BigCommerce vs Bluehost (2024 Comparison)
BigCommerce offers a robust e-commerce platform with advanced features and extensive integrations. It's ideal for businesses looking to scale and establish a strong online presence.
- Advanced e-commerce features.
- Wide range of integrations.
- Highly customizable templates.
- Steep learning curve.
- Higher pricing for small businesses.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$29 per month
Bluehost provides affordable and reliable hosting solutions with a user-friendly interface. It's perfect for small businesses and individuals looking to create and manage websites easily.
- Affordable hosting solutions.
- User-friendly interface.
- Reliable customer support.
- Limited e-commerce features.
- Basic templates.
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$1.99 per monthWhat is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is a robust e-commerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes create and manage online stores. It offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, SEO tools, and multi-channel selling capabilities. With BigCommerce, you can easily integrate with popular payment gateways and third-party apps, making it a versatile choice for online retailers. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, BigCommerce provides the tools you need to grow your online presence and boost sales.
What is Bluehost?
Bluehost is a leading web hosting provider that offers a range of services, including website building, domain registration, and hosting solutions. It is particularly popular among small businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence. With its user-friendly interface and reliable performance, Bluehost makes it easy to create and manage websites. Whether you're a blogger, entrepreneur, or small business owner, Bluehost provides the tools and support you need to succeed online.
Pros and Cons of BigCommerce vs Bluehost
Pros & Cons of BigCommerce
- BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of e-commerce tools that cater to businesses of all sizes. From multi-channel selling to advanced SEO tools, it provides everything you need to grow your online store.
- With BigCommerce, you can easily connect to various third-party apps and services, enhancing your store's functionality and streamlining operations. This flexibility is a significant advantage for businesses looking to expand.
- BigCommerce provides a wide selection of customizable templates, allowing you to create a unique and visually appealing online store. This level of customization is ideal for businesses looking to establish a strong brand identity.
- BigCommerce's extensive features can be overwhelming for beginners. It may take some time to fully understand and utilize all the available tools, which could be a drawback for those new to e-commerce.
- While BigCommerce offers a robust set of features, its pricing may be a barrier for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. It's essential to weigh the cost against the benefits before committing.
Pros & Cons of Bluehost
- Bluehost offers competitive pricing for its hosting services, making it an attractive option for small businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence without breaking the bank.
- Bluehost's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their websites. This simplicity is particularly beneficial for beginners who may not have technical expertise.
- Bluehost is known for its responsive and helpful customer support team. Whether you encounter technical issues or need assistance with your website, their support staff is readily available to help.
- While Bluehost provides essential hosting services, it lacks the advanced e-commerce features that platforms like BigCommerce offer. This limitation may be a drawback for businesses looking to expand their online sales.
- Bluehost's template offerings are relatively basic compared to other platforms. While they are easy to use, they may not provide the level of customization that some users desire for their websites.
BigCommerce vs Bluehost: At A Glance
Value to Price
BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of features that justify its pricing, making it a great value for businesses looking to scale. Bluehost, while slightly more affordable, provides excellent value for those seeking reliable hosting solutions. If you're focused on maximizing features for your investment, BigCommerce might be the better choice.
Ease of Use
Bluehost is known for its user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners. BigCommerce, while slightly more complex, offers a range of customization options that can be beneficial for more experienced users. If ease of use is your priority, Bluehost is the way to go.
Functionality
BigCommerce excels in functionality, offering a wide range of e-commerce tools and integrations. Bluehost provides solid functionality for website hosting but lacks some of the advanced e-commerce features. If you need robust e-commerce capabilities, BigCommerce is the better option.
Scalability
BigCommerce is designed to scale with your business, offering features that support growth. Bluehost also offers scalability but is more suited for smaller websites. If you're planning for significant growth, BigCommerce is the more scalable choice.
Integrations
BigCommerce offers a wide range of integrations with third-party apps, making it a versatile platform. Bluehost provides essential integrations but is more limited in scope. If you need extensive integration options, BigCommerce is the better choice.
Customer Support
Both BigCommerce and Bluehost offer reliable customer support, but Bluehost is often praised for its responsive service. If customer support is a critical factor for you, Bluehost might be the better option.
Security
Bluehost provides robust security features, making it a reliable choice for hosting. BigCommerce also offers strong security measures, particularly for e-commerce transactions. If security is your top concern, both platforms are solid choices, but Bluehost has a slight edge.
Overall Rating
BigCommerce and Bluehost both offer strong overall performance, but BigCommerce edges out slightly due to its advanced e-commerce features. If you're looking for a comprehensive e-commerce solution, BigCommerce is the better choice.
