Big Cartel - Detailed Review
Website Tools
Big Cartel - Product Overview
Introduction to Big Cartel
Big Cartel is an online marketplace and e-commerce platform specifically created for creative businesses and small business owners who want to sell their goods online with ease. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
Big Cartel is designed to help artists, makers, and small business owners build and manage their own e-commerce websites. It provides a user-friendly platform for selling a variety of creative products, such as handmade items, art prints, apparel, and more.Target Audience
The platform is ideal for creative individuals and small business owners who need a simple and cost-effective way to start selling online. It is particularly popular among those who value ease of use, affordability, and a supportive community environment.Key Features
Plans and Pricing
Big Cartel offers various plans, including a free plan, as well as Gold, Platinum, and Diamond plans. Each plan has different features, such as the number of product listings, images per product, and additional tools like bulk editing and priority support.Ease of Use
The platform is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy for users to set up and manage their online stores without needing technical knowledge. It includes step-by-step guides and a user-friendly onboarding process.Customization
Users can customize their stores with various themes and templates. Paid plans also allow for custom domain integration, giving stores a professional look.Automation and Tools
Big Cartel includes automated features such as built-in SEO tools, tax calculation through TaxJar, and the ability to import products from other marketplaces. It also offers real-time reporting and analytics, which can be integrated with Google Analytics for more detailed insights.Payment and Shipping
The platform supports multiple payment gateways and allows users to buy and print shipping labels, manage orders, and automate email notifications to customers.Social Media Integration
Many Big Cartel stores use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to engage with customers. The platform also supports connecting Facebook pixels, Pinterest Tags, and TikTok pixels for better marketing tracking.Reporting and Analytics
Users can track visitors, orders, and conversion rates through the web dashboard. Paid plans offer advanced analytics and the ability to link with Google Analytics for more comprehensive data. Overall, Big Cartel is a straightforward and accessible e-commerce solution that caters to the needs of creative and small business owners, helping them to easily set up and manage their online stores. Big Cartel - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Big Cartel
The user interface of Big Cartel is notable for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for individuals, especially creatives and small business owners, who are new to building and managing an online store.
Ease of Use
Big Cartel is highly user-friendly. The onboarding process is straightforward and guided, with a step-by-step setup that helps users configure their store, add their first product, and customize their theme without needing any technical or coding knowledge.
The dashboard is clean, vivid, and easy to navigate, with clear headings and a logical layout. Users can easily track visitors, orders, conversions, and sales revenue over various time periods, which helps in monitoring the performance of the store.
Customization and Themes
Big Cartel offers a basic website builder with a selection of around 19 diverse, mobile-responsive themes that are free to use. While the theme library is relatively small compared to other eCommerce platforms, the themes are beautifully designed and suitable for various creative businesses. However, customization options are limited, and making significant changes to the theme may require some HTML and CSS editing.
Key Features and Tools
The platform provides essential tools for managing an online store, including real-time statistics, inventory tracking, shipment tracking, and the ability to send purchase confirmation emails and print shipping labels. Big Cartel also integrates with Zapier, allowing connections to approximately 5,000 additional apps, which can enhance its functionality.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with Big Cartel is positive, particularly for those seeking a simple and easy-to-use eCommerce solution. The intuitive interface and guided setup process make it accessible even for users with no prior experience in website building. However, it’s important to note that Big Cartel’s features are somewhat limited compared to more comprehensive eCommerce platforms, which might restrict its scalability for growing businesses.
In summary, Big Cartel offers a user-friendly interface, easy setup, and basic but effective tools for managing a small online store, making it a great option for creatives and small enterprises looking for a straightforward eCommerce solution.
