BigCommerce leverages a variety of technologies to power its robust BigCommerce platform. Understanding these core technologies is crucial for developers and store owners alike to make the most of the platform’s capabilities.

Server-Side Technologies

BigCommerce utilizes a combination of PHP and Node.js for server-side operations. PHP handles much of the core functionality, while Node.js is employed for real-time features and improved performance in certain areas.

Database Management

MySQL serves as the primary database management system for BigCommerce. It efficiently handles large volumes of data, ensuring quick access to product information, customer details, and order history.

Front-End Technologies

The platform employs HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for front-end development. BigCommerce also supports popular frameworks like React for building dynamic and responsive user interfaces.

Version Control

Git is the preferred version control system for BigCommerce development. It allows for efficient collaboration among team members and helps manage code changes effectively.

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

BigCommerce utilizes a global CDN to ensure fast loading times for stores worldwide. This technology caches static content across multiple servers, reducing latency and improving user experience.

Understanding the architecture of BigCommerce is essential for developers looking to customize and extend the platform’s functionality.

Multi-Tenancy Model

BigCommerce operates on a multi-tenant architecture, which means multiple stores share the same infrastructure and codebase. This model allows for efficient resource allocation and easier maintenance.

Microservices Architecture

The platform employs a microservices architecture, breaking down complex applications into smaller, independent services. This approach enhances scalability and allows for more rapid feature development and deployment.

API-First Design

BigCommerce follows an API-first design philosophy, providing developers with robust APIs to interact with various aspects of the platform. This design facilitates the creation of headless commerce solutions and seamless integrations with third-party services.

Containerization

Docker containers are used to package and deploy BigCommerce applications, ensuring consistency across different environments and simplifying the deployment process.

BigCommerce offers various options for designing and customizing your online store to match your brand identity and provide an optimal user experience.

Stencil Theme Framework

The Stencil theme framework is BigCommerce’s primary tool for theme development. It uses Handlebars.js as its templating engine and provides a local development environment for efficient theme creation and customization.

Theme Customization

BigCommerce’s theme editor allows for easy customization of pre-built themes. Users can modify colors, fonts, and layouts without diving into code. For more advanced customizations, developers can edit theme files directly.

Responsive Design

All BigCommerce themes are built with responsive design principles, ensuring that stores look great and function well on devices of all sizes.

Page Builder

The drag-and-drop Page Builder tool enables non-technical users to create and modify pages without coding knowledge. It offers a variety of widgets and layout options for flexible page design.

Efficient product management is crucial for running a successful BigCommerce store. BigCommerce provides robust tools for organizing and showcasing your product catalog.

Product Types

BigCommerce supports various product types, including physical products, digital downloads, and service-based offerings. Each type has specific attributes and settings to accommodate different selling models.

Product Variants

The platform allows for the creation of product variants based on attributes like size, color, or material. This feature helps manage inventory for different product options and simplifies the shopping experience for customers.

Category Management

BigCommerce’s category system allows for the hierarchical organization of products. You can create main categories, and subcategories, and even set up category-specific rules for pricing and availability.

Product Filtering and Search

Advanced filtering options and a powerful search functionality help customers find products quickly. The platform’s search engine can be customized to prioritize certain product attributes or use custom search algorithms.

Streamlining order management is essential for BigCommerce success. BigCommerce offers tools to efficiently handle orders from placement to fulfillment.

Order Management System

The built-in order management system provides a centralized view of all orders. It allows for easy processing, status updates, and communication with customers regarding their purchases.

Automated Order Processing

BigCommerce supports automated order processing workflows. You can set up rules to automatically update order statuses, send notifications, or trigger specific actions based on order criteria.

Shipping Integration

The platform integrates with various shipping carriers, allowing for real-time shipping quotes and label printing. This integration streamlines the fulfillment process and provides accurate shipping information to customers.

Inventory Management

BigCommerce’s inventory management system helps track stock levels across multiple variants and locations. It can automatically update inventory when orders are placed and send low-stock notifications.

Secure and diverse payment options are crucial for converting shoppers into buyers. BigCommerce offers integration with numerous payment gateways to cater to various customer preferences.

Built-in Payment Solutions

BigCommerce provides native integration with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square. These integrations offer seamless checkout experiences and often come with preferential transaction rates.

Custom Payment Gateways

For businesses with specific needs, BigCommerce allows integration with custom payment gateways. This flexibility ensures that you can use the payment processor that best fits your business model and target market.

Multi-Currency Support

The platform supports multi-currency selling, allowing you to display prices and accept payments in various currencies. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with an international customer base.

Fraud Protection

BigCommerce incorporates fraud protection measures to safeguard both merchants and customers. These include AVS (Address Verification System) checks, CVV verification, and integration with third-party fraud detection services.

Maintaining a secure BigCommerce environment is paramount. BigCommerce prioritizes security and helps businesses stay compliant with industry standards.

PCI DSS Compliance

BigCommerce is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant, ensuring that customer payment information is handled securely. This compliance reduces the burden on merchants to implement extensive security measures.

SSL Certificates

The platform provides free SSL certificates for all stores, encrypting data transmitted between the user’s browser and the server. This encryption is crucial for protecting sensitive information and building customer trust.

