What Is BigCommerce & How Does It Work? Everything You Need to Know about BigCommerce

Key takeaways:

• BigCommerce is a multipurpose ecommerce platform suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, including both B2B and B2C models.
• Integration with accounting software and payment gateways through apps like Synder simplifies financial management for BigCommerce users.
• In collaboration with Google Cloud, AI integration enhances operational efficiencies and customer experiences.
• Comparison with competitors shows BigCommerce as a strong competitor due to its scalability, no transaction fees, and broad payment options.

Contents:

1. What is BigCommerce?

2. Origins and evolution of BigCommerce

3. Target audience and ideal BigCommerce users

4. How does BigCommerce work?

5. BigCommerce features

6. BigCommerce: Pricing

7. Pros and cons of BigCommerce

8. How can Synder help you with BigCommerce?

9. How is BigCommerce integrating AI for ecommerce?

10. BigCommerce vs. competitors

11. What is BigCommerce? Final thoughts

12. What is BigCommerce? FAQs

What is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a leading cloud-based ecommerce platform designed to support businesses in creating, managing, and scaling their online stores. It offers a robust suite of tools to facilitate the selling of products and services online, catering to a wide range of industries.

Origins & evolution of BigCommerce

BigCommerce’s journey began in 2009 when Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper founded it. What began with just two people has grown into a worldwide company that helps thousands of businesses. 

This amazing change from a small startup to a global name in the ecommerce world shows not just growth but also smart planning, strategic partnership, and new ideas.

Here are some interesting highlights and achievements that underline BigCommerce’s evolution.

1. Fast growth

BigCommerce has grown quickly every year, becoming more and more popular with online stores. Since it started, it has reached customers in over 150 countries.

2. Going public

A big moment for BigCommerce was in August 2020 when it started selling shares on the NASDAQ stock exchange with the symbol “BIGC.” This showed that the company was doing well financially and had plans to grow even more.

3. Partnerships with big names

Over time, BigCommerce teamed up with big companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. This means store owners can use these companies’ tools for marketing, selling, and understanding their data, all through BigCommerce.

4. Awards & recognition

BigCommerce has won several awards, including being called a “Leader” in ecommerce by Gartner, a group that looks at how well companies do what they promise.

5. Supportive community

More than just tech, BigCommerce has a strong community of people who make apps, design, and know a lot about selling online. They offer a lot of help and tools, including forums and more than 600 apps, to make online stores better.

These highlights show how committed BigCommerce is to helping businesses of every size do well online. With ongoing updates and smart moves, BigCommerce keeps leading the way in ecommerce, ready for whatever comes next.

Target audience and ideal BigCommerce users

BigCommerce caters to a wide range of businesses, from SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises) and startups to large enterprises and B2B (Business-to-business) companies. It offers a scalable and user-friendly platform ideal for those without technical expertise. Here’s how BigCommerce serves different segments of its target audience:

For Small business owners & startups:

• Drag-and-Drop page builder: Simplifies store customization without coding, ideal for unique storefronts.
• Built-in SEO tools: Enhances online visibility through customizable URLs and meta tags.

For Mid-sized businesses:

• Multi-currency support: Facilitates global sales with automatic currency conversion.
• Customer segmentation: Enables targeted campaigns and pricing for different customer groups.

For Large enterprises:

• API access: Allows seamless integration with existing business systems for efficient operations.
• Advanced security: Protects online stores with HTTPS, SSL support, and fraud detection.

Similar reads: What Does API Mean in Accounting?

For B2B companies:

• Custom pricing options: Supports wholesale and negotiated pricing for different customer groups.
• Bulk order forms: Simplifies large orders, making bulk purchases easier.

BigCommerce’s diverse features make it a flexible solution for businesses at any growth stage, ensuring they have the necessary tools for online retail success.

How does BigCommerce work?

BigCommerce functions as a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform, where subscriptions replace the need to purchase software outright. This approach offers a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution for businesses to establish and manage their ecommerce presence, including hosting, security, and various customizable templates for storefront design.

