If you are into online business and your business is in eCommerce; then you have to get a good retail platform for your website of eCommerce.
The two platforms, BigCommerce and Magento, each have their own pros and cons. Choosing between BigCommerce vs Magento can be a challenging task.
This article will discuss the major differences between BigCommerce vs Magento, so that picking out the right one for your online store should not be too hard.
Thus, let’s kick off this showdown of giants BigCommerce vs Magento!
What does BigCommerce mean?
BigCommerce is an eCommerce platform in the cloud which allows businesses to create and manage online stores easily because it has a user-friendly interface, customizable themes, secure payment processing options, and integrated marketing tools.
The idea behind creating BigCommerce was to simplify selling online, thus, it takes care of such technical aspects of running an online shop as hosting or security alerts or software updates so that businessmen could concentrate on sales growth only. In addition, it features various third-party integrations that allow businesses to enhance functions like emailing marketing, accounting among others.
BigCommerce, famous for its friendliness and expandability, is the best eCommerce platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The platform offers mobile-friendly designs and responsive tools that can help store owners optimize their sites for search engines.
Consequently, businesses can get support 24/7 whenever they want it. It is a comprehensive solution for entrepreneurs or corporations who require a reliable problem-free eCommerce platform.
BigCommerce: Platform Overview
BigCommerce is a great online store builder with lots of features. Among the features provided by BigCommerce include; user-friendly interface, customization responsive design and several eCommerce functionalities.
For this reason, one can easily manage an online store using BigCommerce due to third-party app integration that helps improve store functionality, built-in marketing tools and SEO features.
Because BigCommerce is a hosted platform, all the technical aspects such as server maintenance, security and updates are taken care of.
A. Pros
- Easy to Use: It has come up with such an easy interface which makes even non-technical people find it easier to use it without difficulties as in technical issues
- Secure: Feel safe while trading on BigCommerce, since it has security features that guard against any kind of data breaches and frauds.
- Support: This is very helpful as it can really help you in the event of any issues with your store.
- All-in-One Solution: This means that BigCommerce will cover everything including hosting, security, and maintenance so that you do not have to manage them individually.
B. Cons
- Limited Customization: Magento is more flexible in theme and template choice than BigCommerce.
- Transaction Fees: On top of credit card processing fees, big businesses would also be charged transaction fees by BigCommerce thus further increasing their costs.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), BigCommerce is an uncomplicated eCommerce site builder integrated with necessary features supported all the time.
However, bigger or more complex firms may find themselves limited by the higher customization costs associated with using BigCommerce. Next section gives a detailed analysis of Magento’s pros and cons.
What is Magento?
Magento is a free eCommerce platform that allows merchants to have complete control over their online stores.
It has gained recognition for its powerful features as well as customization options allowing store owners to personalize design, functionality, and user experience at any time required. For being an open-source platform, the company can freely modify its code.
This permits companies to change the source codes extensively thereby giving room for endless customization opportunities.
Magento helps organizations scale up operations, handle large product catalogs and complex business logic hence it is a good solution for corporates with unique demands.
Magento has more controls and scalability but higher learning curves than hosted solutions like BigCommerce. Its installation, configuration, and maintenance require more technical expertise that may be challenging to non-technical customers.
Moreover, it requires companies to take care of hosting and security details, among others, considering that it is self-hosted.
However, Magento provides efficient tools together with integrations, making it the best option, especially when involved in contemporary eCommerce activities at a larger scale, because of high customization alongside scalability attributes as well as configurability if chosen by such firms that have enough technological resources.
Magento: Platform Overview
Magento is an open-source platform for eCommerce that allows you to take full control of your online store.
It provides customization and features through which one can build a unique and powerful eCommerce website.
Magento is an ideal choice for growing businesses and large companies due to its flexibility and scalability.
However, this high level of control means that it has greater complexity, making it more difficult to install and administer than BigCommerce.
A. Pros
- Customization: Magento is well known for being highly customizable. A business can make changes in the design, functional requirements as well as data management in their stores.
- Scalability: Magento is highly scalable such that once the business grows, additional functionalities are added to the store. This makes Magento a perfect choice for businesses with a large product catalog or high sales volumes.
- Extensions and Integrations: With Magento’s extensive collection of extensions and integrations, businesses get access to various third-party tools and functions.
- Open-Source: As an open-source platform, Magento continues to develop with various developers contributing towards its improvement due to the growing community around it.
