BlueHost vs Big Cartel: What’s the Best Builder in 2024?

BlueHost vs Big Cartel: Final verdict


BlueHost and Big Cartel cater to different audiences with their unique strengths and weaknesses.


  • BlueHost (Overall Grade: 6.8/10)

    is a versatile website builder and hosting platform that integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It offers a wide range of customizable templates, robust ecommerce features, and comprehensive learning resources. BlueHost is ideal for users looking for a flexible and scalable solution, especially those who want to leverage WordPress’s extensive ecosystem. However, it may have a steeper learning curve for beginners.

  • Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)

    is designed specifically for artists and makers, offering a straightforward setup process and essential ecommerce features. It is perfect for small businesses and independent creators who prioritize simplicity and affordability. While it lacks some advanced features and customization options, Big Cartel’s ease of use and focus on supporting creative endeavors make it a great choice for those looking to quickly establish an online presence.

Which one is the best for ecommerce: BlueHost or Big Cartel?

6.8
6.2


Verdict

: BlueHost and Big Cartel cater to different ecommerce needs. BlueHost is more versatile and integrates well with WordPress, making it suitable for a broader range of online businesses. Big Cartel, on the other hand, is tailored for artists and small-scale sellers, offering simplicity and ease of use.


  • BlueHost

    : With a score of 6.8, BlueHost offers a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, including product listings, secure payment gateways, and inventory management. Its integration with WooCommerce provides extensive customization options, although it may have a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with WordPress. BlueHost is ideal for users looking for a versatile platform that can grow with their business.

  • Big Cartel

    : Scoring 6.2, Big Cartel is designed for artists and makers, providing a straightforward setup and essential ecommerce features like inventory tracking and sales analytics. While it may not support large-scale operations, its simplicity and focus on creative sellers make it a great choice for small businesses and independent creators.

Which one is the best for informational and business websites?

7.5
7.2


Verdict

: When it comes to creating informational and business websites, BlueHost has a slight edge over Big Cartel due to its comprehensive design functionalities and ease of use. BlueHost’s integration with WordPress and its extensive range of templates make it a versatile choice for a wide range of users. However, Big Cartel remains a strong contender, especially for artists and small business owners looking for simplicity and affordability.


  • BlueHost

    : BlueHost is a robust option for informational and business websites, thanks to its seamless integration with WordPress and a wide array of customizable templates. The platform’s drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible for users with little to no coding experience. BlueHost also offers a variety of hosting plans, ensuring that users can scale their websites as their needs grow. With a best for informational business websites score of 7.5, BlueHost stands out for its versatility and ease of use.

  • Big Cartel

    : Big Cartel is designed with simplicity in mind, making it an excellent choice for artists and small business owners who want to create an online presence without the need for advanced technical skills. The platform offers a straightforward setup process and a variety of customizable templates that cater to creative professionals. While it may lack some of the advanced features found in more complex platforms, Big Cartel’s focus on ease of use and affordability makes it a viable option for those looking to quickly set up an online store. With a best for informational business websites score of 7.2, Big Cartel is a solid choice for independent creators.

BlueHost vs Big Cartel: Detailed comparison

Design functionalities & templates

Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:

  • Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
  • Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
  • User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
  • Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
  • Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
7.2
6.9

🏆

Winner: BlueHost.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, BlueHost is the preferred choice.

BlueHost’s WordPress website builder offers over 300 pre-installed templates and designs to cater to the diverse needs of its users, ensuring that there’s something for everyone, regardless of the niche or industry. With hundreds of customizable templates available, users can easily find a design that aligns with their vision and brand identity. These templates are designed to be responsive and SEO-friendly, enhancing the user experience and visibility of the websites. From simple blog layouts to complex ecommerce designs, BlueHost provides a comprehensive selection to help users create professional-looking websites with ease.

BlueHost template example

Compared to BlueHost, Big Cartel provides a variety of free, customizable templates designed to ensure that online stores look appealing on all devices. These templates are geared towards artists, creators, and small business owners, offering features like high-quality product displays and adjustable product grids without the need for coding knowledge. With over 15 different styles to choose from, Big Cartel’s templates allow for easy customization to fit any brand’s aesthetic, making it simple for anyone to start an online store quickly.