BigCommerce vs Bluehost: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Customizable Templates
BigCommerce offers a wide range of customizable templates that allow you to create a unique online store. I found the templates to be highly flexible, enabling me to tailor the design to my brand's identity. On the other hand, Bluehost provides basic templates that are easy to use but lack the depth of customization. If you want a highly personalized store, BigCommerce is the better choice.
SEO Tools
BigCommerce excels in SEO tools, providing advanced features that help improve your store's visibility. I appreciated the detailed analytics and keyword optimization options. Bluehost offers basic SEO tools, which are sufficient for simple websites but may not meet the needs of larger businesses. If SEO is a priority, BigCommerce is the way to go.
Multi-Channel Selling
BigCommerce supports multi-channel selling, allowing you to reach customers across various platforms. This feature was invaluable for expanding my business's reach. Bluehost, while offering basic e-commerce capabilities, does not provide the same level of multi-channel support. If you're looking to sell on multiple platforms, BigCommerce is the superior choice.
Payment Gateway Integration
BigCommerce offers seamless integration with numerous payment gateways, making transactions smooth and efficient. I found this feature particularly useful for managing international sales. Bluehost provides essential payment options but lacks the extensive integration capabilities. If you need diverse payment solutions, BigCommerce is the better option.
Domain Registration
Bluehost excels in domain registration, offering a straightforward process and competitive pricing. I found it easy to manage multiple domains through their platform. BigCommerce also provides domain registration, but it's more focused on e-commerce functionalities. If domain management is your focus, Bluehost is the better choice.
Website Builder
Bluehost offers a user-friendly website builder that simplifies the process of creating a website. I appreciated the drag-and-drop functionality, which made designing my site a breeze. BigCommerce also provides a website builder, but it's more tailored to e-commerce needs. If you're looking for a simple website builder, Bluehost is the way to go.
Pricing Comparison of BigCommerce and Bluehost
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of BigCommerce and Bluehost. This comparison will highlight the best option for creating your website.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans
- Support access with 24/7 live agent availability.
- Major payment gateway integrations for smooth transactions.
- Support for multiple currencies to cater to global customers.
- Real-time shipping and additional features for efficient logistics.
- Abandoned shopping cart recovery to boost sales.
- Customer segmentation for personalized marketing.
- Google customer reviews integration for trust building.
- Analytics and reporting to track performance.
- Product filtering for enhanced user experience.
- Google Shopping integration to reach more customers.
- Dedicated SSL certificate for secure transactions.
- Premium support with dedicated account management.
- Unlimited API calls for high-volume operations.
- Custom pricing options for tailored solutions.
- Priority support with a dedicated account manager.
- Advanced security features including PCI compliance.
Bluehost Pricing Plans
- 100 concurrent visitors support, ideal for 40k visits per month.
- AI site creation tools for easy website setup and management.
- Free domain for the first year to establish your online presence.
- Free SSL and CDN for enhanced security and performance.
- 500 concurrent visitors support, ideal for 200k visits per month.
- Daily website backups free for the first year for data safety.
- Domain privacy free for the first year to protect your information.
- Phone support for immediate assistance and troubleshooting.
- Automated real-time backups with Jetpack for data protection.
- Store analytics for tracking sales and performance.
- Secure online payments and booking appointments features.
- Product search and filtering for enhanced customer experience.
- 1000 concurrent visitors support, ideal for 400k visits per month.
- Advanced security features with web application firewall.
- Daily website backups free for the first year for peace of mind.
- Enhanced caching for faster website performance and speed.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly test each e-commerce and hosting platform, evaluating key features like functionality, scalability, and customer support. We also analyze user reviews to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you avoid poor-quality tools and make informed decisions.
BigCommerce or Bluehost: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose BigCommerce If You Need ...
- Advanced e-commerce features
If you are a business looking for a platform with advanced e-commerce features, BigCommerce is the ideal choice. Its comprehensive suite of tools and integrations makes it perfect for scaling your online store.
- Wide range of integrations
If you need a platform that offers a wide range of integrations with third-party apps, BigCommerce is the better option. Its flexibility allows you to enhance your store's functionality and streamline operations.
Choose Bluehost If You Need ...
- Affordable hosting solutions
If you are a small business or individual looking for affordable hosting solutions, Bluehost is the way to go. Its competitive pricing and reliable performance make it an attractive option for establishing an online presence.
- User-friendly interface
If you prioritize ease of use and a user-friendly interface, Bluehost is the better choice. Its intuitive design makes it easy for beginners to create and manage websites without technical expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for e-commerce, BigCommerce or Bluehost?
Is Bluehost suitable for beginners?
Does BigCommerce offer customizable templates?
What are the main differences between BigCommerce and Bluehost?
Can I use Bluehost for e-commerce?
Which platform offers better customer support, BigCommerce or Bluehost?
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.
