Final verdict
Carrd and Big Cartel serve distinct purposes, with Carrd excelling in creating single-page websites and Big Cartel focusing on ecommerce for artists and makers.
-
Carrd (Overall Grade: 6.1/10)
shines with its simplicity, ease of use, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create single-page websites. Its strengths lie in design flexibility, user-friendly website editor, and speed optimization. However, it falls short in ecommerce capabilities and advanced features compared to more comprehensive platforms. -
Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is tailored for artists and small-scale sellers, offering essential ecommerce features, marketing tools, and a straightforward setup process. While it may not offer the design versatility or advanced functionalities of larger ecommerce platforms, its focus on simplicity and affordability makes it a viable option for those just starting out or with smaller inventories.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.5 |
6.9 |
|
Ease of use |
9.0 |
8.0 |
|
Ecommerce |
3.5 |
6.2 |
|
Website Editors |
7.0 |
6.8 |
|
Product testing options |
6.0 |
5.9 |
|
Price |
8.9 |
7.8 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
Website speed optimization |
8.2 |
5.0 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
5.8 |
5.8 |
|
Marketing features |
5.8 |
6.2 |
|
Customer support |
6.2 |
5.4 |
|
Security |
7.6 |
7.3 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
User Management |
4.3 |
1.3 |
| Overall |
6.1 |
5.8 |
Best for ecommerce
3.5
6.2
Verdict
: For users focused on ecommerce, especially artists and small businesses, Big Cartel offers a more specialized platform with features tailored to their needs, outperforming Carrd in this sector.
-
Carrd
: While Carrd is an excellent choice for simple, one-page websites, its ecommerce capabilities are limited and largely dependent on third-party integrations. It’s best suited for users who need a straightforward online presence rather than a full-fledged online store. -
Big Cartel
: Specifically designed for artists and makers, Big Cartel provides a range of ecommerce features such as inventory tracking, sales analytics, and social media integrations. Its focus on small businesses and ease of use make it a better choice for those looking to sell online with minimal hassle.
Best for informational & business websites
7.9
7.2
Verdict
: Carrd is better suited for informational business websites, offering superior design flexibility, ease of use, and customer support tailored to the needs of individuals and small businesses seeking a simple online presence.
-
Carrd
: Excelling in simplicity and design flexibility, Carrd is ideal for creating responsive, single-page websites for personal profiles, portfolios, and business landing pages. Its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing make it a go-to for those looking to quickly establish an online presence without extensive web development skills. -
Big Cartel
: While Big Cartel is a robust platform for artists and small businesses to sell online, its focus on ecommerce means it may not offer the same level of suitability for purely informational websites. However, its ease of use and customizable themes still make it a viable option for small-scale informational sites with a sales component.
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.
7.5
6.9
🏆
Winner: Carrd.
Carrd offers a wider variety of templates and designs, more customization flexibility, and more creative design possibilities than Big Cartel.
Carrd is a versatile platform that offers a wide variety of templates and designs, catering to different needs and preferences. Users can choose from a broad selection of themes, ranging from simple and minimalist to complex and dynamic layouts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
On the other hand, 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.
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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.
9.0
8.0
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Scoring a solid 9.0, Carrd stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it exceptionally easy for beginners to create and manage their websites. Big Cartel, with a score of 8.0, offers a robust platform but with a steeper learning curve, especially for those new to ecommerce. If ease of use is a priority, Carrd is the clear winner in this category.
Learning Resources
Both Carrd and Big Cartel offer solid learning resources. Carrd provides a range of tutorials and documentation that are easily accessible and designed to help users get started and make the most out of its features. Big Cartel, on the other hand, offers various 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.
3.5
6.2
Carrd, with a score of 3.5, is primarily a platform for building one-page websites and does not inherently offer robust eCommerce features. Users looking to incorporate eCommerce functionalities would need to integrate third-party services or use external links to platforms like Etsy or Shopify. On the other hand, Big Cartel, scoring 6.2, is tailored for artists and makers, offering features that support small businesses in setting up an online store. 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 |
4.5 |
5.5 |
|
Product page customization |
3.0 |
6.8 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
5.0 |
7.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
6.5 |
|
Payment gateways |
5.5 |
6.0 |
|
Product numbers |
2.0 |
4.5 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
5.7 |
Carrd ecommerce features:
- Paypal and Stripe Integration
- External Widgets integrations
- Basic Product Listing options
Big Cartel ecommerce features:
- Inventory tracking
- Sales analytics
- Social Media integrations
- Marketing tools
Ecommerce themes & templates
Carrd provides a selection of 14 e-commerce templates aimed at users looking to quickly launch online stores for products ranging from e-books to physical goods. These templates are crafted with a focus on simplicity and conversion optimization, featuring designs that vary from dark themes to minimalist aesthetics. They are priced starting at $19 or $25, depending on the template, and require a Pro Standard account or higher due to the use of advanced elements and widgets. On the other hand, 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.
