Big Cartel vs Framer: Final verdict
Big Cartel and Framer cater to different audiences with distinct needs, making each platform suitable for specific types of users.
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Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is tailored for artists and small-scale sellers who prioritize simplicity and affordability. It offers an easy-to-use interface, essential ecommerce features, and customizable templates designed for creative professionals. However, it lacks advanced functionalities and scalability, making it less suitable for larger businesses or those looking to expand significantly. When comparing Big Cartel vs Framer, Big Cartel is ideal for independent creators and small businesses seeking a straightforward, cost-effective solution. -
Framer (Overall Grade: 7.1/10)
excels in providing a robust design and prototyping platform with extensive customization options and AI-driven tools. It is well-suited for designers, developers, and teams looking for high-fidelity prototyping and interactive design capabilities. While it has a steeper learning curve and lacks native ecommerce features, Framer’s advanced design functionalities and collaborative tools make it a powerful choice for professional web development projects. Considering Big Cartel vs Framer, Framer is the preferred option for users who need comprehensive design tools and are willing to invest time in learning the platform.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
6.9 |
8.5 |
Ease of use |
8.0 |
7.1 |
Ecommerce |
6.2 |
5.9 |
Website Editors |
6.8 |
7.6 |
Product testing options |
5.9 |
6.2 |
Price |
7.8 |
7.7 |
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
7.1 |
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
7.4 |
Plugins and integrations |
5.8 |
7.6 |
Marketing features |
6.2 |
7.2 |
Customer support |
5.4 |
5.6 |
Security |
7.3 |
8.2 |
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
7.6 |
User Management |
1.3 |
7.4 |
Which one is the best for ecommerce: Big Cartel or Framer?
Verdict
: Big Cartel is better suited for small-scale ecommerce, particularly for artists and makers, while Framer, despite its advanced design capabilities, lacks native ecommerce features and relies on integrations.
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Big Cartel
: Designed specifically for artists and small businesses, Big Cartel offers essential ecommerce features such as inventory tracking, sales analytics, and social media integrations. It is ideal for those who need a straightforward, easy-to-use platform to sell their creations online. However, it may not be suitable for businesses looking to expand significantly. Best For Ecommerce score: 6.2. -
Framer
: While Framer excels in design and customization with its AI-driven tools and extensive component library, it lacks native ecommerce functionalities. Instead, it relies on integrations with platforms like Ecwid for ecommerce capabilities. This makes it less ideal for those seeking a robust ecommerce solution. Best For Ecommerce score: 5.9.
Which one is the best for informational and business websites?
Verdict
: Framer slightly edges out Big Cartel for informational and business websites due to its advanced design capabilities and comprehensive customization options.
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Big Cartel
: Big Cartel is tailored for artists and small businesses, offering a straightforward setup and easy-to-use interface. It provides essential features like inventory management and sales tracking, making it ideal for creative individuals looking to establish an online presence without technical complexity. However, its focus on ecommerce might limit its appeal for purely informational sites. Score: 7.2 -
Framer
: Framer excels with its AI-driven design tools and extensive customization options, making it suitable for both novices and experienced designers. Its drag-and-drop interface and comprehensive component library allow for detailed and interactive website designs. While it has a steeper learning curve, its robust features make it a strong choice for creating visually appealing and highly functional informational websites. Score: 7.5
Big Cartel vs Framer: 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.
🏆
Winner: Framer.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, Framer is the preferred choice.
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.
Compared to Big Cartel, Framer offers a diverse array of over 1,000 customizable website templates and designs, catering to various industries and project requirements. It stands out for its robust design and prototyping features, including responsive design capabilities, real-time collaboration, and extensive import options from other design tools. The platform facilitates a collaborative design process through features like multiplayer functionalities and real components for interactive design, making it an ideal choice for designers, developers, and teams.
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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.
