BigCommerce vs AspDotNetStorefront

When starting a business online you have a lot of choices to make after the initial decisions of choosing a name, products to sell, profit margins, etc. For many businesses, choosing the ecommerce platform that they decide to operate on is one of the final steps taken, and is given little thought.

I believe that business owners should do a lot research on what ecommerce platform they decide to use and how to manage the software, because having the right platform and individual managing it can save your business lots of capital and labor hours. There are so many ecommerce platforms to choose from, how does one go about knowing which one is best for their business? I will be discussing two of the more popular ecommerce platforms on the market, and telling you which one we believe is the best for your business.  

In this article I will be discussing the key differences and similarities between BigCommerce and AspDotNet Storefront ecommerce platforms. BigCommerce has multiple subscription options, based upon the quantity and sales driving power of the features. AspDotNet Storefront is offered at a single price subscription service or as a one-time payment package. I will dive much deeper into the pricing later, after discussing each platform’s major features and customizability.

Customization

The customization of features and the web design available on an ecommerce platform are vitally important to the success of your ecommerce business. If you want to maximize revenue, while also doing less tedious work, then you need to utilize the correct functions, on the correct ecommerce platfrom, for your needs.

In terms of the level of customization available, AspDotNet Storefront is a huge step up from BigCommerce. AspDotNet Storefront has way more options for the customization of modules and website design, compared to BigCommmerce’s modules and site design. Although BigCommerce may have less customization options than AspDotNet Storefront, it does, however, have more built in features than AspDotNet Storefront does.

Features and Tools

The inventory management features on both platforms are both equally amazing, and will greatly reduce labor costs. The customer management system in each are, again, both fantastic. The SEO tools for each platform are both great compared to their competitors and, if used properly, will greatly increase the quantity and quality of traffic your ecommerce website earns. Both AspDotNet Storefront and BigCommerce are regarded as highly scalable platforms, but the edge must be given to AspDotNet Storefront because of its multistore tracking features and email marketing, allowing for so much more growth in your ecommerce business.

AspDotNet Storefront is an purchasable open source program which allows outside application developers to create downloadable modules that can be added to your ecommerce website. BigCommerce, on the other hand, only allows users to download the applications that it produces for its platform. One of the biggest features that BigCommerce offers is the ability to sell across multiple social media channels and eBay. AspDotNet Storefront does not have social media selling channels, but it does allow users to sell on Amazon, Google Shopping, and Shopzilla. Many of the BigCommerce subscribers find that the features use complex terminology and are too advanced for beginners, so keep that in mind.

We have only discussed the major features of each ecommerce platform, but the smaller features matter too, and both platforms provide all of the same basic features as their major competitors.

Serurity/PCI

A big upside for AspDotNetStorefront is that it is PCI Certified, while BigCommerce is only PCI compliant. PCI compliant means that the platform has not completed or passed the PCI test administered by the PCI Council, however, the platform operator(s) believe that the site meets the criteria to pass. PCI Certification declares that the platform is secure against hackers and fraudulent online activity. Since AspDotNetStorefront is PCI Certified, it ensures that your business and your customers will be protected from illegal online activity.

Pricing

The pricing options for BigCommerce are $30/month for all basic features, $80/month for marketing tools, $300/month for advanced scaling features, and additional features and applications vary on price. For AspDotNet Storefront the pricing structure is $180/month for full access, or a $5,500 one-time payment for the most up to date version with overhaul updates sometimes costing an additional fee. Applications in AspDotNet Storefront also vary in price.

Final Comparison

Now that all of the facts have been laid out, which platform is best for your ecommerce business? It’s actually fairly simple.

Given that BigCommerce has a low-cost option, it makes a better place to start for a new business, than AspDotNet Storefront would. However, given that BigCommerce can be complex for someone new to website creation, we recommend using a more simple and possibly less expensive platform at first, and then move into this platform towards business’s start up period, as a generation 1.5 website.

When it comes time to grow a steady ecommerce business after the initial start-up period, add advanced website modules, or create a second-generation or higher ecommerce website for a matured business, AspDotNet Storefront becomes the platform you need to be using; because BigCommerce becomes incredibly expensive and has more top end limits. The tools and features available on AspDotNet Storefront allow ecommerce site owners to earn a larger and more committed client base, along with providing advanced advertising tools to generate more sales. The quantity of modules available on AspDotNet Storefront means that as the business grows users will have more time to work on other tasks while the modules do other work for you. Using AspDotNet Storefront is simple for the basic features of the platform; however, the more complex features can take months of patience, practice, and trial and error learning.

That is why equaTEK, Inc. creates a relationship with businesses looking toward that next step in ecommerce. We make designing a business’s next generation of website simple and easy to manage, as we do most of it for you. Our experience allows us to build an ecommerce website that makes an immediate impact on your business, with the properly functioning features and tools, to help you grow your business right away. If you are looking to take the next step in your ecommerce business contact us today.