BigCommerce vs. Shopify SEO Comparison: which platform is best for search rankings?
When it comes to building an online store, two of the most popular platforms that come to mind are BigCommerce and Shopify.
Both are robust eCommerce platforms that offer a variety of features to help you create and manage your online store.
However, when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the differences between BigCommerce and Shopify can have a significant impact on your store’s visibility in search engine results.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into how BigCommerce and Shopify compare in terms of SEO, helping you decide which platform is the best fit for your business.
TL;DR
BigCommerce and Shopify are both powerful eCommerce platforms with strong SEO capabilities, but they cater to different needs.
Shopify is user-friendly and ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a vast app ecosystem but relying more on third-party tools for advanced SEO.
BigCommerce provides more built-in SEO features, greater flexibility, and better scalability, making it a better fit for businesses with complex SEO requirements or those looking to expand internationally.
Choose Shopify for ease of use and community support, or BigCommerce for advanced SEO control and scalability.
1. Ease of SEO customization
Shopify
Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface, which extends to its SEO capabilities. It allows users to easily edit meta titles, meta descriptions, and URLs.
The platform also enables you to add alt text to images and create 301 redirects with ease. Shopify also automatically generates a sitemap.xml file and robots.txt file, which are crucial for search engine indexing.
However, Shopify has some limitations. For instance, the platform doesn’t allow you to customize URLs fully, as it automatically includes prefixes like /collections/ and /products/ in the URL structure.
This limitation can make URLs longer and less user-friendly, which might impact click-through rates (CTR) and SEO.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers more flexibility when it comes to SEO customization. Similar to Shopify, it allows you to edit meta titles, meta descriptions, and alt text.
However, BigCommerce goes a step further by enabling full control over URL structure. You can create shorter, more descriptive URLs without mandatory prefixes, which can positively impact SEO.
Additionally, BigCommerce provides advanced features like custom 301 redirects, microdata (rich snippets), and the ability to customize the robots.txt file.
These features give BigCommerce an edge over Shopify when it comes to granular SEO control.
2. Page speed and performance
Shopify
Page speed is a critical factor in SEO, as faster-loading pages tend to rank higher in search engine results.
Shopify is known for its optimized infrastructure, which ensures that online stores load quickly. Shopify also uses a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve content from the server closest to the user, reducing load times.
However, the speed of a Shopify store can be affected by the number of apps and third-party plugins you use. While Shopify’s app ecosystem is one of its strengths, adding too many apps can slow down your site, negatively impacting your SEO.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also places a strong emphasis on page speed. The platform is built with speed in mind, offering features like Google AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) for product and category pages.
AMP helps to reduce load times on mobile devices, which is crucial given Google’s mobile-first indexing.
BigCommerce also uses a CDN to ensure fast load times, similar to Shopify.
However, BigCommerce’s native features reduce the need for third-party apps, which can contribute to faster page speeds and a better overall SEO performance.
3. Blogging capabilities
Shopify
Content marketing, particularly through blogging, is a cornerstone of SEO strategy.
Shopify offers built-in blogging functionality, allowing you to create and manage a blog directly from the platform. The blogging tool is simple to use and includes basic features like SEO-friendly URLs, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
However, Shopify’s blogging platform is relatively basic compared to dedicated content management systems (CMS) like WordPress.
It lacks advanced features like custom taxonomies, and managing large volumes of content can be cumbersome.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also includes a built-in blogging platform, but it’s more limited than Shopify’s.
While you can create and manage blog posts, the platform doesn’t offer as many SEO customization options as Shopify.
For instance, BigCommerce’s blog doesn’t support custom URLs for individual posts, which can be a drawback for SEO.
That said, BigCommerce allows for easy integration with third-party blogging platforms like WordPress, which is renowned for its SEO capabilities.
By using WordPress for your blog and BigCommerce for your eCommerce store, you can leverage the best of both worlds in terms of SEO.
4. Mobile optimization
Shopify
Mobile optimization is essential, especially with Google’s mobile-first indexing.
Shopify themes are all responsive, meaning they automatically adjust to different screen sizes, including mobile devices. This ensures that your store looks good and functions well on mobile, which can help improve your rankings.
Shopify also offers mobile-specific SEO settings, such as the ability to optimize images and implement AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) on blog posts. However, AMP support on Shopify is limited and often requires third-party apps.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce excels in mobile optimization.
All BigCommerce themes are responsive, ensuring that your store is mobile-friendly out of the box.
The platform also natively supports AMP for product and category pages, which can significantly improve load times on mobile devices and boost your rankings.
Additionally, BigCommerce’s mobile optimization features are built into the platform, reducing the need for third-party apps and ensuring a smoother, faster mobile experience.
5. SEO apps and integrations
Shopify
Shopify’s app store is one of the most extensive among eCommerce platforms, offering a wide range of SEO-focused apps.
Whether you need tools for keyword research, on-page optimization, or backlink building, Shopify’s app ecosystem has you covered.
