Big Cartel vs Durable.co: Final verdict
Big Cartel and Durable.co both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different user needs.
-
Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is tailored for artists and small businesses looking for a simple, affordable way to sell their creations online. It offers a straightforward setup process, customizable themes, and essential ecommerce features like inventory management and sales tracking. However, it lacks advanced ecommerce functionalities and AI capabilities, making it more suitable for smaller-scale operations. -
Durable.co (Overall Grade: 6.8/10)
leverages AI to simplify the website creation process, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need a professional online presence quickly. It offers a user-friendly interface, AI-powered customization, and a range of business management features. While it lacks some traditional ecommerce features, its AI capabilities and comprehensive marketing tools make it a versatile option for various business needs.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
6.9 |
7.0 |
|
Ease of use |
8.0 |
8.2 |
|
Ecommerce |
6.2 |
5.0 |
|
Website Editors |
6.8 |
8.1 |
|
Product testing options |
5.9 |
7.2 |
|
Price |
7.8 |
8.3 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
6.5 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
5.8 |
6.4 |
|
Marketing features |
6.2 |
7.7 |
|
Customer support |
5.4 |
6.6 |
|
Security |
7.3 |
7.7 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
7.5 |
|
User Management |
1.3 |
4.3 |
Which one is the best for ecommerce: Big Cartel or Durable.co?
6.2
5.0
Verdict
: Big Cartel is ideal for artists and small businesses looking for simplicity and essential ecommerce features, while Durable.co is better suited for quick, AI-driven website creation but lacks advanced ecommerce functionalities.
-
Big Cartel
: Big Cartel is designed for artists and makers, offering a straightforward setup and essential ecommerce features like inventory tracking, sales analytics, and social media integrations. It supports small businesses with customizable themes and promotional tools, making it a good choice for those who prioritize simplicity and affordability. However, it may not be suitable for larger stores due to its limited product listings and less advanced ecommerce features. -
Durable.co
: Durable.co leverages AI to simplify the website creation process, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need a professional online presence quickly. While it offers basic ecommerce capabilities like product pages and secure payments with Stripe, it lacks advanced features such as a built-in shopping cart, inventory management, and shipping configurations. This makes Durable.co more suitable for straightforward selling tasks rather than full-scale ecommerce operations.
Which one is the best for informational and business websites?
7.2
7.4
Verdict
: When comparing Big Cartel vs Durable.co for informational business websites, Durable.co slightly edges out Big Cartel due to its AI-powered customization and user-friendly interface.
-
Big Cartel
: Big Cartel is tailored for artists and small businesses, offering a straightforward setup and a variety of customizable templates. It’s ideal for those who want a simple, affordable platform to showcase their creations without needing advanced technical skills. However, its focus on ecommerce features may not fully cater to the needs of purely informational websites. -
Durable.co
: Durable.co excels with its AI-driven website builder, making it incredibly easy to create professional-looking business websites quickly. Its emphasis on user-friendly design and extensive customization options makes it a strong choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to establish an online presence without the complexity of traditional web development. Durable.co’s slight edge in ease of use and design functionalities makes it particularly suitable for informational business websites.
Big Cartel vs Durable.co: 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.
6.9
7.0
🏆
Winner: Durable.co.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, Durable.co 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, Durable.co’s website builder offers a unique approach by prioritizing AI-powered customization over a large library of pre-built templates. Despite offering around 30 AI-generated templates, the emphasis is on unique designs tailored to user preferences. The customization flexibility compensates for the seemingly smaller template count, enabling users to create distinct websites. Design options include thousands of combinations, allowing users to tweak themes, fonts, colors, and layouts for extensive variations from a single AI-generated template.
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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.
8.0
8.2
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
. With a score of 8.2, Durable.co slightly edges out Big Cartel (8.0) in terms of ease of use. Durable.co’s AI-powered website builder and user-friendly interface make it particularly accessible for individuals with no prior experience in website building. However, Big Cartel’s simplicity and focus on artists and small-scale sellers should not be overlooked.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Big Cartel
. While both platforms offer support and resources for users, Big Cartel provides resources specifically tailored for artists and small businesses, making it easier for these users to set up and customize their online 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.
