Final verdict
IONOS and Big Cartel serve different niches within the website builder market, each with its unique strengths.
-
IONOS (Overall Grade: 6.9/10)
excels in providing a comprehensive suite of features for businesses looking for a robust online presence. With its wide range of customizable templates, extensive ecommerce capabilities, and strong focus on security and hosting quality, IONOS is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses that require a professional website with scalable options. Its AI capabilities and marketing tools further enhance its appeal to users looking for advanced functionalities. -
Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
, on the other hand, is tailored for artists, makers, and small retailers. It shines in its simplicity, ease of use, and affordability, making it an ideal choice for those just starting out or with limited technical skills. While it may not offer the breadth of features found in IONOS, Big Cartel’s user-friendly platform and focus on creative industries make it a go-to for users seeking a straightforward solution for selling their creations online.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.2 |
6.9 |
|
Ease of use |
7.8 |
8.0 |
|
Ecommerce |
7.1 |
6.2 |
|
Website Editors |
7.8 |
6.8 |
|
Product testing options |
6.5 |
5.9 |
|
Price |
7.8 |
7.8 |
|
Hosting quality |
8.8 |
5.0 |
|
Website speed optimization |
7.2 |
5.0 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
6.5 |
5.8 |
|
Marketing features |
7.5 |
6.2 |
|
Customer support |
7.3 |
5.4 |
|
Security |
7.5 |
7.3 |
|
AI capabilities |
7.2 |
0.0 |
|
User Management |
3.1 |
1.3 |
| Overall |
6.9 |
5.8 |
Best for ecommerce
7.1
6.2
Verdict
: For artists and small creators, Big Cartel offers a tailored, easy-to-use platform, while IONOS provides a more versatile ecommerce solution suitable for a broader range of businesses.
-
IONOS
: With a score of 7.1, IONOS stands out for its comprehensive ecommerce features, including advanced store management, marketing tools, and a wide range of payment and shipping options. It’s designed to cater to businesses looking to scale and diversify their online presence. -
Big Cartel
: Scoring 6.2, Big Cartel is specifically designed for artists and makers, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use. It offers essential features like inventory tracking and sales analytics, making it ideal for small businesses and independent creators.
Best for informational & business websites
7.4
7.2
Verdict
: IONOS slightly edges out Big Cartel for informational and business websites, offering a more robust set of features tailored to a wider range of business needs.
-
IONOS
: With a score of 7.4, IONOS stands out for its comprehensive suite of tools and services designed for creating professional and versatile websites. It offers a wide range of customizable templates, reliable hosting, and excellent customer support, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to establish a solid online presence. -
Big Cartel
: Scoring 7.2, Big Cartel is best suited for artists and small-scale sellers focusing on simplicity and ease of use. While it may not offer the same level of customization and functionality as IONOS, it provides a straightforward platform for those looking to quickly set up an online store or portfolio.
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: IONOS.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers a wide range of customizable templates and design flexibility, IONOS is the preferred choice.
IONOS offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder. With over 200 templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are categorized into different industries and styles, making it easy for users to find the perfect design for their website. Additionally, IONOS regularly updates their template library, ensuring that users have access to the latest design trends.
Compared to IONOS, 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.
7.8
8.0
🏆 Winner: Big Cartel
. With a score of 8.0, Big Cartel edges out IONOS, which scored 7.8. Big Cartel’s simplicity and user-friendly interface make it an ideal choice for artists and small-scale sellers, while IONOS offers a straightforward and intuitive interface suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. Both platforms offer solid learning resources, but IONOS provides more comprehensive guidance, catering to users of all levels and offering detailed advice on various aspects of website creation and optimization.
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.
