Migrating your e-commerce store to BigCommerce can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re worried about losing data or disrupting business operations.
However, with careful planning and the right tools, you can successfully transition to BigCommerce while keeping all your vital information intact.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps to migrate your store to BigCommerce without losing any data and help you avoid common pitfalls along the way.
Why Migrate to BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is known for its scalability, robust feature set, and flexibility.
Whether you’re outgrowing your current platform or looking for better tools to support your store’s growth, BigCommerce offers advanced SEO capabilities, multi-channel integration, and built-in security features that make it an excellent choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
Preparing for Migration
Preparation is the most critical phase of any migration. Before you begin transferring your store data, take time to evaluate your current setup and outline the necessary steps for a smooth transition.
1. Assess Your Current Store Data
Start by reviewing your current store data, including products, customer information, orders, and design elements.
Make a list of all the critical data points you need to move to BigCommerce. This includes:
- Product data (names, descriptions, SKUs, images)
- Customer data (names, email addresses, order history)
- Order details
- Categories and collections
- SEO data (URLs, metadata, alt text)
- Inventory levels
Understanding what you need to transfer will help you prioritize and organize your migration.
2. Back Up Your Data
Before changes are made, ensure that you back up all your store data.
Many platforms offer built-in backup options, but you can also export your data manually into CSV files. This way you are protected in case the migration process fails.
3. Choose a Migration Method
There are two primary methods to migrate your store to BigCommerce:
- Manual Migration: This involves manually exporting and importing data between your current platform and BigCommerce. This option gives you full control over the process but can be time-consuming.
- Using a Migration Tool: You can use automated migration tools like Cart2Cart, LitExtension, or Store Importer by BigCommerce. These tools simplify the process, allowing you to transfer your data with minimal effort while reducing the chances of human error.
Setting Up Your BigCommerce Store
Once you’ve prepared your data and chosen a migration method, it’s time to set up your new BigCommerce store.
1. Choose a BigCommerce Plan
Start by selecting a BigCommerce plan that fits your business needs. BigCommerce offers several pricing tiers, from basic plans for smaller businesses to enterprise solutions for larger organizations. Choose a plan based on the size of your store, the number of products, and the volume of sales you expect.
2. Customize Your Store Design
One of the benefits of moving to BigCommerce is the wide selection of customizable themes.Before migrating your data, take the time to choose a theme that reflects your brand and allows for a smooth customer experience.
If you need more design flexibility, BigCommerce’s open API and development tools allow you to fully customize your storefront.
3. Set Up Payment and Shipping Options
Configure payment gateways and shipping methods within your BigCommerce store. The platform supports a variety of payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net, giving you flexibility in how you accept payments. Similarly, set up shipping zones, rates, and carriers to match your existing setup.
Data Migration Process
The actual data migration is the most crucial step.
Whether you’re using a manual or automated method, follow these steps to ensure everything moves over smoothly.
1. Export Data from Your Current Platform
If you’re migrating manually, start by exporting all your data from the current platform. This typically involves downloading CSV files for your products, customers, orders, and other essential information. Make sure these files are organized and ready for import.
2. Import Data into BigCommerce
Log in to your BigCommerce dashboard and go to the “Store Import” feature. You’ll be able to upload CSV files for products, customers, and other store data. If you’re using a migration tool, follow the tool’s instructions to connect both platforms and transfer the data automatically. Most tools will walk you through the process step by step, minimizing the need for manual adjustments.
3. Verify Data Accuracy
Once the data transfer is complete, it’s essential to verify that everything is transferred correctly. Check the following:
- Product data: Ensure all products, descriptions, prices, and images appear correctly.
- Customer data: Confirm that customer profiles, order histories, and contact details are accurate.
- SEO elements: Check that URLs, metadata, and other SEO elements are correctly applied to your product pages and categories.
Spotting any errors early will prevent future issues and ensure your store runs smoothly.
Testing and Troubleshooting
Before launching your store on BigCommerce, thoroughly test it to ensure everything is working as expected.
1. Test the Checkout Process
Place a few test orders to make sure your payment gateway is functioning correctly and that shipping rates are applied properly. Double-check that customers can complete transactions without any errors or confusion.
2. Review Mobile Responsiveness
Since many customers shop on mobile devices, it’s critical that your store looks and functions well on all screen sizes. Review your store’s design on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices to ensure a consistent and user-friendly experience.
3. Check for Broken Links and Errors
Make sure there are no broken links, missing images, or formatting errors on your product pages. Tools like Google Search Console can help you identify broken links or other SEO issues that may have arisen during migration.
4. Set Up 301 Redirects
One common issue during migration is losing search engine rankings due to broken URLs. To avoid this, set up 301 redirects from your old URLs to your new BigCommerce URLs. This ensures that any traffic coming from your previous store is seamlessly redirected to the new site, preserving your SEO rankings.
Post-Migration Optimization
Now that your store is live on BigCommerce, it’s time to optimize your site and monitor its performance to ensure a smooth operation moving forward.
1. Optimize for SEO
After migration, make sure your store’s SEO is optimized. Check that meta titles, descriptions, alt text for images, and structured data are all correctly applied. BigCommerce has built-in SEO tools to help you maintain and improve your search engine visibility.
2. Integrate Essential Apps
Take advantage of BigCommerce’s extensive app marketplace to enhance your store’s functionality. Whether it’s for marketing automation, customer support, or inventory management, integrating the right apps can help you streamline operations and improve customer experience.
3. Monitor Store Performance
Use tools like Google Analytics and BigCommerce’s built-in analytics to track your store’s performance. Regularly review metrics such as traffic, conversion rates, and customer behavior to identify areas for improvement.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid During Migration
- Skipping Backups: Always back up your data before migration to avoid losing crucial information.
- Ignoring 301 Redirects: Failing to set up redirects can lead to broken links and a significant drop in SEO rankings.
- Rushing the Process: Take your time to thoroughly test the new site before going live to ensure all elements work correctly.
Final Thoughts
Migrating your store to BigCommerce doesn’t have to be stressful.
By following these steps and preparing in advance, you can ensure a smooth transition without losing data or disrupting your business operations.
BigCommerce offers the tools and flexibility to help your store grow and scale, making it an excellent choice for businesses ready to take their e-commerce operations to the next level.
Benjamin Shemesh is an ecommerce enthusiast and a digital marketing expert.
He loves surfing the ocean