B. Potential drawbacks
- Technical know-how: Magento is more sophisticated and necessitates advanced technical expertise to configure and administer it, which can discourage non-technical users.
- Web hosting: In order for their site to operate properly, businesses need to take responsibility for web hosting, security, and maintenance of their sites. This task could be a hard nut to crack for those who do not possess the required knowledge in this field.
- Support: However, the support package offered by Magento is not as inclusive compared to that given by BigCommerce thus raising an alarm for companies with limited technical capabilities.
Magento would be an ideal option for companies looking forward to having a customizable eCommerce platform that can scale up easily.
However, running a Magento store without a dedicated team of developers can become extremely difficult.
For some organizations, Magento’s technical requirements may prove too challenging, whereas others may worry about its limited support options.
Key differences between BigCommerce vs Magento
When you’re planning to have an eCommerce store, it is important that you consider various critical differences between BigCommerce vs Magento.
These disparities are spread across pricing, ease of use and setup, customization options, security features, SEO capabilities, integration opportunities, and support and community.
- The difference between Hosted and Self-hosted: One can easily differentiate BigCommerce from Magento by the fact that BigCommerce is a hosted platform while Magento is self-hosted. Consequently, whenever one runs an online store using BigCommerce, there is no need to worry about server maintenance, security or updates since all these issues will be handled by the provider. But for those who would like to run their stores with Magento, they have to think about hosting fees along with other related costs such as security updates which might take more time in addition to a higher technical capability.
- BigCommerce Vs Magento Pricing: On the point of price schemes, BigCommerce vs Magento are very different from each other. This means that BigCommerce has a monthly subscription model with several pricing tiers, whereas Magento has a free, open-source version (Magento Community Edition) and a paid enterprise version (Magento Commerce). In comparison to owning a BigCommerce store, running Magento might be expensive due to additional costs, including hosting fees, security updates, and developer fees, among others.
- Ease of use and setup: BigCommerce is known for being user-friendly thus making the setup process and management of an online store easier. Conversely, the Magento one is more difficult to configure, and therefore, it might be a bit hard to use, especially for individuals with limited technical skills.
Let’s make a comprehensive comparison between BigCommerce vs Magento. Various aspects including pricing, ease of use, customization features, security issues, SEO functionalities, available integrations as well as support, will be discussed in this paper.
1. BigCommerce vs Magento: Pricing Comparision
When it comes to pricing, BigCommerce vs Magento differ. BigCommerce provides a subscription model that is monthly in nature and offers the service at different prices depending on the size and needs of your business. This includes:
- Standard: $29.95/month
- Plus: $79.95/month
- Pro: $299.95/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
More so, other features will be covered under these plans, including unlimited products, storage, bandwidth as well as built-in SEO and marketing tools by BigCommerce. However, there may be additional charges for some features or integrations.
On the contrary, Magento has a free open-source version (Magento Community Edition) and a paid enterprise version (Magento Commerce).
The open-source edition is free to download and use, although you will have to pay for all hosting, security, and updates, plus any developer fees incurred on customization or support purposes.
Pricing on Magento Commerce is based on your store’s annual gross revenue, which can start at $22,000/year; but the price can go up to $125,000/year depending upon your requirements.
Generally speaking, small-to-medium sized businesses find BigCommerce more economical; nevertheless Magento could represent a more cost-efficient choice for large organizations or companies with unique customization demands, so that is the major differentiation between BigCommerce vs Adobe Commerce.
2. Ease of use and setup comparison between BigCommerce vs Magento
As for BigCommerce, it is much easier to use and set up than Magento. It has an interface that is user-friendly and a setup process that is simple to follow; as such, even users who have no technical background will be able to create online stores for themselves and manage them with ease.
For instance, they come loaded with many built-in features as well as tools and also offer numerous pre-built themes and templates.
However, Magento is a more complicated platform compared to BigCommerce since the learning curve is steeper.
In addition, setting up and managing a store requires more technical skills, which could necessitate hiring a developer in order to handle upgrading, customization, and support.
On the other hand, while the number of possible feature combinations or customizations can be enormous in Magento, learning how to use it without previous experience may prove hard.
Thus, for business owners looking for an easy-to-use eCommerce platform that does not require much effort or knowledge of technology, BigCommerce would be better suited.
On the contrary, if you have enough technical know-how or resources for maintaining a more sophisticated platform then go ahead with Magento, where flexibility and control are key points in this case. So, this is the difference between BigCommerce vs Adobe Commerce in terms of setup.
