BigCommerce vs Volusion: Which Ecommerce Platform is Right for You?

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial for the success of your online business. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one best suits your needs. In this article, we'll compare BigCommerce vs Volusion to help you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

• BigCommerce offers more robust features and flexibility compared to Volusion.
• Volusion is known for its simplicity and ease of use for beginners.
• Both platforms cater to different business needs; choose based on your specific requirements.

What is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a leading e-commerce platform designed to support businesses of all sizes. It offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, SEO tools, and seamless integrations with popular third-party applications. BigCommerce is known for its scalability, making it an excellent choice for growing businesses.

Start a free BigCommerce trial.

What is Volusion?

Volusion is an ecommerce platform that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It provides all the essential tools needed to create and manage an online store, including product management, payment processing, and customer support. Volusion is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-use solution.

BigCommerce Pricing Plans

BigCommerce offers four main pricing tiers, each providing different levels of features and support:

1. Standard Plan: $29.95/month
2. Plus Plan: $79.95/month
3. Pro Plan: $299.95/month
4. Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing

Each plan offers a 15-day free trial, allowing businesses to test the platform before committing to a subscription.

You can access the BigCommerce trial here.

Volusion Pricing Plans

Volusion also offers four pricing tiers, each with its own set of features to accommodate different business requirements:

1. Personal Plan: $29/month
2. Professional Plan: $79/month
3. Business Plan: $299/month
4. Prime Plan: Custom Pricing

Volusion also offers a 14-day free trial to explore the platform before making a financial commitment.

Comparative Analysis

When comparing BigCommerce and Volusion pricing, it’s clear that both platforms aim to cater to businesses of varying sizes and needs.

• BigCommerce provides more comprehensive features across all its plans, making it suitable for businesses looking for advanced tools and scalability. Its Pro Plan and Enterprise Plan offer robust solutions for high-volume businesses, though the price can be higher as sales volume increases.
• Volusion, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward pricing structure with basic features at lower tiers, making it accessible for smaller businesses or those new to e-commerce. However, as businesses grow, the need for advanced features might lead them to consider higher-tier plans or even transitioning to a platform like BigCommerce.

Both platforms offer custom pricing for their enterprise-level plans, ensuring that large businesses can get tailored solutions to meet their specific needs.

Ease of Use

BigCommerce has a user-friendly interface with a slight learning curve due to its extensive features. However, once familiar, users can navigate and manage their store efficiently.

Volusion is designed with beginners in mind, offering a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface. It’s perfect for those who prefer a simpler approach to managing their online store.

Design & Customization

BigCommerce provides a wide range of themes and templates, most of which are fully customizable. This allows businesses to create a unique look for their store.

Volusion offers fewer themes and customization options compared to BigCommerce. While sufficient for basic needs, it may not provide the same level of flexibility for more complex customizations.

Ecommerce Features

BigCommerce excels in product management, allowing for advanced inventory control, bulk pricing, and product variants. It supports multiple payment gateways and offers comprehensive order management tools.

Volusion covers basic e-commerce needs, including product listings, inventory management, and order processing. However, it lacks the depth and variety of features found in BigCommerce.

Marketing & SEO

BigCommerce offers robust SEO tools, including customizable URLs, meta tags, and a built-in blog. It also integrates with various marketing tools like Google Shopping and social media platforms.

Volusion provides basic SEO features but falls short compared to BigCommerce. Its marketing tools are also more limited, which may impact the reach and visibility of your online store.

Performance & Scalability

BigCommerce is known for its strong performance and scalability. It can handle high traffic volumes and offers various features to support growing businesses.

Volusion performs well for smaller stores but may struggle with scalability as the business grows. It’s best suited for small to medium-sized enterprises.

Security & Compliance

BigCommerce includes robust security features such as SSL certificates and PCI-DSS compliance, ensuring the safety of customer data.

Volusion also offers essential security features but doesn’t match the comprehensive security measures provided by BigCommerce.

Customer Support

BigCommerce offers 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, phone, and email.

Volusion provides customer support during business hours, which might be limiting for businesses operating outside these hours.

FAQs

Which platform is better for small businesses?

For small businesses, Volusion is often preferred due to its simplicity and ease of use. However, if you anticipate rapid growth, BigCommerce might be a better long-term investment.

Can I migrate from Volusion to BigCommerce?

Yes, migration from Volusion to BigCommerce is possible. BigCommerce offers migration services and support to ensure a smooth transition.

What are the main disadvantages of BigCommerce?

The main disadvantages of BigCommerce include its higher pricing and the learning curve associated with its extensive features.

Does Volusion support mobile commerce?

Yes, Volusion supports mobile commerce, allowing customers to shop from mobile devices easily.

How do the SEO features of BigCommerce and Volusion compare?

BigCommerce offers more advanced SEO features compared to Volusion, making it easier to optimize your online store for search engines.