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Big Cartel vs Portfoliobox (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 07, 2024

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Good Value For Price
4.2

0

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Big Cartel

Big Cartel is perfect for artists and small businesses seeking an affordable, easy-to-use platform. With customizable templates and essential e-commerce features, it’s a great choice for those starting their online journey.

  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Affordable pricing plans
  • Customizable templates available
  • Limited advanced features
  • Basic SEO tools
  • Fewer integrations

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$12 per month
Excellent Value For Price
4.5

0

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Portfoliobox

Portfoliobox offers advanced design flexibility and comprehensive SEO tools, making it ideal for creative professionals looking to showcase their work beautifully. Its intuitive interface ensures a seamless user experience.

  • Advanced design flexibility
  • Comprehensive SEO tools
  • Wide range of templates
  • Higher pricing plans
  • Requires learning curve
  • Limited e-commerce features

Free plan?

No

Starting price

$3.9 per month

What is Big Cartel?

Big Cartel is a platform designed for artists and creators to easily set up an online store. It offers a straightforward interface, making it simple for users to showcase and sell their work without needing extensive technical knowledge. With customizable themes and essential e-commerce features, Big Cartel helps small businesses and independent artists manage their online presence effectively. It’s particularly beneficial for those who want a no-fuss solution to start selling online quickly.

What is Portfoliobox?

Portfoliobox is a versatile website builder tailored for creative professionals. It allows users to create stunning portfolios without any coding skills. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can easily customize your site to reflect your unique style. Portfoliobox offers a range of templates and features that cater to photographers, designers, and artists, helping them showcase their work beautifully. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to establish a professional online presence effortlessly.

Pros and Cons of Big Cartel vs Portfoliobox

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Pros & Cons of Big Cartel

Affordable pricing plans
  • Big Cartel offers budget-friendly pricing plans, making it an ideal choice for small businesses and independent artists looking to set up an online store without breaking the bank.
Customizable templates available
  • With a selection of customizable templates, Big Cartel allows users to create a unique online store that reflects their brand and style, enhancing their online presence.
Limited advanced features
  • Big Cartel lacks some of the advanced features offered by other platforms, which may limit its appeal to businesses looking for more comprehensive e-commerce solutions.
Basic SEO tools
  • The platform provides basic SEO tools, which may not be sufficient for businesses looking to optimize their site for search engines and improve their online visibility.
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Pros & Cons of Portfoliobox

Advanced design flexibility
  • Portfoliobox offers unparalleled design flexibility, allowing users to create visually stunning portfolios that showcase their work in the best possible light.
Comprehensive SEO tools
  • With a range of SEO tools, Portfoliobox makes it easy for users to optimize their site for search engines, improving their online visibility and attracting more visitors.
Higher pricing plans
  • Portfoliobox's pricing plans are higher compared to other platforms, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious users looking for affordable solutions.
Requires learning curve
  • While Portfoliobox offers advanced features, it may require a learning curve for users to fully leverage its potential, especially for those new to website building.

Big Cartel vs Portfoliobox: At A Glance

Decision FactorBig CartelPortfoliobox
Value to Price
Good4.0
Excellent4.5
Ease of Use
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.7
Functionality
Good4.1
Excellent4.6
Scalability
Good4.0
Excellent4.4
Integrations
Good3.8
Good4.2
Customer Support
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5
Security
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.6
Overall Rating
Good4.2
Excellent4.5

Value to Price

Big Cartel offers a cost-effective solution for small businesses and artists, providing essential e-commerce features at a reasonable price. Portfoliobox, on the other hand, offers more advanced features and customization options, which justifies its slightly higher price point. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option with basic features, Big Cartel is a great choice.

Ease of Use

Both Big Cartel and Portfoliobox are user-friendly, but Portfoliobox stands out with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to create stunning portfolios. Big Cartel is also easy to use, but it may require a bit more time to get accustomed to its interface. If you prioritize ease of use, Portfoliobox is the better option.

Functionality

Portfoliobox offers a wide range of features tailored for creative professionals, including customizable templates and advanced design options. Big Cartel provides essential e-commerce functionalities but lacks some of the advanced features offered by Portfoliobox. If you need more functionality and design flexibility, Portfoliobox is the way to go.

Scalability

Both platforms offer scalability, but Portfoliobox provides more options for growing businesses with its advanced features and customization capabilities. Big Cartel is suitable for small businesses and artists who do not require extensive scalability. If you plan to scale your business, Portfoliobox is the better choice.

Integrations

Portfoliobox offers a wider range of integrations compared to Big Cartel, making it easier to connect with other tools and services. Big Cartel provides basic integrations, which may be sufficient for small businesses. If you need extensive integrations, Portfoliobox is the better option.

Customer Support

Both platforms offer reliable customer support, but Portfoliobox provides more comprehensive support options, including live chat and email support. Big Cartel offers email support, which may be sufficient for small businesses. If you need more extensive support, Portfoliobox is the better choice.

Security

Both Big Cartel and Portfoliobox prioritize security, offering secure payment options and data protection. Portfoliobox provides additional security features, making it a more secure option for businesses handling sensitive data. If security is a top priority, Portfoliobox is the better choice.

