Are you a creative entrepreneur looking to sell your products online? If so, you’ve probably heard of Big Cartel, a popular e-commerce platform designed specifically for artists, designers, and independent sellers.
But what exactly does Big Cartel offer, and how does its pricing compare to other options like Shopify? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the details of Big Cartel’s 2024 pricing plans, helping you make an informed decision for your business.
The Basics: What is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform that helps creative professionals build online stores and track website analytics. It allows you to create, edit, and manage product listings, set up shipping rates, and track inventory. Big Cartel also provides tools for marketing, such as the ability to create and manage promotional discount codes.
One of the standout features of Big Cartel is its simplicity. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, even for those with no prior e-commerce experience or coding knowledge. Big Cartel offers a range of customizable templates that help your products shine, and the customer support team is known for their responsiveness and helpfulness.
Big Cartel Pricing Plans
Big Cartel offers three main pricing plans, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here’s a breakdown of what each plan includes:
Gold Plan (Free Forever)
- 5 product listings
- 1 image per product
- Sell online and in-person
- Accept cards, PayPal, Afterpay, and more
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Sales tax autopilot
- Import products from Etsy, Squarespace, and Shopify
- Free, SEO-optimized templates
- Real-time sales dashboard
Platinum Plan ($12/month with annual plan, $15/month monthly)
50 product listings
- 5 images per product
- Offer discounts and run promotions
- Shipment tracking
- Inventory tracking
- Bulk editing
- Ads support for Google, Facebook, and more
- Use a custom domain
- Advanced template customization
- Google Analytics integration
Diamond Plan ($24/month with annual plan, $30/month monthly)
- 500 product listings
- 25 images per product
- Prioritized support
- Ads with audience targeting for Google, Facebook, and more
- Advanced Google Analytics reporting
It’s important to note that Big Cartel does not take any commission from your sales, regardless of which plan you choose. This means that you keep 100% of the money you earn from your online store.
Comparing Big Cartel to Shopify
When it comes to e-commerce platforms, Shopify is one of the most well-known and widely used options. However, Big Cartel offers a compelling alternative, especially for smaller businesses and independent sellers. Let’s take a closer look at how the two platforms compare:
Pricing
Big Cartel’s pricing is significantly more affordable than Shopify’s, especially for smaller businesses. While Shopify’s Basic plan starts at $29/month, Big Cartel offers a free plan with up to 5 product listings. The Platinum plan, which is Big Cartel’s most popular, costs $12/month with an annual plan or $15/month monthly. In contrast, Shopify’s equivalent plan (Shopify Plan) costs $79/month.
Product Listings
Big Cartel offers a range of product listing limits depending on your plan. The free Gold plan allows up to 5 product listings, while the Platinum plan offers 50 listings and the Diamond plan allows up to 500 listings. Shopify, on the other hand, does not have a specific limit on the number of products you can sell.
Themes and Customization
Both Big Cartel and Shopify offer a range of free and paid themes to choose from. However, Big Cartel’s themes are generally more limited in terms of customization options. Shopify offers greater flexibility in terms of design and allows you to incorporate features like videos into your product listings.
Integrations
Shopify has a clear advantage when it comes to integrations. The platform offers over 6,000 apps and integrations through its app store, allowing you to extend the functionality of your online store. Big Cartel, while still offering a good selection of integrations through Zapier, has a more limited selection compared to Shopify.
Payment Processing
Big Cartel does not have a built-in payment processor, but it allows you to use third-party options like Apple Pay, PayPal, or Stripe. Shopify, on the other hand, has its own built-in payment processor and accepts major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
SEO
Shopify offers more advanced SEO features, allowing you to modify title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs. It also makes it easy to incorporate a blog. Big Cartel has more limited SEO capabilities, making it challenging to create redirects or add a blog without external tools or HTML knowledge.
Customer Service
Both Big Cartel and Shopify offer customer support, but Shopify has a slight edge. Shopify provides 24/7 email, phone, and live chat support for all plans, with specific plans receiving a dedicated account representative. Big Cartel offers email support accessible through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET for all plans.
