You might love WooCommerce's popularity and affordability as an eCommerce solution, but BigCommerce’s powerful built-in features are hard to ignore. What if you could enjoy the best of both platforms? The BigCommerce WordPress plugin allows you to do just that, combining WordPress’s flexible framework with BigCommerce's robust eCommerce engine.
Whether you're currently using another eCommerce solution or ready to launch your first online store, this guide will walk you through the key aspects of this integration:
- An overview of BigCommerce for WordPress
- A step-by-step guide to installing BigCommerce for WordPress
- The advantages of this plugin for your business.
Ready to explore the possibilities? Let’s dive in!
What is BigCommerce for WordPress plugin?
As stated, BigCommerce for WordPress is a plugin that combines the best of both platforms. This integration lets you harness BigCommerce's robust eCommerce engine to manage your online store while still leveraging WordPress's flexibility for designing a beautiful website and creating engaging content. This “headless commerce” approach allows for greater flexibility and customization.
The plugin works by linking your WordPress site to your BigCommerce account. In other words, each product you sell is automatically added to your WordPress site as a product page. Meanwhile, all order processing and management are efficiently handled within the robust BigCommerce platform.
So, for site owners, this integration of BigCommerce and WordPress solves a couple of common problems like the following:
- Slow site speed: BigCommerce takes the heavy lifting, making your site snappier.
- Security worries: You get BigCommerce's top-notch security for transactions.
- Limited features: Get access to BigCommerce's huge toolkit for selling online.
How to install BigCommerce For WordPress on Website?
The most recent version of the BigCommerce for WordPress plugin is 6.5.5, so let's get into this easy installation process. With just a few clicks, you'll be ready to transform your WordPress website into a high-performing eCommerce store.
Step 1: Login to your WordPress admin
To get started, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard using your credentials. This is the control center of your website, where you manage content, settings, and plugins.
Step 2: Install and activate the plugin
In the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins -> Add New Plugin. This will take you to the WordPress plugin library, where you can search for and install new plugins.
In the search bar at the top of the plugin library page, type “BigCommerce”. The plugin should appear in the search results. Then, click Install Now to initiate the download and installation process.
Once the installation is complete, the Install Now button will change to Activate. Click this to activate the plugin and enable its features on your website.
Step 3: Connect your BigCommerce account
After activating the plugin, you'll be redirected to the welcome page for the BigCommerce for WordPress plugin. Take a second to watch the embedded YouTube video for a very brief tour of what the plugin does and how to get started with it.
If you already have a BigCommerce account, log in with your existing credentials. If you're new, create a new account. Click Create New Account to start the registration process.
Enter your store name, email address, personal details, business address, and other information needed to begin creating your BigCommerce account.
Upon completing the account creation, you'll receive a verification email. Click the provided link to confirm your email address and set a strong password.
Now, it's time to decide how you want to integrate your BigCommerce store with WordPress. You have two options:
- Full Featured Store: Your WordPress site becomes your complete online store, offering a seamless shopping experience.
- Simple Blogging: Embed individual products in your WordPress posts, with checkout on the BigCommerce platform.
No worries if you're unsure now. You can always change this integration style later in your BigCommerce settings.
If you choose the Full Featured Store option, you'll be prompted to set up your store's navigation menus. This step is optional, meaning you can skip it for now and configure your menus later if you prefer.
However, setting up your navigation menus at this stage is highly recommended. It allows you to create a clear and organized structure for your store, making it easier for customers to find the products they're looking for. Your navigation menus will typically include links to your main product categories, brand pages, customer account pages, and shopping carts.
Step 4: Start selling with BigCommerce for WordPress
Your BigCommerce store is now successfully integrated with your WordPress website. It's recommended to sync your product data periodically to keep everything up-to-date.
Now is the time to increase your online sales by using BigCommerce's robust capabilities. If you want your store to run at its best, consider options like abandoned cart recovery, customizable promotions, and detailed analytics.
Why choose BigCommerce for WordPress?
As mentioned, this powerful plugin combines the flexibility of WordPress with BigCommerce's robust eCommerce features. It's a perfect match for store owners who want beautiful design and seamless selling. But why choose this combo? The following are reasons why it is a game-changer for your online store.
Easy to use
BigCommerce makes launching and running your online store simple. As a fully hosted platform, it eliminates the need for hosting setup or software installation. Tech-savvy users can still customize code for added flexibility. BigCommerce even handles security and updates so you can focus on your business.