Big Cartel - Key Features and Functionality
Big Cartel Overview
Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform that offers a range of features to help independent artists, makers, and small businesses manage their online stores effectively. Here are the main features and how they work:Payment Gateways
Big Cartel does not have a built-in payment gateway but integrates with external payment providers, specifically Stripe and PayPal. This allows you to accept various payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and AfterPay if you use Stripe. Additionally, Stripe offers several local payment options such as Alipay, Bancontact, EPS, and more. Big Cartel does not charge transaction fees, but you will still be charged credit card fees by the payment gateway (e.g., 2.9% $0.30 per transaction with Stripe in the USA).Product Management
Big Cartel has limitations on the number of products you can list. The highest plan allows up to 500 products, which is less than what competitors like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace offer. However, you can use variants and variant groups to present different versions of your products. For example, you can create dropdown menus for attributes like color and size, allowing customers to choose specific versions of a product. You can create up to 150 product variants and three variant groups.Categories and Bulk Editing
Adding products to categories is straightforward, and you can use a bulk edit tool to assign products to categories quickly. However, unlike some platforms, Big Cartel does not support using rules and tags to automatically create and populate product categories.Automation and Integration
While Big Cartel itself does not have built-in automation tools, you can use third-party services to automate repetitive tasks. For instance, Axiom.ai allows you to automate web actions on your Big Cartel store without coding. You can automate tasks such as scraping sales data, uploading products, and creating sale entries in your accounting software. These bots can run manually, on a schedule, or be triggered through Zapier.SEO and Analytics
Big Cartel offers built-in SEO tools and real-time reporting and analytics to help you make data-driven decisions. The platform integrates with Google Analytics, providing insights into your store’s performance and helping you attract organic traffic.Customization and Templates
Big Cartel provides customizable templates for your storefront, allowing you to create a unique and personalized online store. You can also integrate a custom domain, which offers advanced control and customization features.Pricing Plans
Big Cartel offers several pricing plans, including a free plan, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each plan has different features, such as the number of products you can list, the number of images per product, and the level of support. The higher plans also include features like bulk editing, priority support, and advanced analytics.AI Integration
As of the current information, Big Cartel does not have direct AI-driven features integrated into its platform. However, you can use external tools and integrations, such as n8n, to create workflows that incorporate AI logic. For example, integrating Big Cartel with Diddo AI through n8n allows you to build adaptable and scalable workflows that can include AI-driven chatbots and other advanced functionalities.Conclusion
In summary, Big Cartel is a user-friendly e-commerce platform that, while lacking some advanced AI-driven features directly, offers a range of tools and integrations to help you manage and optimize your online store efficiently. Big Cartel - Performance and Accuracy
Performance and Accuracy of Big Cartel in AI-Driven Website Tools
SEO and Performance
Big Cartel provides several built-in tools to support SEO efforts, which can significantly impact the performance of your online store. These include automatic generation of SEO metadata, valid HTML markup, simple and clear navigation, proper headers and anchors, and appropriately labeled alt tags for images. In terms of performance, Big Cartel’s websites are optimized for mobile devices, and they use SSL certificates to ensure security and trustworthiness, which can also improve search engine rankings. The platform’s hosting infrastructure, although not highly transparent, results in relatively fast page load times, with scores of 58/100 for mobile and 89/100 for desktop.AI Integration
While Big Cartel does not heavily integrate AI into its core platform, it does offer some AI-powered features through integrations. For example, the integration with Mailchimp allows for AI-powered email marketing automations, such as personalized product recommendations and automated order confirmation emails. This helps in engaging customers and driving traffic back to the website. However, Big Cartel does not have native AI tools for predictive analytics, dynamic pricing, or advanced customer segmentation, which are features that some other eCommerce platforms offer using AI.Analytics and Reporting
Big Cartel provides basic sales reports and analytics, allowing you to track key stats like total sales, product performance, and traffic sources. However, these tools are somewhat limited compared to other platforms like Wix, which offer more comprehensive and customizable reporting options. To gain deeper insights, users often need to set up additional tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics 4, and Bing Webmaster, which are free but require separate setup and management.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
One of the main limitations of Big Cartel is its lack of transparency and detailed documentation on its hosting infrastructure and speed optimization strategies. While the platform performs well in terms of page load times, the absence of clear information on how to optimize further can be a drawback. Additionally, Big Cartel’s analytics and reporting capabilities are basic and may not suffice for businesses needing more detailed and customizable data analysis. For advanced AI-driven features like predictive analytics and dynamic pricing, users might need to look into third-party integrations or other platforms.Engagement and Customer Support
Big Cartel does not natively offer AI chatbots or virtual assistants for customer support, which are features that can significantly enhance customer engagement and support. However, through integrations with other services, users can implement these features to improve their customer service. In summary, Big Cartel performs well in terms of SEO support and basic performance metrics but has limitations in AI integration, advanced analytics, and detailed reporting. For businesses requiring more sophisticated AI-driven tools and comprehensive analytics, additional integrations or alternative platforms might be necessary. Big Cartel - Pricing and Plans
Big Cartel Pricing Overview
Big Cartel offers a straightforward and flexible pricing structure, making it accessible for a wide range of users, from hobbyists to growing businesses. Here’s a breakdown of their plans and the features associated with each:
Gold Plan
- Pricing: Free forever. No credit card is required to get started.
