BigCommerce Cost Explained: A Complete Guide For Every Business Size

BigCommerce offers four main subscription plans, each designed to accommodate varying business sizes and requirements.

Additional Considerations:

• Transaction Fees: BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan, allowing businesses to retain more revenue.
• Sales Limits: Each plan has an annual online sales limit. Exceeding these limits may require upgrading to a higher plan or incurring additional fees.
• Features: Higher-tier plans offer advanced features such as abandoned cart recovery, customer segmentation, and product filtering, enhancing the eCommerce experience.
• Credit Card Processing Fees: While BigCommerce doesn’t impose transaction fees, standard credit card processing fees apply when using payment gateways. With PayPal powered by Braintree, the rates are:

• Standard Plan: 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction.
• Plus Plan: 2.35% + $0.49 per transaction.
• Pro Plan: 2.05% + $0.49 per transaction.

• Free Themes:
  • Availability: BigCommerce offers a selection of free themes suitable for various industries.
  • Cost: No charge.
  • Consideration: While free themes provide basic design and functionality, they may lack the uniqueness and advanced features of premium themes.
• Premium Themes:
  • Price Range: $150 to $300 (one-time fee).
  • Benefits:
    • Enhanced aesthetics and advanced features.
    • Greater customization options.
    • Responsive designs tailored to specific industries.
  • Consideration: Investing in a premium theme can significantly improve user experience and brand perception, potentially leading to higher conversion rates.

• Free Apps:
  • Availability: Many essential apps are available at no cost in the BigCommerce App Marketplace.
  • Functionality: These apps can assist with basic store operations, marketing, and customer engagement.
• Premium Apps:
  • Price Range: $10 to $50 per month.

• Benefits:
  • Advanced functionalities such as SEO optimization, email marketing, and inventory management.
  • Integration with third-party services to enhance store capabilities.
• Consideration: While premium apps involve a recurring cost, they can provide essential features that streamline operations and boost sales.

• Hiring Developers:
  • Hourly Rates: $50 to $150 per hour, depending on region and project complexity.
  • Project-Based Fees: $5,000 to $50,000, based on customization requirements.

• Consideration:
  • Custom development allows for tailored solutions that align precisely with your business needs.
  • It’s crucial to budget for these expenses, especially if your store requires unique functionalities not available through standard themes or apps.

By anticipating these additional costs, you can create a comprehensive budget that ensures your BigCommerce store is functional and visually appealing, providing a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Embarking on your eCommerce journey with BigCommerce is both exciting and financially accessible. The Standard Plan is tailored for new and small businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of features to establish your online presence.

• Estimated Costs:
  • Subscription Fee: $29.95 monthly when billed annually, providing a cost-effective entry point for startups.
  • Premium Theme (Optional): A one-time fee of $150 to $300 can significantly enhance your store’s aesthetics and user experience.
• Additional Expenses:
  • Payment Processing Fees: BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees; however, standard credit card processing fees apply. For the Standard Plan, this is typically 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction.
  • Essential Apps: While many apps are free, budgeting for low-cost applications (ranging from $10 to $50 per month) can add functionalities like email marketing or advanced analytics.

Starting with the Standard Plan allows you to build a robust online store without prohibitive costs, making it an ideal choice for entrepreneurs ready to launch their digital storefront.

As your business experiences growth, scaling your online store to meet increasing demands becomes imperative. The Plus Plan is designed to support this expansion, offering advanced features that cater to a growing customer base.

• Estimated Costs:
  • Subscription Fee: $79.95 per month when billed annually, reflecting a commitment to scaling operations.
  • Payment Processing Fees: With the Plus Plan, enjoy reduced rates at 2.35% + $0.49 per transaction, enhancing profitability as sales volume increases.
• Additional Investments:
  • Advanced Apps and Themes: To further enhance functionality and user experience, consider allocating between $20 to $100 per month for premium apps and design elements.
  • Customizations: Depending on specific business needs, investing in custom development can provide tailored solutions that set your store apart.

A robust and highly customizable e-commerce platform is vital for large-scale enterprises to manage extensive operations and complex requirements. The Enterprise Plan offers bespoke solutions tailored to such demanding environments.

