BigCommerce

Are you looking to launch or scale your online business? BigCommerce has emerged as one of the most powerful ecommerce platforms available today, helping over 130,000 merchants worldwide turn their business dreams into reality. Whether you're a startup entrepreneur or an established enterprise, understanding what BigCommerce offers can be the key to your ecommerce success.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about BigCommerce – from its robust features and flexible pricing to how it compares with competitors and why it might be the perfect platform for your online store.

What is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a user-friendly, customizable platform for an ecommerce store, offering a range of features from multi-storefront to Google Shopping integration and a variety of pricing plans for businesses of all sizes. Founded in Sydney, Australia in 2009 by Australians Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper, who met in an online chatroom in 2003, BigCommerce has grown into a leading SaaS (Software as a Service) ecommerce solution.

The platform provides drag-and-drop functionality, custom product recommendations and headless commerce APIs to customize your merchandising. What sets BigCommerce apart is its open platform flexibility, allowing businesses to create robust, differentiated commerce experiences without compromising security, stability, or scalability.

Key Features That Make BigCommerce Stand Out

1. Comprehensive Built-In Features

While other e-commerce platforms bring limited features and force you to invest in many paid extensions, BigCommerce has one of the most comprehensive feature sets in the market for online commerce businesses. This means fewer additional plugins and reduced extra costs for managing your ecommerce platform.

Key features include:

• Unlimited Products: Sell as many products as you want without restrictions
• Multi-Storefront Capabilities: Manage multiple unique stores from one account
• Advanced SEO Tools: Built-in search engine optimization features to improve organic visibility
• 70+ Native Discount Options: Create promotions without coding
• Mobile-Responsive Themes: All templates are optimized for mobile devices
• Abandoned Cart Recovery: Automatically recover lost sales with email follow-ups

2. Zero Transaction Fees

BigCommerce charges no additional transaction fees, regardless of the plan you choose. This is a significant advantage over competitors like Shopify, which charges up to 2% in transaction fees when using third-party payment gateways. With BigCommerce, you keep more of your hard-earned revenue.

3. Powerful Payment Processing Options

BigCommerce offers 65+ payment gateway integrations (plus 250 local payment methods) in over 100+ countries. Popular options include:

• PayPal
• Stripe
• Square
• Amazon Pay
• Apple Pay
• Authorize.net

Make it easier for your customers to pay with dozens of digital wallets like Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal One Touch and more.

4. Omnichannel Selling

BigCommerce facilitates a real integration of all your online and offline sales channels, and it is the only platform in the market that allows it without the need to use an app. You can sell across:

• Your online store
• Amazon
• eBay
• Facebook Shop
• Instagram Checkout
• Physical retail locations (with POS integrations)

5. B2B and B2C Flexibility

BigCommerce's award-winning B2B Edition is designed specifically for the complexities of B2B ecommerce — with all the scalability, flexibility, and openness you need to transform your B2B business. You can operate both B2B and B2C channels from one platform, streamlining quoting, invoicing, and customer management.

6. Advanced Product Management

The platform provides great product management, inventory control, SEO-friendly tools, and marketing capabilities to help businesses attract more traffic and improve online visibility and sales. Features include:

• Product variants and options
• Custom fields
• Product filtering
• Inventory tracking across multiple locations
• Bulk editing capabilities

7. Superior Performance and Security

Give your store blazing-fast speed around the world with a platform built on Google Cloud Platform & supported by Cloudflare's global network. BigCommerce handles all hosting, security patches, and platform updates, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

BigCommerce Pricing Plans (2025)

Understanding BigCommerce's pricing structure is essential for budgeting your ecommerce venture. BigCommerce offers three pricing plans and a 15-day free trial. A fourth plan, the Enterprise plan, does not come with a set pricing structure.

Standard Plan - $39/month ($29/month annually)

This plan is made for new online stores and small businesses that earn yearly revenue of up to $50,000.

