Big Cartel Review, Pricing, and User Ratings
0.0
User Reviews:
Written By
Updated
October 7th, 2024
In the world of ecommerce, choosing the right platform to launch and grow your business is essential. With many options, each with unique features and pricing, it can be challenging to find the best fit. Big Cartel has become popular among independent creators and small businesses.
In this Big Cartel review, we will explore its features, pricing, and scalability, helping you understand what Big Cartel offers. We aim to present clear facts for your informed decision and invite you to share your experiences.
What is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel, established in 2005 by Matt Wigham and Eric Turner, is an ecommerce platform headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. With a team of 11-50 employees, it is designed to help small business owners create online stores to sell their products. The company aims to provide a user-friendly, affordable platform that empowers independent creators to manage their online businesses efficiently and start selling online.
Company
Big Cartel Pros
- Easy-to-use interface, making it easy for users with no technical skills to set up and manage online stores.
- With a free plan and affordable paid options, it’s budget-friendly for small businesses and creators.
- Users can select from customizable themes to match their brand.
- It also integrates with shipping services like Shipstation to simplify order fulfillment.
- Unlike similar ecommerce platforms, Big Cartel doesn’t charge listing fees, helping sellers increase profits.
- The platform is mobile-optimized for smooth shopping experiences for customers on the go.
- It includes basic sales tracking and analytics tools for performance monitoring and making Data-Driven decisions.
- The Big Cartel dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly. It allows users to easily track orders, manage website settings, and view performance metrics, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
Big Cartel Cons
- Big Cartel lacks advanced CRM, AI tools, and POS features.
- It does not provide 24/7 support or a dedicated account manager.
- Limited integrations with major sales channels like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy could hinder sales.
- Payment processing options are limited to PayPal and Stripe, potentially restricting flexibility.
- Only Premium plan users can access advanced order fulfillment services, leaving others managing fulfillment manually.
How Does Big Cartel Work
To get started, users need to sign up for a Big Cartel account by providing basic information such as their name, email address, and password. Once the account is created, users can choose a plan that suits their needs, ranging from a free plan to paid plans that offer additional features and support.
After selecting a plan, users can set up their store by adding products, customizing their storefront, and configuring payment and shipping options. Big Cartel offers a range of customizable themes and templates that can be used to create a unique and professional-looking storefront. Users can also add custom pages, such as an about page or a contact page, to provide more information to customers.
One key benefit of using Big Cartel is its ease of use. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and manage a store. Big Cartel also offers a range of tools and resources to help users get started, including a comprehensive help center and a community forum where users can connect with other sellers and get support.
Big Cartel Pricing
Big Cartel offers three pricing plans to accommodate different business needs: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The big cartel pricing plans are designed to cater to small businesses with varying product needs. The Gold plan is free and includes basic features such as listing up to 5 products, customizable themes, and sales tracking. The Platinum plan, priced at $15 per month, allows you to add up to 50 products and includes additional features like discount codes and shipment tracking.
Pricing
For businesses needing more extensive options, the Diamond plan is available at $30 per month. It supports up to 500 products and provides advanced features like Google Analytics integration and custom domain support. Big Cartel does not offer a free trial for its paid plans, so careful consideration of your business requirements is advised before committing to a plan. Big Cartel also offers an annual plan.
Refund Policy
Big Cartel’s refund policy is straightforward. The platform does not offer prorated refunds for canceled subscriptions. If you downgrade or cancel your plan, you will retain access to paid features until the end of the current billing cycle. Reviewing your subscription needs carefully is important, as changes will take effect at the next billing period.
They don’t offer refunds for monthly subscriptions. For annual subscriptions, they only offer refunds if it’s canceled within 14 days of purchase. This policy ensures clarity and consistency in managing subscriptions and refunds, so it’s crucial to decide promptly if an annual plan is suitable for your needs. For detailed information, visiting Big Cartel’s help resources is recommended, or you can contact their support team.
Big Cartel Features
Big Cartel boasts many features and functionalities that simplify the ecommerce experience for artists and small business owners. Starting with basic functionalities, Big Cartel allows for 1-click selling, enabling a seamless customer purchasing process. API access is available to integrate third-party tools or develop custom functionalities.