7.1
6.2
IONOS and Big Cartel both offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different types of businesses. IONOS provides a more comprehensive set of ecommerce features, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes. On the other hand, Big Cartel is specifically designed for artists and makers, making it a great choice for small businesses and independent creators.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
6.5 |
5.5 |
|
Product page customization |
6.8 |
6.8 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
5.5 |
6.5 |
|
Payment gateways |
7.2 |
6.0 |
|
Product numbers |
6.0 |
4.5 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
6.3 |
5.7 |
IONOS ecommerce features:
- Store Management
- Marketing Tools
- Payment and Shipping options
- Products and Inventory management
Big Cartel ecommerce features:
- Inventory tracking
- Sales analytics
- Social Media integrations
- Marketing tools
Ecommerce themes & templates
IONOS offers a variety of ecommerce themes and templates designed to help businesses set up their online stores efficiently and effectively. Their online store builder is tailored to support a range of ecommerce needs, from selling on social media platforms to managing a scalable ecommerce website without any coding or design skills required. In contrast, 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
IONOS provides users with the ability to extensively customize product pages. This includes the flexibility to adjust the design and layout, ensuring that product images, descriptions, and specifications are displayed according to individual preferences. Additionally, IONOS allows for the setup and management of product options and variations, such as size and color, enabling customers to select their preferred version of a product. On the other hand, 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, IONOS supports a wide variety of third-party payment processors for its website builder, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, without charging direct fees for payment processing. Users can choose from an extensive list of payment options to suit their business needs and customer preferences, enhancing the flexibility and security of online transactions. 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.
7.8
6.8
🏆
Winner: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.8, provides an intuitive website builder equipped with AI assistance, designed for users to quickly create professional-looking websites without needing coding skills. This platform offers customizable templates, AI-generated content, and is optimized for mobile use, ensuring a responsive design across all devices. With features that cater to both basic and advanced website needs, including eCommerce capabilities, IONOS aims to simplify the web creation process.
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
4.5
7.5
🏆
Winner: Big Cartel
. Both IONOS and Big Cartel offer mobile capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. IONOS does not have a dedicated mobile editor app, but users have access to limited editing abilities on a mobile browser. This can be a disadvantage for users who prefer to manage 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 with comprehensive features, while IONOS falls short due to its lack of a dedicated mobile app and limited mobile editing capabilities.
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.
6.5
5.9
Overall Result
:
IONOS wins
. IONOS scores 6.5, offering the possibility to test premium features during a 30-day refundable period, while Big Cartel scores 5.9, allowing some features to be tested with the free plan.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | Yes |
|
Trial Duration |
No (30-day money back guarantee) | No |
|
Testing Premium Features |
Possible during 30-day refundable period |
Possible with free plan |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
30 days | 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.
7.8
7.8
IONOS and Big Cartel have the same price score, but IONOS offers a discount for annual subscriptions, while Big Cartel does not.
Neither of the builders have an Enterprise plan.
| Price range |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
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. |
|
$5-$15 |
Starter ($12/month): Basic for newcomers with 10GB space, 10 pages, 2GB email, free domain first year. Value for price: 5.0 |
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 |
|
$15-$20 |
Plus ($18/month): Enhanced with 50GB space, 200 pages, custom HTML, SiteAnalytics, online booking, AI Text Generator & AI Text Improver, AI SEO Text Generator Value for price: 7.5 |
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 |
|
$30+ |
Pro ($30/month): Advanced for scaling, unlimited space/pages, 50GB email, SEO tools, comprehensive marketing tools. Value for price: 9.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
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.
8.8
5.0
Winner: IONOS
. IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, with features like daily backups, and unlimited traffic. It also boasts a 99.99% uptime guarantee and has 7 data centers in the EU and USA. On the other hand, Big Cartel does not provide specific information about their hosting services, uptime, or data centers, which makes it difficult to assess their hosting quality.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, included in all paid plans |
Yes, included in all paid plans |
|
Data Centers: |
Total of 7 data centers in EU(Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Logroño) and USA(Las Vegas, NV; Newark, NJ; Lenexa, KS) |
Big Cartel does not disclose any information about their data centers |
|
Type of hosting: |
Shared, Dedicated, VPS, WordPress Hosting |
Big Cartel does not explicitly mention any information on their hosting |
|
Uptime: |
99.99% |
Big Cartel does not disclose statistics on their uptime |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
Yes, 99.99% |
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.
7.2
5.0
🏆 Winner: IONOS
IONOS has a clear strategy for speed optimization and has made improvements in Core Web Vitals, while Big Cartel does not provide any information on these aspects.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, CDN |
No information available |
|
Performance Tools |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
No information available |
|
Key Strategies |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, CDN |
No information available |
|
Load Times |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
No information available |
IONOS has a clear strategy for speed optimization, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization, Image and Multimedia Optimization, Caching, WordPress Optimization, and CDN. It also places emphasis on improving Core Web Vitals, specifically LCP, FID, and CLS. However, the load times and PageSpeed scores can vary widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location.
