When it comes to building and managing an e-commerce website, choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The platform you choose will impact your website’s functionality, scalability, performance, and overall user experience. With so many options available, it can be challenging to figure out which is the best fit for your business.
In this blog, we will compare BigCommerce, SaaS, WordPress, and Drupal as potential platforms for your e-commerce website. We’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each, as well as their suitability for different types of businesses. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platform is right for your e-commerce needs.
1. BigCommerce: The E-Commerce-Focused Platform
BigCommerce is a cloud-based SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) e-commerce platform that allows businesses to easily set up, run, and scale online stores. BigCommerce is designed specifically for e-commerce and offers a wide range of features that cater to businesses of all sizes.
Key Features of BigCommerce:
- Comprehensive E-Commerce Tools: BigCommerce comes with built-in tools for inventory management, product categorisation, order tracking, and customer management. It also supports a wide range of payment gateways and shipping options.
- Scalability: BigCommerce is highly scalable, making it ideal for businesses looking to expand their online presence without worrying about infrastructure management. It’s suitable for small to large businesses that expect significant growth.
- Customisation: BigCommerce offers a wide range of templates and design customisation options, though it’s a bit more restricted compared to open-source platforms like WordPress and Drupal.
- Built-In Marketing Tools: BigCommerce comes with SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, email marketing, and more, helping businesses market and grow their stores effectively.
- Security and Hosting: As a fully hosted solution, BigCommerce takes care of all the security and hosting requirements, providing SSL certificates, PCI compliance, and fast page load speeds.
Pros of BigCommerce:
- All-in-one platform tailored specifically for e-commerce.
- Easy to use with drag-and-drop features.
- Built-in payment processing and shipping solutions.
- Excellent customer support and resources.
- Strong SEO capabilities to help your store rank higher in search engines.
Cons of BigCommerce:
- Limited customisation options compared to open-source platforms.
- Transaction fees for certain payment methods.
- Monthly subscription fees can be higher than some alternatives, especially for larger stores.
Best for:
- Businesses looking for a dedicated e-commerce platform with minimal technical overhead.
- Stores that need robust e-commerce features and scalability.
2. SaaS (Software-as-a-Service): The Ready-Made Solution
SaaS e-commerce platforms refer to subscription-based software solutions where the provider manages the infrastructure, hosting, and maintenance. BigCommerce is a prime example of a SaaS platform, but other popular SaaS options include Shopify, Wix eCommerce, and Squarespace.
Key Features of SaaS E-Commerce Platforms:
- Ease of Use: SaaS platforms are user-friendly and designed for people with little to no technical knowledge. They provide pre-built templates, integrations, and drag-and-drop interfaces to help you set up and manage your online store quickly.
- Cloud-Based Hosting: SaaS platforms are hosted in the cloud, so businesses don’t need to worry about server maintenance or technical issues. The provider handles all updates, security patches, and hosting.
- Scalability: Most SaaS platforms offer scalable pricing plans based on your needs. As your business grows, you can easily upgrade your plan to accommodate more products, traffic, and features.
- Security: SaaS platforms come with built-in security features such as SSL encryption and regular backups.
Pros of SaaS Platforms:
- Fast setup with no need for technical expertise.
- Built-in hosting, security, and updates.
- User-friendly design tools for customising your site.
- Reliable customer support.
Cons of SaaS Platforms:
- Limited flexibility and customisation compared to open-source platforms.
- Monthly subscription fees can add up over time.
- Less control over hosting and server infrastructure.
- Restrictions on app integrations and third-party tools.
Best for:
- Small to medium-sized businesses that need a simple, easy-to-use e-commerce solution.
- Entrepreneurs who want to quickly launch a store without a steep learning curve.
3. WordPress: The Customisable Open-Source Platform
WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), used by millions of websites globally. While WordPress itself is not built specifically for e-commerce, it can be turned into a powerful e-commerce platform with plugins like WooCommerce.
Key Features of WordPress with WooCommerce:
- Open-Source and Customisable: WordPress is open-source, which means it’s highly customisable. With the right plugins and themes, you can build almost any type of website, including e-commerce stores.
- Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: WordPress offers an extensive library of plugins that can extend your website’s functionality. This includes everything from SEO tools and payment gateways to advanced analytics and marketing features.
- Flexibility: WordPress provides complete control over your website’s design, features, and performance. You can create custom themes, add unique functionality, and integrate third-party tools with ease.
- Content Management: WordPress is a powerful CMS, so if content marketing is a big part of your e-commerce strategy (e.g., blogs, landing pages, etc.), it’s an excellent choice.
Pros of WordPress with WooCommerce:
- Complete control over design, features, and functionality.
- Open-source and highly flexible.
- Large community of developers and designers.
- Excellent for content-driven e-commerce stores.
Cons of WordPress with WooCommerce:
- Requires more technical expertise to set up and manage.
- You need to handle hosting, security, and updates yourself (unless you use managed WordPress hosting).
- Performance issues can arise if the site is not optimised properly.
- Ongoing maintenance is required to keep plugins and themes updated.
Best for:
- Businesses that need full control over their e-commerce store and want a highly customisable platform.
- Entrepreneurs who have some technical knowledge or are working with a development team.
- Businesses that rely heavily on content marketing alongside e-commerce.
4. Drupal: The Robust and Flexible Platform
Drupal is a highly flexible and customisable open-source CMS. While it’s not as widely used for e-commerce as WordPress, it can be turned into a powerful e-commerce platform with modules like Drupal Commerce.
Key Features of Drupal with Drupal Commerce:
- Highly Customisable: Drupal is one of the most flexible platforms available, allowing for extensive customisation of almost every aspect of your website. It’s suitable for complex, enterprise-level e-commerce solutions.
- Content-First Approach: Like WordPress, Drupal is a robust CMS that excels in content management. If your e-commerce strategy includes heavy content-driven pages (e.g., blogs, customer stories, educational content), Drupal can integrate both seamlessly.
- Advanced Security: Drupal is known for its strong security features, making it a popular choice for enterprises that handle sensitive data.
- Scalability: Drupal is ideal for large, enterprise-level businesses with complex needs. Its scalability and flexibility make it suitable for high-traffic sites that need a custom-tailored solution.
Pros of Drupal with Drupal Commerce:
- Extremely flexible and customisable for complex e-commerce websites.
- Strong security features.
- Great for content-heavy e-commerce stores.
- Enterprise-grade scalability.
Cons of Drupal with Drupal Commerce:
- Requires advanced technical knowledge or a skilled development team.
- Steeper learning curve compared to WordPress and SaaS platforms.
- Slower development process due to customisation needs.
Best for:
- Large businesses or enterprises with complex e-commerce needs and a team of developers.
- Businesses that require highly custom functionality and advanced content management.
- Those looking for a scalable and secure platform with complete control over design and features.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Platform for Your E-Commerce Website
The decision between BigCommerce, SaaS platforms, WordPress, and Drupal depends largely on your business’s specific needs, budget, and long-term goals.
- BigCommerce is ideal for businesses that need a scalable, secure, and feature-rich e-commerce platform with minimal technical overhead.
- SaaS platforms like Shopify or Wix are great for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for quick setup, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.
- WordPress with WooCommerce is perfect for businesses that need complete control, flexibility, and a content-driven approach.
- Drupal is best suited for large enterprises with complex requirements and a need for customisation and advanced security.
At 247 Commerce, we specialise in helping e-commerce businesses choose the right platform and implement the best solutions for their growth. Whether you’re launching a new store or upgrading an existing one, our team can help guide you through the decision-making process and ensure your site is optimised for success.