• Estimated Costs:
  • Subscription Fee: Starting at approximately $1,500 monthly, with pricing tailored to specific business needs and negotiated accordingly.
  • Payment Processing Fees: Enjoy competitive rates, often starting at 2.05% + $0.49 per transaction, with the potential for further negotiation based on volume.
• Additional Considerations:
  • Custom Development: Engaging in advanced integrations or bespoke features may require significant investment, with project-based costs ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on complexity.
  • Enhanced Security Measures: Implementing custom SSL certificates and other security protocols ensures data protection and compliance, which is essential for maintaining customer trust.
  • Dedicated Support: Opting for priority agreements guarantees prompt assistance, minimizing downtime and operational disruptions.

The Enterprise Plan is engineered to provide unparalleled flexibility and support, empowering large businesses to operate efficiently at scale while delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Understanding your current and projected sales volume is a critical factor when selecting a BigCommerce plan. Each plan has an annual sales threshold, such as the Standard plan’s limit of $50,000 in sales. If your business is growing rapidly, selecting a plan that accommodates this growth will prevent unexpected upgrades or fees. BigCommerce is designed to scale with businesses, so choosing a plan with room for expansion ensures smoother transitions as your revenue increases.

The level of customization your business requires plays a significant role in determining the right plan. For basic online stores with minimal design and functionality needs, the Standard or Plus plans provide essential features. However, if your business demands advanced customizations, such as tailored checkout flows or API integrations, the Pro or Enterprise plans offer the flexibility to create unique and robust solutions. These higher-tier plans are ideal for businesses that rely on personalized user experiences or complex workflows.

Your BigCommerce plan should align with your long-term business strategy. If your goals include expanding product lines, targeting international markets, or leveraging advanced integrations, it’s crucial to invest in a plan that supports these ambitions. Future-proofing your choice can save time and resources by avoiding frequent upgrades. For businesses aiming for omnichannel selling, higher-tier plans provide enhanced support for platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media, ensuring seamless operations across multiple channels.

Balancing your budget with the features offered by BigCommerce plans is essential for cost-effective decision-making. While the Standard plan is affordable, it may lack advanced tools that could deliver long-term savings. Higher-tier plans, despite their upfront costs, often provide better ROI through features like abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation. Additionally, BigCommerce eliminates transaction fees, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses with high sales volumes. By leveraging built-in SEO, marketing, and analytics tools, businesses can reduce reliance on third-party apps and cut down on recurring expenses.

The ability to integrate essential tools and automate processes is another key consideration. Evaluate the integrations your business needs, such as payment gateways, CRM systems, or inventory management tools. Higher-tier plans, like Pro and Enterprise, offer seamless API access and advanced automation features that save time and improve operational efficiency. Tools like advanced reporting and customer analytics not only enhance decision-making but also ensure that your business remains competitive and profitable.

BigCommerce offers a range of built-in tools, such as SEO optimization, marketing features, and analytics, which can eliminate the need for third-party apps. These tools help reduce subscription fees for additional software while providing reliable and integrated solutions. For example, its native abandoned cart saver and promotional tools can drive revenue without extra expenses. Use these tools to streamline your operations and keep costs under control.

Opting for annual billing instead of monthly billing can yield significant savings. BigCommerce typically offers discounts of up to 10% on annual plans, allowing businesses to reduce overall costs while securing uninterrupted service. This option also simplifies budgeting by locking in a consistent rate for the year.

BigCommerce stands out by not charging additional transaction fees, unlike many of its competitors. To fully leverage this advantage, ensure that your payment processor aligns with BigCommerce’s supported options, as this eliminates hidden costs and allows for predictable, straightforward pricing.

While apps and integrations can enhance your store, they often come with additional monthly fees. To reduce these expenses, rely on BigCommerce’s robust ecosystem of built-in features. Only invest in apps that are essential for your specific needs, and regularly audit your app subscriptions to eliminate unused or redundant tools.

Choosing a plan tailored to your business size and goals is crucial for cost optimization. Upgrading unnecessarily to a higher-tier plan can lead to wasted resources, while choosing a plan that doesn’t meet your needs can result in missed opportunities. Regularly review your sales thresholds and feature requirements to ensure your plan remains a good fit as your business evolves.

Automation features within BigCommerce, such as real-time inventory management and customer segmentation, can significantly reduce manual labor costs. By automating routine tasks, you save both time and money, allowing your team to focus on growth and strategy.

BigCommerce provides a variety of free themes that can suit many industries, eliminating the need for expensive custom designs. Additionally, if you require advanced customization, opt for discounted themes or lightweight design adjustments to reduce costs.

Maintaining a clear picture of your costs and returns is essential for sustained optimization. Utilize BigCommerce’s analytics tools to track sales performance, evaluate the ROI of apps or services, and identify areas where expenses can be trimmed.