's easy to use.


Mobile Responsiveness: BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace Comparison

Since more than half of all e-commerce traffic comes from mobile devices, ensuring your online store is mobile-optimized is crucial. A smooth mobile experience keeps your customers happy and helps boost conversion rates. If your site doesn't look good or function well on mobile, you could miss out on a massive chunk of potential sales!


  • BigCommerce Mobile Responsiveness:

    BigCommerce ensures your store is mobile-friendly, with all of its templates automatically adjusting to fit mobile and tablet screens. The best part? The checkout process is optimized for smaller screens, so smartphone shopping is super smooth, making it easier for customers to complete their purchases.


  • Shopify Mobile Responsiveness:

    Shopify focuses on mobile responsiveness and for a good reason. The platform's templates are built to be mobile-friendly and adaptable, ensuring your store looks great on any device. Plus, Shopify goes the extra mile with its mobile commerce management tools that let you track orders and sales easily through the Shopify app so that you can manage everything on the go.


  • Squarespace Mobile Responsiveness:

    Squarespace does a fantastic job offering mobile-responsive templates that look stunning on any device. While it may not have as many mobile-specific features as Shopify, its designs are visually intuitive and user-friendly, offering a seamless shopping experience across smartphones and tablets. If you want a beautiful mobile storefront, Squarespace delivers.


Payment Gateways & Transaction Fees

A platform with the right payment gateway options and low transaction fees can impact your profits. Let's take a look at how each platform compares in this area.


  • BigCommerce Payment Gateways

    BigCommerce integrates over 65 payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net. I appreciate that BigCommerce doesn't charge extra transaction fees aside from what your chosen gateway might already take. This makes it an excellent option for businesses dealing with a high volume of transactions since those extra fees can add up.


  • Shopify Payment Gateways

    Shopify also supports a wide variety of payment gateways, but here's the catch: if you don't use Shopify Payments, you'll face additional transaction fees on your sales. This can increase costs, mainly if you rely on another payment processor. That said, Shopify Payments does eliminate those extra fees, but not all gateways are available in every region. It's something to remember, depending on where you run your business.


  • Squarespace Payment Gateways

    Squarespace keeps things simple by integrating with PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay, but it doesn't have as many options as BigCommerce or Shopify. Squarespace also charges a transaction fee on specific plans, which might be a drawback if you're looking for flexibility in payment methods or trying to minimize costs. It's more suited to smaller shops that don’t need various payment options.


Customer Support & Community: How Do BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace Stack Up?

A key aspect of running a successful online store is having access to reliable customer support. Having the right team to turn to when problems pop up can make all the difference in keeping things running smoothly.


Support Channels Available

Each e-commerce platform handles customer support differently. Let me show you how BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace approach this crucial area.


  • BigCommerce Customer Support

    BigCommerce has 24/7 customer support through phone, chat, and email. I've found their support team to be super knowledgeable and quick to help. On top of that, they've got a treasure trove of resources like tutorials and guides through the BigCommerce University portal, which makes solving problems on your own much more manageable.


  • Shopify Customer Support

    Shopify offers a similar setup with 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone. One thing that stands out is how responsive and helpful their team tends to be. Beyond that, Shopify provides access to an active online community, forums, and a detailed knowledge base—whether you're new to e-commerce or an experienced seller, these tools are invaluable.


  • Squarespace Customer Support

    Squarespace is different in this area. They provide email support and even offer priority support on specific plans. However, they don't have 24/7 phone support like BigCommerce or Shopify, which can be a downside if you're running into time-sensitive issues. Responses might take longer because of the fewer options available, but for more straightforward problems, their support can still do the trick.


Security and PCI Compliance: Is Your E-Commerce Business Safe?

Security is critical when it comes to e-commerce platforms. Keeping customer data safe, protecting payment transactions, and maintaining the integrity of your website are all essential for building trust and running a reliable online business.


Security Features for BigCommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace

All three platforms do a solid job when it comes to security, but let me break down how each one approaches it:


  • BigCommerce Security Features

    BigCommerce takes security seriously with HTTPS encryption, SSL certificates, and compliance with PCI DSS requirements. These tools help keep your site safe, giving you and your customers peace of mind. They also stay on top of updates with regular security patches, so you don't have to worry about vulnerabilities.


  • Shopify Security Features

    Shopify provides excellent security, with built-in PCI DSS compliance to handle payment processing securely. It also includes automatic SSL certificates and data encryption to keep information safe. If you're working at an enterprise level, Shopify Plus adds an extra layer of protection, making it a solid choice for businesses with more enormous security needs.


  • Squarespace Security Features

    Squarespace includes built-in SSL certificates to safeguard personal and payment information. While it does the job for small shops or simpler setups, it doesn't offer as many advanced e-commerce-specific security options as BigCommerce or Shopify. That might leave fewer options if you want to customize your security strategy.


Comparing BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace:


Which Is Best for Your Business?

