BigCommerce vs WooCommerce SEO: Which Is Better?

The main difference between BigCommerce and WooCommerce is that BigCommerce is a hosted platform and WooCommerce is an open-source platform that is built on WordPress. Because of this, BigCommerce offers a lot of SEO features out of the box sacrificing flexibility, whereas WooCommerce is super flexible but requires technical knowledge to optimize. 

In this article, we will go into detail on the differences between Bigcommerce and WooCommerce.

BigCommerce vs WooCommerce SEO Features Comparison

Now, let’s talk about the differences between WooCommerce and BigCommerce in detail.

Bigcommerce Offers Built-in SEO Features But WooCommerce Don’t

BigCommerce and WooCommerce take very different approaches when it comes to built-in SEO features. BigCommerce offers a complete package of SEO tools right in its core platform. 

This means it automatically creates SEO-friendly URLs, adds rich snippets to improve search results, and handles technical SEO tasks like redirects and URL changes without needing extra setup. BigCommerce also includes advanced analytics, which are ready to use as soon as you start, without needing extra installations or configurations.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, takes a simpler approach to SEO on its own. While it benefits from WordPress’s generally SEO-friendly structure, WooCommerce requires additional plugins, like Yoast WooCommerce SEO, to achieve the same level of SEO functionality that BigCommerce provides out of the box. This adds time and requires some technical know-how, as users have to manually set up these plugins.

The difference comes down to how each platform implements SEO. BigCommerce provides a “ready-to-go” solution with SEO features that work seamlessly together. This means fewer technical issues or compatibility concerns. 

WooCommerce users, however, need to carefully manage and configure multiple plugins, which provides more flexibility but also requires more maintenance and expertise.

For those who want an all-in-one, easy-to-use SEO solution, BigCommerce is likely a better fit. WooCommerce appeals to people who prefer customizing their SEO setup and are comfortable with the extra time and maintenance involved.

Winner: BigCommerce

WooCommerce Offers More SEO Plugins Than BigCommerce

WooCommerce is like a toolbox overflowing with SEO options. Since it’s built on WordPress, it has access to tons of plugins (think of them like extra tools) – over 50,000 in total!  

Thousands of these plugins are specifically designed to help your store rank higher in search results.  Popular choices include Rank Math, Yoast SEO, and SEMRush. These tools help you with things like finding the right keywords, making your content more search-friendly, and setting up data that shows search engines what your products are all about.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, keeps things simpler. It has built-in SEO features like customizable product addresses and automatic sitemaps, but it doesn’t have as many extra tools available.  The most popular SEO app for BigCommerce is called FavSEO, and it lets you edit a bunch of things at once and see how well your SEO is doing overall.

The biggest advantage of WooCommerce is its flexibility. Because it works with WordPress, you can add tons of other plugins in addition to SEO ones.  This gives you a lot of control over how your store looks and works, making it a good fit for businesses of all sizes.  With all these options, you can put together a custom SEO plan that’s perfect for your specific needs.

While BigCommerce is easy to use and has good built-in SEO features, it can’t compete with the sheer number of SEO tools available for WooCommerce.  This makes WooCommerce the better choice if you want to have a lot of control over how your store ranks in search results.

Winner: WooCommerce

WooCommerce Offers Better Blogging Options Than BigCommerce

WooCommerce is a better choice for blogging than BigCommerce because it’s built on WordPress, a popular platform for creating websites and blogs. WordPress offers powerful tools for writing and editing blog posts, adding images and videos, and customizing the look of your blog.

BigCommerce’s blogging feature is more basic and doesn’t have as many options. Many BigCommerce users need to use extra tools to make their blogs better.

WooCommerce’s blog tools help you organize your content, making it easier to find and manage. You can also schedule posts to be published later, which is helpful for planning your content.

BigCommerce has some limitations when it comes to blogging. For example, blogs are often created on separate subdomains, which can hurt your website’s search engine ranking.  BigCommerce also lacks tools to encourage people to take action after reading your blog posts, like signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.

Overall, WooCommerce’s strong blogging features make it a better choice for businesses that want to use content marketing to attract customers and grow their online stores.

