Global Domination: BigCommerce International vs. Shopify Managed Markets
Expanding your e-commerce business internationally opens up a world of opportunities, but it also presents unique challenges. Successfully navigating the global market requires a strategic approach that blends a broad vision with meticulous attention to local details. This article explores the key considerations for selling internationally and how to optimize your strategy for increased sales, assuming you’re already using a BigCommerce or Shopify plan that supports international selling features.
BigCommerce International Features: Robust and Native
BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of built-in tools to streamline global expansion. These features are typically available on their “Plus” plan and above. If you’re on a lower-tier plan, you may need to upgrade to unlock these capabilities.
Key Features:
- Multi-Currency and Language Support: BigCommerce allows customers to shop in their local currency and supports multiple languages, enabling you to tailor your storefront for different markets.
- Global CDN and Performance: A global Content Delivery Network (CDN) ensures fast loading speeds for customers worldwide, improving performance and user experience.
- International SEO Tools: Built-in SEO features such as hreflang tags, localized URLs, and customizable metadata help improve search engine visibility in different countries.
- Advanced Shipping and Tax Management: BigCommerce integrates with various global shipping carriers and tax providers, simplifying international shipping and tax compliance.
- Headless Commerce & API: For advanced users, BigCommerce’s robust API and headless commerce capabilities allow for highly customized international experiences.
- Native B2B International Capabilities: BigCommerce offers advanced B2B features such as customer group segmentation, custom pricing, and bulk purchasing tools, supporting complex international B2B requirements.
Shopify Managed Markets: Streamlined Global Expansion
Shopify Markets is designed to simplify international selling. The basic Shopify Markets features are included in all Shopify plans, providing a foundation for global expansion. However, for more advanced features such as automated duties, taxes, and enhanced localization, merchants can upgrade to Shopify Managed Markets (formerly Shopify Markets Pro).
Shopify Managed Markets allows merchants to configure different settings for different countries and regions. A market can consist of a single country or a group of countries/regions. For example:
- You can create a market called “North America” that includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico, applying shared pricing, tax, and shipping settings.
- If you want Japan to have its own unique settings, you can create a separate market for only Japan.
Market Limits by Shopify Plan:
- Advanced Shopify: 3 included, 50 max (with upgrade)
- Shopify Plus: 50
- All other plans: 3
Key Features:
- Centralized Market Management: Shopify Markets provides a single dashboard to manage multiple international markets, simplifying product listings, pricing, and shipping settings.
- Localized Shopping Experiences: Merchants can create customized product catalogs, pricing, and marketing strategies for different markets.
- Currency Conversion & Local Payment Methods: Shopify Markets automatically converts prices into local currencies and supports a wide range of local payment methods.
- Duties & Import Taxes: Shopify Managed Markets (Markets Pro) helps businesses handle duties and import taxes, providing greater cost transparency for international customers.
- Simplified International Shipping: Shopify integrates with global shipping carriers and provides automated shipping rate calculations.
Key Differences: A Direct Comparison
| Feature | BigCommerce International | Shopify Managed Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Native Features | Extensive native international tools | Combines built-in features with app integrations, with Managed Markets adding more |
| Multi-Currency & Language | Native support for multiple currencies and languages | Automatic currency conversion and support for local payment methods |
| Global CDN & Performance | Global CDN ensures fast loading speeds worldwide | Uses Shopify’s global infrastructure, though CDN specifics are less emphasized |
| International SEO Tools | Built-in hreflang tags, localized URLs, and metadata tools | Basic SEO tools included, Managed Markets enhances localization and SEO |
| Shipping & Tax Management | Integrates with multiple shipping carriers and tax providers | Supports international shipping, duties/taxes handling enhanced in Managed Markets |
| Customization | Headless commerce and API for deep customization | Streamlined, out-of-the-box functionality with some customization options |
| B2B Capabilities | Strong native B2B tools (customer segmentation, custom pricing) | Shopify is expanding B2B features, but some require apps |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly but offers granular control | Centralized dashboard for simplified international operations |
| Pricing | Tier-based pricing, with advanced features in higher plans | Basic Shopify Markets is included, Managed Markets requires an additional fee |
| Market Limits | No specific market limits | Varies by plan (see Market Limits section) |
Which Platform is Right for You?
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify Managed Markets depends on your specific business needs:
Choose BigCommerce if:
- You need robust, built-in international features without relying on apps.
- Your business requires deep customization using headless commerce & APIs.
- You operate in the B2B space and need strong international B2B tools.
- You prioritize native SEO tools for global search optimization.
Choose Shopify Managed Markets if:
- You want a simplified, centralized approach to managing international markets.
- You already use Shopify and want to expand globally within the Shopify ecosystem.
- You need localized shopping experiences with automatic currency conversion.
- You’re willing to pay for Shopify Managed Markets for advanced duties, taxes, and internationalization tools.
To make the best decision, evaluate your growth goals, customization needs, and budget to find the right platform for your global expansion.