Here’s a quick comparison table to help you visualize the differences:
| Feature | Big Cartel | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $0 to $30/month | $29 to $299/month |
| Free Trial | No, but offers a free plan | 3 days, plus one for $1 |
| Transaction Fees | Varies based on processor | 2.9% plus 30 cents per Shopify Basic plan |
| Maximum Products | 500 | Unlimited |
| Themes | 19 free themes with limited customization | 17 free themes and 79 paid themes with more flexibility |
| Integrations | Over 4,000 via Zapier | Over 6,000 through the app store |
| Payment Processing | No built-in processor, option to use third-party | Built-in processor, accepts major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| SEO | Limited ability to edit meta descriptions, challenging to create redirects or add a blog | Modify title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs, easy to incorporate a blog |
| Customer Service | Email support, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Friday only | 24/7 email, phone, live chat support |
Cheatsheet: Big Cartel vs Shopify
Here’s a quick cheatsheet to help you decide between Big Cartel and Shopify:Choose Big Cartel if:
- You’re on a tight budget and want a more affordable option
- You have a small product catalog (up to 500 products)
- You prioritize simplicity and ease of use over advanced features
- You don’t need a built-in payment processor or extensive integrations
Choose Shopify if:
- You want a more scalable platform that can grow with your business
- You need advanced features like abandoned cart recovery or gift cards
- You want a built-in payment processor and extensive app integrations
- You prioritize advanced SEO and blogging capabilities
Big Cartel Success Stories
Big Cartel has helped countless creative entrepreneurs build successful online businesses. Here are a few inspiring success stories:
Hog Island Press
“The thing that I’ve always valued the most about the Big Cartel experience is the high-quality customer service that they provide. I’ve been working with them for well over a decade, and everyone that I’ve ever dealt with has always been helpful, professional, and kind. And that means a lot.”
“What I love about selling my jewelry through Big Cartel is how easy each step, from designing my store front to listing products and managing orders, has been and continues to be. It takes all the hassle out of it, so I can spend more time doing the thing I like the most – making jewelry.”These stories highlight the value that Big Cartel brings to creative entrepreneurs, offering a simple and affordable platform to sell their products online while providing excellent customer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import my existing Shopify store to Big Cartel?
Yes! If you have an existing Shopify store, you can import your products to your Big Cartel shop using the Product Import feature.
Do I need any e-commerce or coding experience to use Big Cartel?
No, you don’t need any prior experience. Big Cartel is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple admin dashboard and all the steps to get you started. The platform also provides free templates, excellent customer service, and a free plan to help you get up and running without any coding knowledge.
Can I use Big Cartel for dropshipping?
Yes, you can use Big Cartel for dropshipping. The platform offers integrations with reputable dropshippers like Printful and Art of Where to make running your dropshipping business easier.
Can I use a custom domain with Big Cartel?
Absolutely! Big Cartel’s Platinum and Diamond plans allow you to use a custom domain for your online store, making it easier for customers to find, revisit, and share your products.
Does Big Cartel take a commission from my sales?
No, Big Cartel does not take any commission from your sales on any of the plans they offer. The platform believes in helping artists, makers, and independent businesses keep more of their hard-earned money.
Conclusion
Big Cartel is a compelling option for creative entrepreneurs looking to sell their products online. With its affordable pricing, user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support, Big Cartel makes it easy for anyone to build a successful online store.
While it may not offer the same level of advanced features and integrations as Shopify, Big Cartel’s simplicity and focus on the needs of artists and independent sellers make it a strong contender in the e-commerce space.
If you’re considering launching an online store or looking to switch platforms, take some time to explore Big Cartel’s pricing plans and features. With a free plan available and no commission fees, there’s no risk in giving it a try. Who knows, Big Cartel might just be the perfect platform to help your creative business thrive in 2024 and beyond.