6.2
5.0
Big Cartel and Durable.co both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different needs. Big Cartel is specifically designed for artists and makers, offering features that support small businesses in setting up an online store. Its ecommerce capabilities include easy product listing, customizable themes, inventory tracking, and sales analytics. However, it’s designed for smaller stores, offering fewer product listings and less advanced ecommerce features compared to platforms like 10Web or WooCommerce.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
5.5 |
4.5 |
|
Product page customization |
6.8 |
5.5 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
6.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
6.5 |
3.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
6.0 |
7.0 |
|
Product numbers |
4.5 |
4.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
5.7 |
5.0 |
Big Cartel ecommerce features:
- Inventory tracking
- Sales analytics
- Social Media integrations
- Marketing tools
Durable.co ecommerce features:
- Product pages
- Secure payments with Stripe
- Lead capture forms
- Marketing tools
Ecommerce themes & templates
Big Cartel 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. Durable.co, on the other hand, offers pre-built website templates that can be adapted for online product sales, but it lacks traditional ecommerce features found in platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce. The platform has limitations such as the absence of a shopping cart, requiring manual payment links for each product, no inventory management tools, and limited shipping options that need to be configured externally.
Product page customization
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. Durable.co offers customization options for product pages on their platform. Their AI-powered website builder allows for easy customization of product pages, where users can add sections, change images, and edit titles and SEO settings to suit their needs.
Payment processing
When it comes to 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. Durable.co partners with Stripe to offer secure and versatile payment processing solutions, charging a 3.1% plus $0.30 fee per credit card transaction for invoices. This collaboration enables businesses to handle various payment methods, including POS transactions, through Stripe’s comprehensive payment gateway infrastructure.
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.
6.8
8.1
🏆
Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co, with a score of 8.1, offers a user-friendly, AI-powered platform designed to help users swiftly create business websites without the need for coding knowledge. It boasts a wide range of features, integrated SEO, and marketing tools, complemented by business management features like CRM, invoicing, and an AI assistant to enhance operational efficiency.
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.
Mobile editor/app
7.5
5.5
🏆
Winner: Big Cartel
. Both Big Cartel and Durable.co offer mobile editing capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. Big Cartel has 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 be applied only on the desktop version.
On the other hand, Durable.co does not have a mobile editor app. However, users can edit their website using a mobile browser. Despite this, Big Cartel’s mobile app is more user-friendly and offers more functionalities, making it the winner in this category.
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.
5.9
7.2
Overall Result
:
Durable.co wins
. Durable.co scores 7.2, offering a free version, no trial version but a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the possibility to test premium features during the refundable period. Big Cartel, scoring 5.9, offers a free version and the possibility to test some features with the free plan, but lacks a trial version and a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
No |
No (30-day money-back guarantee) |
|
Testing Premium Features |
Limited with free plan |
During 30-day refundable period |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No |
30 days |
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.
7.8
8.3
Durable.co offers more pricing options and discounts, making it a more flexible choice for businesses of different sizes. However, Big Cartel’s simplicity and focus on supporting creative endeavors make it a good choice for artists and makers.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
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 Plan ($0/month): Offers basic features for individuals or aspiring entrepreneurs, including a subdomain, email support, and AI assistant. And up to 3 website pages. |
|
$0-$17 |
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 |
Starter ($15/month): For solopreneurs/small businesses, includes a custom domain, priority support, and more advanced features as well as up to 10 website pages. Value for price: 6.0 |
|
$15-$30 |
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 |
Business ($25/month): Tailored for established businesses, offering extensive CRM features, unlimited promotions, and up to 100 website pages. Value for price: 8.0 |
|
$90+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Mogul ($95/month): Designed for managing multiple businesses with a single account, offering the most comprehensive features. Offers up to 5 websites with unlimited pages. Value for Price: 9.5 |
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.
5.0
5.0
🏆
Winner: Tie
. Both Big Cartel and Durable.co offer hosting included in their plans, but neither provides detailed information about their hosting services. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to compare their hosting quality. Therefore, both builders receive the same rating in this category.
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|---|---|---|
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Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, included in all plans |
Yes, included in all plans |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Type of hosting: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Uptime: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
No |
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.
5.0
6.5
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
Both Big Cartel and Durable.co are website builders, but Durable.co has a clear strategy for website speed optimization, while Big Cartel does not provide specific information on this aspect.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Not specified |
Server Optimization, Image Optimization, Caching, Code minification, Lazy Loading, CDN |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified | Not specified |
|
Key Strategies |
Not specified |
Server Optimization, Image Optimization, Caching, Code minification, Lazy Loading, CDN |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity | Not specified |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified | Not specified |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not specified |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Durable.co has a clear strategy for website speed optimization, including server optimization, image optimization, caching, code minification, lazy loading, and the use of a content delivery network (CDN). They also emphasize improvements in Core Web Vitals, which are key metrics for user experience on the web. However, Durable.co does not provide specific data on load times or PageSpeed scores.
On the other hand, Big Cartel does not provide specific information on speed optimization strategies, load times, PageSpeed scores, or Core Web Vital improvements. The load times and PageSpeed scores for websites built with Big Cartel can vary depending on the level of optimization and the complexity of the website.
