Bigcommerce

What is BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a cloud-based ecommerce platform that provides the core infrastructure merchants need to build, run, and grow online stores. The product targets a wide range of users from small businesses launching their first online storefront to mid-market and enterprise teams requiring multi-store and headless commerce architectures. The platform combines product catalog and inventory management, customizable storefronts, checkout and payments, and integrations with marketing, ERP, and fulfillment systems.

BigCommerce markets both B2C and B2B capabilities: it supports standard retail storefronts as well as B2B functionality such as custom pricing, quotes, purchase orders, company accounts, and account-based ordering. For teams that need more architectural flexibility, BigCommerce supports headless implementations by decoupling the front-end from the commerce engine and exposing APIs for custom storefronts.

The vendor maintains documentation and developer tools to support integrations, extensions, and custom applications. See BigCommerce’s developer documentation and API reference for technical details on how to extend the platform and connect external systems.

BigCommerce features

BigCommerce provides a broad set of built-in and extensible features intended to cover the lifecycle of an online merchant. The feature set is organized around catalog and product management, storefront design and customization, checkout and payments, channel expansion, B2B sales, and operations.

Catalog and product management:

• Bulk product import and export: CSV and API-based import/export for thousands of SKUs
• Custom fields and product options: multiple option types, configurable SKUs, and variant management
• Inventory controls: stock levels, backorder rules, and automated inventory sync via integrations

Storefront design and customization:

• Drag-and-drop visual page builders: visual editors and themes for non-developers to modify pages
• Headless commerce support: APIs and webhooks to power custom front-ends or single-page applications
• Staged deployment and theme versions: change management for themes and templates

Checkout, payments, and tax:

• Multiple payment provider integrations: support for 130+ payment gateways and regional processors
• One-page and optimized checkout flows: configurable checkout settings and custom checkout fields
• Tax and compliance integrations: automated tax calculation plugins and third-party tax services

B2B capabilities and enterprise features:

• Customer groups and price lists: segment buyers with custom pricing and catalogs
• Quote and invoicing workflows: support for sales reps to generate quotes and convert to orders
• Company accounts and role-based permissions: multi-user purchaser accounts with purchasing controls

Channels, marketing, and analytics:

• Multi-channel selling: integrations for marketplaces, social commerce, and comparison shopping platforms
• Promotions and coupons: conditional discounts, cart-level promotions, and coupon management
• Reporting and analytics: sales reports, product performance, and integrations with BI tools

Operational and platform features:

• App marketplace and partner ecosystem: third-party apps for ERP, shipping, email, and more
• Performance and scaling: hosted platform with CDN, caching, and SLA options for larger stores
• Security and compliance: standard platform security, plus enterprise-grade controls where applicable

For a detailed feature reference, consult BigCommerce’s product feature pages.

What does BigCommerce do?

BigCommerce provides the software and hosted infrastructure that enable merchants to sell products online, manage catalogs, process orders, and connect commerce functionality to third-party systems. At its core, BigCommerce handles product data, cart and checkout processes, order lifecycle, and storefront rendering; it also exposes APIs so businesses can plug their own front-end or backend systems into the platform.

The platform supports both direct-to-consumer workflows and complex B2B scenarios by offering features like custom price lists, buyer portals, and quote management. For development teams, BigCommerce supplies REST APIs, GraphQL endpoints, and webhooks to automate workflows and create headless experiences. This makes it possible to run multiple storefronts, international sites, and channel-specific storefronts from a centralized commerce engine.

BigCommerce also serves as an integration point for common merchant requirements: tax calculation, payment processing, shipping carriers, ERP synchronization, CRM connectors, and marketing automation tools. The platform is intended to reduce the need to build commerce primitives in-house while allowing customization where business needs demand it.

BigCommerce pricing

BigCommerce offers flexible pricing tailored to different business needs, from early-stage merchants to global enterprises. Their pricing structure typically includes monthly and annual billing options with discounts for yearly commitments and custom Enterprise contracts that include additional support and security features. For current plan details and exact rates, visit BigCommerce’s official pricing page. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

BigCommerce’s pricing model commonly differentiates by feature set and revenue thresholds (e.g., transaction volume or online sales), with higher-tier plans unlocking advanced features such as B2B functionality, lower transaction fees, and additional support. Enterprise customers negotiate custom agreements that include SLAs, dedicated support, and security add-ons.

When evaluating cost, consider these budget items:

• Hosting and platform fees: monthly or annual plan fees charged by BigCommerce
• Third-party integrations: costs for apps, connectors, or middleware
• Payment processing fees: fees charged by payment gateways and processors
• Development and design: one-time or ongoing costs to implement custom storefronts or integrations
• Maintenance and support: in-house or external resources for managing the store and updates

Check BigCommerce’s current pricing options for team discounts and enterprise packages.

How much is BigCommerce per month

BigCommerce offers competitive monthly plans and typically provides multiple tiers to match different business sizes and functionality requirements. Monthly billing remains a common option for merchants who prefer flexibility, while annual billing often includes a cost reduction for committing to a year. For exact monthly rates by plan, consult BigCommerce’s official pricing page.