Product page customization
Carrd offers a streamlined approach to ecommerce product page customization, primarily through integrations with third-party platforms such as Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, and Gumroad. Users can create product pages within Carrd by adding product details like name, description, image, and price, and then integrate a checkout button using Carrd’s Widget element for platforms like Stripe. Users can integrate third-party services for ecommerce functionalities, but the customization possibilities for product pages would then depend on the capabilities of those external platforms. In contrast, 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. Additionally, for products with complex attributes, the Advanced Product Options offer a structured way to present multiple variations through up to three option groups per product, simplifying the shopping experience.
Payment processing
Carrd allows for payment-enabled forms for Pro Plus users or higher, integrating with Stripe Checkout for payment processing. This setup enables creating forms for various transactions like order forms or paid email lists. The process requires setting up the payment through Stripe, either via a preconfigured price or a custom price, and entering Stripe API keys. There’s no direct mention of Carrd charging commissions or offering POS capabilities within this documentation. For payment gateways, it specifically supports Stripe and Paypal. On the other hand, 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.
7.0
6.8
🏆
Winner: Carrd
. Carrd, with a score of 7.0, offers a user-friendly interface that allows for easy drag-and-drop functionality, enabling users to add, customize, and position elements such as text, images, buttons, and forms with minimal effort. The editor also provides a range of pre-designed templates and responsive design options, ensuring that websites look professional and work seamlessly across various devices.
Big Cartel’s 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
5.5
7.5
🏆
Winner: Big Cartel
. Both Carrd and Big Cartel offer mobile editing capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. Carrd does not have a dedicated mobile editor app, but it’s possible to edit on a mobile browser. This might be a bit inconvenient for users who prefer to work on their websites on-the-go.
On the other hand, 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.
In summary, Big Cartel receives a higher rating due to its dedicated mobile app and the convenience it offers to users, while Carrd’s lack of a dedicated mobile app might be a drawback 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.
6.0
5.9
Overall Result
:
Carrd wins
. Carrd scores slightly higher than Big Cartel with a score of 6.0 against 5.9. Carrd offers a 7-day free trial during which premium features can be tested, while Big Cartel allows some features to be tested with its free plan. However, neither Carrd nor Big Cartel offer a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No |
Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
7 days | No trial |
|
Testing Premium Features |
During free trial |
With free plan |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No | 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.
8.9
7.8
Carrd and Big Cartel both offer affordable pricing options, but Carrd’s plans are more cost-effective for users who need multiple single-page websites.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
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-$1 |
Pro Lite ($0.75/month): Basic features suitable for simple, personal websites. Up to 3 1-page websites. Value for price: 6.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$1-$3 |
Pro Standard ($1.58/month): Offers more features and flexibility, ideal for professional profiles and small projects. Up to 10 1-page websites. Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$3-$5 |
Pro Plus ($4.08/month): Enhanced features for more complex sites, including additional customization options. Up to 25 1-page websites. Value for price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$5-$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+ |
No offering at this amount. |
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 |
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 Carrd and Big Cartel offer hosting included in all their plans. However, neither platform provides specific information about their hosting type, bandwidth, storage limitations, uptime, uptime guarantee, or data centers. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to compare their hosting quality.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes | Yes |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
|
Type of hosting: |
Shared Hosting | 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.
8.2
5.0
🏆 Winner: Carrd
Carrd has a higher website speed optimization score than Big Cartel, and it uses strategies like mobile responsive design, caching, and Cloudflare CDN. On the other hand, Big Cartel does not mention any information on speed optimization strategies.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Mobile Responsive design, Caching, Cloudflare CDN |
No information available |
|
Performance Tools |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
|
Key Strategies |
Mobile Responsive design, Caching, Cloudflare CDN |
No information available |
|
Load Times |
Minimal due to simplicity of websites |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
High due to simplicity of websites |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Carrd, with its focus on simplicity and ease of use, has a higher website speed optimization score than Big Cartel. Carrd uses strategies like mobile responsive design, caching, and Cloudflare CDN to ensure fast load times and high PageSpeed scores. Given that websites built with Carrd are fairly simple, load times are expected to be minimal, and page speed scores are expected to be high.
