BigCommerce: Overview, History, Pros & Cons

Overview

BigCommerce is a leading eCommerce platform designed for businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprise-level merchants. It offers a scalable, feature-rich, and customizable SaaS (Software as a Service) solution that enables merchants to build, manage, and grow online stores without extensive technical expertise.

Best For: Mid-to-large businesses, B2B & B2C merchants, companies needing scalability & flexibility.
Market Position: Competes with Shopify, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and WooCommerce.
Core Features: No transaction fees, robust API, SEO-friendly structure, multi-channel selling.

History & Evolution

BigCommerce was founded in 2009 by Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper in Sydney, Australia.
Initially focused on small businesses, it evolved into an enterprise-grade solution.
2015: Opened U.S. headquarters in Austin, Texas.
2018: Expanded to support headless commerce & multi-channel selling.
2020: Went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange (Ticker: BIGC).
2023-Present: Focuses on B2B expansion, global eCommerce, and API-driven flexibility.

Key Features & Capabilities

BigCommerce provides a robust set of features that differentiate it from other eCommerce platforms:

1⃣ Ease of Use

Drag-and-drop page builder for easy store customization.
No coding required, but advanced users can modify HTML/CSS.
User-friendly dashboard with real-time analytics.

2⃣ Built-In SEO & Marketing Tools

SEO-friendly URLs, structured data, & AMP support.
Abandoned cart recovery to improve conversions.
Multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, Google Shopping).

3⃣ Scalability & Performance

Handles high-volume stores with fast load times.
Supports multi-storefront management.
Open API & headless commerce capabilities for flexibility.

4⃣ Payment Processing & Security

No additional transaction fees (unlike Shopify’s percentage-based fees).
Supports PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay, & over 100+ payment gateways.
PCI-DSS Level 1 certified for secure transactions.

5⃣ Advanced eCommerce Features

B2B & Wholesale Features (custom pricing, bulk discounts).
Subscription & recurring billing options.
Custom checkout options & promotions.

BigCommerce vs Competitors

Pros of BigCommerce

No additional transaction fees, making it cost-effective for high-volume sellers.
Scalability for growing businesses, from startups to enterprises.
Built-in SEO and marketing tools, reducing reliance on third-party apps.
Headless commerce & API-driven capabilities, ideal for tech-savvy teams.
Native multi-channel integration (Amazon, eBay, Instagram, Facebook).
Strong security & compliance with PCI-DSS Level 1 certification.

Cons of BigCommerce

Pricing scales with revenue – Once a store exceeds $50K/year, it automatically upgrades to a higher plan.
Fewer themes & apps compared to Shopify (smaller app ecosystem).
Limited free themes – Most professional themes cost $150-$300.
Not as beginner-friendly as Shopify (slight learning curve).
Restricted design flexibility without developer input.

Who Should Use BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is ideal for businesses that: Want to avoid Shopify’s transaction fees.
Need scalability without switching platforms.
Require B2B functionality (custom pricing, bulk orders).
Want SEO-friendly, high-performance eCommerce stores.
Need multi-channel selling capabilities out of the box.

Conclusion

BigCommerce is a powerful, scalable eCommerce platform built for businesses that need robust features, strong SEO, and multi-channel sales without the added costs of transaction fees. While it has fewer themes and apps than Shopify, its flexibility, security, and scalability make it a great alternative for serious eCommerce brands.

Next Steps: Try BigCommerce Free
Compare BigCommerce vs Shopify
Learn More: BigCommerce SEO Best Practices