Webflow and BigCommerce are prominent website builders widely utilized by businesses and individuals seeking to create professional online presences. Webflow is primarily geared toward designers and developers, focusing on responsive web design with extensive customization options. In contrast, BigCommerce serves as an ecommerce platform, enabling businesses to set up and manage online stores with a multitude of built-in ecommerce features.
Users often consider Webflow for its design flexibility and visual editing capabilities, while BigCommerce is favored for its comprehensive ecommerce tools and scalability for online retail.
To assist users in making informed decisions, key comparison aspects include:
- Features: Examining design capabilities in Webflow against ecommerce functionalities in BigCommerce.
- Pricing: Comparing subscription models and value for the features offered by both platforms.
- Ease of Use: Assessing user-friendliness, especially for non-technical users versus those looking for advanced design control.
- Support and Resources: Evaluating the level of customer support and learning materials available to users.
By analyzing these factors, users can choose the platform that best aligns with their specific needs and goals.
Webflow VS BigCommerce: Which tool is the most popular?
| Tool | Number of Reviews | Average Rating | Positive Reviews | Neutral Reviews | Negative Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BigCommerce | 39 | 3.56 | 29 | 1 | 9 |
| Webflow | 31 | 2.61 | 13 | 0 | 18 |
BigCommerce is the most popular tool with a higher number of reviews (39) and a significantly better average rating (3.56) compared to Webflow. It has a strong positive feedback proportion, with 29 out of 39 reviews being positive.
Webflow, on the other hand, shows a lower popularity index with fewer reviews (31) and a lower average rating (2.61). It has a higher number of negative reviews (18), pointing to more user dissatisfaction.
Webflow and BigCommerce: Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature/Aspect | Ahrefs | SEMrush |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Features | Comprehensive backlink analysis, keyword research, site auditing, content explorer, ranking tracker, and competitor analysis. | Keyword research, site audit, competitor analysis, content marketing toolkit, social media management, and PPC analysis. |
| Target Audience | SEO professionals, content marketers, bloggers, and agencies focused on SEO and backlinks. | Digital marketers, SEO specialists, PPC managers, social media managers, and agencies needing an all-in-one marketing tool. |
| Main Advantages | Strong backlink database, user-friendly interface, powerful site explorer, extensive keyword research tool, and frequent updates. | Versatile toolset covering SEO, PPC, content, and social media, robust competitive analysis features, and extensive data on paid search. |
| Core Value Proposition | Offers deep insights into backlinks and organic traffic, making it ideal for improving search visibility and strategy through comprehensive data. | Provides a holistic approach to online marketing, enabling users to enhance their SEO, content marketing, and PPC strategies through integrated tools. |
| Ideal Use Cases | Best suited for businesses and individuals focused on strengthening their organic search presence and analyzing competitor backlink profiles. | Ideal for marketers looking for a comprehensive solution to manage and optimize various aspects of their digital marketing efforts, from SEO to advertising. |
Most liked vs most disliked features of Webflow and BigCommerce
| Platform | Most Liked Features | Most Disliked Features |
|---|---|---|
| Webflow | – High level of customization for professional and functional websites. | – Steep learning curve for complete beginners. |
| – Accessible and powerful for users with basic HTML and CSS knowledge. | – Inadequate support when assistance is needed. | |
| – Quick refunds enhancing customer satisfaction. | – Complex functionalities may overwhelm novices. | |
| – Appeals to non-developers and entrepreneurs for website management. | – Comparisons to simpler platforms indicate unmet expectations for some users. | |
| – Encourages personal growth and career pursuits in web design. | – Pricing concerns when support or functionality falls short of expectations. | |
| BigCommerce | – User-friendly and easy to set up for non-technical users. | – Minor limitations in managing configurable products requiring custom development. |
| – Highly praised technical support team that is responsive and helpful. | – Lacks functionalities like geo-targeting and better integrations with services like Square and QuickBooks. | |
| – Customization capabilities with excellent API access and PageBuilder feature. | – Checkout process needs improvement to enhance sales conversion. | |
| – Suitable for B2B and B2C businesses with diverse product management. | – Desire for better transparency and tracking in system notes for order management. | |
| – Various functionalities enhance user experience, including inventory management and mobile eCommerce. | – Some advanced features present a learning curve even though the platform is generally easy to use. |
Key Features of Webflow vs BigCommerce
Certainly! Here are the key features of Webflow and BigCommerce as website builders, including benefits and unique aspects of each platform:
Webflow
-
Visual Editor
- Benefit: Webflow offers a powerful visual editor that allows designers and developers to create responsive websites without needing extensive coding experience. Users can drag and drop elements to design visually.