BigCommerce features

BigCommerce is a powerful ecommerce platform that provides a comprehensive set of features designed to help businesses build, run, and grow their online stores efficiently. Here’s an overview of some of the key features offered by BigCommerce.

1. Customizable templates

BigCommerce offers a variety of customizable templates and themes that can be used to create a professional-looking online store without needing extensive coding knowledge. These templates are responsive, ensuring your site looks great on any device.

2. Product variants & options

BigCommerce supports the creation of product variants and options, such as size, color, and material, without impacting the overall ease of inventory management. Each variant can have its own SKU, price, weight, and stock level.

3. Inventory tracking

BigCommerce allows for real-time inventory tracking, enabling you to monitor stock levels closely. You can set up alerts to notify you when inventory is low, helping to prevent stockouts.

Dive into efficient stock control with our detailed exploration: “Inventory Management: QuickBooks Online and Desktop Inventory Tracking Solutions.”

4. Bulk management

Through the platform, businesses can manage inventory in bulk, making it simpler to update product details, adjust pricing, and change stock levels across multiple products simultaneously. This is especially useful for large catalogs or seasonal updates.

5. Automated restocking

The platform offers features that help automate the restocking process. For instance, you can set up automatic reorder points, ensuring that orders for new stock are triggered when inventory reaches a certain level.

6. Multi-channel inventory sync

If you’re selling across multiple channels (e.g., your online store, marketplaces like Amazon, social media platforms), BigCommerce can synchronize inventory across all these channels. This ensures accurate stock levels are maintained everywhere you sell, reducing the risk of overselling.

7. SEO & marketing tools

The platform includes built-in SEO tools that help improve your store’s visibility in search engine results. Additionally, it offers marketing features like coupons, discounts, gift cards, email marketing integrations, and more to help you attract and retain customers.

8. Sales channels

BigCommerce allows you to sell not just through your website, but also across multiple channels, including social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, etc.), and through Google Shopping.

9. Payment & shipping

It supports a wide range of payment gateways without charging extra transaction fees. The platform also offers various shipping options and integrates with major carriers to provide real-time shipping quotes.

10. Analytics & reporting

BigCommerce provides detailed analytics and reporting tools that give insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and website performance, helping you make informed business decisions.

11. App marketplace

Access to an extensive app marketplace where you can find additional tools and services to extend the functionality of your online store, covering areas such as marketing, shipping, inventory management, and customer service.

12. Security & compliance

BigCommerce ensures a high level of security for online stores by offering features like SSL certification, DDOS protection, and compliance with PCI DSS standards to safely process and store credit card information.

13. 24/7 customer support

The platform provides around-the-clock support through various channels, including phone, email, and live chat, along with a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help.

BigCommerce: Pricing

BigCommerce offers various pricing plans to cater to businesses of different sizes and needs. The pricing structure is designed to scale with your business, providing more advanced features and lower transaction fees as you move to higher-tier plans. Here’s an overview of the main pricing tiers offered by BigCommerce.

1. Standard plan

This is the entry-level plan, suitable for new and small businesses just starting out. It typically includes all the basic features needed to launch and manage an online store, such as unlimited products, no transaction fees, responsive website templates, and access to various sales channels. The Standard Plan also includes professional reporting tools and various payment gateway integrations.

2. Plus plan

Aimed at growing businesses looking for additional marketing and conversion optimization tools, the Plus Plan includes everything in the Standard Plan, plus features like customer segmentation, abandoned cart saver, and stored credit cards. This plan is designed to help increase conversion rates and customer loyalty.

3. Pro plan

Designed for larger businesses requiring more advanced features, the Pro plan includes everything in the Plus plan, along with higher API call limits, advanced product filtering, and Google customer reviews integration. This tier also offers improved shipping discounts and is geared towards businesses needing greater scalability and performance.

4. Enterprise plan

Tailored for high-volume and complex businesses, the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing and includes all the features of the Pro Plan, plus additional premium services and support. This includes priority support, advanced data analysis tools, and a dedicated account manager. The Enterprise Plan is best suited for businesses with very high traffic and sales volumes that require custom solutions.

