13 Best BigCommerce alternatives for building an online store

eCommerce is booming, and for those looking to stand out online, BigCommerce has been a go-to choice. But as your business grows, you may yearn for more flexibility and specific features like AI eCommerce personalization that BigCommerce doesn't offer. That's where this article comes in. We'll explore the best BigCommerce alternatives designed to help you build an online store that meets your needs and keeps your customers happy.

One standout option is Instant’s Shopify product page builder. This intuitive tool makes it easy to create beautiful product pages that showcase your products and help you sell more.

Table of Contents

• 13 Best BigCommerce Alternatives For Building An Online Store

• What to look for in a BigCommerce alternative for your online store

• Why you may want to consider a BigCommerce alternative

• 5 Tips for creating engaging eCommerce store experiences

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page build

13 Best BigCommerce Alternatives For Building An Online Store

1. Instant: A flexible Shopify builder

Instant is a user-friendly tool that transforms how you build your Shopify store. It allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish high-converting:

• Landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Taking control of your store's success

This maintains complete control over their store's design. Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions. Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

2. Shopify

Shopify is a top choice for eCommerce, with 4.8 million online stores collectively generating approximately $1 trillion in global sales. It’s a comprehensive platform that handles payments, shipping, and email marketing, offering an all-in-one solution for your online business. It also offers a wide range of dropshipping integrations, making it easy to sell without holding inventory. It even offers a free trial and lets users choose from over 100 themes, so setting up your store is straightforward, even with no technical experience. Shopify offers plenty of online resources, making it a strong platform for marketing your products and services.

3. Adobe Commerce (Magento)

Adobe Commerce is a powerful eCommerce platform used by prominent brands like:

• Jaguar Land Rover

• Coca-Cola

• Ford

One of Adobe Commerce’s standout features is its drag-and-drop page builder. This tool simplifies the design process, so you don’t necessarily need a developer for every change. It also integrates seamlessly with Adobe products like:

• Experience Manager

• Analytics

• Real-Time CDP

Enabling advanced personalization and a unified digital experience. Adobe Commerce does have some challenges. It lacks built-in tools for a seamless multichannel strategy, making social commerce and marketplace selling more complex. Managing international transactions can require extra effort.

4. Square Online

Square Online is an online store platform you should consider if you sell products online and in person through pop-up stores and fairs. You can sign up for free and pay only 2.9% plus 30 cents for every transaction with unlimited products. The onboarding process lets you choose a single shopping page or a complete, informational selling website. Your online and offline orders are organized in your dashboard, so you only need a single view to track all transactions. Square Online has built-in marketing tools to promote your business.

6. Wix

Are you building a company website that must have a selling capability? Consider Wix, a website and landing page builder with eCommerce features. Wix has handy eCommerce features such as order tracking, multichannel sales, and inventory management. Creating your eCommerce website with over 500 templates is a breeze.

6. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is an affordable eCommerce platform designed for creatives. Its free limited plan lets you connect your domain name and sell up to five products. You can build your website using free customizable themes. The platform offers various payment options and lets you set your tax rates. Want to know how your online business platform is performing? Enormous Cartel has a user-friendly dashboard that tells you the following at your set period:

• Number of site visitors

• Number of orders

• Conversion rate

• Revenue

7. Weebly (Now part of Square)

Weebly (now part of the Square suite of tools) is one of the most uncomplicated website builders. It allows you to get your eCommerce store up and running quickly. However, Weebly isn't exclusively for eCommerce, so some of its plans will not work for selling products in your online stores. Because it's one of the easiest-to-use eCommerce platforms, getting started with Weebly is easy. Merchants get a free domain and Google Ads credits for online stores with every plan. The tool offers a free plan to get your website up and enjoy some features without any financial investment.

8. PrestaShop 

PrestaShop is another comprehensive eCommerce platform for businesses of all sizes. The tool offers professional themes, order management, social media marketing, support for multiple languages and currencies, and other critical features. PrestaShop doesn’t offer hosting, domain names, or other essential tools, so you must install it on an existing server. This makes comprehensive solutions like Wix better for those who don’t want to deal with things like hosting or domain names.

