When launching a BigCommerce store, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to stick with a free theme or invest in a premium one. On the surface, free themes seem like an easy way to save money, but depending on your store’s needs, that savings might cost you in lost conversions or extra development work down the road. Here’s my take after working with hundreds of BigCommerce merchants. Free Themes: Budget-Friendly but Limited…
E-Commerce Web Design Tips
Designing an e-commerce store goes beyond visuals — it affects how customers navigate, find products, and ultimately decide to buy.
This section covers practical web design considerations for BigCommerce stores, including layout decisions, navigation structure, product presentation, and how to balance branding with usability.
You’ll find real-world insights on what works, what causes friction, and how to approach design in a way that supports both your business goals and your day-to-day operations.
I get this question a lot, especially from clients who see there’s an update available for their theme and wonder if they should apply it. But theme updates aren’t always as straightforward as they seem. Let’s break down what these updates actually mean, how they work in BigCommerce, and when it makes sense to invest the time and effort in updating your store’s design. What Happens When a Theme Is Updated? When you first install…
The homepage of your e-commerce store serves as the digital front door to your business. A well-designed homepage sets the tone for your brand, provides visitors with a clear understanding of your store’s offerings, and encourages further engagement. To create a great homepage, you need to balance aesthetics with functionality. This will ensure that users can easily navigate and find relevant information while being drawn to high-priority actions such as browsing products or making a…
If you’re using a SaaS e-commerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce, you have a variety of tools at your disposable for designing your store. Most design options will be in your theme settings, where you can choose colors, select fonts and configure your store’s basic layouts. SaaS platforms make it fairly easy to customize your design, however it’s easy to get carried away. Like many things, less is more when it comes to e-commerce web…
If you’ve been a BigCommerce merchant for a while, you know that the platform has never had a great way for store owner’s to easily control their design. Previously, you could use Marketing Banners, but they were limited. You has to assign them to specific pages, so they couldn’t be displayed sitewide. In addition, you really needed to know HTML in order to create any sort of complex design using them. Thankfully, BigCommerce listened and…
The health and wellness industry continues to grow, and supplements are no exception. From vitamins to protein powders, selling supplements online can be a lucrative business. However, the industry’s regulatory requirements, marketing limitations, and customer expectations can make it challenging to launch a successful online store. If you’re looking to sell supplements, choosing the right e-commerce platform is critical. Shopify’s restrictions on certain supplement categories can limit your business’s potential. BigCommerce, with its flexibility and…
The CBD market has seen explosive growth, with more consumers turning to CBD products for wellness, pain relief, and relaxation. However, selling CBD online isn’t as simple as launching a store and listing products. CBD merchants face unique challenges, from legal compliance to advertising restrictions, making it essential to choose the right e-commerce platform and partner. Shopify’s restrictions on CBD products make it a less-than-ideal platform for sellers in this space. BigCommerce, on the other…
Selling knives online is a booming market, whether you specialize in custom-made blades, collectible knives, or everyday kitchen essentials. However, launching a successful e-commerce store for knives comes with unique challenges, from navigating compliance issues to finding a platform that supports your business. Thought Shopify is often the “go-to” platform for new e-commerce websites, they restrict the sale of knives. That’s where BigCommerce comes in, providing the tools and flexibility knife sellers need to thrive…
