Big Cartel vs Volusion

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Our analysts compared Big Cartel vs Volusion based on data from our 400+ point analysis of eCommerce Platforms, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Big Cartel Software Tool
Volusion Software Tool

Product Basics

Big Cartel is an eCommerce website builder that helps artists quickly design and launch an online storefront. They can set up professional websites on a custom domain for free, and move onto paid plans during scaling for features like inventory management, theme code editing, Google Analytics and more. The free plan supports five products and paid plans can support up to 500 products.
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Volusion helps businesses design secure storefronts, manage backend processes and analyze KPIs. It offers site builders, shopping carts, marketing tools, order routing, inventory management and reporting modules.

A CRM, content and CSS editor, tax rate calculator, website designing services, ROI tracker and Robots.txt are its other offerings. It provides a 14-day free trial.
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$12 Monthly, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
$35 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Android
Chromebook
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Android
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
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On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

we're gathering data
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
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FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Design Unique Storefronts: Create branded storefronts with automated tax calculators, site searching, shipment connections and real-time statistics using templates and coding. 
  • Improve Engagement: Track KPIs, cart recovery, engagement rates and bounce rates to identify weaknesses and drill down on opportunities. Attract customers and boost engagement through unique promos and discounts. 
  • Work From Anywhere: Stay on top of every business process with real-time updates and notifications on the mobile app for Android and iOS. 
  • Add Custom Features: Leverage partnership with Zapier to facilitate connections with over 1,000 third-party solutions like Google Analytics, Facebook Store, Instagram, Pulley, MailChimp and more. 
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  • Design Websites: Create multimedia homepages, categories and product pages with drag-and-drop tools and HTML/CSS editors. Provides search bars for easy navigation. Access mobile-optimized websites via any device. 
  • Ensure Uptime and Security: Host SSL-certified websites on Google Cloud and use firewall settings to filter traffic on websites. 
  • Efficient Inventory and Order Management: Automate purchase orders, track inventory in real time and route orders coming through multiple channels using a unified platform. 
  • Improve Marketing Efforts: Define rules to showcase specific content, products and pricing based on customers’ history, location, navigation and other metrics. Improve website visibility across search engines using SEO and sitemap indexing tools. 
  • Streamline Checkouts: Ensure a seamless transition to payment gateways without redirecting traffic to external sites. Provides flexible payment options, including credit cards, cash, wire payment, PayPal, Amazon Pay, ACH and money orders. 
  • Identify Opportunities: Track ROI based on ad campaigns, newsletters and affiliates. Generate daily reports by tracking personalized KPIs like purchases, return merchandise authorizations, CRM tickets and more. 
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  • Professional Website: Build and design a niche standalone website to create product USPs. Personalize web pages and add business branding through design templates or editing source code with the HTML and CSS editor. Websites are compatible with both mobile and PC. Host sites on the vendor’s domain or use a custom domain, available with paid plans. 
  • Inventory Management: Keep track of sold units, add new products, supply products with descriptions and photos, and receive notifications when a product is about to go out of stock. Available with paid plans. 
  • Order Management: Send confirmation emails after purchases. Arrange shipping, print shipping labels, track orders and bulk export order history to a CSV file from a unified dashboard. 
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Provide targeted product descriptions, collect inbound links and receive expert advice on optimizing search engine results. 
  • Discounts: Provide discounts on the checkout page to boost customer retention and improve loyalty. 
