Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is home to hundreds of thousands of clothing designers, bands, record labels, jewelry makers, crafters, and other artists.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Big Cartel is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Big Cartel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-17

Features & Specs

  1. Ease of Use

    Big Cartel has a user-friendly interface that is intuitive and easy for beginners to navigate.

  2. Affordability

    It offers cost-effective plans, including a free version, making it accessible for small businesses and independent artists.

  3. Customization

    Provides customizable templates that allow users to personalize their online stores to align with their brand.

  4. No Listing Fees

    Big Cartel does not charge listing fees, which enables sellers to keep more of their profits.

  5. Mobile App

    Offers a mobile app that allows users to manage their stores and track sales on-the-go.

  6. Support for Creatives

    Caters specifically to artists, makers, and small business owners, with features that suit their needs.

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Videos

How I Package & Ship Orders | Big Cartel vs Shopify pt 1

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Big Cartel and what they use it for.
  • A man offers you $10,000 USD if you deliver fake cocaine to the cartel and promises lifetime protection if you succeed. Do you take this offer?
    Yep. I would get a bag of flour, put a sticky note on it that says โ€œCocaineโ€ w/ a QR code to this video. Then deliver it to big cartelโ€™s offices. Source: about 3 years ago
  • GoDaddy VS Squarespace
    If you only sell a handful of products I can recommend using the free version of bigcartel.com. It's specifically made for selling arts and crafts, trinklets, etc. You can even set up a free custom domain on the free plan. Source: over 3 years ago
  • my shop is on strike, but I've been thinking of leaving Etsy for awhile. Anyone have any alternatives?
    I don't think there's any marketplaces for handmade products (apart from Amazon Handmade) but if you want to have a shopping cart I recommend Big Cartel. It's remotely hosted (not self hosted) and it's designed for unsigned and independent creators (rather than department stores with thousands of products and categories). Yhey are targeting the lower-tier merchants rather than the middle tier and upper tier. It's... Source: over 4 years ago
  • Looking for website suggestions for a boutique.
    If you haven't already I recommend you check out bigcartel.com (not affiliated in any way). They're pretty easy to setup in my experience and their target audience is exactly those selling shirts, arts, and crafts etc. Source: over 4 years ago
  • What's an easy to use website builder that would let me start selling prints?
    You might look into Saatchiart.com and bigcartel.com; both sites where you can sell prints, but don't need to build your own web page. Source: about 5 years ago
  • How should my sister sell her artwork?
    If something like Etsy would stress her out (it's a very competitive marketplace and Etsy generally doesn't care about the seller), opening something like a Big Cartel paired with an Instagram account could be a lot more manageable. A Big Cartel is free for five products and then only 10 USD a month for 50 products. Source: about 5 years ago
  • The world outside of Etsy AKA how do I diversify?
    Most importantly, work for yourself. Host your own shop on a website! The easiest method is opening up a Big Cartel site. I love them because you can open a small shop completely for free (at yourshop.bigcartel.com) with five products and see how you like it. Source: about 5 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Big Cartel

Big Cartel has carved out a distinct presence in the e-commerce platform arena by focusing on artists, artisans, and small-scale entrepreneurs seeking a simple and creative solution for selling their work online. According to recent discussions and articles, Big Cartel is celebrated for its user-friendly interface, affordability, and appeal to creatives seeking to transform their passions into professional ventures.

Target Audience and Niche Focus

Big Cartel is consistently recognized for its niche focus on creative professionals, including artists and crafters, which differentiates it from other e-commerce giants like Shopify and Etsy. While lacking a centralized marketplace, Big Cartel empowers users to build customizable online stores tailored to their artistic identity. This approach suits creatives who prefer maintaining control over their brand, rather than competing in larger marketplaces. Enthusiasts particularly appreciate the flexibility of using custom domains and the appeal of free themes, albeit limited in number.

Ease of Use and Accessibility

One of Big Cartel's standout features is its simplicity and accessibility, especially for individuals who lack extensive technical skills or coding knowledge. The platform offers a seamless setup experience, making it accessible to users who want to quickly establish an online presence. Communities/forums often highlight Big Cartelโ€™s comprehensive guides and tutorials that support users in harnessing the platform's full potential without needing technical expertise.

Pricing and Financial Considerations

Pricing strategies enhance Big Cartelโ€™s appeal, offering a range of cost-effective plans from a free version to premium options of $9.99, $19.99, and $29.99 per month. The absence of sales commission fees further supports its value proposition. However, users must independently manage payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal since Big Cartel doesnโ€™t facilitate credit card transactions directly, potentially adding a layer of complexity for novices.

Functionality and Features

Despite its focus on simplicity, Big Cartel provides critical functionalities such as SEO tools, analytics, shipment tracking, and SSL certification, ensuring a comprehensive e-commerce experience parallel to other industry players like Shopify. The lack of a pre-existing customer base requires merchants to engage in their own marketing efforts to build and sustain audiencesโ€”a factor clearly stated in discussions when comparing Big Cartel to more marketplace-oriented platforms such as Etsy.

Community Sentiment

User feedback in various contexts reveals a positive reception overall, with particular appreciation for Big Cartelโ€™s user-centric approach, which favors individual expression and small businesses. Many individuals transitioning from platforms like Etsy find solace in Big Cartelโ€™s approach that avoids competitive pressures, emphasizing independent control over store aesthetics and operations.

In conclusion, Big Cartel is highly regarded within its niche for offering a reliable, straightforward, and affordable platform dedicated to empowering independent creators. While it may lack the advanced functionalities and market reach of larger competitors, it shines in fostering a supportive environment suited to artisanal entrepreneurship and creative innovation.

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Is Big Cartel good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Big Cartel here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.