Thinking of launching your own online store but feeling overwhelmed by the options? You might have stumbled upon Big Cartel and wondered, “How big can a Big Cartel website really be?”
Understanding the capabilities and limitations of Big Cartel is crucial before investing time in building your shop. Whether you’re selling handmade goods or digital art, you want a platform that grows with you.
In this article, we’ll answer how big a Big Cartel website can get, outline its features, limits, and offer practical tips for maximizing your store’s potential.
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How to Build a Big Cartel Website: A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re an artist, maker, or small business owner looking for a simple way to sell your work online, Big Cartel is likely on your radar. Whether you’re exploring options or ready to build, this guide will help you understand how to set up your Big Cartel website, its features, benefits and challenges, pricing, and best practices. Let’s walk through what you need to know to create your own online store with Big Cartel.
What is Big Cartel and How Does It Work?
Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform designed for independent creators, artists, and makers. It allows you to easily set up a customizable online store to showcase and sell your products. The focus is on simplicity and affordability, making it an attractive choice for small operations and those just starting out in e-commerce.
Key Features of Big Cartel
- Easy Store Setup: No coding required – build your store quickly using straightforward templates.
- Customizable Designs: Choose from various themes and personalize them to match your unique style.
- Inventory Management: Track products, set quantities, and get notified of low stock.
- Mobile-Friendly: Stores look great and function seamlessly on mobile devices.
- Flexible Plans: Start with a free plan and scale up as your business grows.
- Artist-Focused Tools: Specifically built for creators, artists, and boutique brands.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Website with Big Cartel
Setting up your Big Cartel store is a straightforward process. Here’s a breakdown of the main steps:
1. Sign Up for an Account
- Visit Big Cartel’s main website and choose the “Sign Up” or “Get Started” option.
- Fill in basic details: store name, email, and password.
- You can select the free plan (Gold) to try things out, or pick a paid plan if you need more features right away.
2. Choose Your Store Plan
Big Cartel offers different plans to suit varying needs. The most popular are:
- Gold Plan: Free, allows up to 5 products, and has basic features.
- Paid Plans: Allow more products (from 50 to 500), include advanced store customization, theme editing, inventory tracking, and more.
3. Customize Your Store’s Appearance
- Dive into available themes and select one that resonates with your brand.
- Use the theme editor to add your own logo, adjust colors, change fonts, and tweak layouts.
- Upload photos and banners to showcase your products and personality.
4. Add Your Products
- For each product, add a title, description, images, price, stock levels, and categories (e.g., prints, jewelry).
- Include product options (like sizes or colors, if applicable).
- Set stock quantities to easily manage your inventory.
5. Set Up Payments and Shipping
- Connect a payment processor (such as PayPal or Stripe) to handle online payments.
- Configure shipping options: set shipping rates by location, offer free shipping, or create tiered shipping costs.
- Consider enabling local pickup if you cater to nearby customers.
6. Preview and Launch
- Preview your store to make sure everything looks and works as expected.
- Update your store’s settings: set business information, policies, contact email, and more.
- When ready, publish your store and share your URL with potential customers.
Benefits of Using Big Cartel
Big Cartel shines for many independent sellers. Here’s why users love it:
Simple and User-Friendly
- Built for non-techies. You won’t need coding skills or a big budget.
- Straightforward interface—get your store live fast, then start selling.
Flexible Pricing
- Begin for free and only upgrade when your store grows.
- Paid plans remain affordable compared to other e-commerce solutions.
Creative Freedom
- Personalization options let your store reflect your art and brand.
- Big Cartel doesn’t clutter your site with its own branding.
Support and Community
- Responsive customer support if you get stuck.
- Active community of creatives sharing tips and best practices.
Challenges to Consider with Big Cartel
No platform is perfect. Here are some potential challenges to be aware of:
Limited Advanced Features
- Fewer built-in tools than some larger e-commerce platforms (like detailed analytics, abandoned cart recovery, or advanced marketing integrations).
- The Gold (free) plan is restrictive – limited to 5 products and minimal customization.
Less Ideal for Large or Complex Stores
- Not built for enterprise-level businesses or those with hundreds of products.
