Big Cartel is popular among small ecommerce businesses for its straightforward design and ease of use. However, it may not be the best fit for everyone, especially businesses that are aiming to expand. We’ve analyzed several alternatives to Big Cartel that could better suit your specific eCommerce needs and listed them below.
Short on Time? Explore Top 3 Big Cartel Alternatives for Your Online Store
| Provider | User Rating | Recommended For | Expert & User Reviews | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.6 | Small Business | Hostinger Review | Visit Hostinger |
 | 4.5 | Bloggers | Squarespace Review | Visit Squarespace |
 | 4.0 | Affordability | IONOS Review | Visit IONOS |
Would you like to explore further?
The 5 Best Big Cartel Alternatives
- Hostinger: Small businesses and developers seeking scalability
- Squarespace: Creatives seeking stylish, modern websites
- IONOS: Individuals and small businesses seeking an affordable yet comprehensive website builder
- A2 Hosting: Websites with fast loading times
- Elementor: WordPress enthusiasts and Web Developers
What Are Some Main Drawbacks of Big Cartel?
While Big Cartel serves as a solid starting point for new entrepreneurs, it has limitations that might hinder the growth and efficiency of more established businesses. Here are some of the main drawbacks:
- Pricing: While affordable, Big Cartel’s pricing plans are primarily differentiated by the number of products you can list rather than offering advanced features or better support, which may not justify the cost as your business grows.
- Ease of Use: Big Cartel is easy to use for beginners, but its simplicity comes at the cost of advanced customization and functionality. Businesses looking to expand or customize their online store might find this platform restrictive.
- Types of Hosting Available: Big Cartel provides basic shared hosting, which might not scale well for high-traffic sites. The lack of dedicated or cloud hosting options can limit performance during peak traffic times.
- Features: The platform offers limited features in terms of bandwidth, storage, and uptime guarantees. This can be a significant drawback for stores needing high reliability and the capacity to handle large volumes of traffic.
- Security: While Big Cartel includes essential security features like SSL certificates, it lacks more robust options such as advanced DDoS protection or custom firewall configurations.
- Support Channels: Support is primarily available through email with no option for live chat or phone support, which may not be sufficient for urgent issues or more complex queries.
For a detailed overview of Big Cartel’s advantages and disadvantages, please visit our full Big Cartel review, which includes expert analysis and user ratings.
How To Find the Right Big Cartel Alternative for You?
- Assess Your Needs: Before exploring alternatives, define what you need from an ecommerce platform. Consider the size of your inventory, the type of products you sell, and any specific features like multi-channel selling, analytics, or advanced marketing tools that are crucial for your business.
- Consider Scalability: Ensure that the platform can grow with your business. Look for options that offer more advanced features and greater flexibility in plan upgrades as your business expands, without requiring a full migration to a new platform.
- Evaluate Ease of Use: While a platform might be powerful, it’s important that it remains user-friendly. Check if the platform offers an intuitive dashboard, easy navigation, and good customer support to help you manage your store effectively.
- Check Integration Capabilities: The ability to integrate with other tools and services (like accounting software, email marketing services, and social media platforms) can significantly streamline operations. Make sure the platform supports the integrations you currently use or plan to use.
- Review Pricing and Transaction Fees: Compare the cost of various platforms and pay attention to the details of what each plan includes. Consider the long-term costs associated with transaction fees, add-ons, and integrations.
- Read User Reviews and Testimonials: Learn from the experiences of other users. Look for reviews that discuss customer support, downtime issues, and real-world usability. Many platforms offer a free trial period, which can be a great way to test functionality and suitability firsthand.
5 Best Alternatives to Big Cartel
1. Hostinger
Best for: Small businesses and developers seeking scalability
What Sets It Apart?
Hostinger stands out in the hosting market with its affordable prices and robust service offerings, ranging from shared to cloud and VPS hosting. Established in 2004 and serving a global customer base, Hostinger appeals to those looking for a budget-friendly yet powerful hosting platform.
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 Days
Hostinger Pros & Cons
- Affordable pricing plans
- High uptime & fast performance
- Comprehensive security measures
- Intuitive hPanel control panel
- Limited features on lower plans
- No phone support available
- Setup fees on certain plans
Features:
- Global Data Centers: Hostinger’s multiple data center locations allow you to choose the nearest server to your audience, reducing latency and improving site speed.
- Advanced Control Panel: The hPanel offers a modern alternative to cPanel, designed for efficiency and ease of use.
- Automated Installations: One-click installations for over 100 applications, including WordPress, ensuring quick setup and deployment.
- Email Solutions: Hostinger provides robust email hosting capabilities, helping businesses establish a professional image with custom email addresses.