- Unique Aspect: Users can see real-time edits and dark mode options while designing, enhancing the workflow experience.
-
CMS Functionality
- Benefit: Webflow’s CMS allows users to create custom content structures, enabling clients to manage content easily without technical assistance.
- Unique Aspect: Webflow provides a flexible content model that caters to custom use cases beyond traditional blogs, making it suitable for portfolios and landing pages.
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Responsive Design Tools
- Benefit: Webflow automatically generates responsive layouts, allowing websites to look good on any device.
- Unique Aspect: Users can customize breakpoints and interactions for different devices, giving designers more control over how elements behave on mobile and tablet screens.
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Interactions and Animations
- Benefit: Built-in animations and interactions help create visually stunning websites without using third-party tools.
- Unique Aspect: Webflow’s visual interaction editor is user-friendly, allowing users to add advanced interactions without needing to write code.
-
E-commerce Functionality
- Benefit: Users can build online stores with an integrated checkout system, manage inventory, and customize product pages without needing additional platforms.
- Unique Aspect: Webflow allows for custom layouts of e-commerce pages, enabling unique online shopping experiences that traditional e-commerce platforms might not support.
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Custom Code Integration
- Benefit: Users can add custom code snippets, enhancing functionality and integrating third-party services.
- Unique Aspect: This feature makes Webflow appealing to developers who want fine-grained control over their web projects.
-
SEO Controls
- Benefit: Webflow provides robust SEO management tools, allowing users to easily set meta tags, alt text, and sitemap controls.
- Unique Aspect: The clean code generated by Webflow helps in better indexing and search engine performance straight out of the box.
BigCommerce
-
Responsive Themes
- Benefit: BigCommerce offers a library of responsive and customizable themes that cater to various industries, enabling quick setup of online stores.
- Unique Aspect: The themes are designed with e-commerce best practices, ensuring optimized user experience and conversion focus from the start.
-
Built-in Payment Options
- Benefit: Users have access to numerous built-in payment gateways without needing third-party plugin additions.
- Unique Aspect: BigCommerce supports multi-currency options out-of-the-box, appealing to international e-commerce businesses.
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Inventory Management
- Benefit: Users can manage large inventories efficiently with features like bulk editing, product categorization, and real-time tracking.
- Unique Aspect: BigCommerce’s platform scales well for merchants with large catalogs, minimizing manual work and potential errors.
-
SEO Features
- Benefit: Built-in SEO features help users optimize product pages, including customizable URLs, headers, and meta tags.
- Unique Aspect: BigCommerce facilitates a variety of SEO-friendly options to promote effective marketing strategies tailored for e-commerce.
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Multi-channel Selling
- Benefit: Users can easily integrate their stores with platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media channels to increase their market reach.
- Unique Aspect: BigCommerce simplifies the integration process, allowing for seamless inventory syncing across multiple platforms.
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Marketing Tools
- Benefit: Various marketing tools are integrated into the platform, including discounts, coupons, and cart abandonment features to boost sales.
- Unique Aspect: The depth of marketing and promotion options available sets BigCommerce apart as a comprehensive e-commerce solution.
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Analytics and Reporting
- Benefit: Users can access detailed reporting and analytics to track sales performance, customer engagement, and marketing outcomes.
- Unique Aspect: BigCommerce offers robust data insights that help users make informed business decisions, tailored specifically for e-commerce needs.
Summary
While both Webflow and BigCommerce offer robust website-building capabilities, Webflow is particularly suited for designers and developers seeking creative control combined with visual design features. In contrast, BigCommerce excels as a dedicated e-commerce solution, providing built-in tools and integrations that address the complexities of online selling. Each platform has unique aspects that cater to different user needs and preferences.