- Features:
- Up to 5 product listings
- One image per product
- Product variant groups (size and color variants)
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Accept payments via cards, PayPal, Afterpay, and more
- Sales tax autopilot
- Real-time sales dashboard
- Import products from Etsy, Squarespace, and Shopify
- Customizable, SEO-optimized store templates
- Best for: Hobbyists, part-timers, brick-and-mortar shops, and digital content providers who are just starting out or need basic eCommerce features.
Platinum Plan
- Pricing: $15/month (or $12/month if billed annually).
- Features:
- All features from the Gold plan
- Up to 50 product listings
- Inventory tracking and bulk editing
- Targeted advertising to specific audiences
- Prioritized support from the Big Cartel team
- Best for: Businesses looking to grow and manage a larger inventory.
Diamond Plan
- Pricing: $30/month (or $24/month if billed annually).
- Features:
- All features from the Platinum plan
- Up to 500 product listings
- Advanced selling features to support larger and more complex stores
- Best for: Established businesses with a large product catalog and advanced eCommerce needs.
Additional Costs
While Big Cartel does not take a cut of your sales, you should consider the following additional costs:
- Domain Name: $10 – $20/year (Big Cartel offers a custom domain for $1 for the first year and $6-20/year thereafter).
- Design: Optional, with costs ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 for custom designs.
- Apps and Tools: $0-$40/month depending on the apps and tools you need.
- Payment Processing Fees: Typically 2.9% 30¢ per transaction through third-party processors like Stripe or PayPal.
This structure allows users to start with a free plan and upgrade as their business grows, making Big Cartel a versatile and cost-effective option for eCommerce needs.
Big Cartel - Integration and Compatibility
Integrations and Compatibility in Big Cartel
Big Cartel offers a range of integrations and compatibility options to help you manage and grow your online store efficiently. Here are some key points to consider:Payment Processing
Big Cartel integrates with external payment providers, primarily Stripe and PayPal. These integrations allow you to accept various payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and AfterPay through Stripe. Additionally, Stripe offers local payment options such as Alipay, Bancontact, and others, making it convenient for customers in different regions.Sales Channels and Marketplaces
You can expand your sales channels through Big Cartel by integrating with multiple platforms. While Big Cartel itself does not have a built-in marketplace, it supports sales through various channels, including in-person checkout and online selling. You can also use Zapier to connect Big Cartel with other e-commerce platforms like Shopify and custom websites.Shop Management and Shipping
Big Cartel integrates with several tools to optimize shop management and shipping. For instance, you can use ShipStation, Shippo, and Easyship for order fulfillment and shipping management. These integrations help streamline your operations, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.Marketing and Promotion
To boost sales and engage customers, Big Cartel offers integrations with marketing tools. You can connect your store with Mailchimp for email marketing, Instagram for Business to showcase your products, and Facebook Pages to reach a broader audience. These integrations are facilitated through Zapier, which allows you to automate various marketing tasks.Analytics and Reporting
Big Cartel provides analytic tools to track sales and other data, helping you make data-driven decisions. Additionally, you can integrate your store with Google Sheets to create detailed reports and track orders, which can be automated using Zapier.Shop Design and Customer Service
Big Cartel offers an intuitive shop designer that allows you to customize your storefront with templates, CSS, and integration code. For customer service, you can use various integrations to provide exceptional support, though the specific customer service tools are not as extensively listed as other categories.Compatibility Across Platforms and Devices
Big Cartel is accessible from any device with a web browser and internet connection, making it versatile for managing your store from anywhere. The platform does not have specific limitations regarding device compatibility, as it is web-based.Zapier Integration
One of the significant advantages of Big Cartel is its integration with Zapier, which allows you to connect your store with over 5,000 apps. This includes important tools like Xero and QuickBooks for accounting, and various other services for automation. While some Zapier integrations may require a premium subscription, they significantly expand the functionality of your Big Cartel store.Conclusion
In summary, Big Cartel’s integrations and compatibility features make it a flexible and efficient platform for managing an online store, especially for artists and craftspeople looking to promote their creations. Big Cartel - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support and Additional Resources
When it comes to customer support and additional resources, Big Cartel offers several options, although there are some limitations to be aware of.
Customer Support Channels
Big Cartel provides customer support primarily through two channels: email and live chat. There is no phone support available, which might be a drawback for some users.
- Email Support: You can reach out to Big Cartel’s support team via email. This is one of the main channels for addressing your queries and issues.
- Live Chat: Big Cartel also offers live chat support, which is available 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 6pm EST on weekends.
Additional Resources
Big Cartel has put together several resources to help users manage their online stores effectively:
- Help Articles and Videos: Big Cartel has a comprehensive collection of high-quality help articles and videos. These resources are well-organized and provide clear instructions on how to build and run your store.