When planning monthly budgets, account for app subscriptions, payment fees, and any development retainers that run in parallel with the platform fee. Monthly figures can change based on promotions and regional pricing, so verify current numbers directly with BigCommerce sales if you have specific revenue or scale considerations.

How much is BigCommerce per year

BigCommerce offers annual billing options that typically reduce the effective monthly cost compared with month-to-month billing. Annual pricing is commonly presented as a percentage saving over monthly payments; exact savings depend on the plan and any promotional terms. See BigCommerce’s official pricing page for up-to-date annual prices and savings information.

For businesses that can forecast 12-month usage, annual plans can deliver lower unit costs and more predictable budgeting. Enterprises usually negotiate multi-year contracts with tailored service levels and integration support.

How much is BigCommerce in general

BigCommerce pricing ranges from flexible entry-tier subscriptions to custom Enterprise agreements. Cost depends on selected features, sales volume thresholds, support level, and whether you choose monthly or annual billing. Overall platform cost should be evaluated as a combination of the subscription fee plus associated app and integration expenses.

For a detailed cost comparison across tiers and to understand potential savings from annual billing, visit BigCommerce’s pricing page. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

What is BigCommerce used for

BigCommerce is used to design, operate, and scale online stores across industries. Typical use cases span single-vendor retail sites, multi-brand storefronts, direct-to-consumer launches, wholesale and B2B portals, and marketplace feed management. The platform is also used where merchants need strong integrations with existing ERP, CRM, or PIM systems.

Common tasks merchants perform on BigCommerce include catalog management, product variant and inventory control, promotional campaigns, order processing, returns and refunds, multi-channel listing, and customer account management. The platform supports seller operations like shipping label generation, tax calculations, and fulfillment integrations.

Development and IT teams use BigCommerce for headless commerce projects where they want full control of front-end experiences while relying on BigCommerce as the commerce engine. Marketing teams use the platform’s promo and SEO tools to drive customer acquisition and conversion, while operations teams benefit from automation and integration points that reduce manual workload.

Pros and cons of BigCommerce

Pros:

• Scalability and performance: BigCommerce is designed to host large catalogs and handle high traffic volumes without requiring merchants to manage infrastructure.
• Extensibility: Robust APIs, webhooks, and an app marketplace make it possible to integrate ERPs, PIMs, and third-party services.
• Built-in B2B features: Native support for price lists, company accounts, and quote workflows reduces the need for custom B2B layers.
• Multi-channel support: Integrated connectors for marketplaces and social commerce increase reach without complex custom work.

Cons:

• Cost complexity: Total cost of ownership can rise with third-party apps, payment fees, and custom development for headless implementations.
• Learning curve for advanced features: Teams may need developer resources to implement complex storefronts or deep integrations.
• Theme and front-end customization: While a visual editor exists, highly custom front-ends require developer effort and familiarity with the platform’s theming and API model.

Decision factors to consider:

• Company size and growth plans: BigCommerce is frequently selected by businesses that expect to scale beyond simple storefront needs.
• Integration requirements: If you depend on ERP or complex back-office systems, evaluate BigCommerce’s connector options and API coverage.
• In-house technical capability: Headless or heavily customized storefronts require developers; if you lack them, consider the vendor’s success services or partners.

BigCommerce free trial

BigCommerce commonly offers time-limited trials that let merchants test the platform’s core features, import product data, and experiment with store themes and settings. Trial availability and length vary; trials are intended to help merchants validate catalog management, checkout flows, and basic integrations before committing to a paid plan.

During a trial merchants can typically:

• Add products and configure product variants
• Customize a storefront theme and navigation
• Configure shipping, taxes, and payment providers supported during trial
• Test order creation and processing workflows

Because trials have limits (for example, restricted payment methods or sales limits), they are useful for functional validation but may not simulate full production traffic or third-party integrations. For trial specifics and to request a trial or demo, consult BigCommerce’s trial and demo information.

Is BigCommerce free

No, BigCommerce does not offer a permanently free plan for production stores. The platform typically provides trial periods for evaluation, but full usage requires a paid subscription or a negotiated Enterprise agreement. Merchants should plan for subscription fees plus any app and payment processing costs when budgeting for a live store.

Some vendors offer pilot programs, developer sandboxes, or partner-hosted demo stores for testing; contact BigCommerce sales for options tailored to specific evaluation needs.

BigCommerce API

BigCommerce exposes a set of developer APIs—including REST and GraphQL endpoints—that cover products, customers, orders, carts, and more. The APIs are the primary mechanism for headless commerce, custom integrations, and automation with external systems. Developers can use the API to create, read, update, and delete core commerce objects and to subscribe to webhooks for event-driven workflows.

Key API capabilities include:

• Product and catalog management endpoints for bulk data operations
• Order and checkout APIs for custom checkout flows and external payment handling
• Customer and customer group APIs for segmented experiences and pricing
• Webhooks and events to react to order creation, product updates, and inventory changes

BigCommerce maintains technical documentation, SDKs, and sample apps to help developers get started; see BigCommerce’s developer documentation for authentication details, rate limits, and code examples. For enterprise-scale integrations, BigCommerce also offers professional services and partner channels to help design and implement API-based architectures.

