BigCommerce

BigCommerce. It is a publicly traded software-as-a-service company that provides an e-commerce platform for businesses to create online stores. Founded in 2009, the platform is known for its scalability, extensive built-in features, and open API architecture that facilitates integrations with other services. It serves a wide range of merchants, from small businesses to large Fortune 500 brands, operating across the globe.

History

BigCommerce was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2009 by Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper. The company initially focused on serving small and medium-sized businesses before expanding its enterprise capabilities. In 2011, the company relocated its headquarters to Austin, Texas, to be closer to a major technology market and its growing North American customer base. A significant milestone was reached in 2020 when the company completed its initial public offering on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol "BIGC". Throughout its growth, BigCommerce has secured substantial venture capital funding from firms like General Catalyst, GGV Capital, and American Express.

Features and services

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing an online store, including a website builder, product catalog management, and secure checkout. Key features include multi-channel selling integrations with Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Google Shopping, as well as built-in blogging tools for content marketing. For international commerce, it provides multi-currency support and handles complex tax calculations via integrations with Avalara and TaxJar. The platform also includes robust customer group management, abandoned cart recovery, and detailed analytics and reporting dashboards.

Technology and architecture

BigCommerce is built on a headless commerce architecture, allowing the front-end presentation layer to be decoupled from the back-end e-commerce logic. This is enabled through its native GraphQL API and REST APIs, which let developers use frameworks like React or Vue.js for the storefront while leveraging its engine. The platform is hosted on Google Cloud Platform and emphasizes security, being PCI DSS Level 1 certified. Its technology stack supports seamless integrations with leading content management systems like WordPress via official plugins, as well as with numerous third-party software providers in the BigCommerce App Marketplace.

Business model and pricing

The company operates on a subscription business model, generating recurring revenue from monthly or annual plans. Its pricing tiers are primarily based on annual online sales volume and include Standard, Plus, Pro, and custom Enterprise plans. Each plan offers different levels of features, such as the number of staff accounts or advanced marketing tools. Additional revenue streams include fees from its partner ecosystem and services. For high-volume merchants, BigCommerce offers negotiated enterprise agreements that provide dedicated support, custom contracts, and specific service-level agreements.

Competitors and market position

BigCommerce competes in the highly contested e-commerce platform market. Its primary competitors include Shopify, a dominant player for small to medium businesses, and Magento (now Adobe Commerce), known for its open-source flexibility. Other significant rivals are Salesforce Commerce Cloud, WooCommerce, and Squarespace. BigCommerce's market position is often defined by its strong focus on mid-market and enterprise businesses, its open SaaS approach that avoids transaction fees on most payment gateways, and its strategic partnerships with major agencies and system integrators like Accenture and Deloitte.