Features include:

• Unlimited products, file storage, and bandwidth
• Unlimited staff accounts
• Free SSL certificate
• Mobile-responsive website
• Real-time shipping quotes
• 24/7 support
• Up to 3 storefronts

Plus Plan - $105/month ($79/month annually)

The Plus plan is suitable for businesses achieving up to $180,000 in yearly sales.

Everything in Standard, plus:

• Customer groups and segmentation
• Abandoned cart saver
• Persistent cart functionality
• Up to 5 storefronts
• Priority support

Pro Plan - $399/month ($299/month annually)

For $399 per month, the Pro Plan is designed for high-volume businesses making up to $400,000 in annual online sales.

Everything in Plus, plus:

• Advanced product filtering
• Custom SSL support
• Google customer reviews
• Up to 8 storefronts
• Enhanced API limits

Important note: For every $200,000 in online sales beyond $400,000, you'll be charged an additional $150 per month.

Enterprise Plan - Custom Pricing

BigCommerce Enterprise does not have fixed pricing. The price of this solution will be based on the individual needs of a business and therefore tailored and customized.

Enterprise features include:

• Price lists for B2B and wholesale
• Unlimited API calls
• Priority routing and support
• Custom pricing and advanced security
• Unlimited storefronts
• Dedicated account management

Money-Saving Tip

All BigCommerce plans offer significant savings with annual billing. If you opt for annual billing, you can save around 20% on your plan. Plus, BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial so you can test the platform before committing.

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which Platform is Better?

When choosing an ecommerce platform, BigCommerce and Shopify are often the top two contenders. Here's how they compare:

Pricing Advantage: BigCommerce

BigCommerce charges no transaction fee on every plan, which means businesses can get the most of their sales without worrying about additional costs or penalties. In contrast, Shopify charges transaction fees of up to 2% when using third-party payment processors, which can significantly impact your bottom line as your sales grow.

Built-In Features: BigCommerce Wins

BigCommerce takes more of an "everything but the kitchen sink" approach, packing more features into its core platform for complex needs like managing multiple storefronts. BigCommerce has powerful built-in features, reducing the resources required to manage third-party apps.

Ease of Use: Shopify Takes the Lead

After 250+ hours of testing, Shopify outperforms BigCommerce for ease of use, with Shopify being beginner-friendly with a clean interface while BigCommerce has a steeper learning curve.

App Ecosystem: Shopify

Shopify has an app market boasting over 8,000 third-party integrations, while BigCommerce offers around 1,200-1,500 apps. However, BigCommerce's built-in features mean you may need fewer apps overall.

Best For:

Choose BigCommerce if you:

• Want to avoid transaction fees
• Need advanced built-in features without additional apps
• Require complex product catalogs or B2B functionality
• Plan to manage multiple storefronts
• Want better out-of-the-box SEO capabilities

Choose Shopify if you:

• Prioritize ease of use and quick setup
• Want access to the largest app ecosystem
• Need the most beginner-friendly interface
• Prefer a platform with AI-powered tools

How to Get Started with BigCommerce

Getting started with BigCommerce is straightforward:

1. Sign Up for Free Trial: Visit the official BigCommerce website and create a new account. You can start with a free trial to explore the platform, its features, and its functionalities.

2. Choose Your Plan: Based on your expected sales volume and feature needs, select the plan that fits your business.

3. Select a Theme: Choose a visually appealing template that goes perfectly with your brand and industry. BigCommerce offers both free and premium themes, all mobile-responsive.

4. Customize Your Store: Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize your storefront without coding knowledge.