Popular apps like Yoast SEO, Plug in SEO, and SEO Booster can help you fine-tune your store’s SEO.
However, the reliance on apps can be a double-edged sword. While they add functionality, they can also slow down your site if not managed properly. Additionally, some essential SEO features require paid apps, which can increase your overall costs.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also offers a variety of SEO apps and integrations, though the selection is smaller compared to Shopify. However, BigCommerce provides many advanced SEO features natively, reducing the need for third-party apps.
For example, BigCommerce includes built-in microdata support, automatic sitemaps, and 301 redirects, which are often only available through apps on Shopify.
This built-in functionality can be a significant advantage, as it simplifies SEO management and ensures that your site remains fast and efficient.
6. Cost of SEO optimization
Shopify
When considering the cost of SEO optimization on Shopify, it’s important to account for the potential need for third-party apps.
While Shopify’s base platform offers decent SEO capabilities, advanced features like schema markup, AMP support, and advanced URL control often require paid apps.
Additionally, if you need to hire a developer to customize your Shopify store’s SEO features, this can add to your costs.
Shopify’s themes are somewhat rigid, and extensive customization can require professional assistance.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce’s pricing model is more straightforward when it comes to SEO optimization.
Many advanced SEO features are built into the platform, reducing the need for third-party apps and keeping costs lower. This can make BigCommerce a more cost-effective option for businesses that require advanced SEO capabilities.
However, it’s worth noting that BigCommerce’s plans are generally more expensive than Shopify’s at the entry level, so you’ll need to weigh the cost of the platform against the potential savings in app and customization expenses.
7. Security and SEO
Shopify
Security is a crucial aspect of SEO, as search engines like Google prioritize secure websites in their rankings.
Shopify provides SSL certificates for all its stores, ensuring that your site is secure and trustworthy in the eyes of both users and search engines.
Shopify also includes features like two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security.
This is important for protecting your store from unauthorized access, which can lead to downtime and negatively impact your SEO.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also provides SSL certificates for all its stores, ensuring that your site is secure.
Additionally, BigCommerce is PCI DSS-compliant, meaning it adheres to strict security standards for handling credit card information.
This level of security can boost customer trust and positively impact your SEO.
BigCommerce’s security features are comparable to Shopify’s, so there’s little difference between the two platforms in this regard.
Both are excellent choices when it comes to maintaining a secure, SEO-friendly online store.
8. Multilingual SEO
Shopify
If your business operates in multiple countries or caters to a diverse customer base, multilingual SEO is essential.
Shopify supports multilingual stores, but the functionality is somewhat limited. You can use apps like Weglot or Langify to create multilingual content, but these apps can add to your costs and may impact site speed.
Moreover, Shopify’s URL structure for multilingual sites can be cumbersome, as it often involves subdirectories (e.g., /en/, /fr/) rather than subdomains, which can be less effective for SEO.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also supports multilingual stores, but it offers more flexibility in terms of URL structure.
You can create subdomains for different languages (e.g., fr.yourstore.com), which can be more effective for SEO.
Additionally, BigCommerce allows for more granular control over hreflang tags, which are crucial for signaling to search engines which version of your site to show to users based on their language or region.
However, similar to Shopify, setting up a multilingual store on BigCommerce may require third-party apps or custom development, which can increase costs.
9. International SEO
Shopify
For businesses looking to expand globally, international SEO is a key consideration.
Shopify allows you to set up multiple stores to target different regions, but managing these stores can be complex and expensive. Shopify’s app ecosystem includes tools for currency conversion, international shipping, and region-specific SEO, but these often come with additional costs.
Shopify also supports hreflang tags, but implementing them can be tricky, especially if you’re managing multiple stores.
While Shopify’s international SEO capabilities are strong, they may require more hands-on management and investment in third-party tools or apps to fully optimize for different regions and languages.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers robust international SEO features that are more integrated into the platform.
With BigCommerce, you can manage multiple storefronts from a single dashboard, making it easier to tailor your SEO efforts to different regions.
The platform allows you to set up country-specific storefronts with localized content, currencies, and languages, which is a significant advantage for global eCommerce businesses.
BigCommerce also provides more flexibility with hreflang tags, allowing for precise control over which content is shown to users in different regions.
The ability to use subdomains for different regions (e.g., uk.yourstore.com for the UK and au.yourstore.com for Australia) also enhances your international SEO efforts, making it easier to rank well in local search results.
10. SEO reporting and analytics
Shopify
Understanding how your SEO efforts are paying off is crucial, and Shopify offers built-in analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into your store’s performance.
Shopify’s analytics include basic SEO metrics like organic traffic, search engine referrals, and top-performing keywords. However, for more advanced SEO analytics, you might need to integrate with Google Analytics or use third-party apps.
Shopify also offers a dashboard that tracks your site’s overall performance, including page views, conversion rates, and customer behavior.