Overall Rating

Portfoliobox scores higher overall due to its advanced features, ease of use, and extensive customization options. Big Cartel is a great choice for small businesses and artists looking for a budget-friendly solution with essential e-commerce features. If you need more advanced features and customization, Portfoliobox is the better option.

Big Cartel vs Portfoliobox: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesBig CartelPortfoliobox
Customizable Templates
Good4.0
Excellent4.5
E-commerce Features
Good4.2
Excellent4.3
SEO Tools
Good3.8
Good4.2
Mobile Responsiveness
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.6
Design Flexibility
Good4.1
Excellent4.7
User Interface
Good4.2
Excellent4.5

Customizable Templates

Big Cartel offers a selection of customizable templates that allow you to create a unique online store. However, Portfoliobox provides a wider range of templates with more advanced customization options, making it easier to create a visually stunning portfolio. If you prioritize design flexibility, Portfoliobox is the better choice.

E-commerce Features

Both Big Cartel and Portfoliobox offer essential e-commerce features, but Portfoliobox provides more advanced options, such as integrated payment gateways and inventory management. Big Cartel is suitable for small businesses with basic e-commerce needs. If you need more advanced e-commerce features, Portfoliobox is the better option.

SEO Tools

Portfoliobox offers more comprehensive SEO tools compared to Big Cartel, making it easier to optimize your site for search engines. Big Cartel provides basic SEO features, which may be sufficient for small businesses. If you need more advanced SEO tools, Portfoliobox is the better choice.

Mobile Responsiveness

Both platforms offer mobile-responsive designs, but Portfoliobox provides more options for optimizing your site for mobile devices. Big Cartel offers basic mobile responsiveness, which may be sufficient for small businesses. If you need more advanced mobile optimization, Portfoliobox is the better option.

Design Flexibility

Portfoliobox offers more design flexibility compared to Big Cartel, allowing you to create a unique and visually stunning portfolio. Big Cartel provides basic design options, which may be sufficient for small businesses. If you need more design flexibility, Portfoliobox is the better choice.

User Interface

Both platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, but Portfoliobox stands out with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to create stunning portfolios. Big Cartel is also easy to use, but it may require a bit more time to get accustomed to its interface. If you prioritize ease of use, Portfoliobox is the better option.

Pricing Comparison of Big Cartel and Portfoliobox

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Big Cartel and Portfoliobox. This comparison will highlight the best option for creating your online store or portfolio.

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Big Cartel Pricing Plans

Free
For Small Businesses
$0

per month

Get Startedright_arrow
Free includes:
  • Manage your business and sell online with card and PayPal acceptance.
  • Mobile apps available for iOS and Android for easy management.
  • Import products from Etsy, Squarespace, and Shopify seamlessly.
  • Customize your store with free, SEO-optimized templates.
Platinum
For Growing Businesses
$12

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Free, plus:
  • Offer discounts and run promotions to boost sales.
  • Unlimited label printing with up to 90% off shipping.
  • Advanced template customization for a unique store look.
  • Track performance with Google Analytics integration.
Diamond
For Scaling Businesses
$24

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Platinum, plus:
  • Prioritized support and abandoned cart recovery for better service.
  • Ads with audience targeting for Google, Facebook, and more.
  • Advanced Google Analytics reporting for detailed insights.
  • Manage inventory with bulk editing and tracking features.
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Portfoliobox Pricing Plans

Light
For Simple Portfolios
$3.9

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Light includes:
  • Includes 8 pages for showcasing your work.
  • Free domain name registration included.
  • Customize templates to fit your style.
  • Share files up to 5,000 MB with clients.
Personal
For Personal Portfolios
$6.9

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Light, plus:
  • Create up to 15 pages for your portfolio.
  • Receive a free personal email address.
  • No Portfoliobox branding on your site.
  • Access to Adobe Lightroom plugin for integration.
Professional
For Creative Professionals
$13.9

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Personal, plus:
  • Create up to 1,000 pages for extensive portfolios.
  • Offer up to 1,000 products in your online store.
  • Enable bookings and scheduling for services.
  • 0% commission on sales through your site.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly evaluate each website builder, focusing on key aspects like ease of use, functionality, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and testing features, we ensure our recommendations meet diverse needs. Each factor is weighted to provide a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%

Big Cartel or Portfoliobox: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose Big Cartel If You Need ...

  • Easy-to-use platform for beginners

    If you are a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use website builder, Big Cartel is a great choice. Its intuitive interface and customizable templates make it simple to set up an online store without any technical expertise.

  • Budget-friendly e-commerce solution

    If you are looking for a budget-friendly e-commerce solution with essential features, Big Cartel is the ideal choice. It offers affordable pricing plans and basic e-commerce functionalities, making it perfect for small businesses and independent artists.

Choose Portfoliobox If You Need ...

  • Advanced design flexibility

    If you are a creative professional looking for advanced design flexibility, Portfoliobox is the better choice. Its wide range of templates and customization options allow you to create a visually stunning portfolio that showcases your work beautifully.

  • Comprehensive SEO tools

    If you need comprehensive SEO tools to optimize your site for search engines, Portfoliobox is the ideal choice. Its range of SEO features makes it easy to improve your online visibility and attract more visitors to your site.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.