Pricing for each plan is typically based on a monthly subscription model, with discounts available for annual commitments. The specific costs can vary based on promotional offers, regional pricing, and changes over time, so it’s important to check BigCommerce’s official website or contact their sales team for the most current pricing information.

Pros and cons of BigCommerce

BigCommerce stands out in the ecommerce platform market for its comprehensive feature set, scalability, and vast integration capabilities, catering to a wide range of business sizes and sectors. However, like any platform, it comes with its set of pros and challenges. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons.

BigCommerce pros

1. Customization & integration

BigCommerce provides a robust platform for customization and integration with various apps and services, enhancing website functionality and user experience. Users have successfully integrated shipping, email marketing apps, POS data, and more, facilitating efficient operations and data analysis​​.

2. Open APIs

The platform offers open APIs, allowing for easy customizations and integrations with other platforms and services. This flexibility supports specific website needs and operational efficiencies, particularly noted as being easier compared to some competitors​​.

Related reading: How To Integrate Third-Party APIs Into Your Store

3. No transaction fees

BigCommerce sets itself apart from many other ecommerce platforms by not imposing transaction fees on its users. This policy can lead to significant cost savings for businesses, especially those with high sales volumes, making BigCommerce an economically attractive option for online retailers​​.

4. Wide array of payment options

BigCommerce offers an extensive array of payment gateways, with over 65 integrations available, catering to more than 100 countries and supporting over 250 local payment methods. This diversity includes major gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square, offering businesses unparalleled flexibility in payment processing. Such inclusivity allows merchants to meet the varied preferences of a global customer base, potentially enhancing the shopping experience and increasing sales conversions by ensuring that customers can use their preferred payment methods.

5. Scalability

The platform is designed to grow with your business, offering plans from Standard to Enterprise with increasing features and capabilities. This includes the ability to sell unlimited products, access to various sales channels, and advanced features for larger businesses​​.

BigCommerce cons

When considering BigCommerce for your e-commerce platform, it’s essential to weigh its disadvantages alongside its benefits. Here are some commonly noted cons of BigCommerce.

1. Pricing structure

BigCommerce offers several pricing tiers, which can be higher than some competitors, especially for small businesses just starting out. As your sales grow, you may be automatically upgraded to a more expensive plan.

2. Learning curve

While BigCommerce is designed to be user-friendly, newcomers to e-commerce might find its wide array of features overwhelming. There’s a learning curve to navigate the platform effectively.

3. Sales thresholds

Each pricing tier has sales thresholds. If your store exceeds these thresholds over a 12-month period, you’ll be required to upgrade to a more expensive plan, which can increase operational costs unexpectedly.

4. Third-party apps & integration costs

While BigCommerce offers a robust set of built-in features, you may find yourself needing third-party apps for specific functionalities. These apps can add to the monthly costs of running your store.

5. International sales

If you’re aiming to sell globally, you might encounter limitations with currency and payment methods, although BigCommerce is making strides in improving its international e-commerce capabilities.

Considering these cons is crucial in determining whether BigCommerce aligns with your business needs and long-term goals. It’s also beneficial to compare these aspects with other e-commerce platforms to make an informed decision.

How can Synder help you with BigCommerce?

Synder app significantly streamlines the accounting process for BigCommerce store owners, offering a seamless integration that automates exhausting, time-consuming bookkeeping tasks. Here’s how Synder facilitates this integration, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in financial management.

1. No more manual entry

Synder automatically syncs sales, fees, refunds, and payouts from BigCommerce and any connected payment platforms (like Stripe) into your accounting software. This automation reduces manual data entry and the likelihood of errors.

2. Comprehensive data sync

The app ensures that every transaction detail, including customer information, items sold, taxes, shipping costs, and discounts, is accurately reflected in your accounting system. This comprehensive approach ensures that your financial records are detailed and complete.

3. Easy to get started

Synder simplifies the integration process with BigCommerce. Users can start by creating a free trial account, selecting Synder products (‘Synder Sync’ or ‘Business Insights’), and providing business details. Connecting your BigCommerce store to Synder is straightforward, requiring only admin access to link the platforms.

