Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing, Features, Pros and ConsTable of ContentsIntroductionPricing and FeesCore FeaturesEase of Use and Customer SupportConclusionFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)IntroductionSelecting the right platform for building and managing your online store can make or break your ecommerce success. Whether you’re a small business owner or running a large enterprise, the choice between Weebly and BigCommerce can significantly impact your online presence and operational efficiency. In this post, we will delve deeply into a comprehensive comparison between Weebly and BigCommerce, focusing on their pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platform is better suited to meet your business needs.Pricing and FeesOne of the most critical factors to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform is the cost. Both Weebly and BigCommerce offer various pricing models tailored to different business sizes and needs.Weebly PricingWeebly is known for its affordability, offering a free forever plan that allows users to sell unlimited items. Its paid plans range from around $10 to $26 per month:Personal Plan ($10/month): Includes support for a custom domain and unlimited storage.Professional Plan ($12/month): Adds advanced site stats and media features.Performance Plan ($26/month): Includes abandoned cart emails and advanced ecommerce insights.BigCommerce PricingBigCommerce, on the other hand, does not offer a free plan but provides a 15-day free trial. Their paid plans start at a significantly higher price point:Standard Plan ($39/month): Includes essential features for starting an online store.Plus Plan ($79/month): Offers advanced features such as customer segmentation.Pro Plan ($399/month): Geared towards high-volume businesses with more comprehensive tools.Notably, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan, but it imposes sales limits that scale with each plan level. For example, on the Standard plan, you're restricted to $50,000 in sales per year.Core FeaturesUnderstanding what each platform offers in terms of core features is crucial for making an informed decision.Website Building and DesignBoth Weebly and BigCommerce provide hundreds of responsive templates, but there are nuances worth noting:Weebly: Known for its ease of use, Weebly's website editor uses a drag-and-drop interface that requires no coding knowledge. It's designed for a variety of websites, not just ecommerce.BigCommerce: While offering similar design flexibility, BigCommerce's themes are more specialized for online stores, providing deeper customization options through CSS and HTML.Ecommerce and Selling FeaturesWhen it comes to ecommerce functionalities, both platforms have their strengths:Weebly: Includes support for unlimited products, inventory management, automatic tax calculation, and delivery options. However, features like abandoned cart emails and PayPal integration are only available on higher-tier plans.BigCommerce: Offers advanced inventory management, real-time shipping quotes, multi-currency selling, and comprehensive product variants and fields. It also supports omnichannel selling and has specialized plans for B2B and wholesale businesses.Marketing Tools and AnalyticsEffective marketing tools and robust analytics are essential for growing your business.Weebly: Offers solid blogging features, pop-up notifications, and customizable lead capture forms. However, its SEO capabilities are limited compared to BigCommerce.BigCommerce: Provides detailed analytics, customizable dashboards, and advanced SEO tools. It also supports comprehensive marketing integration, including abandoned cart emails and product reviews on all plans.AI CapabilitiesArtificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming a game-changer in ecommerce:Weebly: Lacks native AI capabilities but allows integration with third-party AI tools through its marketplace.BigCommerce: Stands out with its BigAI toolkit, offering AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations.Integrations and AppsThe ability to integrate with third-party apps can significantly enhance the capabilities of your online store.Weebly: Features an App Center with around 100 extensions, including various marketing and inventory management tools.BigCommerce: Boasts over 850 apps, categorized for easy access, and offers extensive API options for custom integrations.Ease of Use and Customer SupportEase of UseWeebly: Excels in ease of use with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it ideal for small businesses or those new to ecommerce.BigCommerce: Although more complex, BigCommerce has improved its user experience with AI tools. However, its advanced features do come with a steeper learning curve.Customer SupportWeebly: Provides 24/7 support, but free and personal plan users are limited to forum, chat, and email support.BigCommerce: Offers 24/7 phone, chat, and email support across all plans, supplemented by in-depth learning resources and a supportive online community.ConclusionChoosing between Weebly and BigCommerce largely depends on your business's current needs and future plans. Weebly is ideal for small businesses and individuals who seek affordability and simplicity. Its user-friendly interface and basic ecommerce features make it a suitable starting point for new ventures.BigCommerce, on the other hand, is designed for businesses aiming for scalability. With advanced features, AI capabilities, and robust customer support, it is better suited for growing businesses and enterprises looking to expand their online presence.By weighing the pricing, features, and support options of each platform, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Which platform is more affordable for small businesses?Weebly is generally more affordable with its range of low-cost plans and a free option, making it a better choice for small businesses or those just starting out.Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?No, BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any of its plans, but it does impose sales limits that scale with each plan.Can I use PayPal on Weebly?Yes, but only on the Performance plan. To use PayPal as a payment option, you’ll need to subscribe to Weebly's higher-tier plan.Which platform offers better AI capabilities?BigCommerce offers superior AI capabilities through its BigAI toolkit, which includes AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations.What are the SEO capabilities like for both platforms?BigCommerce provides more advanced SEO features compared to Weebly, making it easier to optimize your site for higher search engine rankings.