Webflow vs BigCommerce Pricing Comparison
Pricing Comparison: Webflow vs. BigCommerce
| Feature/Plan | Webflow | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Yes (limited) | No |
| Basic Plan | $15/month (annual billing) | $29.95/month (annual billing) |
| $20/month (monthly billing) | $34.95/month (monthly billing) | |
| CMS Plan | $20/month (annual billing) | $79.95/month (annual billing) |
| $29/month (monthly billing) | $94.95/month (monthly billing) | |
| Business Plan | $39/month (annual billing) | $299.95/month (annual billing) |
| $49/month (monthly billing) | $349.95/month (monthly billing) | |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
| Ecommerce Functionality | Limited on all plans | Available on all plans |
| Annual vs. Monthly Discount | Annual billing provides a discount of about 2 months free | Annual billing provides a discount of about 10% |
| Transaction Fees | None (unless using third-party payment gateways) | No transaction fees on any plan |
| Includes Hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Design Flexibility | High (Designer tools included) | Moderate |
| Customer Support | Limited (Email support on Basic) | 24/7 Support |
| SEO Tools | Included in all plans | SEO tools included |
| Marketing Tools | Included in higher tiers | Built-in features but varies by tier |
Summary of Differences
- Initial Pricing: Webflow’s starting price is lower at $15/month for the Basic Plan compared to BigCommerce’s $29.95/month.
- Ecommerce Focus: BigCommerce is tailored for ecommerce, offering robust features across all plans, while Webflow includes ecommerce in a more limited capacity at lower tiers.
- Support: BigCommerce provides 24/7 support across all plans, while Webflow’s support is more limited on its Basic and CMS plans.
- Transaction Fees: BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees at any tier, while Webflow might incur fees depending on third-party payment integrations.
- Design Capabilities: Webflow offers more design flexibility with its built-in designer tools, appealing to users focused on custom web design.
Both platforms present distinct approaches to web design and ecommerce, catering to varying needs depending on user focus.
Support Options Comparison: Webflow vs BigCommerce
| Support Options | Webflow | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Available Monday to Friday. | Available 24/7 for Pro and Enterprise plans; Limited hours for other plans. |
| Phone Support | No direct phone support. | Available, but only for higher-tier plans (Pro and Enterprise). |
| Documentation | Extensive knowledge base covering topics such as design, CMS, and e-commerce. | Comprehensive support center with articles on setup, troubleshooting, and features. |
| Webinars/Tutorials | Offers live webinars and recorded tutorials on various topics. | Provides guides, tutorials, and webinars for users, focusing on best practices and feature overviews. |
| Community Forums | Active forums for user collaboration and peer support. | Community forums available for users to share insights and ask questions. |
| Email Support | Ticket-based support via email. | Email support available, though response times may vary. |
Both Webflow and BigCommerce offer distinct support options catering to different user needs, with Webflow emphasizing documentation and community resources, while BigCommerce provides round-the-clock support for higher-tier subscribers.
Unique Features of Webflow Vs BigCommerce
| Feature | Webflow | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Design Flexibility | Offers a full design interface with granular control over CSS and layout, enabling designers to create highly customized sites without coding limitations. | Allows customizations through themes and templates, but is more constrained compared to Webflow’s visual design interface. |
| CMS Functionality | Advanced CMS capabilities that allow users to build flexible content structures tailored to their specific needs—ideal for dynamic content websites. | Provides a solid built-in CMS but is primarily focused on e-commerce data management rather than flexible content management. |
| Interactions and Animations | Offers robust animation and interaction tools that enable designers to create engaging, custom user experiences without needing external libraries. | Limited to basic animations; does not offer the extensive interactive features available in Webflow. |
| Responsive Design Control | Seamless control over responsiveness across devices, with visual adaptations for each break point in the design phase. | While it provides responsive themes, the level of design control is not as detailed as Webflow’s visual interface. |
| Code Export | Provides an option to export clean, production-ready code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) for developers to host wherever they choose. | Primarily a SaaS product, which does not offer code export capabilities as it’s meant to be hosted on BigCommerce’s platform. |
| E-commerce Flexibility | Can create custom e-commerce solutions using Webflow’s design capabilities, making it suitable for branded e-commerce experiences. | Robust e-commerce features with built-in tools but less flexibility in the visual design aspect when compared to Webflow. |
| SEO Capabilities | Offers advanced SEO controls, including custom URL structures and meta tags directly within the design interface. | Strong SEO features, but the customization options may be more limited compared to the control provided by Webflow. |
Added Value and Decision Factors
Webflow: The unique features provide immense value for designers and developers looking for high customization and control. The advanced CMS capabilities, detailed responsive design tools, and extensive interaction options allow for the creation of unique, branded experiences that stand out in a crowded market. The ability to export code gives developers greater flexibility in how they deploy and manage sites post-design.