- Website Builder: An included website builder tool with drag-and-drop functionality allows users to create professional-looking websites without technical expertise.
Check out our Hostinger review for a full overview and user feedback.
Why Choose Hostinger over Big Cartel?
Hostinger provides a comprehensive and scalable hosting environment that surpasses Big Cartel in several key areas:
- Diverse Hosting Options: Unlike Big Cartel, which is primarily an ecommerce platform, Hostinger offers varied hosting types including shared, VPS, and cloud hosting, catering to a wider range of website needs.
- Enhanced Performance Features: Hostinger’s use of LiteSpeed servers and advanced caching options offer superior site speed and efficiency, crucial for SEO and user retention.
- Superior Security Measures: With features like automated backups, free SSL, and DDoS protection, Hostinger ensures your site remains secure and resilient against cyber threats.
- Scalability: Hostinger’s range of plans allows you to scale up as your site grows, making it a viable option for businesses that anticipate growth.
- Comprehensive Control Panel: The hPanel offers a more intuitive user interface than Big Cartel’s limited dashboard, providing more control over your hosting environment and website features.
Hostinger: Best for Small Business
Still undecided? Visit our detailed Big Cartel vs. Hostinger Comparison for more information.
2. Squarespace
Best for: Creatives seeking stylish, modern websites
What Sets It Apart?
Squarespace excels in providing elegant designs combined with ease of use, making it a popular choice for visual artists, bloggers, and small to medium-sized ecommerce ventures. Its ability to seamlessly translate digital ideas into stylish and functional online realities sets it apart.
Money-Back Guarantee: No
Squarespace Pros & Cons
- Designer templates for all needs
- Advanced online selling features
- Integrated SEO and marketing tools
- Social media integration built-in
- Mobile app available
- Higher starting price point
- No money-back guarantee
- Limited navigation depth
- Phone support not available
Features:
- Designer Templates: Squarespace offers over 140 customizable templates that cater to various professional needs, from portfolios to online stores, emphasizing aesthetics and functionality.
- SEO and Marketing Tools: Equipped with integrated SEO tools that help enhance your site’s visibility and engagement, Squarespace also offers a suite of marketing tools including email campaigns, banners, and website pop-ups, crucial for building and maintaining audience engagement.
- Ecommerce Capabilities: Tailored for online sales, Squarespace provides an outstanding platform with everything needed to run an ecommerce business, including inventory management, payment processing, and customer insights.
- Social Media Integration: Easily connect your site to major social media platforms, enhancing content reach and interaction. This feature is essential for leveraging social media’s power to boost site traffic and engagement.
- Mobile Management: With the Squarespace mobile app, manage your site on-the-go, from editing pages to tracking analytics, providing flexibility to maintain your site anytime, anywhere.
Read our Squarespace review for complete information and deep insights.
Why Choose Squarespace over Big Cartel?
Choosing Squarespace over Big Cartel can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Superior Design Quality: Squarespace’s award-winning templates offer a higher level of design quality that is both visually appealing and functional, making it ideal for creatives and professionals who prioritize aesthetics.
- Integrated Functionality: Unlike Big Cartel, which is more niche to small vendor ecommerce, Squarespace provides a broader range of integrated features, from blogging to full scale ecommerce, suitable for a variety of business types.
- Advanced Marketing Tools: Squarespace includes an array of built in marketing tools that help users promote their site effectively, including SEO features, social media integration, and email marketing capabilities.
- Comprehensive Analytics: With Squarespace, you gain access to detailed analytics that provide insights into visitor behavior, site performance, and more, enabling data driven decisions to enhance site effectiveness.
- Robust Ecommerce Support: For users aiming to scale their online stores, Squarespace offers extensive ecommerce capabilities with advanced features like inventory management, label printing, and integrated accounting tools.
Squarespace: Best for Bloggers and Artists
Still undecided? Check out our detailed Big Cartel vs. Squarespace Comparison for more insights.
3. IONOS
Best for: Individuals and small businesses seeking an affordable yet comprehensive website builder
What Sets It Apart?
IONOS offers a cost-effective website builder starting at just $1.00/month. It simplifies website creation with SEO-ready layouts and mobile-friendly designs, catering to beginners and experienced users alike. Known for its economical pricing, user-friendly interface, and dependable performance, IONOS makes website building accessible and straightforward.
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 Days
IONOS Pros & Cons
- Beginner-friendly editing interface
- Affordable pricing plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- AI Website Builder, writing & design tools
- Integrated online booking tool
- Mobile app
- No free trial
- Limited template choice
- Limited template customization options
- Limited integrations
- Limited eCommerce capabilities
Features:
- Free Domain and Email Address: Free domain for a year plus an email address with a mailbox size of 2GB, 12GB, or 50GB, depending on your chosen plan.