On the other hand, Big Cartel does not mention any information on speed optimization strategies. The load times and PageSpeed scores for Big Cartel vary depending on optimization and website complexity. Neither Carrd nor Big Cartel disclose any information related to Core Web Vital improvements.
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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
5.8
🏆 Winner: It’s a tie.
Both Carrd and Big Cartel score 5.8 in plugins and integrations. Carrd offers a range of plugins and extensions, including both free and paid options, that enable functionalities beyond its base features. Big Cartel, on the other hand, offers a variety of apps and integrations to enhance ecommerce store functionality, including marketing, shipping, and store management tools. While Carrd’s plugins provide customization options and solutions to platform limitations, Big Cartel’s integrations enable store owners to automate marketing efforts, streamline shipping processes, boost customer engagement, and gain deeper insights into their store’s performance.
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.
5.8
6.2
🏆
Overall Winner: Big Cartel
. Big Cartel edges out Carrd with a slightly higher marketing features score, offering a more comprehensive set of tools for small businesses and independent creators. Carrd, while offering a simple and easy-to-use platform, relies heavily on third-party integrations for its marketing features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
✓ (through third-party integrations) |
✓ (through third-party integrations) |
|
Blogging |
|
|
|
Social Media Integration |
|
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
✓ (through Google Analytics integration) |
|
|
Ads and Promotions |
✓ (through third-party integrations) |
|
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.
6.2
5.4
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Carrd edges out Big Cartel in this category with a customer support score of 6.2 compared to Big Cartel’s 5.4. Carrd provides 24/7 support via email, typically responding within 24 hours. This round-the-clock support can be crucial for users who may encounter issues at any time.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, offers customer support Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm EST. While they have a dedicated support team, their limited hours may not be as convenient for users who need assistance outside of these times.
Neither Carrd nor Big Cartel provide specific support for enterprises, reflecting their focus on individual users and small 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.
7.6
7.3
🏆
Winner: Carrd
. Carrd takes a slightly stronger stance on security, with a score of 7.6 compared to Big Cartel’s 7.3. Carrd automatically enables SSL for all sites, ensuring secure data transmission. It also has a strict policy on not selling personal information, which is a significant plus for users concerned about data privacy.
Big Cartel also prioritizes security, providing SSL encryption 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 require a higher level of security for their online stores.
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
0.0
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Personalized Design |
|
|
|
SEO Optimization |
|
|
|
Customer Behavior Analysis |
|
|
|
Sales Predictions |
|
|
|
Inventory Management |
|
|
|
Content Generation |
|
|
🏆 Winner: None
. Neither Carrd nor Big Cartel offer AI capabilities. Both platforms focus on providing a straightforward and user-friendly website building experience without the use of AI. This makes them suitable for users who prefer a more hands-on approach to website creation.
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.
4.3
1.3
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Both Carrd and Big Cartel have limited user management capabilities, but Carrd offers slightly more flexibility.
- Carrd is primarily designed for individual use or small teams, with each account managing its own sites. The platform introduced a Team feature to allow multiple users to collaborate, but traditionally, Carrd sites are managed by a single account holder with full control. The specifics of access levels and permissions for collaborators, if available, are less detailed but generally include editing capabilities.
- Big Cartel, on the other hand, allows only one user to build and edit a website. This can be limiting for larger teams or for users who want to collaborate on a project.
Given these limitations, Carrd’s user management capabilities are slightly superior to those of Big Cartel, earning it a higher score in this category.
Additional Features
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
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 |
|
|
User Feedback
Carrd users overwhelmingly praise the platform for its user-friendly interface, excellent customer support, and attractive templates, which make website creation effortless and enjoyable. The drag-and-drop builder, affordability, and mobile-friendly designs are highlighted as significant benefits. However, some users express limitations, such as the inability to create multi-page websites or a desire for more design options. Overall, Carrd is praised for its affordability, ease of use, and suitability for creating quick, simple webpages.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, is lauded for its simplicity and affordability, 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.
FAQ
Which platform is better for single-page websites, Carrd or Big Cartel?
Can I sell products on both Carrd and Big Cartel?
How do Carrd and Big Cartel compare in terms of ease of use?
Which platform offers better customer support, Carrd or Big Cartel?
Are Carrd and Big Cartel suitable for large businesses?
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