- Bulk editing options and tools for managing large inventories are basic.
Simple Design Options
- Customization depends on your coding/CSS skills for deeper changes.
- Templates are elegant but may not suit all niche needs without extra work.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
To get the most from your Big Cartel website, consider these hands-on tips:
1. Invest in Great Product Photography
- Crisp, well-lit images help your products stand out and drive sales.
- Show products from multiple angles and include detail shots.
2. Write Compelling Descriptions
- Tell the story behind each item—why you made it, what’s unique, ideas for use.
- Use keywords to help with search visibility.
3. Keep Your Store Updated
- Refresh your product selection regularly.
- Update banners, promotions, and featured items to keep repeat visitors engaged.
4. Promote Your Store
- Share your store link on social media, your email signature, and in-person events.
- Offer limited-time discounts or create collection launches to generate buzz.
5. Use the Free Plan Wisely
- Test the platform and your store concept with the Gold plan.
- Move to a paid plan if your catalog grows or you need advanced features.
6. Understand Your Shipping Costs
- Accurately calculate shipping to avoid losses (and surprises for your customers).
- Research average rates for your product sizes and destinations.
- Consider offering free domestic shipping and building that cost into your product prices.
Understanding Big Cartel’s Pricing and Cost Tips
Transparency around pricing is one of Big Cartel’s strong points. Here’s what you can expect:
Plan Options
- Gold (Free): List up to 5 products with basic features. No credit card required.
- Paid Plans: Monthly fees tiered by the number of products you want to sell (e.g., 50, 250, or 500 products). These unlock premium features like Google Analytics integration, theme code editing, inventory tracking, and more.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Start small on the free tier to test your ideas with no risk.
- Choose the lowest paid plan that meets your catalog size instead of jumping to a higher level.
- Take advantage of Big Cartel’s no-listing-fee policy—you only pay for your plan, not per sale.
- Plan your shipping strategy carefully to avoid eating into your margins.
Big Cartel for Shipping: What You Should Know
Shipping can impact both customer experience and profit margins. Big Cartel gives basic but useful tools:
Shipping Options
- Set flat rates or detailed shipping profiles by country.
- Choose to offer free shipping as a perk and roll the cost into your product price.
- Display estimated delivery times, if possible, to set customer expectations.
Best Practices
- Communicate your shipping policies upfront.
- Track postage costs over time and adjust rates as necessary.
- For international sales, research duties and customs that may affect your buyers.
Conclusion
Big Cartel is a smart, approachable platform for independent artists, makers, and small businesses aiming to sell their work online. Its biggest strengths are simplicity, affordability, and an emphasis on creative freedom. While there are some feature limitations, especially as your needs grow, it remains a top choice for those who value easy setup, good support, and the ability to start selling with little to no upfront investment.
No matter your creative field—whether you sell paintings, T-shirts, handmade jewelry, or zines—Big Cartel makes it possible to set up shop and reach your audience. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to launch your own unique online store.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Big Cartel free to use?
Yes, Big Cartel’s Gold plan is completely free and lets you list up to 5 products. You can set up your store and start selling with no upfront payment or credit card required. If you need to sell more products or want additional features, you can upgrade to a paid plan.
2. What can I sell on Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is designed for artists, makers, designers, and independent brands. You can sell physical products (like art, prints, clothing, and crafts), digital products (via integrations), and even services or event tickets, depending on your business model.
3. How do customers pay me on Big Cartel?
You can accept payments through PayPal or Stripe. These payment processors handle customer transactions securely, and your earnings are deposited directly into your chosen account.
4. Can I customize the look of my store?
Absolutely. Big Cartel offers a selection of themes to get started. With paid plans, you can further customize the look and feel of your store, tweak layouts, add your branding, and, with some coding knowledge, make even deeper changes.
5. What happens if my business grows beyond Big Cartel’s capabilities?
If your store’s needs outgrow Big Cartel (for example, if you need advanced inventory management, analytics, or hundreds of products), you may eventually consider moving to a more robust platform. However, many artists and small businesses find Big Cartel is all they need, even as they grow.