Unified Billing is Here: Everything You Need to Know

At BigCommerce, we’re always looking for ways to make running your ecommerce business smoother and more efficient. One area that we know can be a hassle is managing multiple invoices for your BigCommerce subscription and various apps. 

To address this, we’ve introduced Unified Billing, which is designed to consolidate all your payments into a single, easy-to-manage invoice.

To give you the most accurate and insightful information, we sat down with Bessie Howorth, Senior Manager of Partner Experience at BigCommerce, to discuss how this feature works and the many ways it can benefit your business. 

Below, you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions we’ve received about Unified Billing, so you can feel confident and ready to take full advantage of this new feature.

Your Unified Billing FAQs Answered

What is Unified Billing, and why was it developed? 

Unified Billing is a transformative feature developed to simplify and streamline the billing process for customers on BigCommerce. Previously, managing multiple invoices for your BigCommerce subscription and various apps could be cumbersome and time-consuming. 

With Unified Billing, all these charges are consolidated into a single invoice, making it easier for you to manage your finances. This feature was developed with a deep understanding of our customers' needs, specifically the need to reduce administrative overhead and focus more on growing their businesses. 

Additionally, it empowers app developers by removing the burden of creating their own billing systems, allowing them to integrate more seamlessly with BigCommerce.

How does Unified Billing work from the customer’s perspective? 

From a customer’s point of view, Unified Billing is designed for simplicity and ease of use. When you browse the BigCommerce Apps Marketplace, you’ll notice some apps featuring the “Unified Billing” badge. This badge indicates that the app is part of the Unified Billing system, meaning that any charges associated with it will appear on your BigCommerce invoice. 

This eliminates the need to track and pay multiple invoices from different vendors at different times. Once you download an app with the Unified Billing badge, all the payments are automatically included in your BigCommerce invoice, making your financial management straightforward and hassle-free.

What specific problems or pain points does Unified Billing solve? 

For stores using a large number of apps, managing separate payments can be a logistical nightmare, often leading to missed payments or service interruptions. Unified Billing centralizes all payments, allowing for better financial oversight and a clearer understanding of your total cost of ownership (TCO). 

It also reduces the administrative burden of keeping track of multiple payment schedules, giving you more time to focus on strategic aspects of your business.

What are the key benefits of adopting Unified Billing? 

The benefits of Unified Billing are numerous. By consolidating your app and platform payments into a single invoice, you gain enhanced visibility into your expenses, making it easier to track and report on your financials. This increased organization translates to better management of your resources, allowing you to focus on growth rather than administrative tasks. 

Additionally, because all your transactions are tied together under one system, support response times can be faster, leading to more efficient resolution of any issues you might encounter.

Will there be any additional costs associated with using Unified Billing? 

No, there are no additional costs associated with using Unified Billing. This feature is designed to add value by simplifying your billing process without incurring extra fees. Our goal is to make your experience on BigCommerce as seamless and cost-effective as possible. 

For any apps you're currently using, your billing will remain as it is until the app partner migrates to Unified Billing. However, for any new apps you download, if the app is already using Unified Billing, your bill for the app will automatically be added to your BigCommerce invoice, providing greater transparency and ease of management.

Are there any prerequisites or requirements to use Unified Billing? 

Unified Billing is available to all BigCommerce customers, regardless of the BigCommerce store subscription plan you’re on. This means that whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, you can take advantage of the convenience and efficiency that Unified Billing offers.

Are there any limitations or known issues with Unified Billing? 

While Unified Billing is a powerful tool, there are a few limitations to be aware of. At launch, the number of apps participating in the Unified Billing program will be limited. We’ve intentionally started with a small group of closed beta partners to ensure a smooth and successful rollout. 

Additionally, Unified Billing currently supports apps that are based in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and India, with one-time or recurring subscription fees, but it does not yet accommodate usage-based billing models. We are actively working on expanding the program to include more apps and billing structures in the near future.

How do I set up and use Unified Billing? 

Setting up and using Unified Billing couldn’t be easier. Once you download an app that’s part of the Unified Billing program, you’re automatically set up to benefit from it. There’s no additional setup required — just sit back and enjoy the convenience of consolidated invoicing. 

The apps that participate will have a Unified Billing badge on the app’s page, making them easy to identify. Simply browse, select, and download the app as you normally would, and Unified Billing will take care of the rest.

How is BigCommerce supporting customers with Unified Billing? 

We’ve been very intentional in preparing our support teams to assist customers with Unified Billing. Our support staff has undergone extensive training to ensure they can provide the world-class assistance you expect from BigCommerce. 

If you encounter any issues or have questions, your first point of contact should be the app partner, as they are most familiar with their product. However, if you need additional help, our BigCommerce support team is always ready to assist. You can also reach out to us directly at unifiedbilling@bigcommerce.com for any specific queries related to Unified Billing.

What future updates or enhancements are planned for Unified Billing? 

The future of Unified Billing is bright, with several exciting enhancements already on our roadmap. Currently, the program supports apps with recurring or one-time fees, but we’re working hard to include usage-based apps in the near future. This will further extend the flexibility and applicability of Unified Billing, making it an even more powerful tool for managing your ecommerce business. 

Additionally, we plan to expand the program to include partners from more regions around the world, allowing even more of our customers to benefit from this feature.

Also, if you have a specific app you want to see hooked up to Unified Billing — let us know! We’ve created this Google Form you can fill out with your feedback and requests.

Unified Billing is one of several enhancements we’re rolling out for our app partners. Along with this update is a total redesign of the BigCommerce Developer Portal and the ability to accelerate the app building journey with Gadget. These improvements enable faster onboarding and development, streamlined app management and marketplace updates, and the ability for partners to grow their app after launch.

Get Started with Unified Billing Today

Unified Billing is a game-changer for BigCommerce customers, designed to simplify your billing process and give you more control over your financial management. By consolidating all your payments into one invoice, it frees up your time and resources, allowing you to focus on what really matters — growing your business. 

Ready to streamline your payments? Explore the Apps Marketplace today and look for the Unified Billing badge to get started. If you have any questions or feedback, please fill out the Google Form.