- Online Booking Tool: Simplifies appointment scheduling, available in Plus and Pro plans.
- AI-powered Writing Tools: Generate compelling content easily with Text Generator, Improver, and SEO Text Generator.
- AI-powered Design Tools: Effortlessly design your website with professional look using Image and Color Palette Generator.
- SEO Optimization Tools: Enhance site’s visibility with rankingCoach Standard included in the Pro plan and SiteAnalytics.
- Full-featured Online Store: Available with Plus and Pro plans, includes inventory management, sizing options, tax, and shipping settings.
- Multilingual Translations: Supports translations into multiple languages, enhancing accessibility and user engagement.
Read our full IONOS Website Builder review for complete information and deep insights.
Why Choose IONOS over Big Cartel?
- Affordability: Starting at just $1.00/month, IONOS offers a highly cost-effective solution compared to Big Cartel’s pricing structure.
- AI Capabilities: Powered by AI, IONOS provides efficient design and content generation tools, making website creation effortless.
- SEO-ready Templates: IONOS offers SEO-optimized website templates, primed to improve site visibility in search engine results.
- Top-notch Technical Performance: Enjoy fast loading times and reliable performance crucial for a positive user experience and effective SEO.
- 30-day Money-back Guarantee: IONOS stands behind its services, offering a risk-free trial period to ensure customer satisfaction.
These advantages, coupled with IONOS’s commitment to affordability, efficiency, SEO-friendly designs, and superior performance, make it a compelling choice for individuals and small businesses seeking a reliable website builder.
IONOS: The Best Affordable Website Builder
Still undecided? Visit our detailed Big Cartel vs IONOS Comparison for more information.
4. A2 Hosting
Best for: Websites with fast loading times
What Sets It Apart?
A2 Hosting stands out for its commitment to speed and reliability, offering swift and dependable hosting solutions since 2001. With an emphasis on performance and user satisfaction, it’s a go-to choice for those seeking a seamless online experience.
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 Days
A2 Hosting Pros & Cons
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- One-Page Website plan at a low cost
- Can be purchased with any hosting plan
- Excellent A2 Hosting bundled
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7/365 live support via chat, email, tickets, and phone
- No free trial
- Limited customization options
- No AI-powered tools
- Only basic eCommerce capabilities
- Prices are higher on renewal
Features
- Pre-designed and Customizable Templates: A variety of templates ready to use and easily customizable, ensuring a professional-looking website.
- Image Compression: Automatically compresses images for optimized speed and performance, vital for quick loading times.
- eCommerce Plugin: Easily add an online store with tools for product management and payment processing.
- Fast Loading and Reliable Performance: Quick loading times and dependable performance, even during high traffic.
- Startup Web Hosting Included: Every site builder plan includes high-quality A2 hosting for fast, secure, and reliable online presence.
Visit our complete A2 Hosting review for more information and a comprehensive overview.
Why Choose A2 Hosting over Big Cartel?
- Building a One-Pager: A2 offers a specialized and affordable plan for single-page websites, ideal for quick online presence setup.
- Pricing Plans: Starting at $2.99, A2’s basic plan provides a more cost-effective entry compared to Big Cartel.
- Loading Speed: Renowned for its fast loading times, A2 utilizes advanced technologies for optimal website performance, potentially surpassing Big Cartel in this aspect.
- Bundled Hosting Service: A2 includes high-quality hosting with every site builder plan, ensuring reliability and security without separate arrangements.
- Money-back Guarantee: A2’s 30-day money-back guarantee allows risk-free exploration of their services, providing confidence in their offering.
With a focus on speed, reliability, and customer satisfaction, A2 Hosting emerges as a solid choice for those prioritizing performance and efficiency in their online ventures.
A2 Hosting: The Best for Fast Loading Websites
Still undecided? Visit our detailed Big Cartel vs. A2 Hosting Comparison for more information.
5. Elementor
Best for: WordPress enthusiasts and Web Developers
What Sets It Apart?
Elementor is a leading WordPress page builder known for its flexibility and user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It empowers tech professionals worldwide to craft responsive and visually appealing websites with ease. Boasting a robust library of widgets and templates, Elementor simplifies the website creation process for users of all skill levels.
Money-Back Guarantee: 30 Days
Elementor Pros & Cons
- Free and Pro plans available
- Responsive widget library
- Live page editor feature
- Integrates with WooCommerce
- Managed WordPress hosting
- No free trial offered
- Yearly plans only
- Complexity can overwhelm beginners
- Primarily for WordPress users
Features
- Managed WordPress Hosting: Elementor’s Pro plans include managed WordPress hosting, ensuring that users experience optimized performance tailored specifically for WordPress sites, making it an all-in-one solution for WordPress management.
