Transitioning from BigCommerce to Shopify can be a substantial undertaking, regardless of the reason for the switch. It’s crucial to understand that a basic copy-and-paste method will not be adequate.
Ways to Switch from BigCommerce to Shopify
When you decide to move from BigCommerce to Shopify, there are three main methods to consider, depending on your available resources and skills. You can opt for a manual migration process if you cannot afford professional assistance or automation tools. However, hiring professional help or using a migration tool may be more suitable if you have a budget and need a hassle-free solution.
Web development agency assistance
The first option is to hire a web development agency or professional to handle the migration process for you. They will assess your technical needs, transfer your data from BigCommerce, and install it on your Shopify account. This method requires minimal effort on your part, and the hired professional will handle any technical challenges that arise. However, it can be expensive, with fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the size and complexity of your store. If you prefer to outsource this task to an expert, you may want to consider vtlabs.org, which provides professional migration services for Shopify.
Automated migration tool
The second option is using an automated migration tool like Cart2Cart, LitExtension, or Matrixify App. These tools allow you to sign up and configure your migration for free. The tool manages the entire process, including the option to create 301 redirects from BigCommerce to Shopify for an extra fee. While this approach may be more affordable than hiring a professional, it may not be as customized.
Manual migration
The third option is to migrate your data manually. If you don’t have the limited technical expertise or prefer to migrate your store yourself, this method involves downloading CSV files from BigCommerce and uploading them to Shopify. Most of the time is spent reviewing the data after importing it to Shopify, ensuring everything is in the correct format and placed in the right location. However, by following a systematic approach, you can effectively migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify.
1: Create a Shopify account and provide basic information about your store and industry. Use the assigned subdomain to prevent any issues with your BigCommerce store.
2: Retrieve your data from BigCommerce by exporting your product, customer, and order data to CSV files.
3: Transfer BigCommerce store data to Shopify using the Store Importer app on your Shopify Admin panel to upload the CSV files.
4: Check imported data for accuracy and manually add missing orders, customers, or products.
5: Add data manually or re-import data if any information is missing after the initial import.
6: Finalize design elements by choosing a free or paid theme from the Shopify Theme Marketplace.
7: Connect your domain by going to Settings > Domains in your Shopify admin panel, or transfer your domain to Shopify to manage it from within your Shopify admin. Set up 301 redirects for old BigCommerce URLs if necessary.
Conclusion
If you’ve migrated from BigCommerce to Shopify before, we’d love to hear about your experience. Which method did you use, and did it meet your expectations? Sharing your insights in the comments can be helpful to our readers who are considering making the switch themselves.
If you require assistance with the migration of your store, we suggest enlisting the services of Shopify developers from VT Labs, among the top three Shopify development companies. This guarantees a seamless migration without any data loss or significant downtime, while also preserving your SEO efforts. Reach out to us today to discover more about how we can support you.