9. Volusion

Last but not least on the list of eCommerce platforms is Volusion. Like Wix, this website builder is designed to help vendors set up their shops quickly. You can avoid coding or other technical challenges typically associated with web development. Volusion’s no-coding setup process makes it approachable for all vendors, regardless of their technical experience. However, if you’d prefer a heavily personalized online store, you can work with Volusion’s in-house design agency to craft something more you like. One major downside to this tool is that you cannot sell digital products like ebooks, digital art, or music. This limits the types of businesses that can use this platform.

10. Shift4Shop

Shift4Shop is a solid choice for creating an online store. It’s straightforward to set up and works well on mobile devices, even though it lacks some features in Shopify and other platforms on this list. What makes Shift4Shop stand out is its SEO capabilities. It also offers API integration to connect your store with other applications.

11. OpenCart

OpenCart is a free, open-source eCommerce platform that is easy to set up. It allows users to create and manage multiple online stores from a single dashboard, providing an overview of sales and customer metrics. The platform offers over 13,000 modules and free themes, giving users ample options for customization and integration with other tools. There is no monthly subscription fee, making OpenCart a cost-effective choice for managing multiple custom stores.

12. Yo!Kart

Yo!Kart is a self-hosted and scalable multi-vendor e-commerce platform for building future-proof online marketplaces similar to Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. The platform has diverse in-built features such as catalog management, multilingualism, multiple payment gateways, BOPIS, ready mobile apps, and several pre-integrated APIs. Unlike other eCommerce platforms like Shopify or Bigcommerce, it enables startups, SMBs & enterprises to launch digital marketplaces without any external plugin or app.

13. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Salesforce is a big name in the industry. You can create various cloud-based eCommerce stores using Salesforce Commerce Cloud with customizable features for sales, marketing, order fulfillment, feedback, and more. The platform simplifies everything. Its AI capabilities are neat, and it lets you do everything from setting up your digital storefront to managing sales across customer touchpoints. Salesforce Commerce Cloud can be expensive and has high licensing fees.

What to look for in a BigCommerce alternative for your online store

Nobody wants to wrestle with technology when building an online store. Look for an eCommerce website builder that is intuitive and easy to navigate. You need a platform with drag-and-drop functionality and a simple interface if you're not a coding wizard. This lets you create and customize your store without delving into the technical details.

Make it your own: Customization

Your online store should scream your brand's identity. You want a platform that offers a variety of customizable templates and the flexibility to add or remove features. Third-party plugins are your friend here; ensure the platform supports them to extend your store’s functionality. 

Secure the bag: Payment gateway integration

You can’t sell products without a proper way for people to pay. Your eCommerce website builder needs to support multiple payment options, such as:

• Credit cards

• PayPal

• Apple Pay

Also, if you’re thinking globally, make sure it handles multiple currencies. Your platform needs secure payment processing to protect your customers’ information.

Think mobile: Mobile responsiveness

More than ever, people are shopping on their phones. If your store isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing sales. A responsive website design ensures your store looks great and works smoothly on any device. Some platforms offer mobile-optimized templates immediately, while others might need more work. Choose wisely.

Get noticed: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is your ticket to free traffic. Your eCommerce website builder should include built-in SEO tools to help you optimize your store for search engines. This means you can customize URLs, meta tags, and descriptions easily.

Safety first: Security

As online shopping grows, so do the threats. Customers want their data to be safe, and you need a platform that offers strong security measures like:

• SSL certification

• PCI compliance

• Fraud prevention

• Automated backups

Trust me, you don’t want to skimp on security.

Know your numbers: Analytics and reporting

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Your platform should have robust analytics and reporting features. Key metrics like website traffic, conversion rates, and sales should be easy to track. Integration with third-party tools like Google Analytics is a big plus.