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace each cater to different types of e-commerce businesses and long-term goals. Here's how they align with various use cases:


BigCommerce for Larger E-Commerce Stores

BigCommerce is excellent for running a more significant or growing e-commerce business. It's built to handle a more extensive inventory, more complex sales needs, and advanced features, making it ideal for companies requiring a robust scale platform.


Who Should Use BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is perfect for:

  • Significant to medium-sized businesses dealing with complex product catalogs.

  • Companies that need advanced customization for shipping, taxes, and B2B operations.

  • Businesses with high-volume sales who want to avoid extra transaction fees.


Benefits of BigCommerce:

BigCommerce offers:

  • Flexible APIs and integrations that make it easy to scale as your business grows.

  • Built-in support for multichannel retailing, including integration with platforms like eBay and Amazon.

  • Powerful SEO tools to boost your business's rankings and visibility in search results.


Shopify for Small Businesses and Startups

Shopify is an excellent option for a small business or an entrepreneur just starting. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners, and as your business grows, you can add more features to scale up. It's like the perfect balance of simplicity and flexibility.


Who Should Use Shopify?

Shopify is ideal for:

  • Entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses looking to get started quickly.

  • Store owners who need simplicity, a fast setup, and the ability to scale as they grow.

  • Businesses that want easy integration with social media, marketplaces, or multiple sales channels.


Benefits of Shopify:

With Shopify, you get:

  • An intuitive interface and design make it perfect for first-time store owners.

  • Extensive third-party integrations with many apps and services to help you grow.

  • Top-notch mobile e-commerce capabilities are crucial for businesses that want to reach customers on their phones.


Squarespace for Creatives and Small-scale Stores

Squarespace is a go-to platform for creatives—think photographers, designers, and artists—who want to showcase and sell their work. It offers stunning, responsive templates that highlight design but doesn't offer as many advanced e-commerce features as platforms like BigCommerce or Shopify. If design is your top priority, this one's a great fit.


Who Should Use Squarespace?

Squarespace is perfect for:

  • Artists, designers, photographers, and other creatives who want a platform with beautiful design.

  • Small businesses or personal stores with a small product catalog.

  • People who need a simple e-commerce solution without the complexity of all the advanced features offered by BigCommerce or Shopify.


Benefits of Squarespace:

With Squarespace, you get:

  • Gorgeous templates that beautifully showcase your products or creative portfolio.

  • Simplified e-commerce tools are ideal for beginners just starting their shop.

  • An excellent platform for building websites that blend excellent design with e-commerce functionality.


Conclusion

BigCommerce is designed for growing and large companies that need an elaborate, customizable platform. If you are dealing with many products, have more focused sales requirements, or need integrated features such as multi-location selling, Business-to-business options, or advanced inventory controls, you may prefer BigCommerce. It has loads of features, including proper SEO facilities and multi-currencies, which make it a better tool for businesses seeking to sell more products and services worrying about charges from transaction fees. It's optimal for companies with the time, money, and expertise to fully use all available tools and who are seeking to scale up processes.


Shopify is excellent if you need an easy and quick setup, are a new entrepreneur, or are a small business owner. It becomes advantageous regarding the user interface, the availability of apps, and easy linking to marketplaces and social sites. Shopify can connect all your selling needs for Facebook, Instagram, and even Etsy into one platform, so you're set for multichannel selling. Also, the site is responsive, and you can control your store using a mobile device. Shopify is spot on if your goal is a sound, buildable e-commerce platform that does not require a lot of customization right from the start.


Recently, Squarespace has been utilized by creatives, from artists to photographers, designers, or makers from the creative industries who require an appealing way to showcase their products. It is done mostly when it comes to stunning looks and website designs. It might not have the numerous e-commerce features of an advanced site builder like BigCommerce or Shopify, but it is user-friendly and suitable for people who want to put up their work for sale. Another nice fit for Squarespace is if your focus is achieving an elegant, professional appearance to your website, alongside having relatively simple tools for selling your works.


FAQs


Which platform offers better SEO features: BigCommerce, Shopify, or Squarespace?

BigCommerce and Shopify offer more advanced SEO features than Squarespace. BigCommerce, in particular, excels with custom URLs and structured data, making it the top choice for SEO needs.


Can I quickly scale my online store with Shopify?

Shopify is perfect for scaling businesses, offering flexibility, third-party integrations, scalable apps, and themes that grow with you, whether you have a few or thousands of products.


Does Squarespace support larger stores?

Squarespace is great for small to medium-sized stores, but if you're planning to scale up with complex product categories, shipping options, or multichannel selling, BigCommerce or Shopify would be a better fit.


Which e-commerce platform has the lowest transaction fees?

BigCommerce has no extra transaction fees beyond gateway charges. Shopify adds fees unless you use Shopify Payments, while Squarespace charges a small fee on lower-tier plans, making it more affordable for beginners.

Comentarios


bottom of page