10 BigCommerce alternatives

Paid alternatives to BigCommerce

• Shopify — A hosted ecommerce platform known for fast setup, a large app ecosystem, and strong point-of-sale integrations for omnichannel merchants.
• Magento (Adobe Commerce) — A feature-rich commerce platform available as an open-source download and as a hosted enterprise product via Adobe; chosen for deep customization and large catalog management.
• Wix eCommerce — A website-first SaaS with ecommerce capabilities suitable for small merchants who prioritize design simplicity and low-cost entry.
• Salesforce Commerce Cloud — An enterprise-grade commerce platform with strong CRM integration and enterprise-level tooling for global retailers.
• CommerceTools — A headless commerce platform focused on composable architectures and microservices for teams building custom digital experiences.
• Squarespace Commerce — A design-forward website and ecommerce builder used by small to medium sellers who prioritize brand presence and simple storefront management.
• Volusion — A hosted ecommerce provider with built-in features for catalog and order management oriented toward SMBs.

Open source alternatives to BigCommerce

• Magento Open Source — A self-hosted edition of Adobe Commerce that provides deep customization and a large developer community for bespoke ecommerce builds.
• Saleor — A modern, GraphQL-first open source ecommerce platform built for headless commerce and composable architectures.
• PrestaShop — A PHP-based open source platform popular in Europe with modular addons and theme support for merchants preferring self-hosting.
• Spree Commerce — A modular open source commerce platform (Ruby on Rails) for teams that want to build complete custom commerce solutions.

Frequently asked questions about BigCommerce

What is BigCommerce used for?

BigCommerce is used for running online stores and managing ecommerce operations. Businesses use it to manage product catalogs, process orders, handle checkout and payments, and connect commerce workflows to ERP or marketing systems. It supports both direct-to-consumer and B2B scenarios and can be used in headless architectures.

How does BigCommerce support B2B sellers?

BigCommerce includes native B2B features for pricing and account management. Those features typically include company accounts, custom price lists, purchase order handling, and quote workflows that enable sales teams to manage business customers without extensive custom development.

Does BigCommerce have an API?

Yes, BigCommerce provides REST and GraphQL APIs. Developers use those APIs to manage products, orders, customers, and to build headless storefronts or integrate BigCommerce with external systems; see BigCommerce’s developer documentation for details.

Can I migrate from another platform to BigCommerce?

Yes, BigCommerce supports migrations from many ecommerce platforms. The platform and its partner ecosystem offer migration tools and services to move products, customers, and order history from other systems; merchants often use professional migration services for complex catalogs or custom data requirements.

Is there a free version of BigCommerce?

No, BigCommerce does not offer a permanent free plan for production use. Evaluation is typically done through time-limited trials or demos; production stores require a paid plan or Enterprise agreement.

How secure is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce provides standard ecommerce security and enterprise options for compliance. The platform includes SSL support, PCI-compliant checkout options, and additional enterprise controls; for specific certifications and compliance details, review BigCommerce’s security documentation and Enterprise offering.

When should I choose BigCommerce over a self-hosted solution?

Choose BigCommerce when you want a hosted, managed commerce engine with built-in scaling and integrations. It reduces the need to run infrastructure and provides APIs for extensibility; self-hosted solutions may be chosen if you require full control over hosting, data residency, or very deep customizations.

Where can I find BigCommerce success stories and case studies?

BigCommerce publishes customer success stories and industry case studies on its site. These resources showcase implementations across B2B and B2C use cases and can help you understand real-world performance and ROI; see BigCommerce’s customer resources and case studies for examples.

Does BigCommerce integrate with ERPs and shipping providers?

Yes, BigCommerce integrates with many ERPs, shipping carriers, and third-party logistics tools. Integrations are available through the app marketplace, partner integrations, and custom API work to synchronize orders, inventory, and fulfillment data.

How do I get help implementing BigCommerce?

BigCommerce offers professional services and a partner network for implementation help. You can engage BigCommerce launch services, certified partners, or third-party agencies for design, migration, and ongoing support depending on the complexity of your project.

BigCommerce careers

BigCommerce maintains a careers portal that lists openings in engineering, product, sales, customer success, and marketing functions. Positions range from developer roles focused on platform improvements to client-facing roles that support merchant launches and growth. Recruiting pages include information about company culture, benefits, and locations; check BigCommerce’s careers page for current openings and hiring practices.

BigCommerce affiliate

BigCommerce operates an affiliate program and partner ecosystem that allows agencies, developers, and publishers to earn referral revenue for introducing new merchants. The affiliate program terms include commission structures, payout schedules, and eligibility criteria; see BigCommerce’s partner and affiliate resources for program details and sign-up information.

Where to find BigCommerce reviews

Independent reviews and ratings for BigCommerce appear on technology review sites and marketplaces such as TrustRadius, G2, and Capterra. For performance and ROI claims, consult analyst reports and published customer case studies; BigCommerce also provides customer testimonials and third-party analyst references on its website. When evaluating reviews, compare criteria such as ease of use, extensibility, support, and total cost of ownership.