3. Bigcommerce vs Magento: Customization options
One of the things to consider when selecting an eCommerce platform is the extent to which it can be customized.
BigCommerce vs Magento offer varied customization options, though they differ in their approaches.
For one, BigCommerce has pre-built themes and templates that can be easily customized by users through a drag-and-drop page builder.
Moreover, they have a rich library of third-party applications and integrations that you could use to expand your store’s functionality. However, compared to Magento – which is self-hosted –there are certain aspects of BigCommerce that cannot be as customizable as possible.
Magento is, on the other hand, an open-source platform, meaning that it gives you total control over your eCommerce site.
You can modify everything in your store, from its design and layout to its performance and features.
And with access to thousands of extensions in its marketplace and countless community developers, there are endless opportunities for customizations in this platform.
However, such control implies complexity and high costs and sometimes might require the developer’s involvement.
It is clear that Magento is the best choice for businesses that need a great deal of customization options. However, BigCommerce might be a better option for enterprises that prefer more direct customization ways. So, between Magento vs BigCommerce, Magento is the better choice.
4. Magento vs BigCommerce: Security Comparison
In the context of any eCommerce platform, security plays a vital role as it influences the trust and confidence of customers. In BigCommerce vs Magento, both prioritize security differently.
BigCommerce, being a hosted platform, takes care of all aspects related to your eCommerce store’s security, including server maintenance, updates, and SSL certificates.
They offer various built-in security features such as secure hosting, PCI compliance, and fraud protection tools. Moreover, BigCommerce has a dedicated security team that monitors and protects your store 24/7.
Magento, on its own, does not handle these issues; as the owner, you will be responsible for providing a secure server environment throughout use till the expiry or termination of this agreement.
For instance, while Magento has some built-in securities like two-factor authentication and PCI compliance, among other measures, it is your sole responsibility to ensure safety at your shop, which may demand additional time and resources it could also use a developer or a security expert.
Security-wise, the advantage lies with BigCommerce since it is a hosted platform that comes with pre-installed security features and support.
Nevertheless, if you have enough resources to manage security by yourself, go for Magento because it ensures high control and flexibility. So, between Magento vs BigCommerce, Magento is a better choice for security.
5. SEO capabilities comparison between BigCommerce vs Magento
Every online business must integrate SEO to boost its presence in search engine results and attract natural traffic to its website.
They have a collection of SEO tools that can be used on BigCommerce and Magento platforms.
BigCommerce has an extensive list of SEO tools. For instance, customizable URLs, meta tags, header tags, built-in sitemaps and robots.txt files are some of the available features with them.
Again, they have other marketing strategies like email marketing, Google Shopping integration, or social media integration, which can help you bring visitors to your site, thus leading to better conversion rates.
Comparing Big Commerce and Magento: Search Engine Optimization Features
The SEO features that come with the default package of Magento are not sufficient for a busy online shop.
Magento has integrated SEO tools such as customizable URLs, meta tags, header tags, sitemaps, and robots.txt files.
However, if you want to take full advantage of this platform then you would need to use third-party extensions.
Furthermore, it comes with many developers who have created an extensive library of plugins that can help in further optimizing your store for search engines. But these cost extra money, which may be beyond a small company’s reach.
In general terms, both BigCommerce vs Magento offer a strong starting point for SEO work with a number of built-in tools and features designed to help improve your visibility on search engines.
However, Magento could be more adaptable and flexible than BigCommerce when it comes to businesses that have specific strategies or needs pertaining to SEO optimization. So, between Magento vs BigCommerce, Magento will be a better choice.
6. Integration options comparison between BigCommerce vs Magento
Any eCommerce platform must have options for integration. They enable you to link your online store with other tools and services, e.g., payment gateways, shipping providers, and marketing platforms. Nevertheless, both BigCommerce and Magento offer different integration options.
BigCommerce comes with a library of readily available integrations to popular third-party applications such as PayPal, Stripe, Mailchimp, and ShipStation.
Furthermore, it gives you an API that will allow you to create custom integrations with other tools and services.
Magento also has a huge library of extensions and integrations that can be used in conjunction with various third-party apps such as Braintree, FedEx, and Google Analytics.
For instance, Magento is open-source software, which means it allows you to control all your integrations, hence making it possible to create individual connections based on the set of external tools or services.
However, the level of control requires professional advice from a technically literate developer.
When it comes to integration options, both BigCommerce and Magento provide a good foundation for linking your online store with other tools and services.