- Knowledge Base: While not explicitly mentioned, the help articles and videos serve as a knowledge base that users can refer to for instant answers to common queries.
AI-Powered Chatbots
Although Big Cartel itself does not offer AI-powered chatbots as part of its native support, you can integrate third-party AI chatbots into your Big Cartel store. For example, using services like LiveChatAI, you can add an AI-powered virtual assistant to your website. This chatbot can engage with visitors, provide immediate responses to inquiries, assist with purchases, and offer personalized shopping experiences. These chatbots can also escalate complex issues to human agents when necessary.
Automation Tools
For users looking to automate repetitive tasks on their Big Cartel store, tools like Axiom.ai can be very helpful. Axiom.ai allows you to automate web actions such as scraping sales data, uploading products, and creating sale entries without needing any coding skills. This can significantly streamline the management of your Big Cartel shop.
Conclusion
In summary, while Big Cartel’s direct customer support is limited to email and live chat, the platform offers extensive help resources and the option to integrate AI-powered chatbots and automation tools to enhance your customer service and store management experience.
Big Cartel - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Ease of Use
Big Cartel is very beginner-friendly, with a simple admin dashboard that makes it easy to learn and use, even for those who have never built an online store before.
Affordable Plans
The platform offers cheap plans, including a free plan that is generous for small-scale sellers, and premium plans that are competitively priced.
Attractive Themes
Big Cartel provides a selection of 18-19 diverse and well-designed themes, which can help your store look professional and appealing.
Hosting Performance
The platform performs well in terms of hosting, ensuring your store runs smoothly.
Basic Features
It includes fundamental features such as Google Analytics, real-time stats, inventory tracking, discount codes, and shipment tracking, although these are somewhat limited.
Integration Options
Big Cartel integrates with Zapier, allowing connections to over 5,000 additional apps, which can automate various tasks like email marketing, social media promotion, and customer management.
Disadvantages
Limited Features
The platform lacks a wide range of features compared to other ecommerce platforms. This includes limited SEO tools, no built-in payment gateway (only integrates with PayPal and Stripe), and no multi-currency selling or weight-based shipping options.
Scalability Issues
Big Cartel is not scalable for growing businesses, with limitations such as a maximum of 500 products on the highest plan.
SEO and Marketing Limitations
There are no real SEO tools, and the marketing tools are very basic. The technical SEO setup is also poor, which can hinder organic traffic.
Customer Support
While Big Cartel has good help articles and videos, the customer support team is small and only available via email and live chat, with limited weekend hours. There is no phone support, and support is only offered in English.
Product Limitations
The free plan limits you to selling just five products, and even the premium plans have product limits (50 products on the Platinum plan and 500 on the Diamond plan).
Security Concerns
While Big Cartel secures its sites with SSL certificates, there is a lack of information on hosting security such as PCI compliance, which relies on the compliance of third-party payment gateways.
Overall, Big Cartel is a good option for small, boutique-style ecommerce businesses or creatives who need a simple and affordable way to sell online, but it may not be suitable for businesses looking to scale or those requiring more advanced features.
Big Cartel - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Big Cartel to Other AI-Driven Platforms
When comparing Big Cartel to other AI-driven website and eCommerce platforms, several key differences and unique features come to light.
Big Cartel Unique Features
- Target Audience: Big Cartel is specifically designed for artists, designers, musicians, and other creators, making it a niche platform for those who need a simple and straightforward way to sell their work online.
- Ease of Use: Big Cartel is known for its simplicity and ease of use, which is beneficial for users who are not tech-savvy. However, it lacks advanced features that might be necessary for larger or more complex online stores.
- Marketing Features: Big Cartel takes a more hands-off approach to marketing, providing basic tools but lacking advanced features like email marketing, social media management, or abandoned cart recovery. Users often need to integrate third-party apps to extend these capabilities.
- Automation: Big Cartel can be automated using tools like Axiom.ai, which allows users to automate repetitive tasks such as scraping sales data, uploading products, and creating sale entries without needing to write code.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Wix
- AI Capabilities: Wix stands out with its comprehensive AI-driven website builder, offering features like AI text and image generators, built-in ChatGPT, and an AI meta tag creator for SEO optimization. Wix provides a more detailed and customizable setup process compared to Big Cartel.
- eCommerce Features: Wix has more advanced eCommerce features, including better integration with marketing tools, social media managers, and digital ads. It also offers more themes and customization options.
Shopify
- eCommerce Focus: Shopify is a more robust eCommerce platform that uses AI to automate tasks such as generating product descriptions and managing online stores. It is better suited for larger and more complex online businesses compared to Big Cartel.