A custom domain feature lets businesses maintain brand consistency, while real-time shipping provides accurate rates and order tracking. Abandoned cart email capabilities help recover potential lost sales by reminding customers of incomplete purchases.
Popular Features
For a deeper dive into business performance, advanced analytics offer detailed insights into store activities and customer behaviors. Discount codes are easy to create and manage, providing a way to attract and retain customers. Personalized products allow sellers to offer customized options to their buyers.
Product export/import features simplify managing inventory across different platforms. A robust product search function ensures customers can quickly find what they’re looking for. Subscription and recurring payment options are available for business owners looking to offer ongoing services or products.
Features
Big Cartel’s ‘sales tax autopilot’ feature simplifies sales tax management for US sellers by automatically applying the correct tax rates per state. This tool helps users save time and ensures compliance with tax regulations, making it a significant advantage across various pricing plans.
Premium plans unlock additional features to further enhance the ecommerce experience. Dropshipping and print-on-demand simplify inventory management and product fulfillment. Email marketing automation and live chat capabilities help engage with customers more effectively. Digital products, such as e-books or digital art, can be sold alongside physical items using tools like Big Cartel’s Pulley app. Gift cards offer flexibility for customer gifting needs, and in-store pickup options cater to local shoppers.
Advanced order management tools streamline the fulfillment process, while PayPal checkout provides a trusted payment option. Ratings and reviews build credibility and are SEO optimized to enhance search visibility. Finally, upselling and cross-selling features can boost average order value by suggesting additional products to customers during their shopping journey.
Content Management and Customization
Big Cartel offers a range of content management and customization options that allow users to create a unique and professional-looking storefront. Users can add custom pages, such as an about page or a contact page, to provide more information to customers. They can also customize their storefront by adding a logo, changing the color scheme, and adding custom fonts.
Big Cartel also offers a variety of themes and templates that can be used to create a unique and professional-looking storefront. Users can choose from a range of pre-designed themes or create their own custom theme using Big Cartel’s theme editor. The theme editor allows users to customize the layout, colors, and fonts of their storefront, and to add custom elements such as images and videos.
In addition to customization options, Big Cartel also offers a range of content management tools that allow users to manage their products and orders. Users can add and edit products, manage inventory, and track orders and shipping. Big Cartel also provides a range of reporting and analytics tools that allow users to track sales and customer behavior, helping them make informed decisions about their business.
SEO and Marketing
Big Cartel offers a range of SEO and marketing tools that allow users to promote their store and attract more customers. Users can optimize their storefront for search engines by adding keywords and meta descriptions, and by creating high-quality content that is relevant to their products.
Big Cartel also provides a variety of marketing tools that allow users to promote their store and attract more customers. Users can create email marketing campaigns, social media campaigns, and paid advertising campaigns to reach a wider audience. Additionally, Big Cartel offers integrations with other marketing tools and platforms, such as Google Analytics and Mailchimp, to help users track their marketing efforts and gain insights into customer behavior.
In addition to SEO and marketing tools, Big Cartel also offers features that allow users to engage with their customers and build a community around their store. Users can create a blog to share news and updates about their products, and they can use social media to connect with customers and promote their store. These tools help users build a loyal customer base and drive more traffic to their Big Cartel site.
This comprehensive set of features makes Big Cartel a compelling choice for artists and entrepreneurs looking to establish a strong online presence.
Payments and Security
Managing payments and ensuring security is vital for any ecommerce platform, and Big Cartel has put systems in place to address both effectively. Although Big Cartel is not PCI compliant, it facilitates transactions through PayPal and Stripe, two prominent third-party payment processors that adhere to PCI compliance. This compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard guarantees that credit card information is handled with strict security measures. PayPal Checkout and Stripe are available, but the platform does not support Amazon Checkout or Square payments.
Company
Big Cartel offers basic security features, which, while not the most sophisticated, are reasonable given their cost. Big Cartel does not offer Two-Factor Authentication for an added layer of security. Each store includes SSL security to encrypt transactions, ensuring data is protected during transfers. Beyond that, users can enhance security by adding a backup phone number, reviewing active devices and apps, and updating passwords. Big Cartel does not provide detailed information about its hosting environment. The primary security assurance is the free SSL certificate included with every store.