Nonetheless, Magento may give more flexibility or customization possibilities for businesses with specific integration needs or strategies in place. So, between Magento vs BigCommerce, Magento will be a better choice.
7. Support and community comparison between Magento vs BigCommerce
The consideration of support and community is just as important when choosing an eCommerce platform. They can influence the amount of help and resources you can access.
BigCommerce and Magento differ in terms of support and community.
BigCommerce gives 24/7 customer care via phone, e-mail, live chat, a knowledge base, and a community forum.
They also provide other professional services like design and development for helping to optimize your online store.
Magento has a vast library of extensions and resources with a large community of developers and users.
Nevertheless, due to its open source nature, support is mostly provided by the community hence limiting the level of assistance available.
Furthermore, Magento Commerce (Enterprise Edition) customers are given access to dedicated support and resources.
In general, BigCommerce may be better suited for businesses needing more extensive levels of support as well as professional services, whereas Magento might be useful for firms with higher technical skills combined with developer awareness coming from their own communities. So, between BigCommerce vs Adobe Commerce , Magento will be a better choice.
Use Cases
To better understand which platform might be best for your business, let’s look at some use cases for both BigCommerce vs Magento.
A. BigCommerce Use Cases
- Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-use platform with comprehensive support and built-in features can benefit from using BigCommerce.
- BigCommerce is an excellent choice for businesses that want to start selling quickly without investing too much time and resources in technical setup and maintenance.
- Businesses that want to integrate their online store with popular marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook can benefit from BigCommerce’s built-in integrations.
According to Datanyze, BigCommerce has a market share of 0.68% among eCommerce platforms globally. The platform offers over 700 built-in features and over 500 apps and integrations to help businesses enhance their online stores. BigCommerce’s customers include popular brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Skullcandy, and Woolrich.
B. Magento Use Cases
- Large businesses with unique requirements and high customization needs can benefit from Magento’s flexibility and scalability. According to BuiltWith, as of April 2023, there are over 149,000 live websites powered by Magento.
- Magento is an ideal platform for businesses that have outgrown other e-commerce platforms and require a more robust solution to manage high traffic and multiple storefronts.
- Businesses that want to create a highly customized and personalized online shopping experience for their customers can benefit from Magento’s extensive customization options.
Magento is the third most popular e-commerce platform in the top 1 million sites in the world. The platform powers some of the largest and most successful online stores, including Land Rover, HP, and Ford. Magento has over 5,000 extensions and modules in its marketplace, allowing businesses to add more functionality to their online stores.
BigCommerce vs Magento: Which one is right for your online store?
Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your online store depends on several factors, including your budget, level of technical expertise, customization needs, and support requirements. Here are some key takeaways to help you decide which platform is right for your business:
- If you are a small to medium-sized business with limited technical expertise and prefer a straightforward approach to eCommerce, Bigcommerce may be the better choice.
- Magento is a better choice if you are a larger business with more complex customization needs, technical expertise, and resources.
- If you have a limited budget and prefer a hosted platform with built-in security and support, Bigcommerce is a better choice.
- Magento may be the better choice if you have specific customization needs and require complete control over your online store.
- If you require comprehensive support and professional services, Bigcommerce may be the better choice.
- Magento may be the better choice if you prefer a more collaborative approach to support and have access to a community of developers.
Ultimately, the right eCommerce platform for your online store depends on your specific needs and requirements. By considering the key differences between BigCommerce vs Magento, you can make an informed decision and choose the platform that best aligns with your business goals.
Conclusion
To any online retailer, the choice of an eCommerce platform is important due to several reasons. Due to their peculiarities as well as advantages and disadvantages, Magento and BigCommerce have become among the leading platforms used for eCommerce over the years.
This article discussed areas such as cost, ease of use and installation, range of customization options available, security issues, SEO features, integration opportunities, support together with community in relation to BigCommerce vs Magento. By knowing these variances you will be able to select a suitable platform for your online store.
Whether it is BigCommerce or Magento you decide on; both platforms offer a solid foundation for building and running your online shop. They have all the tools you need inside them, which can be customized and integrated so that you can create one-of-a-kind powerful eCommerce sites that attract traffic and turn leads into paying customers.
When it comes to an eCommerce platform, HumCommerce is there to help with advice on selecting or setting up yours. Contact us now if you are interested in what we provide concerning ecommerce software, such as our very own solution at humcommerce.com, where we’ll assist in improving your existing ones or developing new online stores for businesses like yours.
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