On the other hand, Big Cartel does not provide any information on its speed optimization strategies or Core Web Vitals improvements. The load times and PageSpeed scores can vary, depending on the optimization and website complexity. Therefore, IONOS is the clear winner in this comparison.
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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.
6.5
5.8
🏆 Winner: IONOS.
With a score of 6.5, IONOS offers a wider range of plugins and extensions compared to Big Cartel, which scores 5.8. IONOS provides over 100 plugins, including contact forms, social media integration, and ecommerce capabilities. On the other hand, Big Cartel offers around 27 apps and integrations, focusing on enhancing ecommerce store functionality. While both platforms offer valuable extensions, IONOS’s larger selection gives 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.
7.5
6.2
🏆
Overall Winner: IONOS
. IONOS stands out for its comprehensive marketing tools, including advanced SEO tools, robust email marketing, blogging capabilities, extensive social media integration, detailed analytics and reporting, and sophisticated ad campaign management. Big Cartel, while offering basic marketing features, lacks in areas like blogging and has a lower overall marketing features score.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Direct sales on Facebook and Instagram |
Basic social media integration |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Detailed insights through built-in metrics and SiteAnalytics |
Basic analytics and reporting |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Sophisticated ad campaign management with Google Ads |
Basic ads and promotions using third party integration |
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.
7.3
5.4
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS takes the lead in this category with a customer support score of 7.3, compared to Big Cartel’s score of 5.4. IONOS provides 24/7 customer support, ensuring that users can reach out for help whenever needed. They offer assistance with the user interface of the website builder and have contact numbers provided for immediate assistance.
On the other hand, Big Cartel’s customer support team is available Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm EST. They have twelve members on their support team to assist with various inquiries. However, it’s important to note that Big Cartel does not fulfill orders or control refunds directly, but they do offer resources for these concerns. Neither IONOS nor Big Cartel provide support for enterprises.
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.
7.5
7.3
🏆
Winner: IONOS
. IONOS takes the lead in security with a score of 7.5, offering robust data storage and protection measures across its services. It provides secure file storage with options for backup, easy data transfer, and enhanced access security. IONOS also supports two-factor authentication for added security and offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that data is encrypted during transfer and storage.
Big Cartel, with a security score of 7.3, also emphasizes the protection of private data through comprehensive measures such as SSL encryption for all shops and custom domains, and strict data processing protocols in line with data protection legislation. 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.
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.
7.2
0.0
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Personalized Design |
IONOS AI offers tailored design suggestions based on user inputs |
|
|
SEO Optimization |
AI-driven recommendations for better search engine visibility |
|
|
Content Generation |
AI assistance in creating and optimizing site content |
|
|
Additional AI Features |
AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator |
|
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.2, utilizes AI to enhance the website creation process. Its AI features focus on personalized design recommendations, content generation, and SEO optimization. It also offers additional AI features like AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator to streamline the website creation process.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. This lack of AI features might limit the functionality and efficiency of website creation and management on Big Cartel.
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.
3.1
1.3
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. Both IONOS and Big Cartel have different approaches to user management.
- IONOS allows multiple users to edit a website. However, there is no mention of user roles and permissions, nor is there information about limitations on the number of users allowed to edit a website.
- Big Cartel, on the other hand, allows only one user to build and edit a website.
Unfortunately, neither platform provides information about user roles and access levels.
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
IONOS, primarily a hosting provider that also offers a website builder, has received mixed reviews. Users appreciate its comprehensive packages, personalized support, and streamlined interface for IT professionals. However, some users have reported issues with backend functionality and found customer service representatives to be too pushy. Despite occasional short outages, the overall reliability and responsiveness of the service are appreciated by users.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, is praised for its simplicity and affordability, making it a popular choice for small businesses and startups. 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, some users have noted limitations in features compared to more comprehensive platforms, restricted customization options, and lack of advanced integrations or inventory management for specific items. 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 small businesses and independent creators, IONOS or Big Cartel?
Can I sell products online using both IONOS and Big Cartel?
Which platform offers better customer support, IONOS or Big Cartel?
How do IONOS and Big Cartel compare in terms of website speed and hosting quality?
Are there any AI capabilities available on IONOS or Big Cartel?
Which platform is more affordable, IONOS or Big Cartel?
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