Winner: WooCommerce 

WooCommerce Offers More Flexibility Than BigCommerce In Terms of Speed and Performance

WooCommerce offers a lot more control over how fast your online store runs compared to BigCommerce. Here’s why- 

Imagine your store as a car. With BigCommerce, it’s like having a pre-built car that runs well, but you can’t really customize the engine or pick the tires. BigCommerce takes care of most of the technical stuff for you, making it easier to manage.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, lets you pick your own car (hosting provider) and fine-tune the engine (performance settings) for maximum speed. You can choose a high-performance hosting company that specializes in fast websites, just like picking a car with a powerful engine. 

Additionally, WooCommerce lets you adjust various settings like caching (saving data for quicker access) and database tweaks to keep your store’s information organized, similar to how a mechanic tunes an engine for optimal performance. Tests show that well-maintained WooCommerce stores can handle a lot of customers without slowing down, just like a well-tuned car can handle a bumpy road.   

However, this extra control comes with a trade-off.  Fine-tuning your store’s speed can be more technical and requires some effort. 

While BigCommerce might be a better fit if you prefer a simpler setup, WooCommerce is ideal if you want the absolute fastest store possible and have the technical know-how to optimize it.  WooCommerce even lets you get into the nitty-gritty details of how your store uses its database, perfect for tech whizzes who want to squeeze every ounce of speed out of their online store.

Winner: Tie

BigCommerce Offers Built-in Security Features While WooCommerce Doesn’t

WooCommerce and BigCommerce handle security in different ways. WooCommerce, being an open-source platform, lets you customize your store’s security. However, this means you need to be more hands-on and technically savvy to keep your store safe. You’ll need to choose the right security plugins, update them regularly, and configure them correctly.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, is a hosted platform that takes care of most security measures for you. It automatically encrypts your data, protects against attacks, and complies with data privacy regulations. This makes it easier for those who don’t have a lot of technical knowledge.

A major advantage of BigCommerce is that it handles security updates and monitoring automatically, saving you time and effort. It also stores your customer data securely off your website, providing an extra layer of protection.

With WooCommerce, you’re responsible for getting an SSL certificate, using security plugins, and making sure your hosting provider and payment gateway are PCI-compliant. While this requires more work, it allows you to tailor your security setup to your specific needs.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your technical expertise and how much control you want over your store’s security. WooCommerce is ideal for those who want full control and are willing to put in the effort, while BigCommerce is a good choice for those who prefer a hands-off approach and want a secure platform without the hassle.

Winner: Tie

Final Verdict: WooCommerce Is Better Than BigCommerce For SEO

WooCommerce is generally better for SEO than BigCommerce, mostly because it’s built on WordPress. 

With WooCommerce, you can create high-quality blog posts and other content to attract more visitors. BigCommerce’s blogging features aren’t as strong, so it’s harder to create the kind of content that search engines love.

Another advantage of WooCommerce is that you have more control over the technical aspects of your store. You can choose your own hosting provider and fine-tune settings to improve your store’s speed and performance, which is important for search engine rankings. BigCommerce handles a lot of the technical stuff for you, which can be easier but also limits your control.   

However, BigCommerce might be a better choice for you if you’re not very tech-savvy and want a simpler, more hands-off approach. BigCommerce takes care of a lot of the technical details, making it easier to set up and manage your store. But, if you’re willing to put in some extra effort and want more control over your store’s SEO, WooCommerce is the way to go.

FAQs

Is BigCommerce B2B or B2C?

BigCommerce is primarily a B2B platform, but it can also be used for B2C businesses. However, its core features and functionalities are designed specifically to cater to the needs of B2B companies.

How powerful is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a powerful eCommerce solution for WordPress, offering extensive customization, scalability, and a wide range of built-in features. Its strong community support and seamless integrations make it suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small shops to large-scale operations.

Is BigCommerce good for SEO? 

Yes, BigCommerce is well-suited for SEO, offering features like Google and Bing-friendly URLs, rich snippets for improved search visibility, and automated redirects for keeping search engines updated. These tools help enhance your site’s performance in search rankings and improve overall visibility.

Get the Best Out of Your WooCommerce or BigCommerce Store

Picking an SEO-friendly e-commerce platform like WooCommerce or BigCommerce makes it easier to implement SEO strategies. However, the real success of your online store depends on how well you carry out those strategies.

After choosing the right platform, focus on keyword research, good content, and optimizing your products. If you need help with these SEO areas, VizibleSEO can really help—we specialize in getting results for eCommerce businesses.