- WooCommerce Integration: With Elementor, users can design unique product pages and customize WooCommerce’s default templates to enhance the shopping experience. This feature supports a seamless integration that extends WordPress’s ecommerce capabilities.
- Extensive Template Library: Offering over 300 templates for Pro users, Elementalor allows for quick deployment of professional-looking sites, which can be customized to maintain a consistent aesthetic across various pages of a site.
- Responsive Design: Elementor ensures that your website is not only visually appealing but also fully functional across all devices. This is critical as mobile responsiveness is essential for SEO and user experience.
- Rich Widget Selection: Elementor’s widget library is extensive, covering a range of functions from basic text and images to advanced sliders and price tables, giving users the tools to create dynamic content easily.
- Advanced Form and Popup Builder: These tools enhance user engagement by allowing the creation of interactive elements like contact forms and promotional popups without any coding knowledge.
Explore our comprehensive Elementor review for further insights.
Why Choose Elementor over Big Cartel?
Choosing Elementor over Big Cartel provides distinct advantages, especially for users committed to the WordPress ecosystem:
- Superior Customization: Elementor offers unparalleled flexibility in site design and functionality, especially with its vast array of widgets and templates tailored for WordPress.
- Integrated WordPress Experience: Unlike Big Cartel, which is a standalone ecommerce platform, Elementor seamlessly integrates with WordPress, providing a cohesive environment for site building and management.
- Enhanced Functionality with WooCommerce: For those looking to build robust ecommerce platforms, Elementor’s integration with WooCommerce offers a deeper level of customization and functionality than Big Cartel’s simpler setup.
- Comprehensive Design Options: From basic blogs to complex ecommerce sites, Elementor covers a wide spectrum of design needs with its advanced design features and responsive templates.
- Cost-Effective Solution: With a free version and competitively priced Pro options, Elementor presents a more accessible entry point for users looking to develop professional websites without a significant initial investment.
Elementor: Best for WordPress Websites
Still undecided? Visit our detailed Big Cartel vs. Elementor Comparison for more information.
Top Big Cartel Competitors Compared
| Provider | User Rating | Free Trial | Money-Back Guarantee | Starting Price | Max. Premium Plan Cost |
| Big Cartel | 3.9 | Yes | 14 Days | $9.99 | $24.00 |
| Hostinger | 4.6 | No | 30 Days | $2.99 | $3.99 |
| Squarespace | 4.5 | Yes | No | $16.00 | $52.00 |
| IONOS | 4.0 | No | 30 Days | $1.00 | $9.00 |
| A2 Hosting | 4.7 | No | 30 Days | $2.99 | $79.99 |
| Elementor | 5.0 | No | 30 Days | $2.99 | $22.99 |
When To Look for Big Cartel Alternatives?
Need for Advanced Features
If your business has outgrown the basic features provided by Big Cartel, such as its limited product options or lack of certain eCommerce functionalities like advanced inventory management, customer segmentation, or integrated email marketing, it might be time to switch to a platform that can offer these advanced capabilities.
Scaling Up the Business
As your business expands, you may require a platform that supports higher volumes of traffic and sales without compromising performance. If Big Cartel’s server capabilities or traffic limitations are hindering your growth, a platform with better scalability options would be more appropriate.
Desire for More Customization
If you find that Big Cartel’s customization options are too restrictive and you’re unable to achieve the unique brand aesthetic or user experience you envision, a platform with more extensive customization options and third-party app integrations might be needed.
Requirement for More Analytics and Reporting Tools
Big Cartel provides basic analytics which might not suffice for detailed business insights as your operation grows. Platforms with more robust analytics and reporting features can offer deeper insights into customer behavior, sales trends, and operational efficiencies.
Need for Enhanced Marketing Tools
If you’re looking to implement more sophisticated marketing strategies that include SEO management, social media integration, and automated marketing campaigns, it might be beneficial to switch to a platform that offers these tools built-in or through seamless integrations.
Better Multichannel Selling Capabilities
As ecommerce evolves, selling across multiple channels (like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, or eBay) becomes crucial. If you need a platform that facilitates easier and more effective multichannel selling, moving from Big Cartel to a more versatile service might be the best step forward.
Final Word
If Big Cartel no longer fits your growing business needs due to limited features, scalability, or customization options, it might be time to explore alternatives. Choose a platform that aligns with your evolving requirements and supports your business as it expands, ensuring you have the tools to succeed and thrive.
If you haven’t found the perfect Big Cartel alternative in this article, we encourage you to explore our full list of the best website builders to find the one that meets all your requirements.