🏆 Winner: Big Cartel
. Scoring 8.0, Big Cartel is designed with simplicity in mind, making it particularly accessible for artists and small-scale sellers who may not have extensive technical skills. Framer, with a score of 7.1, offers a robust platform but with a steeper learning curve, especially for those new to web design. If ease of use is a priority, Big Cartel is the clear winner in this category.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Framer
. While both platforms offer solid learning resources, Framer goes a step further with its wide array of detailed courses and lessons on Framer Academy, making it easier for users to learn and adapt.
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.
Big Cartel and Framer offer different ecommerce capabilities. Big Cartel is designed specifically for artists and makers, offering features like inventory tracking, sales analytics, social media integrations, and marketing tools. However, it’s designed for smaller stores and may not be suitable for businesses looking to expand significantly. On the other hand, Framer does not offer native ecommerce features and relies on integrations with platforms like Ecwid for ecommerce functionalities.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
5.5 |
7.0 |
Product page customization |
6.8 |
5.5 |
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
6.5 |
POS capabilities |
6.5 |
3.0 |
Payment gateways |
6.0 |
6.0 |
Product numbers |
4.5 |
6.0 |
Additional ecommerce features |
5.7 |
5.5 |
Big Cartel ecommerce features:
- Inventory tracking
- Sales analytics
- Social Media integrations
- Marketing tools
Framer ecommerce features:
- Ecwid integration
Ecommerce themes & templates
Big Cartel offers around 20 templates, each specifically designed to cater to the needs of ecommerce stores. In contrast, Framer offers 97 website templates specifically designed for eCommerce, providing a wide range of options for various business needs. These templates are highly customizable, allowing for easy adjustments to colors, fonts, layouts, and integration with essential eCommerce tools.
Product page customization
When it comes to product page customization, Big Cartel enables merchants to customize their product offerings with the Product Variants feature, supporting up to 150 variants per item. On the other hand, Framer allows for some customization of product pages, but these modifications are generally limited to design and layout alterations.
Payment processing
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. In contrast, Framer supports Stripe for payment processing, enabling a wide range of payment options including one-time payments, subscriptions, and more, without requiring coding.
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.
🏆
Winner: Framer
. Framer, with a score of 7.6, is designed for high-fidelity prototyping and complex animations, catering to both designers and developers. It offers a robust set of tools for creating interactive and responsive designs, including a wide array of pre-built components, real-time collaboration features, and the ability to integrate with other design tools and workflows. Users can leverage Framer’s editor to craft detailed animations, fine-tune interactions, and test their designs across various screen sizes and devices. Additionally, its code export feature allows for seamless transition from design to development, making it a versatile choice for teams aiming to create polished, user-centric websites.
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
🏆
Winner: Big Cartel
. Both Big Cartel and Framer offer mobile capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. Big Cartel’s mobile app 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 be applied only on the desktop version.
On the other hand, Framer does not have a dedicated mobile editor app. You can modify your website using a mobile browser, though this comes with certain restrictions. Moreover, the mobile version of the editor is notably inconvenient.
In summary, Big Cartel is the clear winner in this category due to its dedicated mobile app and user-friendly interface.
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.
Overall Result
:
Framer
. Framer scores slightly higher than Big Cartel with a score of 6.2 against 5.9. Both platforms offer a free version that allows users to test some of the features. However, neither of them provides a trial version. Framer has an edge over Big Cartel as it offers a money-back guarantee in some regions, which Big Cartel does not.
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|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
Yes | Yes |
Trial Duration |
No | No |
Testing Premium Features |
Possible with free plan | Possible with free version |
Money Back Guarantee |
No |
Yes (Only in some regions) |
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.
Big Cartel and Framer have similar price scores, with Big Cartel slightly leading. Big Cartel offers straightforward pricing with no discounts for longer-term commitments, while Framer provides a range of plans with discounts for annual billing. Framer also offers an Enterprise plan for large-scale websites, which Big Cartel lacks.