- AI Tools: Shopify’s AI tools, such as Shopify Magic, help in automating various aspects of the online store, making it a strong alternative for those needing more advanced features.
GoDaddy
- Marketing Integration: GoDaddy’s AI-powered website builder integrates well with marketing features like social media management, digital ads, and email marketing, which are lacking in Big Cartel. It also provides a quick setup process based on user inputs about their business goals and industry.
- Customization: GoDaddy offers a more detailed setup process and better customization options, making it a viable alternative for users who need more control over their website’s design and functionality.
AI Chatbots
- LiveChatAI: For Big Cartel users, integrating an AI chatbot through LiveChatAI can enhance customer service and sales by providing immediate responses and personalized shopping experiences. This is a unique feature that can be added to Big Cartel but is not inherently part of the platform.
Conclusion
In summary, while Big Cartel is excellent for its simplicity and niche focus on creative sellers, alternatives like Wix, Shopify, and GoDaddy offer more advanced AI-driven features, better marketing integration, and more comprehensive eCommerce tools. These platforms may be more suitable for users who require a broader range of functionalities and customization options.
Big Cartel - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Big Cartel, along with detailed responses to each:
How do I change my password on Big Cartel?
To change your password on Big Cartel, you need to go to the Security section from the Account page in your admin dashboard. Click on “Change your password” and enter your current password followed by your new password. If you don’t remember your password, you can request a password reset to be sent to the email address associated with your account.
How do I change my shop name or URL on Big Cartel?
You can change your shop name and URL from the Account page in your Big Cartel admin. To change your shop name, click “Edit profile” and adjust the name there. To change your Shop URL, click “Edit your shop info” and save the changes. The system will let you know if the new subdomain you choose is available.
Can I use my own custom domain with Big Cartel?
Yes, you can use a custom domain with Big Cartel, but this feature is only available on paid plans. You can connect your existing domain or purchase a new one through your Big Cartel admin. Even if you use a custom domain, your original bigcartel.com URL will still be active.
How do I add product variants like colors or sizes to my listings?
To add product variants such as colors or sizes, you can use the Product Variants feature when adding products to your shop. In the Variants section of your product listings, you can include options like size or color ranges. For products with multiple sets of variants, you can use the Variant Groups feature to display them in separate dropdown menus.
Can I limit the number of a specific item that is sold?
Yes, if you are on a paid plan, you can use the Inventory Tracking feature to limit the number of items sold. This feature is available in the Preferences section of your Account page. Once enabled, you can add quantities directly to your product listings, and the inventory will automatically adjust when products are purchased. When a product’s inventory reaches zero, it will display as ‘Sold out’.
How do I set up shipping rates on Big Cartel?
Big Cartel offers two tools for setting up shipping rates: Product-level Shipping and Shipping Profiles. For products that vary in size and weight, you can add shipping rates to each individual product listing from your Products page. For store-wide shipping rates, you can use Shipping Profiles, which can be set up on your Account page.
Does Big Cartel make or fulfill the products I sell?
No, Big Cartel does not offer order manufacturing or fulfillment services. You are responsible for creating your merchandise and shipping it out as orders come in. Big Cartel provides the hosting for your web store and checkout system. If you need help with manufacturing or print-on-demand services, you can consider integrations with companies like Printful or Art of Where.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my Big Cartel plan at any time?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your Big Cartel plan at any time. This can be done from the Billing section of your admin dashboard. If you need more product listings or features, you can upgrade to a higher plan, or if you don’t need the paid features, you can downgrade to a lower plan.
How do I close my Big Cartel account?
To close your Big Cartel account, log in and complete the closing process from your admin dashboard. Keep in mind that closing your account is permanent, and you will not be able to recover any store data afterward. It is recommended to download your order data before closing the account.
Is my Big Cartel shop SSL-encrypted?
Yes, each page in your online storefront and the backend admin is SSL-encrypted, ensuring that sensitive data like payment details are secure. However, if you see a red lock in the Account page of your admin, it may indicate an issue with your custom domain redirect settings or unsecured assets in your shop. You can find more information on how to resolve these issues in the Big Cartel help section.
Can I add a newsletter signup to my Big Cartel shop?
Yes, you can add a newsletter signup to your Big Cartel shop using the Mailchimp integration. This allows you to enable a “Subscribe to our newsletter” box at checkout, sync customer information and purchase data with your Mailchimp account, and send custom order confirmations. You can also implement targeted newsletter campaigns and embed a newsletter signup in your shop.