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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.
5.8
6.4
🏆 Winner: Durable.co.
Durable.co scores 6.4, slightly ahead of Big Cartel’s 5.8. While Big Cartel offers a variety of apps and integrations to enhance ecommerce store functionality, Durable.co integrates with a variety of third-party tools and services to add functionality to your website. These integrations are not directly managed by Durable.co, so the number of available options and their pricing structures can vary depending on the specific tools you choose.
However, Durable.co does provide a directory of recommended third-party integrations on its website, which you can explore to find tools that meet your needs. Additionally, many popular WordPress plugins and extensions are also compatible with Durable.co, giving you even more options to consider.
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.
6.2
7.7
🏆
Overall Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co offers a more comprehensive set of marketing features, including blogging and advanced analytics. Big Cartel, while offering basic marketing tools, lacks blogging capabilities and has a lower overall score.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
Basic SEO features |
Advanced SEO features with AI assistance |
|
Email Marketing |
Integration with third-party tools like Mailchimp |
In-built email marketing features |
|
Blogging |
X |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Basic analytics and reporting |
Advanced analytics dashboard |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Yes, using third-party integration |
In-built marketing features for brand awareness |
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.
5.4
6.6
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
. In the comparison of Big Cartel vs Durable.co, Durable.co takes the lead with a higher customer support score of 6.6 compared to Big Cartel’s 5.4. Durable.co offers customer support through phone, email, and live chat, available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. This multi-channel approach ensures that users can get timely assistance through their preferred method.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, provides support via email and has a dedicated team available Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm EST. While Big Cartel’s support team is helpful, the limited availability and fewer support channels make it less accessible compared to Durable.co. Additionally, Durable.co offers enterprise support with tailored services, which is a significant advantage for larger businesses.
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.
7.3
7.7
🏆
Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co edges out Big Cartel with a slightly higher security score. Durable.co’s commitment to data protection is evident in its use of advanced encryption, regular software updates, and a robust firewall to protect against cyber threats. This ensures that user data is stored and protected with the highest level of security.
Big Cartel also prioritizes data protection, offering SSL encryption across its platform and strict data processing protocols. However, it’s important to note that while Big Cartel facilitates secure payment processing via third-party PCI-compliant gateways like PayPal and Stripe, it does not achieve PCI compliance on its own. This could be a potential concern for users who prioritize secure payment processing.
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.
0.0
7.5
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Website Builder |
|
Durable.co’s AI website builder allows users to create professional and visually appealing websites without any coding knowledge |
|
AI Ecommerce Features |
|
Durable.co leverages AI to personalize the shopping experience for each customer |
|
AI Content Generation |
|
Durable.co’s AI content generation simplifies content creation with advanced natural language processing |
|
Additional AI Features |
|
Durable.co offers additional AI features such as predictive maintenance and AI-powered inventory management |
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
. Durable.co, with a score of 7.5, leverages AI in various aspects of website building, including design, ecommerce, content generation, and additional features like predictive maintenance and inventory management. 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.
1.3
4.3
🏆 Winner: Durable.co
. Both Big Cartel and Durable.co have limited user management capabilities, but Durable.co offers slightly more flexibility.
- Big Cartel allows only one user to build and edit a website.
- Durable.co’s free plan also permits only the account owner to edit the website. However, the Starter and Business Plans allow one additional user, and the Mogul Plan allows for the creation of multiple businesses under one account, each with its own website. Additional users can edit each website, but the exact number is not publicly disclosed.
Unfortunately, neither platform provides detailed information about user roles and access levels.
Additional Features
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|---|---|---|
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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 |
|
|
Big Cartel vs Durable.co: 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.
Durable.co, on the other hand, does not have any reviews on the G2 platform. This lack of user feedback makes it challenging to gauge user satisfaction and overall performance. However, its AI-driven approach to website building is designed to simplify the process, which could be a significant advantage for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking for a quick and efficient way to establish an online presence. When comparing Big Cartel vs Durable.co, the choice may come down to the specific needs and preferences of the user, particularly in terms of ease of use and the importance of AI capabilities.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
Big Cartel vs Durable.co: FAQ
Which platform is better for artists and small-scale creators, Big Cartel or Durable.co?
Can I build a website without coding knowledge on Big Cartel and Durable.co?
How do Big Cartel and Durable.co compare in terms of ecommerce capabilities?
Which platform offers better customer support, Big Cartel or Durable.co?
Are there any AI capabilities on Big Cartel or Durable.co?
Which platform is more affordable, Big Cartel or Durable.co?
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