Big Cartel Themes

Big Cartel templates
Big Cartel template example

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Ease of use

Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:

  • Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
  • Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
  • User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
  • Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
8.2
8.0


🏆 Winner: BlueHost

. Scoring 8.2, BlueHost edges out Big Cartel, which scored 8.0, in terms of ease of use. BlueHost’s website builder is designed with simplicity in mind, making it highly accessible for users of all skill levels. It offers a section based drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the process of creating and customizing websites. On the other hand, Big Cartel is also user-friendly but lacks some of the advanced features and customization options found in more complex e-commerce platforms.


Learning Resources


🏆 Winner: BlueHost

. BlueHost’s WordPress Academy offers a wide range of free, comprehensive learning resources developed by WordPress experts, aimed at users of all levels. It provides courses on WordPress fundamentals, website design, SEO, and marketing strategies. Big Cartel, on the other hand, provides basic support and learning resources, including articles and guides on setting up and customizing stores.

For ecommerce

EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:

  • Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
  • Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
  • Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
  • Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
  • Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
6.8
6.2

BlueHost and Big Cartel both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs and audiences. BlueHost, with its integration with WooCommerce, provides a comprehensive toolset for online merchants, including product listings, shopping carts, secure payment gateways, shipping options, and tax calculations. However, it might have a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with WordPress and WooCommerce. On the other hand, Big Cartel is designed specifically for artists and makers, offering a straightforward setup process and essential features like inventory tracking and sales analytics. However, it might not be the best choice for businesses looking to scale significantly due to its limited product listings and less advanced ecommerce features.

BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

Ecommerce themes and templates

6.5

5.5

Product page customization

7.0

6.8

Payment processing and commissions

6.8

7.0

POS capabilities

0.0

6.5

Payment gateways

7.5

6.0

Product numbers

6.0

4.5

Additional ecommerce features

6.5

5.7

BlueHost ecommerce features:

  • Product Listings
  • Shopping Carts
  • Secure Payment gateways
  • Shipping Options and Tax Calculations
  • Inventory Management

BlueHost add a product

Big Cartel ecommerce features:

  • Inventory tracking
  • Sales analytics
  • Social Media integrations
  • Marketing tools

Big Cartel Add a product

Ecommerce themes & templates

BlueHost’s website builder for eCommerce provides a selection of specific templates designed to streamline the creation of online stores. These templates are optimized for sales, featuring designs that accommodate product galleries, shopping carts, and checkout processes. However, the customization options might be limited compared to more specialized eCommerce platforms. Big Cartel, on the other hand, offers around 20 templates, each specifically designed to cater to the needs of ecommerce stores, providing a variety of options for creating an online store.

Product page customization

BlueHost’s website builder offers robust customization features for product pages, allowing users to tailor product details like titles, descriptions, images, and pricing according to their preferences. It supports the creation of product variants and options, facilitating the sale of items with multiple choices such as size, color, and material directly from the product page. Big Cartel enables merchants to customize their product offerings with the Product Variants feature, supporting up to 150 variants per item, such as sizes, colors, and more, allowing for specific pricing and quantities for each variant.

Payment processing

When it comes to payment processing, BlueHost integrates with WooCommerce, a platform that facilitates integration with various payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. While BlueHost doesn’t impose transaction fees, the payment gateways might. Furthermore, it lacks Point of Sale (POS) capabilities. Big Cartel supports payment processing through PayPal and Stripe, allowing a variety of payment methods including credit/debit cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The platform itself does not charge additional transaction fees, but standard processing fees from PayPal and Stripe apply. Big Cartel also offers POS capabilities, primarily through Stripe terminal for Android and iOS for in-person sales, enhancing flexibility for both online and offline business operations.

Website Editors

Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:

  • Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
  • Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
  • Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
  • Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
7.3
6.8

🏆

Winner: BlueHost

. BlueHost, with a score of 7.3, offers a section based drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to easily add, remove, and customize elements on their website without needing to code. Users can choose from a wide range of templates and customize them to fit their brand, including adjusting layouts, colors, and fonts. Additionally, the editor provides access to stock photos, SEO tools, and responsive design features, ensuring websites look great on all devices and can rank well on search engines.

BlueHost editor

Big Cartel’s website builder editor, scoring 6.8, is designed with simplicity in mind, catering primarily to artists and small-scale sellers. Users can easily customize their online store’s look and feel without needing advanced technical skills, thanks to its user-friendly interface. The editor allows for the customization of themes, addition of products, and setup of different pages like home, about, and contact pages. Additionally, it offers basic SEO settings and integration options with social media and other tools, making it a straightforward solution for those looking to sell their work online with minimal fuss.