  • Analytics: Track monthly sales, visitor statistics, conversion rates and more from the analytics dashboard. Leverage integrations with third-party applications for in-depth analysis, available with paid plans.  
  • Mobile App: Access free mobile apps to streamline workflows and increase efficiency. Available apps assist in custom printing, social media marketing, site analytics, customer support, shipping management and more.  
  • Payment Processing: Choose between PayPal and Stripe to provide customers with a one-touch checkout and payment point on the website. Additionally, utilize the mobile application and a card swiper to accept in-person payments, without incurring additional processing fees. 
  • Integrations: Leverage partnership with Zapier to facilitate connections with over 1,000 third-party solutions like Google Analytics, Facebook Store, Instagram, Pulley, Mailchimp and more, available at a cost. 
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  • Website Builder: Craft a niche website with designer templates, a custom domain, search functionality and more:
    • Designing: Choose from a set of mobile-friendly templates or access the CSS editor to design the website manually.
    • Custom Domain: Promote business brand and allow customers and search engines to access the website easily. Showcase branding across the site with built-in promotional tools.
    • Product Pages: Customize products, upload images, write product descriptions and add subcategories. Highlight discounted products on the homepage and use the content editor to create interactive slideshows and transitions. Employ SEO to improve search engine rankings.
    • Search Tab: Allow customers to search the inventory and streamline the navigation process with quick search and customizable filters.
    • Security: Operate securely with an SSL-certified website and a PCI DSS compliant payment processor that ensures 99.99% uptime for customers.
  • Product Sales: Boost online sales and streamline business operations:
    • Payment Processing: Accept credit cards, cash, wire payments and electronic checks, along with all major digital wallets like PayPal, Amazon Wallet, Stripe and more. Streamline the checkout process, accept multiple currencies and set up a recurring payment collector for a subscription-based business model.
    • Inventory Management: Monitor product status, reorder quantities and remaining stock, verify amounts and receive low stock alerts. Quickly update inventory by uploading CSV files. Create custom barcodes for products for easy identification.
    • Order Processing: Process phone, website and mobile orders. Set up warehouse locations and keep track of returns. Receive updates for chargebacks and claims against the business.
    • Shipping: Specify shipping types, provide signatures, offer special discounts, set shipping rates and provide flat-rate shipping options. Leverage available integrations for seamless dropshipping.
    • Tax Calculator: Automate tax calculation based on region, currency and regulations. Stay up-to-date and receive tips on reducing tax costs.
    • Related Products: Entice customers to buy more by displaying related products based on their last purchase.
  • CRM: Improve customer engagement and relationships. Manage sales tickets, route them to the concerned departments, monitor customer reviews and respond to feedback from a centralized platform.
  • Mobile App: Manage stores, update inventory, interact with associates and customers, and generate reports with a mobile app compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
  • Growth Hacking: Rapidly scale business and drive growth through digital marketing and leveraging insights.
    • Listings: Showcase products on major marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Amazon and more. Make changes to listings from the dashboard and link social media accounts to promote on Instagram, Twitter and more.
    • ROI Tracking: Accurately estimate the value of investments with comprehensive ROI tracking, based on ad campaigns, newsletters and affiliates.
    • Reporting: Create personalized reports to drill down on critical areas. Receive insights on abandoned and live carts, purchases, product views, CRM tickets submitted, and more.
    • Discounts and Gift Cards: Set the starting time, duration and percentage or amount of a discount. Create customizable gift cards with business colors and logos. Set up deals of the day to push sales of stagnant stock.
    • Newsletter: Create and send custom newsletters and keep customers in the loop.
    • SEO: Manage metadata and let search engines crawl every corner of the site with sitemap indexing. Prevent specific pages from being crawled with editable robots.txt files.
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Product Ranking