5. Add Products: You can manually add your products one by one or import the entire catalog.

6. Set Up Payment Processing: Configure your preferred payment gateways from the 65+ options available.

7. Configure Shipping: Set up shipping zones, rates, and integrate with carriers for real-time quotes.

8. Launch Your Store: Once everything is configured, launch your store and start selling!

Who Should Use BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is ideal for:

• Growing Businesses: Companies experiencing rapid growth who need a platform that scales
• Multi-Channel Sellers: Merchants selling across online, retail, and marketplace channels
• B2B Companies: Businesses requiring wholesale pricing, customer groups, and complex catalogs
• International Sellers: Companies targeting multiple countries with multi-currency support
• High-Volume Merchants: Stores processing significant order volumes who want to avoid transaction fees
• Tech-Savvy Entrepreneurs: Business owners comfortable with a more feature-rich (but slightly complex) interface

Maximizing Savings with BigCommerce

At CouponReals.com, we understand the importance of getting the best value for your ecommerce platform investment. Here are some ways to save on BigCommerce:

1. Annual Billing Discount

Save 20% by opting for annual billing instead of monthly payments. This brings the Standard plan down to just $29/month.

2. No Transaction Fees

By choosing BigCommerce, you automatically save 2-3% on every transaction compared to platforms that charge transaction fees.

3. Built-In Features

Save hundreds of dollars monthly on third-party apps by utilizing BigCommerce's comprehensive built-in features.

4. Free Trial

Take advantage of the 15-day free trial to thoroughly test the platform before committing financially.

5. Check for Promotional Offers

Visit CouponReals.com regularly to find exclusive BigCommerce promo codes and special offers that can reduce your costs even further.

BigCommerce Success Stories

Prestigious brands like Kodak, Toyota, and Ben & Jerry's use BigCommerce for their websites and online store. These established companies chose BigCommerce for its reliability, scalability, and robust feature set.

Other notable BigCommerce merchants include:

• Coldwater Creek (Fashion)
• Uplift Desk (Furniture)
• MKM Building Supplies (B2B)
• Burrow (Home Goods)

Pros and Cons of BigCommerce

Advantages

✅ Zero transaction fees on all plans

✅ Comprehensive built-in features reduce need for apps

✅ Excellent for B2B and wholesale operations

✅ Multi-storefront capabilities from one dashboard

✅ Superior product management for complex catalogs

✅ Strong SEO capabilities built-in

✅ Omnichannel selling without additional apps

✅ 24/7 customer support on all plans

Disadvantages

❌ Steeper learning curve compared to some competitors

❌ Automatic plan upgrades when you exceed sales thresholds

❌ Fewer themes available than Shopify

❌ Theme customization can require technical knowledge

❌ Smaller app ecosystem than market leaders

The Bottom Line

BigCommerce represents a powerful, feature-rich ecommerce solution that's particularly well-suited for businesses planning to scale. BigCommerce competes favorably with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento by offering lower transaction fees, integrated features, and a balance of simplicity for beginners and advanced features for scaling businesses.

While it may have a slightly steeper learning curve than some alternatives, the platform's comprehensive built-in features, zero transaction fees, and robust B2B capabilities make it an excellent long-term investment for serious ecommerce entrepreneurs.

The automatic plan upgrades based on sales volume ensure you're always on the right plan for your business size, though this can lead to unexpected cost increases. However, the money saved on transaction fees and third-party apps often offsets these increases.

Ready to Start Your BigCommerce Journey?

If you're ready to launch or migrate your online store to BigCommerce, now is the perfect time to get started. Remember to:

1. Take advantage of the 15-day free trial
2. Carefully evaluate which plan suits your current and projected sales volume
3. Budget for themes and essential apps
4. Check CouponReals.com for the latest BigCommerce deals and promo codes

With the right strategy and tools, BigCommerce can help you build a thriving online business that scales with your success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is BigCommerce good for beginners?

While BigCommerce offers a user-friendly interface, it does have a steeper learning curve compared to some competitors like Shopify. BigCommerce can be for beginners too, as the platform provides benefits to a diverse array of industries. However, beginners should expect to invest some time learning the platform's features and functionalities. The extensive documentation and 24/7 support help ease this learning process.