Mobile editor/app

5.0
7.5

🏆

Winner: Big Cartel

. Both BlueHost and Big Cartel offer mobile capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. BlueHost does not have a dedicated mobile editor app, but users can edit their website on a mobile browser, albeit with some limitations. This might be a drawback for users who prefer to manage their website on-the-go.

On the other hand, Big Cartel offers a mobile app that allows users to manage their online store directly from their mobile device. Key features include the ability to add and edit products, process orders, check inventory, and view store statistics. It provides a convenient way for store owners to keep their business running smoothly on-the-go, without the need for a computer. The interface is user-friendly, ensuring that even those with minimal technical skills can easily navigate and make use of its functionalities. However, website design changes can only be applied on the desktop version.

In summary, Big Cartel receives a higher rating due to its dedicated mobile app with user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, while BlueHost’s lack of a dedicated mobile app might be a limitation for some users.

Product testing options

Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:

  • Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
  • Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
  • Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
  • Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
6.2
5.9


Overall Result

:

BlueHost wins

. BlueHost scores 6.2 in product testing options, slightly higher than Big Cartel’s 5.9. BlueHost does not offer a free or trial version, but it allows users to test premium features within a 30-day refundable period. It also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. On the other hand, Big Cartel offers a free version and allows users to test some of the features of the website builder with this plan. However, it does not provide a money-back guarantee.

BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

Free Plan
No
Yes

Trial Duration
No No

Testing Premium Features

Possible within 30-day refundable period
Possible with free plan

Money Back Guarantee

30-day money back guarantee
No

Price

PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:

  • Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
  • Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
  • Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
  • Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
7.2
7.8


BlueHost offers a wider range of pricing options and significant discounts for annual subscriptions, while Big Cartel has a simpler pricing structure with no discounts for longer-term commitments.

BlueHost Logo


Offerings

Big Cartel Logo


Offerings


Free
No offering at this amount.

Gold ($0/month):

The Gold plan is free and allows up to 5 product listings with one image per product. It includes features such as free customizable templates, the ability to sell online and in person, multiple payment options, real-time stats, product variant groups, and sales tax autopilot.


$0-$10
No offering at this amount.

Platinum ($9.99/month):

The Platinum plan increases the product listing limit to 50 and allows up to five images per product. It adds features like the use of a custom domain, template code editing, Google Analytics, ads support, inventory tracking, the ability to offer discounts and run promos, bulk editing, and shipment tracking.

Value for price:


7.5


$10-$20

Basic ($15.99/month):

Made for a simple website or blog, 1 website with 10GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress Hosting, Free SSL 1st year and Chat Support

Value for price:


6.5


Diamond ($19.99/month):

The Diamond plan further extends the product limit to 500 with the same benefits as the Platinum plan, including advanced Google Analytics reporting, ads with audience targeting, and priority customer support.

Value for price:


8.5


$20-$30

Choice Plus ($27.99/month):

Ideal for multiple sites needing storage, security, backups, 3 websites with 40GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free SSL, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware scanning, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services.

Value for price:


7.5

No offering at this amount.

$30-$35

Online Store ($32.99/month):

Great for all online selling, built-in eCommerce tools, 3 websites with 40GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware Scanning, Exclusive Theme Store, Store Analytics, Unlimited products, Secure Payment options, Bookings & appointments, Shipping labels, product search and filtering, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services.

Value for price:


8.5

No offering at this amount.

$35+

Pro ($39.95/month):

Perfect for high traffic, advanced storage, security, 5 websites with 100GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free SSL, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware Scanning, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services.

Value for price:


9.0

No offering at this amount.
In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

Hosting quality

Hosting
quality
Examines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:

  • Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
  • Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
  • Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
  • Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
8.0
5.0


Winner: BlueHost

. BlueHost offers a range of hosting options with features designed to support websites at various stages of growth, from shared to dedicated hosting. Their hosting plans include technologies to ensure fast load times, such as SSD storage, CDN services, and Cloudflare integration. On the other hand, Big Cartel includes hosting in all their plans, however, they do not provide specific information on hosting type, bandwidth and storage limitations. BlueHost’s transparency and range of options give it a higher rating.

BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

Do they offer hosting?

Yes, offers a range of hosting options

Yes, included in all their plans

Data Centers:

6 data centers: Orem and Provo, Shanghai, Mumbai and Hong Kong, London

Big Cartel does not disclose any information about their data centers

Type of hosting:

Managed WordPress Hosting

Big Cartel does not explicitly mention any information on their hosting

Uptime:

99.9%

Big Cartel does not disclose statistics on their uptime

Uptime Guarantee:

Yes, 99.9%

Big Cartel does not offer uptime guarantee

Website Speed Optimization

Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:

  • PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
  • Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
  • Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
  • Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
  • CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
6.5
5.0


🏆 Winner: BlueHost

Both BlueHost and Big Cartel understand the importance of website speed optimization, but BlueHost takes the lead with a more comprehensive approach and a higher website speed optimization score.

BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

Focus

CDN, Server Optimization

Not disclosed

Performance Tools

Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights

Not disclosed

Key Strategies

CDN, Server Optimization

Not disclosed

Load Times

Varies widely, depending on optimization

Varies depending on optimization

Page Speed Scores Range

Varies widely, depending on optimization

Varies depending on optimization

Core Web Vitals Improvement

Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements

Not disclosed

BlueHost, a comprehensive web hosting service, offers a user-friendly website builder that integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It focuses on website speed optimization through CDN and server optimization. BlueHost emphasizes on improving Core Web Vitals, specifically LCP, FID, and CLS. However, both load times and PageSpeed scores can vary widely, depending on the optimization and website complexity.

On the other hand, Big Cartel, a website builder designed for artists and makers, does not disclose any specific information about its speed optimization strategies or Core Web Vitals improvements. Like BlueHost, Big Cartel’s load times and PageSpeed scores can vary depending on optimization and website complexity.

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Plugins and integrations

Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:

  • Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
  • Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
  • Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
  • Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
9.1
5.8


🏆 Winner: BlueHost.

With a score of 9.1, BlueHost offers a vast ecosystem of plugins and extensions, primarily through its integration with WordPress. This allows for a wide range of functionalities, including advanced SEO tools, e-commerce solutions, social media integrations, and more. On the other hand, Big Cartel, scoring 5.8, offers a limited number of direct apps and integrations (around 27), focusing on enhancing ecommerce store functionality. While Big Cartel’s integrations are useful for small businesses and independent creators, BlueHost’s extensive range of plugins and integrations make it a more versatile option for a broad audience.

Marketing Features

Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:

  • Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
  • Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
  • User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
  • Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
  • Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
7.3
6.2

🏆

Overall Winner: BlueHost

. BlueHost stands out for its comprehensive SEO tools, email marketing capabilities, and analytics and reporting features. Big Cartel, while lacking in blogging features, offers basic SEO tools, email marketing through third-party integrations, and social media integrations.

BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

SEO Tools







Email Marketing







Blogging







Social Media Integration







Analytics and Reporting







Ads and Promotions






Customer Support

Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:

  • Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
  • Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
  • Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
  • Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
7.6
5.4


🏆 Winner: BlueHost

. In the comparison of BlueHost vs Big Cartel, BlueHost takes the lead with a customer support score of 7.6. BlueHost offers 24/7 support through chat and phone, ensuring users can get help at any time. Their technical assistance is available from 7 a.m. to midnight EST, and they provide global accessibility with different contact numbers for US and international customers.

Big Cartel, on the other hand, has a customer support score of 5.4. Their support team is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, which is more limited compared to BlueHost. While they offer email support and have a dedicated team, the lack of 24/7 availability and fewer support options make it less convenient for users needing immediate assistance.

Security

SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:

  • Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
  • SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
  • Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
  • Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
8.3
7.3

🏆

Winner: BlueHost

. BlueHost’s commitment to security is evident in its robust measures, including SSL certificates, regular backups, and additional security features like SiteLock for malware scanning. Compliance with data protection regulations and a commitment to privacy are central to their service, ensuring users’ data is handled securely.

Big Cartel, while offering comprehensive measures such as SSL encryption and strict data processing protocols, does not achieve PCI compliance on its own. This could be a potential drawback for users who prioritize security. However, it does facilitate secure payment processing via third-party PCI-compliant gateways like PayPal and Stripe.