#11

among all
eCommerce Platforms

#28

among all
eCommerce Platforms

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 32 reviews
Good User Sentiment 169 reviews
84%
of users recommend this product

Big Cartel has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 32 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

72%
of users recommend this product

Volusion has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 72% when considering 169 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.5 (14)
4.2 (21)
3.3 (57)
4.18 (11)
3.8 (44)
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3.8 (37)
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2.7 (17)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Simple Store Setup: Big Cartel is known for its straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to set up their online stores quickly, even with limited technical expertise.
Free Plan Availability: The platform offers a free plan that allows users to sell up to five products, making it an attractive option for individuals or small businesses starting with a limited budget or inventory.
Affordable Paid Plans: Big Cartel's paid plans are generally considered affordable compared to other eCommerce platforms, providing scalability for growing businesses without breaking the bank.
Focus on Artists and Makers: Big Cartel caters specifically to artists, crafters, and independent creators, offering features and tools tailored to their needs, such as customizable themes and the ability to sell digital products.
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Easy to Use: Volusion is known for its user-friendly interface, making it a good choice for beginners with limited technical expertise. The platform offers drag-and-drop functionality and intuitive design tools, allowing users to easily build and customize their online stores without needing to code.
Built-in Features: Volusion provides a comprehensive suite of built-in features, including marketing tools, SEO options, and payment processing capabilities. This eliminates the need for extensive third-party integrations, streamlining the setup and management of online businesses.
Scalability: Volusion offers various pricing plans to accommodate businesses of different sizes and growth stages. As businesses expand their product offerings and customer base, they can easily upgrade their plans to access additional features and resources.
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Limited Design Flexibility: The platform's design options can feel restrictive for users seeking extensive customization, especially when compared to other platforms that offer a wider range of themes and more advanced design tools.
Feature Limitations: Big Cartel may not be the best fit for businesses with complex needs, as it lacks certain features commonly found in other eCommerce platforms, such as abandoned cart recovery, detailed analytics, and extensive marketing tools.
Scalability Challenges: While suitable for smaller stores or those just starting out, Big Cartel may not be the best choice for rapidly growing businesses due to limitations in product variations, inventory management, and order processing capabilities.
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Limited Design Flexibility: Volusion's templates can feel restrictive for users who want more control over their online store's appearance and functionality. Customizing beyond the provided options often requires coding knowledge or hiring a developer, which can be a barrier for some users.
Transaction Fees: Unlike some competitors, Volusion charges transaction fees on all plans, including higher-tier ones. This can eat into your profit margins, especially if you have a high volume of sales or sell lower-priced items.
App Store Limitations: The app store offers fewer options compared to other platforms, potentially limiting the ability to extend your store's functionality with third-party tools and integrations.
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Big Cartel has been making waves in the eCommerce world, but like any platform, it has its fans and its critics. Users who dig Big Cartel often point to its user-friendliness and affordability as major pluses. It's a great starting point for small businesses and artists who want to get their online stores up and running without breaking the bank or getting bogged down in technical complexities. However, some users find Big Cartel's features a bit too basic, especially compared to more robust platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. If you're looking for advanced marketing tools, extensive customization options, or top-tier customer support, Big Cartel might leave you wanting more. Ultimately, Big Cartel is a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and affordability, but if you need a platform that can scale with your business, you might want to explore other options. "Big Cartel: the perfect platform for your big dreams." Whether you're an artist selling handmade crafts or a musician hawking merch, Big Cartel provides a straightforward way to turn your passion into profit. Just remember, as your business grows, you might need to upgrade to a platform with more bells and whistles.

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Volusion has been making waves in the eCommerce world, but is it the right fit for your business? Let's dive into what users have been saying over the past year. Volusion's user-friendly interface is a major draw, especially for those new to eCommerce. The drag-and-drop functionality makes building and customizing your online store a breeze, even without coding experience. This ease of use is a significant advantage over more complex platforms like Shopify or Magento, which often require a steeper learning curve. However, Volusion's simplicity can also be a drawback for larger businesses with more complex needs. Some users report that Volusion lacks the advanced features and scalability required for high-volume stores or those with intricate product variations. Another key consideration is pricing. Volusion's plans can be pricier compared to competitors, which might deter budget-conscious entrepreneurs. But, for those who value ease of use and a comprehensive set of built-in features, Volusion's pricing might be justifiable. The platform offers a range of tools for inventory management, payment processing, SEO optimization, and marketing, eliminating the need for multiple third-party apps, which can add up in cost and complexity. So, who is Volusion best suited for? It's ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and solopreneurs seeking a user-friendly platform with a wide range of built-in features. If you're looking for an intuitive solution to get your online store up and running quickly, Volusion is worth considering. However, if you anticipate rapid growth or require highly specialized features, you might want to explore more robust platforms. Remember, the eCommerce landscape is constantly evolving, so be sure to check for the latest updates and offerings before making your final decision.

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