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|
|
---|---|---|
Free |
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. |
Free (Free/month): Allows 3 websites built on a framer.website subdomain with Framer branding in the footer. Limited to 1,000 traffic visitors and 1,000 CMS items. |
$5-$15 |
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 |
Mini ($10/month): Removes Framer branding, allows using a custom domain, includes collaboration with an additional cost for extra editors, custom code embedding, e-commerce support, and limited CMS items. Offers a monthly visitor limit of 2,000 and 1GB bandwidth. Value for price: 6.5 |
$15-$25 |
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 |
Basic ($20/month): Offers all Mini features plus increased limits for CMS items (1,000) and traffic (10,000 visitors per month), along with 10GB bandwidth. Value for price: 7.5 |
$30+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Pro ($30/month): Enhances Basic plan features with a significant increase in CMS items (10,000), traffic (100,000 visitors per month), and bandwidth (100GB), among other advanced features. Value for price: 8.5 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines 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.
Winner: Framer
. Framer offers cloud hosting with a 99.9% uptime and an uptime guarantee for enterprise plans. They also have 4 data centers globally. Big Cartel, on the other hand, does not provide specific information about their hosting services, including the type of hosting, uptime, and data centers. This lack of transparency results in a lower rating for Big Cartel.
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|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, included in all plans |
Yes, included in all plans |
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed |
4 globally: 2 in US, 1 in Ireland, 1 in Singapore |
Type of hosting: |
Not disclosed |
Cloud Hosting |
Uptime: |
Not disclosed |
99.9% |
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
Yes, 99.99% for enterprise plan |
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.
🏆 Winner: Framer
Both Big Cartel and Framer are website builders that prioritize website performance and page speed. However, Framer has a clear strategy for speed optimization and has made improvements in Core Web Vitals, giving it an edge over Big Cartel.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
Not specified |
Code Minification, Pre-Rendering, Caching, Image optimization |
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
Key Strategies |
Not specified |
Code Minification, Pre-Rendering, Caching, Image optimization |
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity | Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified | Not specified |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not specified |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Framer, with its focus on AI-driven design and an intuitive user interface, has a clear strategy for speed optimization. It uses techniques such as code minification, pre-rendering, caching, and image optimization to enhance website performance. Framer also places emphasis on improving Core Web Vitals, specifically LCP, FID, and CLS.
On the other hand, Big Cartel, a website builder designed for artists and makers, does not specify any strategies for speed optimization or improvements in Core Web Vitals. The load times and PageSpeed scores for Big Cartel websites 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.
🏆 Winner: Framer.
Framer scores 7.6, offering a variety of plugins that cater to different needs such as forms, video & animation, social media integration, audio, and utility functions. These plugins enhance the functionality of websites created with Framer, allowing users to drag and drop these features onto their web pages, customize them, and connect them to their content or service.
On the other hand, Big Cartel, with a score of 5.8, offers a variety of apps and integrations to enhance ecommerce store functionality, including marketing, shipping, and store management tools. However, the total number of direct apps and integrations is around 27, which may be fewer than other platforms offer.
While both platforms offer valuable integrations, Framer’s higher score and more diverse range of plugins give it the edge in this category.
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.
🏆
Overall Winner: Framer
. Framer offers a more comprehensive set of marketing tools, including advanced SEO features, blogging capabilities, and robust analytics and reporting. Big Cartel, while offering basic marketing tools, lacks blogging features and has limited SEO capabilities.
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|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
Basic SEO features | Advanced SEO features |
Email Marketing |
Yes, through third party integrations like Mailchimp | Yes, through integration of third-party services such as Mailchimp |
Blogging |
No | Yes |
Social Media Integration |
Yes | Yes |
Analytics and Reporting |
Yes | Yes, only on higher plans |
Ads and Promotions |
Yes, using third party integration | No |
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.
🏆 Winner: Framer
. Comparing Big Cartel vs Framer, Framer edges out slightly in this category with a customer support score of 5.6 compared to Big Cartel’s 5.4. Framer primarily offers self-help options through their community forum and knowledge base, and users can also email their support team for assistance. While details about their working hours and availability are not provided, the availability of a community forum can be a valuable resource for users seeking help.
Big Cartel’s customer support is available Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm EST, with a team of twelve members ready to assist. They recommend that account holders log in for faster assistance and provide an email contact for non-account holders. However, Big Cartel does not fulfill orders or control refunds directly, which may limit the support experience for some users. Despite this, Big Cartel’s support team is noted for being helpful within their available hours.