2. How much does BigCommerce really cost?

A BigCommerce store price starts at $39 per month for the Standard plan. The Plus plan is available for $105 per month, and the Pro plan comes for $399 per month. With annual billing, you can save 20%, bringing the Standard plan to $29/month. Remember, there are no transaction fees on any plan, which can result in significant savings compared to competitors.

3. Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?

No! BigCommerce does not charge any additional transaction fees, but keep in mind that standard payment gateway processing fees still apply. These processing fees typically range from 2.2% to 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction depending on your payment provider, but BigCommerce itself adds no extra charges.

4. What happens when my sales exceed my plan limit?

Once your trailing twelve month sales volume reaches the maximum of $50,000, you will be automatically upgraded to Plus. Similarly, when you exceed $180,000, you'll be upgraded to Pro. This automatic upgrade ensures you always have access to features appropriate for your sales volume, though it does mean your costs will increase as you grow.

5. Can I use my own domain with BigCommerce?

Yes, absolutely! You can connect your own custom domain to your BigCommerce store. If you don't have a domain yet, you can purchase one directly through BigCommerce or connect one you already own from any domain registrar.

6. Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?

The answer depends on your specific needs. Shopify wins in ease of use, themes & designs, apps & add-ons, and dropshipping functionality, though BigCommerce outshines it in built-in sales & marketing features and payment gateways. BigCommerce is generally better for businesses that need advanced built-in features, have complex product catalogs, or want to avoid transaction fees. Shopify is better for beginners who prioritize ease of use and want access to the largest app ecosystem.

7. Can I sell on multiple channels with BigCommerce?

Yes! BigCommerce excels at omnichannel selling. You can integrate with Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, and physical retail locations through POS systems. BigCommerce is the only platform in the market that allows real integration of all your online and offline sales channels without the need to use an app.

8. Does BigCommerce offer customer support?

Yes, BigCommerce provides 24/7 customer support on all plans, including the Standard plan. BigCommerce stands out from other platforms in this respect as priority support is available even on the Standard Plan. You can reach support via email, live chat, or phone call.

9. Can I migrate my existing store to BigCommerce?

Yes, BigCommerce supports migration from other platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and more. They offer migration tools and services, or you can work with a BigCommerce partner agency to handle the migration for you. Many migration tools can automatically transfer your products, customers, and order history.

10. Is BigCommerce secure and PCI compliant?

Yes, BigCommerce is Level 1 PCI-DSS compliant, which is the highest level of security certification in the payments industry. The platform handles all security patches and updates automatically, and includes free SSL certificates on all plans to protect customer data and transactions.

11. Can I customize my BigCommerce store without coding?

Yes, BigCommerce offers a drag-and-drop page builder and theme editor that allows you to customize your store without coding knowledge. However, if you want more advanced customizations, BigCommerce does provide access to the underlying code (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) for developers.

12. What payment gateways does BigCommerce support?

BigCommerce offers 65+ payment gateway integrations (plus 250 local payment methods) in over 100+ countries. Popular options include PayPal, Stripe, Square, Authorize.net, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, and many more. Unlike some competitors, you can use any payment gateway without incurring additional transaction fees from BigCommerce.

13. Does BigCommerce offer a free trial?

Yes! BigCommerce offers a risk-free 15-day free trial. You don't need to provide credit card information to start your trial, giving you full access to explore the platform's features and capabilities before making a commitment.

14. Can BigCommerce handle B2B and wholesale?

Absolutely! BigCommerce's B2B Edition is designed specifically for the complexities of B2B ecommerce with all the scalability, flexibility, and openness needed. Features include customer groups, price lists, quote management, bulk ordering, and the ability to operate both B2B and B2C channels from one platform.

15. How scalable is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is highly scalable and can grow with your business from startup to enterprise level. The openness and power of the BigCommerce platform empower you to focus on optimizing your business for growth. The platform is built on Google Cloud Platform and supported by Cloudflare's global network, ensuring fast performance even as your traffic and sales increase.