AI Capabilities

AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:

  • Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
  • Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
  • AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
  • Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
1.5
0.0
BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

AI Builder







AI Ecommerce features







AI content generation

Possible through WordPress plugins




Additional AI features







🏆 Winner: BlueHost

. Although neither BlueHost nor Big Cartel have built-in AI capabilities, BlueHost has a slight edge due to its compatibility with WordPress plugins, some of which offer AI features. This gives BlueHost a score of 1.5 in AI capabilities, while Big Cartel scores 0.0, indicating a complete lack of AI features.

User Management

User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:

  • Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
    permissions.
  • Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
  • Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
    levels.
  • Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
4.4
1.3


🏆 Winner: BlueHost

. Both BlueHost and Big Cartel have different approaches to user management.

  • BlueHost supports multi-user management, but there’s no specific mention about the number of users or their roles and permissions.
  • Big Cartel, on the other hand, allows only one user to build and edit a website.

Due to the lack of detailed information about user roles and permissions, it’s hard to make a comprehensive comparison. However, based on the available information, BlueHost seems to offer more flexibility in terms of user management.

Additional Features

BlueHost Logo
Big Cartel Logo

SSL Certificate







Custom Domain







Free Custom Domain Included







International Domains







Mobile Responsive







Page Speed







Website Builder Mobile App







Convert a Website To An App







Website Analytics







Multilingual Sites







Multiple Users


BlueHost vs Big Cartel: User Feedback

BlueHost
263 reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
Big Cartel
26 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars

Users appreciate BlueHost for its comprehensive free offerings, including SSL, subdomains, and custom email, along with additional services like free domain registration and CDN. The platform’s intuitive interface and user-friendly website builder cater to both beginners and experienced developers. However, concerns arise regarding the significant price increase upon renewal, limited free website templates, and unresolved technical issues with poor customer support, hindering users’ ability to effectively manage their websites and businesses. Addressing these concerns could enhance overall user satisfaction with BlueHost.

User feedback on Big Cartel highlights its simplicity and affordability as key advantages, making it a popular choice for small businesses and startups looking to establish an online presence quickly. Users appreciate the ease of setting up and customizing their online stores, the flat monthly fees without per-item charges, and the platform’s intuitive design and mobile management capabilities. However, limitations in features compared to more comprehensive platforms, restricted customization options, and lack of advanced integrations or inventory management for specific items are noted drawbacks. Despite these concerns, Big Cartel is praised for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly approach, particularly for those new to e-commerce or with smaller inventories.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

BlueHost vs Big Cartel: FAQ

Which platform is better for small businesses, BlueHost or Big Cartel?

BlueHost is more versatile, offering comprehensive hosting services and a wide range of customization options through WordPress, making it suitable for businesses looking to grow online. Big Cartel, on the other hand, is tailored for artists and small-scale creators, focusing on simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for small businesses and independent creators.

Can I use BlueHost or Big Cartel for an online store?

Yes, both platforms offer ecommerce capabilities. BlueHost, with its WooCommerce integration, is geared towards businesses looking for a robust online store with extensive customization options. Big Cartel is designed for artists and makers, providing a straightforward platform for selling online with essential ecommerce features.

How do BlueHost and Big Cartel compare in terms of ease of use?

Both platforms are user-friendly, but BlueHost scores slightly higher in ease of use due to its section-based drag-and-drop interface. Big Cartel is also easy to use but is specifically designed for artists and small-scale sellers, focusing on simplicity.

Which platform offers better customer support, BlueHost or Big Cartel?

BlueHost offers 24/7 customer support through chat and phone, along with specific hours for technical assistance, making it more accessible for users needing immediate help. Big Cartel provides customer support Monday through Friday with a smaller support team, which may not be as convenient for all users.

Are there any significant differences in pricing between BlueHost and Big Cartel?

BlueHost offers a wider range of pricing options and significant discounts for annual subscriptions, catering to various needs from simple websites to advanced online stores. Big Cartel has a simpler pricing structure, focusing on affordability with a free plan and flat monthly fees for its paid plans, making it attractive for small businesses and startups.

Which platform is better for hosting quality and website speed optimization?

BlueHost takes the lead in hosting quality and website speed optimization, offering a range of hosting options with technologies like SSD storage, CDN services, and Cloudflare integration to ensure fast load times. Big Cartel includes hosting in all their plans but does not provide specific details on optimization strategies.

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