Migrate Shopify to BigCommerce: The Ultimate Guide
BigCommerce
Table of Contents
Are you planning to move your store from Shopify to another eCommerce platform? Or are you contemplating whether the decision to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce would be good for your store or not? For online store owners, having all these types of questions is common.
After all, you want to be sure about the perks of the new platform that your store might get from the migration. This is mainly because, among various eCommerce platforms in the market, Shopify and BigCommerce are two of the most popular eCommerce platforms. These two platforms come loaded with a wide range of features and functionality that helps businesses to scale in the way they want.
Understanding the Scenario
Most businesses, especially medium-sized to big-size businesses, are making the transition to the BigCommerce platform. The reason most medium to large-scale ones are opting to migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce is simply the fact that BigCommerce is a robust and reliable platform that is both customizable and scalable. In fact, BigCommerce is becoming an attractive option for businesses looking to expand their online presence.
Before reaching any decision hastily, it’s better to have an idea of both these platforms, i.e., Shopify and BigCommerce. Only then businesses would know if their decision to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce will work in their favor or not. To help you on this matter, taking the professional advice of the BigCommerce experts is recommended.
Shopify: A Brief Overview
Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that allows you to create, customize, and manage your online store. Since its launch in 2006, Shopify has grown exponentially. It serves over a million businesses in 175 countries.
With its wide range of themes, user-friendly interface, and robust app ecosystem, Shopify is catering to businesses of all sizes.
Key Features of Shopify
Now, wait! Before you take the plunge and migrate to BigCommerce, know what features you are getting from the Shopify platform.
Ease of Use
Shopify’s intuitive interface makes it easy to set up and manage your online store, even for non-technical users.
Theme Selection
Choose from a vast array of both free and premium themes to create a unique and professional-looking store.
App Ecosystem
The Shopify App Store offers thousands of apps that can extend your store’s functionality and improve customer experience.
Payment Processing
Shopify integrates with a variety of payment gateways, including its own Shopify Payments solution.
Now that you have a complete overview of the Shopify platform, look into the BigCommerce platform as well.
BigCommerce: A Brief Overview
BigCommerce launched in the year 2009. Just like WooCommerce or Magento, BigCommerce is another popular eCommerce platform that offers a comprehensive set of features for building and managing an online store.
Like Shopify, BigCommerce is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, meaning you don’t need to worry about hosting or server maintenance. BigCommerce is known for its scalability, making it an excellent choice for fast-growing businesses.
Key Features of BigCommerce
What makes BigCommerce platform a far better option for some businesses? To know that you should know about the features.
Built-In Features
BigCommerce offers numerous built-in features that may require additional apps or customizations in other platforms.
Scalability
BigCommerce’s robust infrastructure and feature set make it an ideal choice for businesses with ambitious growth plans.
Customization
The platform provides extensive customization options, particularly for product attributes and options.
Transparent Pricing
BigCommerce has a clear pricing structure with no transaction fees, which can be a significant advantage for some businesses.
Shopify vs BigCommerce: Comparing Key Aspects
If you are in a dilemma and don’t know whether Shopify to BigCommerce migration will help your store to get an extra edge over your competitors, then follow the remainder of this post.
Here, we have done a comparative study of these two platforms, i.e., BigCommerce vs Shopify based on some of the key elements, such as usability, pricing, themes, and so on.
Pricing
Both platforms offer multiple pricing plans to cater to different business needs. While Shopify charges transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments, BigCommerce has no transaction fees, making it more cost-effective for some merchants.
Ease of Use
Both Shopify and BigCommerce have user-friendly interfaces. However, Shopify is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
Themes & Design
Both platforms provide a range of free and premium themes. While Shopify has a slightly larger selection, BigCommerce offers more out-of-the-box customization options.
Features & Integrations
BigCommerce has more built-in features than Shopify, which may reduce the need for third-party apps. However, Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem allows for greater flexibility in adding custom features.
SEO & Marketing
Both platforms offer a solid foundation for SEO and marketing efforts. While they have similar SEO features, Shopify’s larger app ecosystem may provide more marketing tools for businesses looking to expand their reach.
Hopefully, these key comparisons have given you some idea of why BigCommerce remains a far better option for medium to big businesses.
Online Stores Are Making the Move to BigCommerce
If you are an online store owner considering a move to BigCommerce from Shopify, then you’re in the right place.
In the remainder of this post, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of Shopify to BigCommerce migration. Hopefully, once you are aware of the steps, then the transition will become a seamless one.
Migration Process: A Sneak Peak
Migrating your eCommerce store from one platform to another can be a daunting task. However, with proper planning and execution, one can achieve a seamless transition. Now, let’s explore the process required to migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce.