While these tools are helpful, they may not provide the in-depth SEO insights needed for more complex SEO strategies.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides comprehensive SEO reporting tools that are integrated into the platform.
These tools offer detailed insights into your store’s SEO performance, including organic traffic, keyword rankings, and search engine visibility.
BigCommerce also integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics, allowing for advanced tracking and reporting.
One of the standout features of BigCommerce’s reporting is the ability to track SEO performance across different storefronts, languages, and regions.
This is particularly useful for businesses that operate in multiple markets, as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of how your SEO efforts are performing in different areas.
11. Schema markup and rich snippets
Shopify
Schema markup is essential for enhancing how your site’s information appears in search engine results.
Shopify supports basic schema markup, but advanced schema features typically require third-party apps.
These apps can help you implement rich snippets for product reviews, ratings, and pricing, which can improve your click-through rates (CTR).
However, managing and implementing schema markup through apps can be cumbersome, and it often requires additional costs. For businesses that rely heavily on rich snippets to drive traffic, this can be a limitation.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers more robust support for schema markup and rich snippets out of the box.
The platform includes built-in support for various types of structured data, such as product reviews, ratings, pricing, and availability.
This helps ensure that your products stand out in search results, potentially increasing your CTR and driving more traffic to your store.
BigCommerce’s native support for schema markup reduces the need for third-party apps, simplifying the process of optimizing your site for rich snippets and saving you time and money.
12. Customer support for SEO issues
Shopify
When it comes to customer support, Shopify offers 24/7 assistance via chat, email, and phone. Shopify’s support team is generally knowledgeable, but their expertise in SEO-specific issues can vary. If you encounter complex SEO challenges, you might need to rely on Shopify Experts or third-party consultants for more specialized assistance, which can incur additional costs.
Shopify also has an extensive knowledge base with SEO guides and tutorials, which can be helpful for beginners looking to optimize their stores.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also provides 24/7 customer support through various channels, including chat, email, and phone.
BigCommerce’s support team is known for being more technically adept, particularly when it comes to SEO-related issues. This can be a significant advantage if you encounter technical SEO challenges that require immediate attention.
In addition to live support, BigCommerce offers a comprehensive knowledge base with in-depth SEO guides, tutorials, and best practices.
This can be a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced users looking to enhance their store’s SEO performance.
13. Community and resources
Shopify
Shopify has a large and active community of users, developers, and experts who regularly share SEO tips, best practices, and solutions to common issues.
The Shopify Community forum is a valuable resource where you can ask questions and get advice from other store owners and SEO professionals.
Additionally, Shopify hosts events, webinars, and online courses that cover various aspects of SEO and eCommerce, making it easier for users to stay updated on the latest trends and techniques.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce also has a strong community of users and experts, although it’s smaller than Shopify’s.
The BigCommerce Community forum is a helpful place to seek advice, share experiences, and learn from others who have faced similar SEO challenges.
BigCommerce also offers educational resources, including webinars, courses, and expert-led discussions on SEO and digital marketing.
While the community may not be as large as Shopify’s, the quality of the resources and the expertise available are top-notch.
14. SEO scalability
Shopify
As your business grows, your SEO needs will evolve. Shopify is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, but as you scale, you may encounter limitations in terms of SEO customization and flexibility.
The reliance on third-party apps can also become cumbersome as your store expands, leading to increased complexity and potential slowdowns.
However, Shopify Plus, the enterprise-level version of Shopify, offers more advanced features and customization options.
If you’re running a large-scale eCommerce operation, Shopify Plus can provide the scalability you need, but it comes at a higher cost.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is designed with scalability in mind, making it a strong choice for businesses that anticipate rapid growth.
The platform’s built-in SEO features, combined with its flexibility in URL structure, schema markup, and multilingual support, make it easier to scale your SEO efforts as your business expands.
BigCommerce also offers enterprise-level solutions with additional features and support, ensuring that your SEO strategies can grow alongside your business without the need for extensive third-party apps or custom development.
Which platform is better for SEO?
Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer powerful SEO features, but the best choice depends on your specific needs and business goals.
- Shopify is ideal for businesses that value ease of use, a large app ecosystem, and extensive community support. It’s a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses that need a user-friendly platform with solid SEO capabilities. However, if you anticipate needing more advanced SEO features or customization, you may need to invest in third-party apps or consider upgrading to Shopify Plus.
- BigCommerce shines in terms of built-in SEO features, flexibility, and scalability. It’s better suited for businesses that require more granular control over their SEO strategies, especially if you’re operating in multiple regions or languages. BigCommerce’s comprehensive feature set and lower reliance on third-party apps make it a cost-effective choice for businesses with more complex SEO needs.
Ultimately, the decision between BigCommerce and Shopify for SEO comes down to your specific requirements, budget, and growth plans. By carefully considering the strengths and limitations of each platform, you can choose the one that will best support your SEO strategy and help your business thrive in the competitive eCommerce landscape.