4. Connects to payment gateways too

If your BigCommerce store uses supported payment gateways, connecting these to Synder as well will yield automatic, detailed records of all financial transactions, including additional information from BigCommerce orders. This setup prevents data duplication and ensures a smooth workflow.

For key insights on selecting the ideal payment solution, check out: “An Essential Guide to Payment Gateways: Choosing the Best Payment Gateway for Your Business.”

5. Financial insights & reporting

Beyond just syncing transactions, Synder offers Business Insights, a feature that aggregates data across sales channels and payment gateways. It provides hourly updated insights into product performance, customer behavior, and key financial health indicators such as total sales and average order value.

Learn how to make smart business decisions using your data with our easy guide: “How to Get Business Insights from Data: Data Insights with Synder.” This article shows you simple ways to understand your data better and use Synder to help your business grow.

6. Advanced features for data security

Synder incorporates features like duplicate detection and rollback options, giving store owners peace of mind by securing their accounting against errors and ensuring that any mistakes can be easily corrected.

7. Customization & configuration

After connecting BigCommerce to Synder, users can fine-tune settings to match their specific needs, including adjusting tax, item, or customer configurations. The Smart Rules feature also helps fill in any gaps in data post-sync, such as applying classes or locations to transactions.

Synder turns accounting from a routine into something straightforward and stress-free for BigCommerce store owners. Plus, if you ever need help or want to adjust something, Synder’s support is just a message or call away.

How is BigCommerce integrating AI for ecommerce?

BigCommerce is using AI in collaboration with Google Cloud to introduce a suite of new features aimed at improving merchant ecommerce operations. This partnership focuses on enhancing various aspects of online retail, from operational efficiencies to customer experiences, through AI-powered tools and analytics​​​​. Key areas where AI is being integrated include:

1. Product descriptions

Utilizing AI to generate compelling product descriptions, helping merchants save time and improve their product catalogs’ marketability. This feature is expected to enhance SEO, product discovery, and conversion rates by making catalogs more accessible and engaging​​.

2. Personalized storefronts

Using AI for creating personalized product recommendations tailored to each customer’s preferences. This aims to elevate product discovery, potentially increasing average order values (AOV), conversion rates, and customer lifetime value (LTV)​​​​.

3. Data analytics

AI-driven analytics will offer merchants deeper insights into store performance and customer trends. The Ecommerce Insights tool by BigCommerce is set to evolve with new AI capabilities, enabling merchants to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data analysis​​.

BigCommerce is all about using AI the right way, making sure that all the information is safe and that shop owners have control over their data. They’re focusing on making technology work well for everyone, keeping shopper and store info secure.

In short, BigCommerce’s plan to use Google Cloud’s AI technology is all about making online stores smarter, more personal, and better informed. They’re aiming to help shop owners do well in today’s digital shopping world.

Optimize your business processes and explore Synder features with a free trial. To gain more insights and tips, book your seat on the informative Weekly Public Demo offered by Synder. 

BigCommerce vs. competitors

When comparing BigCommerce to its competitors, it’s essential to look at several key factors that influence the choice of an e-commerce platform. 

These factors include pricing, ease of use, customization capabilities, integration options, support services, and scalability. 

BigCommerce is a leading ecommerce platform that offers a strong set of features designed for businesses of all sizes, but how does it stack up against its main competitors like Shopify, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and WooCommerce? Let’s break down the comparison in the table below:

For insights into choosing the right ecommerce platform, read our detailed comparison: “WooCommerce vs BigCommerce Compared: Exploring WooCommerce and BigCommerce vs Shopify”. 

Section wrap-up

To summarize the comparison, BigCommerce stands out for its all-in-one approach, offering robust scalability and a wide range of built-in features that cater to businesses looking to grow without heavily relying on plugins or extensions. 

Shopify is known for its ease of use and is particularly appealing to those new to e-commerce or looking for a simple setup with room to grow. 