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.
🏆
Winner: Framer
. Framer takes a comprehensive approach to security, utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) for hosting its services and ensuring data is encrypted at rest. They classify data into categories and manage secrets and encryption keys through AWS Parameter Store and Key Management Service (KMS). Framer also emphasizes product security through secure development practices, external security testing, and a bug bounty program.
Big Cartel, while providing SSL encryption across its platform and complying with Data Protection Legislation, does not achieve PCI compliance on its own. It facilitates secure payment processing through integration with PCI-compliant third-party 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.
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---|---|---|
AI Builder |
|
Framer’s AI builder simplifies the process of creating and optimizing web content |
AI Ecommerce features |
|
|
AI content generation |
|
Framer’s AI enhances website creation with features like AI Translation, Text Rewrite, and Headline Generator |
Additional AI features |
|
Framer’s AI Style and AI Photo Generating and Editing tools offer a high degree of customization and instant image creation and editing capabilities |
🏆 Winner: Framer
. Framer, with a score of 7.6, offers several AI capabilities that enhance the process of website creation and optimization. These include AI-driven content generation and localization, text rewriting, headline generation, style customization, and photo generation and editing. On the other hand, Big Cartel does not have any AI capabilities.
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.
🏆 Winner: Framer
. Big Cartel and Framer have different approaches to user management.
- Big Cartel allows only one user to build and edit a website.
- Framer supports team collaboration with different plans allowing a varying number of editors; the Team Basic plan allows up to 5 editors, while the Team Pro plan supports up to 10 editors. These plans come with additional features like live collaboration, comments, file storage, and extended version history.
Framer User Roles and Access Levels:
Role | Description | Access Highlights |
---|---|---|
Designer | Focuses on the aesthetic and UI/UX aspects of the website. | Can create and modify design elements, utilize animation libraries like Framer Motion, and implement accessibility settings. |
Content Editor | Manages and curates content for the website, including text, images, and other media. | Can edit CMS content, use localization features for different regions, and modify SEO settings. |
Developer | Works on more technical aspects, such as custom code and integrations. | Has access to deploy options, can use custom domains, manage project permissions, and apply custom code for further optimization. |
Project Manager | Oversees the project, coordinating between different roles and ensuring the project meets its deadlines and goals. | Can invite collaborators, assign roles and permissions, and manage versions and rollbacks for efficient site management. |
Collaborator (General) | A role that can encompass various levels of access based on project needs, including design, content, and deployment tasks. | Access can be customized to include a mix of design, content, and deploy permissions based on the project’s needs and the individual’s role within the team. |
Additional Features
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SSL Certificate |
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Custom Domain |
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Free Custom Domain Included |
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International Domains |
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Mobile Responsive |
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Page Speed |
|
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Website Builder Mobile App |
|
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Convert a Website To An App |
|
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Website Analytics |
|
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Multilingual Sites |
|
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Multiple Users |
|
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Big Cartel vs Framer: User Feedback
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.
Framer receives high marks for its user-friendly, no-code approach to web and prototype design, offering extensive tutorials, templates, and drag-and-drop functionalities that expedite the design process. Users appreciate its integration with tools like Figma, AI-generated responsive designs, and real-time collaboration features. Critiques focus on a steep learning curve for newcomers and limitations in customer support and features without premium access. Despite these drawbacks, Framer is lauded as a powerful design tool that enhances creativity and efficiency in web development.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
Big Cartel vs Framer: FAQ
Which platform is better for artists and small-scale sellers, Big Cartel or Framer?
Can I use Framer for ecommerce?
How do Big Cartel and Framer compare in terms of design and customization?
Which platform offers better support for building informational and business websites?
Is Big Cartel or Framer easier to use for beginners?
What are the main differences in pricing between Big Cartel and Framer?
Which platform has better hosting quality?
How do Big Cartel and Framer handle website speed optimization?
Which platform offers better plugins and integrations?
How do customer support options compare between Big Cartel and Framer?