GDPR Compliance Tools

To help merchants comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), BigCommerce offers tools for managing customer consent, data access requests, and the right to be forgotten.

Regular Security Updates

BigCommerce continuously monitors for security threats and regularly updates its platform to address potential vulnerabilities. This proactive approach helps protect stores from emerging security risks.

A fast-loading, responsive online store is crucial for user experience and search engine rankings. BigCommerce provides various tools and best practices for optimizing store performance.

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

BigCommerce’s global CDN ensures that static content is served from servers closest to the user, significantly reducing load times.

Image Optimization

The platform automatically optimizes images uploaded to your store, balancing quality and file size to improve page load speeds.

Caching Mechanisms

BigCommerce employs various caching techniques, including browser caching and server-side caching, to reduce the time it takes to generate and serve pages.

Code Optimization

Developers can optimize theme code by minifying CSS and JavaScript, leveraging browser caching, and following BigCommerce’s performance best practices.

With an increasing number of shoppers using mobile devices, optimizing for mobile commerce is essential. BigCommerce provides tools and features to create seamless mobile shopping experiences.

Responsive Themes

All BigCommerce themes are designed to be responsive, automatically adjusting layouts and functionality for optimal viewing on various screen sizes.

Mobile-Optimized Checkout

The platform’s checkout process is optimized for mobile devices, featuring larger buttons, simplified forms, and touch-friendly interfaces.

Progressive Web App (PWA) Support

BigCommerce supports the development of Progressive Web Apps, allowing for app-like experiences on mobile devices without requiring users to download a separate application.

AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) Support

The platform allows for the creation of AMP versions of product and category pages, significantly improving load times on mobile devices and potentially boosting search engine rankings.

Data-driven decision-making is crucial for eCommerce success. BigCommerce provides comprehensive analytics and reporting tools to help you understand your store’s performance and customer behaviour.

Built-in Analytics Dashboard

The platform offers a native analytics dashboard that provides insights into sales, customer behaviour, and product performance. This dashboard is customizable to focus on the metrics most important to your business.

Google Analytics Integration

BigCommerce seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics, allowing for more advanced tracking and analysis of user behaviour, conversion funnels, and marketing campaign performance.

Custom Report Builder

For more specific reporting needs, BigCommerce’s custom report builder allows you to create tailored reports based on various data points available in your store.

Real-Time Reporting

Many of BigCommerce’s reporting features offer real-time data, allowing you to make quick decisions based on current performance metrics.

Extending the functionality of your BigCommerce store is made easy through a wide range of third-party integrations and apps available in the BigCommerce App Marketplace.

App Marketplace

The BigCommerce App Marketplace offers hundreds of pre-built integrations for various business needs, including marketing, accounting, shipping, and customer service.

Easy Installation Process

Most apps in the marketplace can be installed with just a few clicks, requiring minimal technical knowledge. This ease of use allows merchants to quickly add new features to their stores.

Custom Integrations

For businesses with unique needs, BigCommerce’s robust API allows for the development of custom integrations with external systems and services.

App Performance Monitoring

BigCommerce provides tools to monitor the performance impact of installed apps, helping you maintain optimal store speed and functionality.

BigCommerce’s API-first approach opens up possibilities for headless commerce and custom front-end experiences.

RESTful APIs

BigCommerce offers a comprehensive set of RESTful APIs that allow developers to interact with various aspects of the platform, from product management to order processing.

GraphQL Support

In addition to REST APIs, BigCommerce supports GraphQL, enabling more efficient data querying and manipulation.

Headless Commerce Solutions

The platform’s API-driven architecture allows for the creation of headless commerce solutions, where the front end is decoupled from the BigCommerce back end. This approach enables the use of custom front-end technologies or integration with content management systems.

Webhooks

BigCommerce supports webhooks, allowing for real-time notifications of events occurring in your store. This feature is crucial for maintaining data consistency across integrated systems.

As your business grows, BigCommerce provides tools and features to help you scale your online store efficiently.

Automatic Platform Updates

BigCommerce handles all platform updates and maintenance, ensuring that your store always runs on the latest, most secure version without requiring manual intervention.

Scalable Infrastructure

The platform’s cloud-based infrastructure automatically scales to handle increased traffic and transactions, especially during high-volume periods like sales events.

Multi-Store Management

For businesses managing multiple brands or storefronts, BigCommerce offers multi-store functionality, allowing you to manage multiple stores from a single dashboard.

Enterprise-Grade Features

BigCommerce Enterprise plans offer additional features for large-scale operations, including advanced API support, priority support, and custom integrations.

Even with a robust platform, issues can arise. BigCommerce provides various resources and support options to help you resolve problems quickly.

Knowledge Base

An extensive knowledge base offers articles, tutorials, and guides covering various aspects of using and developing for BigCommerce.

Community Forums

Active community forums allow you to connect with other BigCommerce users and developers to share knowledge and solve common issues.

Developer Documentation

Comprehensive developer documentation provides detailed information on APIs, SDKs, and best practices for BigCommerce development.

Technical Support

BigCommerce offers technical support through various channels, including email, live chat, and phone support, depending on your plan level.

Partner Network

For complex issues or custom development needs, BigCommerce maintains a network of certified partners who can provide expert assistance.