BigCommerce: While it excels in providing a robust e-commerce solution with built-in functionality, it lacks the design flexibility seen in Webflow. The decision to choose BigCommerce would typically hinge on the need for comprehensive e-commerce features, seamless integration of payment gateways, and inventory management solutions rather than customization and design control.
Most frequently asked questions about Webflow vs BigCommerce
What are the key differences between BigCommerce and Webflow?
BigCommerce is primarily an eCommerce platform designed for online stores, while Webflow is a visual web design tool that offers CMS capabilities. As one user stated, ‘BigCommerce is more tailored for businesses looking to sell products directly online, with built-in payment processing’, whereas ‘Webflow excels in design flexibility, allowing users to craft unique layouts with ease.’
Which platform is more user-friendly for beginners?
Webflow has a steeper learning curve due to its design-centric focus, but many users find its visual editor intuitive once they get accustomed to it. One user mentioned, ‘Once you understand the basics, designing in Webflow feels intuitive.’ In contrast, BigCommerce offers user-friendly templates that cater directly to eCommerce, making it simpler for beginners focused on selling online.
How do pricing models compare?
BigCommerce operates on a subscription model with various tiers, each providing different features suited for different business sizes. ‘The pricing isn’t cheap, but it reflects the robust eCommerce tools you’re getting,’ noted one reviewer. Webflow also offers a tiered pricing structure but emphasizes design capabilities over eCommerce, which some users found lacking for more complex online stores.
Which platform offers better SEO capabilities?
Both platforms have strong SEO features, but BigCommerce often receives praise for its built-in SEO tools designed specifically for eCommerce sites. A user expressed, ‘I love how BigCommerce simplifies setting up product pages for SEO.’ Webflow, however, allows for more granular control over design elements, which some designers feel enhances SEO potential through customizable coding.
Can you migrate an existing site easily between BigCommerce and Webflow?
Migrating from BigCommerce to Webflow or vice versa can be challenging. ‘I found it difficult to transfer my store setup from BigCommerce to Webflow,’ a reviewer stated, highlighting the complexities in transferring product data. Both platforms do not offer straightforward migration tools, so planning ahead is essential.
How flexible is design customization in each platform?
Webflow is lauded for its high degree of design customization with a visual interface that allows users to manipulate every aspect of their site. ‘The design freedom in Webflow is unmatched,’ said a user. On the other hand, BigCommerce provides customizable themes that focus more on the functionality needed for eCommerce rather than creative design flexibility.
Which platform provides better support for transaction fees?
Users frequently mention that BigCommerce has a more transparent fee structure regarding transaction fees. One user remarked, ‘With BigCommerce, I know exactly what I’m paying for each transaction.’ Conversely, Webflow integrates payment processing but generally has fewer built-in options, leading to additional fees depending on the payment gateways used.
How do integrations compare between BigCommerce and Webflow?
BigCommerce supports a wide range of eCommerce integrations with various payment processors and shipping solutions, which is crucial for online stores. A user noted, ‘The extensive integrations available with BigCommerce save a lot of time.’ Webflow also offers integrations but is more focused on design-related tools, which some users found limiting for their eCommerce needs.
Is scalability an issue with either platform?
BigCommerce is designed specifically to scale with growing businesses, making it a top choice for rapidly expanding eCommerce enterprises. A business owner stated, ‘BigCommerce grows with me.’ Webflow, while flexible, may require users to consider other platforms as they scale their eCommerce operations to avoid limitations inherent in its design focus.
What types of businesses are best suited for BigCommerce and Webflow?
BigCommerce is ideal for established businesses looking to set up a robust online storefront. ‘It’s perfect for larger catalogs and serious sellers,’ a user explained. Webflow, in contrast, suits creatives and freelancers who need a visually appealing portfolio or simple eCommerce solutions rather than extensive eCommerce functionalities.