Big Cartel Integrations
Big Cartel provides various integrations to enhance ecommerce operations. It syncs your online store with your Facebook shop, making reaching a wider audience easier and managing your sales from a single platform.
Another helpful integration is with Printful, a print-on-demand service that helps automate order fulfillment for custom merchandise, minimizing manual tasks.
Integrations
Big Cartel collaborates with Shipstation and Stamps.com for efficient shipping solutions, including order management, label creation, and real-time tracking updates.
Integrations
It lacks integrations with popular platforms like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, Gelato, Instagram, etc., which can limit your business strategy that relies on these for sales, marketing, or shipping. This absence may require manual processes, affecting efficiency. While current integrations offer key functionalities, assessing your business needs is essential.
Integrations
Big Cartel faces challenges in the realm of fulfillment, as it does not integrate with most of the popular fulfillment companies. Notably, it lacks connections with major services like Red Stag Fulfillment, Shipbob, Shipmonk, and SHIPHYPE. This absence means that businesses seeking to leverage these platforms for efficient order processing and inventory management may find Big Cartel’s options limited. However, it is worth mentioning that eFulfillment Service does offer integration on their site, providing some level of fulfillment support.
Integrations
When compared to other ecommerce platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce, Big Cartel falls short in terms of integrations. Other ecommerce platforms offer extensive integration options, including advanced marketing tools, comprehensive shipping solutions, and robust customer support, making them more suitable for scaling businesses.
Ease of Use
Big Cartel prides itself on being user-friendly, making it a suitable option for those who may not have extensive technical skills. The platform offers an intuitive interface that allows users to easily create and manage their online stores. Big Cartel’s customizable pages and themes enable users to tailor their storefronts to match their brand’s aesthetic. It includes courses, training materials, and a comprehensive Help Center to assist users with questions.
Ease Of Use
However, it’s important to note that Big Cartel’s customer support has some limitations. While it doesn’t offer a dedicated account manager, 24/7 support is only available on weekdays. Additionally, tools like AI Copywriting and an AI Website Builder are missing. Phone support is not offered, which might be a disadvantage for users who prefer direct, real-time communication.
Order fulfillment services are included only in the Premium plan, which might require an upgrade for businesses wanting to streamline their operations. Despite these limitations, the platform’s simplicity often outweighs the need for more complex features, especially for small business owners and independent creators.
Big Cartel Alternatives
Due to its simplicity and affordability, Big Cartel is a strong choice for small stores or individual sellers. However, several other platforms should be considered if you’re looking for alternatives offering a broader range of features or different pricing structures.
Company
- Weebly is a popular option that provides robust ecommerce tools and easy-to-use website-building capabilities. It offers a range of pricing plans, from free to premium, allowing flexibility based on your business needs.
- Square Online, another notable alternative, integrates seamlessly with Square’s point-of-sale systems, making it an excellent choice for businesses that operate both online and offline. Its intuitive setup process and comprehensive tools for managing sales, inventory tracking, and customer relationships can significantly streamline your operations.
- Wix is another versatile platform that combines powerful website-building features with extensive ecommerce functionalities. Known for its drag-and-drop interface, Wix simplifies creating a customized online store. Additionally, it offers a variety of apps and integrations to enhance your store’s capabilities.
Each of these alternatives comes with its own strengths, so evaluating them against your business requirements will help you determine the most suitable option for your ecommerce needs.
Is Big Cartel Legit?
Big Cartel is a legitimate ecommerce platform, having been established in 2005 and supporting thousands of small business owners globally. It is known for its user-friendly interface, affordability, and focus on independent creators. While it may lack some advanced features found in other platforms, it provides essential tools and integrations for managing an online store effectively. The platform is trusted by a diverse range of users and has maintained a solid reputation in the ecommerce community. For those seeking a straightforward solution to sell products online, Big Cartel is a reliable option.
Leave Your Big Cartel Reviews
We encourage you to contribute your experiences with Big Cartel in the comments section to help fellow ecommerce business owners make informed decisions. Your positive or negative insights contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the platform. Please share your thoughts, tips, and advice to help others make informed decisions and foster a community of knowledgeable entrepreneurs.
Content for Nested Tab 2
Content for Nested Tab 3
Create an account