Company Introduction
Big Cartel is a US-based company focused on providing a simple and easy-to-use e-commerce platform for independent artists, makers, and small creators. Founded by Matt W. in 2005 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Big Cartel enables creators to easily build and manage their own online stores without complex technical knowledge, allowing them to list products, process orders, and accept payments quickly. It helps tens of thousands of independent brands and artists seamlessly connect creation with sales.
Big Cartel Provider Details
Core Products
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Big Cartel (Online Store) | Core e-commerce platform for quickly creating personalized online stores |
| Big Cartel Themes | Professionally designed theme templates adapted to different artistic styles and brand identities |
| Big Cartel Inventory | Inventory management system supporting product categorization, variant management, and stock tracking |
| Big Cartel Payments | Integrated payment system supporting PayPal, Stripe, and multiple payment methods |
| Big Cartel Shipping | Shipping management with rate settings, label printing, and order tracking |
| Big Cartel API | Open API for custom development and third-party application integration |
Core Strengths
Creator-Focused: Designed specifically for independent artists and small creators with simple features and affordable pricing.
Minimal Setup: No technical background required; stores can be built and products listed within minutes.
Flexible Customization: Multiple themes and customization options allow stores to showcase unique brand styles.
Zero Hidden Fees: No transaction commissions; fixed monthly pricing lets creators keep 100% of their sales revenue.
Competitor Comparison
| Competitor | Key Features | Difference from Big Cartel |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Comprehensive e-commerce, massive app ecosystem, multi-channel sales, enterprise plans | Shopify serves all business sizes with complex features; Big Cartel is lightweight and creator-focused |
| WooCommerce | WordPress plugin, fully open source, highly customizable, rich extensions | Requires WordPress and hosting with higher technical barrier; Big Cartel is ready out of the box |
| Squarespace Commerce | Beautiful templates, all-in-one website builder + e-commerce, drag-and-drop | Squarespace emphasizes design; Big Cartel specializes in e-commerce functionality |
| Gumroad | Digital product sales, memberships, course delivery, simple setup | Gumroad focuses on digital goods; Big Cartel leans toward physical product sales |
| Etsy | Large artisan marketplace, massive traffic, built-in buyer community | Etsy is a marketplace with high competition and commissions; Big Cartel is an independent store with no commissions |
| Sellfy | Digital/physical products, print-on-demand, subscriptions, discount marketing | Similar functionality; Big Cartel offers better theme customization and brand independence |
Key Milestones
- 2005: Big Cartel was founded by Matt W. in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, targeting independent artists with a simple e-commerce platform.
- 2008: Launched the theme system, allowing creators to customize their store appearance.
- 2012: Integrated PayPal payments, simplifying the transaction process.
- 2015: Released mobile-responsive themes with responsive design.
- 2018: Launched Big Cartel Payments with Stripe integration.
- 2020: Released the API platform, supporting third-party developers and app integrations.
- 2026: Continues platform optimization, serving over 1 million independent creators worldwide.