Be everywhere: Omnichannel marketing

Customers aren’t just on your website. They’re on social media, marketplaces like Amazon, and even in physical stores. Choose an eCommerce platform that supports omnichannel marketing. This means seamless integration with platforms like:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Google Shopping

A no-code solution for building custom Shopify pages

Instant is a user-friendly tool that transforms how you build your Shopify store. It allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish high-converting:

• Landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Taking control of your store's success

This maintains complete control over their store's design. Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions. Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!!

Why you may want to consider a BigCommerce alternative

Are you ready for your eCommerce store to grow? BigCommerce might not be. As you rack up the sales, BigCommerce automatically bumps you to a more expensive plan. Growth should feel like a victory lap, not a surprise fee.

Email marketing tools: Missing in action

You’ve got a killer email campaign planned. With BigCommerce, you’ll need to fork over cash for a third-party app. Competitors like Shopify and Wix have these tools built in, letting you focus on crafting your message, not your budget.

Subscriptions and recurring payments: Not here

Selling subscriptions or membership models? BigCommerce falls short. You’ll need third-party apps to make it work. This isn’t ideal if recurring payments are a key part of your business model.

Multilingual support: Lost in translation

Want to reach a global audience? BigCommerce doesn’t support multiple languages out of the box. You’ll need additional apps for that. Other platforms offer smoother multilingual options.

Hidden costs and unpredictable pricing

BigCommerce seems affordable at first. But factor in the costs of necessary third-party apps, and your budget takes a hit. Pricing becomes unpredictable with automatic plan upgrades. Some merchants prefer platforms that offer more flexibility and built-in features.

5 Tips for creating engaging eCommerce store experiences

1. Craft a memorable web design

Your eCommerce store is more than a sales platform; it’s your chance to captivate and connect with your audience. Whether you’re coding from scratch, picking a template, or hiring a pro, ensure your design reflects your brand and engages visitors. Every element should resonate with your target audience, from layout to font. A compelling design isn’t just about looks; it builds trust. Studies show that 75% of people judge a company’s credibility by its design alone. Design for trust and engagement.

2. Prioritize a smooth mobile experience

Smartphones are a primary tool for online shopping, and they're in nearly every pocket. Many consumers browse on mobile, even if they finish the purchase on a desktop. Statistics reveal that 79% of smartphone users made an online purchase in the last six months. By ensuring your store is mobile-friendly, you boost credibility and sales.

3. Captivate with unique visuals

Images and graphics have a significant impact on engagement. Choose visuals that align with your brand and resonate with your audience. High-quality photos are crucial on product pages since they replace the in-store physical inspection customers would have. Provide as much detail as possible. Featuring people in your pictures is also beneficial; photos with faces are 38% more likely to engage viewers.

4. Write an authentic “About Us” page

An engaging “About Us” page is key to building trust and brand affinity. Consumers want to support brands they relate to. Focus on your mission, values, and the causes you support. This is your chance to show why you’re the best choice to solve your customers’ problems.

5. Showcase customer reviews

Display genuine customer reviews on your site to encourage purchases. 88% of online shoppers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations. Buyers spend 31% more on businesses with excellent reviews. Make it a priority to gather authentic feedback, and consider incentivizing reviews to encourage participation.

Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page build

Imagine crafting a stunning Shopify product page without knowing a single line of code. Instant's intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to design high-converting landing pages, blog posts, and more. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about complete control over your store's design. The experience is seamless, making complex tasks feel like child’s play. 

Integrate and elevate

But it doesn't stop there. Instant works beautifully with Figma and other eCommerce tools, giving you the flexibility to enhance your store's performance. This is especially important for those exploring BigCommerce alternatives as you seek platforms that offer integration and versatility without compromise. 

Empower your team

Instant empowers eCommerce teams and agencies alike. It's not just a tool; it's a game-changer that lets you create customizable and advanced pages without being a coding expert. Imagine a world where your creative vision isn't limited by technical ability. This is what Instant offers.