Magento (Adobe Commerce) offers unparalleled customization and scalability for large, complex e-commerce sites but requires significant technical expertise. 

WooCommerce provides a flexible, cost-effective solution for those already familiar with WordPress, though it can become costly as additional features and scalability needs arise.

Choosing the right platform depends on your specific business needs, technical expertise, and growth aspirations. Each platform has its strengths and ideal use cases, making it crucial to evaluate them based on what matters most for your e-commerce venture.

To help you navigate the choice between leading ecommerce platforms, explore our analysis: “BigCommerce vs Shopify: Comparing Shopify vs BigCommerce for Your Business”. 

What is BigCommerce? Final thoughts

BigCommerce really shines when it comes to growing your online store. It’s built to handle businesses of all sizes, making it super easy to expand without hitting roadblocks. What makes it stand out? Well, for starters, it doesn’t charge you extra for transactions, offers a lot of ways for your customers to pay, and works well with different apps and tools to make running your store smoother. Plus, it’s always getting better, with new features like AI that help keep your store at the cutting edge. For anyone looking to take their online business to the next level, BigCommerce is a solid choice.

And how Synder enhances BigCommerce

Synder is like a sidekick for your BigCommerce store, especially when dealing with numbers. It automates the boring part of bookkeeping, directly syncing your sales, refunds, and other financial data into your accounting software. This means less manual work for you and fewer chances of making mistakes. Getting started is easy, and it connects seamlessly not just with BigCommerce but also with the payment methods you use. It even offers Insights to help you understand how your business is doing financially, all updated in real time. Plus, it’s built to grow with you, making it perfect for stores that are just starting out or those hitting big sales numbers.

Share your thoughts

Got a story to tell about your BigCommerce journey? From epic wins to valuable lessons learned, we’re all ears! Drop your insights in the comments or hit us up on social media. 

What is BigCommerce? FAQs

1. Is BigCommerce the same as Shopify?

No, BigCommerce and Shopify are different e-commerce platforms. Both offer tools to build online stores but have distinct features, pricing models, and customization capabilities.

Visit BigCommerce for comprehensive information about their e-commerce solutions, including features, pricing, and how to get started with your own online store.

2. Who is BigCommerce best for?

BigCommerce is best for small to large businesses looking for a scalable, feature-rich ecommerce platform that supports both B2B and B2C models without extensive customization or additional plugins.

3. Is BigCommerce B2B or B2C?

BigCommerce supports both B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2C (Business-to-Consumer) sales models, offering versatile features to cater to various business needs.

4. Is BigCommerce similar to WordPress?

BigCommerce and WordPress are different; BigCommerce is a specialized ecommerce platform, while WordPress is a content management system (CMS). However, BigCommerce can integrate with WordPress, combining powerful e-commerce functionality with extensive content management capabilities.

If you’re interested in integrating BigCommerce with a WordPress site, the BigCommerce for WordPress plugin enables seamless integration, combining WordPress’s content management with BigCommerce’s e-commerce power.

5. Is BigCommerce good for beginners?

Yes, BigCommerce is user-friendly for beginners, offering a range of templates and drag-and-drop functionality, although mastering its more advanced features may require a slight learning curve.

6. Is BigCommerce free to use?

No, BigCommerce is not free. It offers various subscription plans from a basic level to enterprise solutions, each with its own features and pricing.

7. Is Shopify cheaper than BigCommerce?

The starting prices of Shopify and BigCommerce are similar, but the overall cost depends on the specific features, add-ons, and transaction fees applicable to each store’s needs.

8. Why is BigCommerce popular?

BigCommerce is popular for its robust out-of-the-box features, scalability, and flexibility, catering to businesses of all sizes without needing extensive plugins or custom coding.

9. Can I build a website on BigCommerce?

Yes, you can build a full-fledged ecommerce website on BigCommerce, using its wide range of design templates, customization tools, and integrated features to create a professional online store, integrating it leading accounting software for big business.

Suggested reading: PayPal Bookkeeping with Synder: A Mini Guide for Efficient PayPal Accounting.