What is BigCommerce? | Anchor Group

BigCommerce stands as one of the globe's largest and most rapidly expanding subscription-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) e-commerce platforms. Offering premium hosted e-commerce solutions straight out of the box, they cater to diverse subscription levels. Their product empowers users to personalize their storefront according to their preferences and host their stores without the need to download additional software onto their computers.

This adaptable solution enables companies to manage their e-commerce operations at a fixed subscription price while maintaining a high level of search engine optimization (SEO). Through any web browser, users can effortlessly configure their storefronts to sell digital, physical, or service-based products. This versatility renders BigCommerce an ideal fit for both B2B and B2C businesses.

BigCommerce Customization

BigCommerce boasts exceptional customization capabilities. Upon setting up a BigCommerce storefront, customers encounter a selection of 12 free, ready-to-use templates, also called BigCommerce Themes. These templates expedite the process of getting a storefront operational within mere minutes.

For those seeking a deeper level of customization beyond the provided presets, BigCommerce doesn't disappoint. It offers its proprietary custom stencil feature that allows users with knowledge of HTML and JavaScript to take full control of their front end. Additionally, for users who are more inclined towards design, BigCommerce offers a web-based theme editor that enables creative vision without requiring extensive technical skills.

Learn more about customization, and discover BigCommerce Catalyst!

BigCommerce Apps and Integrations

On the backend, BigCommerce presents a comprehensive array of features empowering customers to manage their businesses efficiently. A diverse range of BigCommerce apps and integrations ensures extensive customizability behind the scenes. Offering a vast selection of hundreds of apps, it allows seamless integration of e-commerce stores with numerous cutting-edge business management tools.

Moreover, for businesses equipped with development teams, BigCommerce facilitates the creation of app integrations using its developer APIs. This capability proves invaluable for businesses seeking integration with ERP systems, accounting software, or shipping and fulfillment services.

List of BigCommerce Features

While offering full customization functionality on the front end, BigCommerce provides a variety of other features, enabling businesses of all sizes to elevate their e-commerce game.

These features are included at all subscription levels.

12 free store templates (more templates available at fixed costs)
Access to page builder tool and content management system
Built-in blog
Headless support for both web and mobile applications
SEO features
Single page checkout
No transaction fees
Integrations with leading payment gateways
Multi-currency support
Unlimited staff accounts
Real-time shipping quotes
Coupons, discount rules, and gift cards
Frontend and backend app integrations
24/7 support
Access to the BigCommerce mobile app

At the enterprise level, customers get increased access to features. BigCommerce enterprise features include.

Express routing, priority support, and customer success management
API support
Unlimited API calls
Price lists
Increased inventory locations

Looking for a complete list of BigCommerce features and functionality? Check out this Full List of BigCommerce Features!

BigCommerce vs. Shopify

BigCommerce and Shopify stand as leading choices for launching online stores swiftly, offering a quick setup that gets businesses selling within minutes. These platforms boast similar features, yet pivotal distinctions set them apart. BigCommerce takes the lead in eliminating transaction fees for all users, irrespective of their chosen payment gateway, while Shopify provides feeless transactions solely through its native gateway. However, with external gateways, Shopify imposes up to a 2% transaction fee. Additionally, BigCommerce allows unlimited user account creation, surpassing Shopify's limit of 15 accounts per subscription, empowering businesses with expansive user accessibility.

On the flip side, Shopify shines in its expansive range of apps and integrations, boasting over 8,000 on its app store compared to BigCommerce's 1,000 or so apps. Nevertheless, this disparity can be balanced by BigCommerce's technical prowess, offering a more intricate landscape that appeals to skilled BigCommerce developers. Despite a steeper learning curve, BigCommerce grants developers extensive control over both frontend and backend aspects within its apps. Conversely, Shopify's simplicity caters to less technically inclined users, fostering a sense of control over their application while potentially limiting deeper customization.

The final offering of BigCommerce that sets it apart from Shopify is its B2B edition. This version of BigCommerce is tailored specifically for business-to-business (B2B) operations, providing advanced features such as custom price lists, bulk ordering capabilities, and intricate customer group segmentation. This specialized edition caters to the unique needs of wholesale or enterprise-level businesses, offering a robust framework for managing complex transactions, negotiating pricing, and handling multiple layers of authorization and access control. The targeted focus on B2B functionality positions BigCommerce as an appealing choice for companies seeking a platform optimized for wholesale or large-scale commerce.

Ultimately, the choice between BigCommerce and Shopify hinges on the business's priorities: BigCommerce leans toward technical flexibility and user accessibility. It notably excels in its B2B edition tailored specifically for business-to-business (B2B) operations. With features like custom price lists, bulk ordering capabilities, and intricate customer group segmentation, BigCommerce's specialized edition caters to wholesale or enterprise-level businesses, offering a robust framework for managing complex transactions and negotiating pricing structures. On the other hand, Shopify excels in simplicity and an expansive app ecosystem. It is an excellent choice for those prioritizing ease of use and a vast array of integrations for diverse business needs.

For a full comparison, check out this article on BigCommerce vs. Shopify!

BigCommerce NetSuite Integration

Thanks to the array of BigCommerce integrations and apps available, connecting your BigCommerce app to external tools has become incredibly simple. For instance, NetSuite users can seamlessly link their ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platform with their e-commerce store, streamlining the process. This integration empowers users to effortlessly manage their inventory within NetSuite while witnessing real-time updates on their BigCommerce storefront. Utilizing connectors between NetSuite and BigCommerce is essential for businesses utilizing both platforms, ensuring a cohesive and unified approach to managing operations across the board.

Integrating an ERP system with an e-commerce platform presents a myriad of advantages for businesses aiming to optimize their operations. Firstly, the coupling of an ERP system with an e-commerce platform facilitates centralized management of critical business functions. This synergy allows for streamlined inventory management, ensuring that stock levels, orders, and product information remain synchronized across both platforms in real time. Additionally, the integration enables efficient data flow and enhanced visibility into various aspects of the business, from customer information and order history to financial data. By harnessing the power of an ERP system alongside an e-commerce platform, businesses gain the ability to make informed decisions based on comprehensive and up-to-date insights, fostering agility, scalability, and improved customer experiences.

Moreover, the NetSuite BigCommerce integration offers a range of simplified workflows and streamlined data management processes. For instance, through this integration, store managers can seamlessly add new products to NetSuite, observing instant updates in their store. In the context of B2B businesses, a customer form submitted on their BigCommerce storefront promptly updates or generates the corresponding customer record in NetSuite in real time, showcasing the efficiency of this integration. In essence, the NetSuite BigCommerce integration streamlines workflows, offering real-time synchronization that enhances operational efficiency and simplifies data management across diverse business facets.

For more information on NetSuite connector, we recommend checking out the following BigCommerce apps.

BigCommerce Certified Partner, Oracle NetSuite Alliance Partner

As both a BigCommerce Certified Partner and an Oracle NetSuite Alliance Partner, Anchor Group is ready to handle BigCommerce and NetSuite projects alike! Whether you already have one platform and are looking to integrate the other, are considering a full-scale implementation of both platforms, or simply need support with ongoing customizations, our team is ready to help answer any questions you might have! Get in touch!