Several payment gateways
BigCommerce WordPress plugin offers over 65 pre-integrated payment gateways. Some popular choices include Apple Pay, PayPal, Amazon Pay, Square, and Stripe. No transaction fees are charged, regardless of your plan. Additionally, it's mobile-optimized and PCI-compliant for secure, convenient transactions.
It also lets you choose payment gateways that fit your business. Need to set one up but don’t know which to choose? No worries, BigCommerce automatically applies suitable ones based on your store's location and currency. Check out our comprehensive guide to learn more about BigCommerce payment gateways and how they work.
Friendly product page and cart
When installing the BigCommerce for WordPress plugin, product pages will be automatically created for each item in your BigCommerce store. The plugin also adds new tools to WordPress editors. This allows you to easily customize product details and listing pages for a unique look and feel.
Not to mention, BigCommerce creates a handy Cart page for your customers so they can easily add products and review their selections before checkout. Keep this page accessible, as it's essential for smooth shopping. If enabled, any “add to cart” action will take customers directly to the cart page. You can also customize the cart's appearance to display features like coupon codes or shipping info.
Countless shop themes
BigCommerce offers a wide range of eCommerce templates. Over 100 premium options are available, ranging from $140 to $399. If budget is a concern, there are five free themes on the BigCommerce Theme Store. This allows you to customize your storefront without spending a fortune.
Plus, this plugin gives you two ways to personalize your online store. The first is their built-in visual editor, Page Builder. This lets you easily customize your theme and drag and drop content onto pages. If you're tech-savvy, you can also use the Stencil framework. This gives access to the backend code for deeper customization of product, category, and other pages.
In-depth analysis
BigCommerce analytics give you a complete picture of your WordPress BigCommerce store's performance. When integrated with WordPress, you get access to reports on orders, merchandising, customers, sales tax, and storefront metrics. This data is valuable for making informed decisions to enhance your business.
24/7 customer support
BigCommerce WordPress offers excellent support through phone, email, and live chat. You can reach out immediately upon starting a free trial. A thriving community forum also exists for discussing issues and getting advice.
BigCommerce support is available 24/7, so help is always within reach. Their comprehensive Help Center offers guides for users of all levels, from beginners to seasoned developers.
Highly security
Another compelling reason to choose BigCommerce for WordPress is its robust security. As a fully hosted platform, it manages security tasks for you. SSL certificates are included in every plan, ensuring top-notch website security. This makes BigCommerce a popular choice for businesses prioritizing safety.
This plugin also excels in card transaction security. Its servers are PCI DSS 3.2 certified at the highest level, which helps prevent data breaches and eliminates the cost and complexity of compliance. Additionally, BigCommerce offers access to third-party apps, such as fraud detection tools, to provide an extra layer of protection.
BigCommerce For WordPress – FAQs
Does BigCommerce work with WordPress?
Yes, BigCommerce works seamlessly with WordPress through a free plugin. It allows you to use BigCommerce's powerful eCommerce features on the backend of your WordPress site. This means BigCommerce handles all the selling stuff on the backend. At the same time, WordPress keeps your site looking great and managing content.
What is better, WooCommerce or BigCommerce?
Choosing between WooCommerce and BigCommerce depends on your needs. WooCommerce is a flexible, customizable option for tech-savvy users who want complete control. BigCommerce is a more straightforward, hosted solution with powerful features and built-in security. If you want a hands-off approach, BigCommerce is excellent. If you prefer flexibility and customization, WooCommerce might be better.
Does BigCommerce have plugins?
Yes, BigCommerce has a wide range of apps and integrations. They offer solutions for marketing, accounting, shipping, and more. These apps can easily be added to your BigCommerce store to extend its functionality and customize it to your needs. Think of them like plugins for WordPress but explicitly designed for BigCommerce.
Final Words About BigCommerce For WordPress plugin
With your BigCommerce WordPress integration complete, you're well on your way to a powerful and scalable eCommerce platform. Now, you can focus on fine-tuning other parts of your website to improve the user experience.
If you ever decide to move to a different platform, whether that's transitioning away from BigCommerce or moving from another platform to BigCommerce, LitExtension: #1 eCommerce Migration Service has your back. We have over a decade of experience and have successfully completed over 280,000 migrations, ensuring your store's data is transferred seamlessly and securely.
For more tips, tricks, and insights into the world of eCommerce, be sure to visit the LitExtension blog and join our vibrant Facebook community. We're always here to help you make the most of your online store.
