BigCommerce vs WordPress

2023. Automattic launches an AI writing assistant for WordPress



Automattic has introduced an AI assistant for the widely used content management system Wordpress.com. Now, when composing a post or page, users have the option to incorporate an "AI Assistant" block into their content. By inputting prompts in natural language, users can avail themselves of the AI assistant's text generation capabilities. Beyond providing content suggestions, the AI assistant can facilitate the creation of organized lists and tables within blog posts. Additionally, it has the ability to adjust the tone of a post, adding elements of informality, skepticism, humor, confidence, or empathy. The assistant can also generate post summaries and propose suitable titles. Initially, the Jetpack AI Assistant block offers a complimentary trial allowing users to submit 20 requests. Subsequently, a subscription fee of $10 per month is required to access this feature.


2021. Automattic acquires analytics company Parse.ly



Automattic, the profit-making company associated with the open-source web publishing platform WordPress, has recently completed the acquisition of the analytics provider Parse.ly. Parse.ly equips creators, marketers, and developers with tools to gain insights into content performance, demonstrate its value, and deliver personalized content experiences that yield meaningful outcomes. While WordPress and Parse.ly already exhibit compatibility, the objective is to enable Parse.ly customers to access WPVIP features (enterprise hosting and support for publishers) and enhance the availability of Parse.ly data to WPVIP publishers. Additionally, there exists potential to incorporate more commerce-related data into Parse.ly, considering Automattic's ownership of WooCommerce.


2018. BigCommerce raised $64 million



BigCommerce, an e-commerce service utilized by renowned brands such as Sony, Toyota, and over 60,000 other merchants, has successfully raised $64 million to expedite its business growth. BigCommerce offers its customers a comprehensive template to launch websites that include efficient shipping and payment tracking features. Additionally, it simplifies cross-selling on popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. The company asserts that it can assist e-tailers in reducing costs by up to 80 percent. Recently, BigCommerce has introduced an integration with Instagram, enabling seamless in-app purchasing for consumers. Furthermore, the company has established partnerships with leading entities such as PayPal and Google, and intends to capitalize on cross-platform opportunities by intensifying its efforts in that regard.


2018. BigCommerce introduced new Google Shopping campaign management solution



BigCommerce, a leading ecommerce platform, has recently introduced a new integration with Google Shopping, allowing merchants to leverage its advantages. This integration empowers BigCommerce merchants with seamless configuration and generation of product data feeds specifically designed for Google Shopping. Furthermore, they can optimize their Google AdWords campaigns directly within the BigCommerce control panel, resulting in time saved, improved ad spend optimization, and increased sales and conversion rates. By utilizing Google Shopping, a cost-effective solution, ecommerce merchants can effectively connect with potential customers who are actively seeking the products they desire, thus driving relevant traffic to their online stores and ultimately benefiting their businesses.


2018. BigCommerce integrated with Akamai Image Manager



BigCommerce has recently partnered with Akamai, a globally recognized and highly reliable cloud delivery platform, to offer Akamai Image Manager to its extensive network of over 55,000 BigCommerce stores worldwide. This collaboration enables BigCommerce customers to enjoy the benefits of Akamai's advanced image optimization technology. Through Akamai Image Manager, BigCommerce merchants gain the capability to optimize their online images based on factors such as device type, image quality, and download size. This optimization process leads to accelerated page loading times, enhanced customer engagement, and ultimately improved website conversion rates.


2017. BigCommerce integrates with Instagram



BigCommerce has introduced an exciting feature that empowers merchants to drive sales through Instagram. With this new integration, BigCommerce merchants are among the first to gain access to shopping on Instagram, enabling users to discover, browse, and make purchases directly from product posts within Instagram's iOS and Android apps. With over 800 million monthly Instagram users, and 80 percent of them following at least one business account, brands have a significant opportunity to connect with a wide audience and showcase their unique products and stories. Starting today, BigCommerce merchants can effortlessly tag products in their Instagram posts, providing users with instant access to contextual information such as pricing and product descriptions with just a single click. This seamless integration enhances the shopping experience and offers a convenient way for customers to explore and engage with products, ultimately driving more conversions and sales for BigCommerce merchants.


2017. BigCommerce expands relationship with PayPal



BigCommerce has announced an expanded collaboration with PayPal, aimed at providing businesses with a comprehensive suite of products and services to enhance sales opportunities. As of today, BigCommerce customers will enjoy increased capabilities to offer flexible consumer financing options through PayPal Credit, access innovative business financing via PayPal Working Capital, and gain valuable insights into their shoppers through the exclusive PayPal Marketing Solutions app, recently launched for BigCommerce customers. Since 2013, BigCommerce and PayPal have been trusted partners, working together to support merchants in growing their businesses through a comprehensive payment solution. BigCommerce's seamless integration with PayPal, powered by Braintree, enables business owners to effortlessly accept credit and debit cards, as well as offer the convenience of PayPal as a payment option. With this enhanced collaboration, BigCommerce customers can now leverage the power of PayPal's robust suite of products and services, empowering them to attract more customers, increase conversions, and optimize their overall sales performance. By providing flexible financing options, access to business financing, and valuable shopper insights, BigCommerce and PayPal are equipping businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the competitive ecommerce landscape.


2017. BigCommerce simplifies migration from other ecommerce platform, including WordPress



BigCommerce has introduced a set of powerful tools designed to simplify the process of migrating data between different ecommerce platforms. These innovative Catalog Transfer Apps are available to online retailers who are currently selling on alternative platforms, offering a seamless and efficient way to import essential product catalog assets and customer data to BigCommerce. With these apps, the time and cost associated with the migration process are significantly reduced, allowing merchants to transfer their data within a matter of minutes. Developed by BigCommerce's own team of replatforming experts, the Catalog Transfer Apps empower merchants to independently migrate their data from their existing online store to BigCommerce. This includes the ability to transfer up to 10,000 products/SKUs and 30 different types of data. For businesses with larger catalogs, BigCommerce also offers personalized migration services to ensure a smooth transition. With these new tools, BigCommerce continues to support and empower online retailers in streamlining their operations and maximizing their success.


2016. WordPress.com turned on HTTPS encryption for all sites



WordPress.com is implementing automatic HTTPS support for all its sites, requiring no user action. Each website is now equipped with an SSL certificate, which is indicated by a green lock in the address bar. Besides the heightened security, this improvement has the added benefit of Google's preference for HTTPS-supported websites over those limited to HTTP. Consequently, your WordPress.com website is expected to achieve higher rankings in Google search results.


2015. WordPress.com goes Open Source and gets a desktop app



The fully hosted version of WordPress, known as WordPress.com, has recently undergone a significant update. The first major change is the complete separation of WordPress.com from the WordPress core. It now functions as an admin interface that interacts with the WordPress core similar to other third-party interfaces and apps. This is achieved through the utilization of a REST API, enabling tasks such as fetching posts, publishing new content, and uploading photos. Secondly, the WordPress.com development team has transitioned to an entirely new stack. Instead of relying on PHP and MySQL, they have built the platform using JavaScript and API calls. Consequently, when accessing the website, the server distributes a fully functional WordPress client that primarily runs within the user's browser. Lastly, the entire system is open source and hosted on GitHub. Additionally, a new Mac app is available for download, offering an alternative way to access WordPress.com. Similar to the Slack desktop app, it harnesses web technologies and desktop features to provide users with a comparable experience to the WordPress.com website, along with extra features like notifications. Windows and Linux apps are currently in progress and will be released in the future.