Selecting the proper e-commerce platform is vital for any business, regardless of size. Two main competitors in this sphere are BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce (previously known as Magento).
Both provide solid features and capabilities; however, they address slightly different requirements.
This detailed guide explores the major advantages and factors of BigCommerce and Adobe commerce store management. Read on to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge that will allow you to make a knowledgeable decision regarding the management of your online store.
What are your business needs?
Before getting bogged down by details, reflect on your business objectives and limitations at a macro level. Here are some questions you should answer:
- Are you equipped with technical expertise? Does your team consist of developers who can manage a complex platform, or are you leaning towards an easier-to-use solution?
- What is your budget? How much a e you willing to spend on platform fees, development costs, and continuous maintenance?
- Can you foresee massive expansion ahead of you? Does the platform have what it takes to bend and adapt along with your scaling needs because you might need lots of flexibility in the future due to business growth?
- Customization: How much do you want your online store to reflect your brand best?
Things to know about BigCommerce
It is a cloud-hosted subscription-based system that is easy to use and known for offering a wide range of services. This is what BigCommerce store management does best:
- User-friendly feature
BigCommerce has been designed to cater to the needs of those who are not technically knowledgeable. It is user-friendly, so you can set up a store, add products, and manage orders without requiring any deep knowledge of coding.
- Efficient scaling system
BigCommerce runs on a cloud-based infrastructure that scales automatically and grows as your business grows without any manual interventions from you. You do not need to be concerned about managing your BigCommerce store or experiencing downtime due to increased traffic.
- Security and Reliability
BigCommerce will take care of the server maintenance, security patches, and PCI compliance. They want you to concentrate on your business operations.
- Built-in Features
In addition, BigCommerce has plenty of built-in features, such as inventory management and SEO tools, marketing automation tools with analytics included, and secure payment gateways, eliminating the need for additional integrations or third-party plugins.
- App Marketplace
BigCommerce presents an extensive app marketplace, through which you can easily access a wide range of supplementary features and integration tools that will help you tailor your store even more effectively.
However, here are some aspects to consider when evaluating BigCommerce:
- Customization: Despite the easy-to-use nature of their interface, BigCommerce limits the adaptability of your store’s basic functions more than Adobe Commerce does. Be prepare to go the extra mile on development work if you have specific customizations in mind as they might not be readily available.
- Pricing: BigCommerce offers different pricing plans based on your store’s annual sales volume. This means that as your sales increase, the fees you pay for using the platform will increase proportionately.
Things to know about Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Adobe Commerce, which was formerly known as Magento, is self-hosted and open-source. It stands ut from other platforms by offering high flexibility and numerous customization options. Here’s where e Adobe commerce store management shines:
- Customization
Adobe Commerce allows you to dominate not only the appearance but also the behavior of your online store. Through a wide range of coding opportunities, you can reshape the platform according to your specific requirements and establish an unparalleled shopping journey.
- Scalability
Adobe Commerce is extremely large and can house huge businesses with lots of traffic. However, it might also necessitate additional Magento product store management resources alongside server upgrades.
- Open-Source Platform
In the realm of open-source, Adobe Commerce is a platform that thrives with a rich ecosystem of developers. Along with this, it also provides a variety of extensions and plugins beyond what the core platform offers— to add more functionalities to your site easily.
Here are some aspects to keep in mind with Adobe Commerce:
- Technical Expertise: Setting up, managing, and customizing Adobe Commerce demands a team well-versed in technical skills, including development, system administration, and security.
- Cost: Although Adobe Commerce lures you in with an open-source license at no cost, remember that the actual expenses come in different forms such as hosting fees and development work. Do not for et about ongoing maintenance or potential licensing fees for premium extensions.
- Complexity: Be aware that working with Adobe Commerce implies dealing with higher complexity levels compared to BigCommerce. However, this complexity unlocks a robust set of store management features in Adobe Commerce, offering extensive customization and control over your online store. To navigate through this platform comfortably, you will either need an in-house team or have to outsource development resources.
Choosing the Right Platform: BigCommerce vs. Adobe Commerce
The ideal platform for you depends on your specific needs and resources. Here’s a -commerce platform comparison to help you decide:
- Choose BigCommerce if:
- You’re a new or small business with limited technical expertise.
- You prioritize ease of use and a quick setup process.
- You’re comfortable with a subscription-based pricing model.
- You value scalability and built-in features.
- Choose Adobe Commerce if:
- You have a large business with a dedicated development team.
- You require more store management features in Adobe Commerce and a high degree of customization and control over your online store.
- You have the budget for ongoing development costs, hosting fees, and potential licensing expenses.
- You’re comfortable managing a complex platform with a steeper learning curve.
Additional Considerations
- Customer Support
BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce both offer full-fledged customer support. For subscribers, BigCommerce offers round-the-clock phone, chat, and email support options, including dedicated assistance for BigCommerce inventory management. In a similar fashion, Adobe Commerce has differentiated its support services—though they’re paid, these plans ensure precedence and elongated hours of assistance.
- Community and Resources
Both platforms have a vibrant community and a rich wealth of resources available on the internet. While BigC mmerce provides users with a lot of documentation, tutorials, and webinars through its user portal, Adobe Commerce — as an open-source platform — draws support from a large developer community. This inclu es forums, extension marketplaces, and independent consultants that offer support services to its users.
The Final Word
BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce are both powerful e-commerce platforms with distinct strengths. The best p atform for you hinges on your specific business needs, technical expertise, and budget constraints. Carefully valuate your priorities and resources before making a decision.