The Shopify to BigCommerce migration falls into three key sections. They are pre-migration preparation, exporting the website and all related data from Shopify, and importing the data to BigCommerce. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Pre-migration Preparation
Before embarking on the Shopify to BigCommerce migration process, it’s important to prepare your store and gather the necessary information.
This step will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a seamless transition. Here’s what you need to do:
Analyze Your Data
Before you go ahead with the process i.e., migrate Shopify to BigCommerce it is important for you to evaluate your Shopify store data. This will help you to determine which elements should be migrated, such as products, customers, orders, and more.
Backup Your Store
Create a backup of your Shopify store data to prevent any data loss during the migration process.
Review Your Theme
Assess your current Shopify theme and decide whether to recreate it on BigCommerce or select a new one.
Identify Apps and Integrations
Make a list of your current Shopify apps and integrations and determine if there are BigCommerce equivalents or alternatives.
Plan for SEO Preservation
Develop a strategy to maintain your SEO efforts, including 301 redirects, metadata migration, and URL structures.
Step 2: Exporting Data from Shopify
Once you’ve completed the pre-migration preparation, the next step is to export your data from Shopify. To do this, follow these steps:
Export Products
Navigate to the “Products” section in your Shopify admin dashboard and click “Export.” Choose the desired export format (CSV is recommended) and click “Export Products.”
Export Customers
In the “Customers” section, click “Export” and choose the export format. Click “Export Customers” to download the customer data.
Export Orders
Although BigCommerce does not support direct order import, you can still export your Shopify orders for reference or future use. Go to the “Orders” section, click “Export,” select the format, and click “Export Orders.”
Save Exported Files
As you plan to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce, make sure to keep your exported CSV files in a safe location, as you’ll need them during the data import process in BigCommerce.
Step 3: Migrating Data to BigCommerce
As a part of the Shopify to BigCommerce migration, you must have exported your product data from Shopify in CSV format. Then the next step is to import it into your BigCommerce store. To ensure a successful data migration, follow these steps:
Configure Your BigCommerce Store
If you haven’t already, create a BigCommerce account and set up your store, including currency, language, and shipping options.
Import Products
In your BigCommerce admin dashboard, go to “Products,” click “Import,” and choose the product CSV file you exported from Shopify. Review the import settings and proceed by clicking “Next.”
Import Customers
Navigate to the “Customers” section in your BigCommerce admin dashboard and click “Import.” To successfully migrate your customer data, complete the following steps:
- Click “Choose File” and upload the customer CSV file you exported from Shopify.
- Examine the import settings, which include options like updating existing customers and adding customers to your mailing list. Select the options that best fit your needs and click “Next.”
- BigCommerce will present a field mapping page. Verify that your Shopify CSV file’s fields align with the corresponding BigCommerce fields, adjusting as needed, and click “Next.”
- Initiate the customer import process by selecting “Start Import.” The process duration will depend on the number of customers being imported. A confirmation message will appear upon completion.
Import Additional Data
BigCommerce does not support direct order import, but you can import other data, such as product reviews, using third-party apps or custom scripts.
Research available apps in the BigCommerce App Marketplace or consult with a BigCommerce expert to determine the best approach for your specific needs.
Verify Imported Data
Once you’ve imported your data to BigCommerce, it’s essential to verify that everything has been imported correctly.
Review your product listings, customer details, and other imported data to ensure accuracy and completeness. If you notice any discrepancies, you may need to adjust your CSV files and re-import the data.
Step 4: Preserve Your SEO Efforts While Migrate Shopify to BigCommerce
To maintain your search engine rankings and ensure a smooth transition, follow these short steps to implement SEO preservation measures:
Create 301 Redirects
Map old Shopify URLs to corresponding new BigCommerce URLs to ensure visitors land on the correct pages.
Migrate Metadata
Transfer title tags, meta descriptions, and image alt tags from your Shopify store to maintain on-page SEO.
Maintain URL Consistency
Keep URL structures consistent with your Shopify store to preserve search engine rankings and minimize disruptions to user experience.
Step 5: Configure and Test Your New Store
After successfully importing your data, it’s time to configure your new BigCommerce store. Follow these steps to set up your store and ensure everything is working correctly:
Choose and Customize the Theme
Select an appropriate theme that suits your brand and customize it to reflect your store’s design preferences.
Install Apps
Browse the BigCommerce App Marketplace to find and install apps that will add essential features and functionalities to your store.
Set Up Payment Gateways
Configure payment gateways to provide your customers with a seamless and secure checkout experience.
Configure Shipping Options
Set up shipping options, carriers, and rates to accommodate your customers’ shipping preferences.
Set Up Taxes
Configure tax settings to ensure you’re correctly calculating and charging sales tax based on your store’s location and the customer’s shipping address.
Add Store Policies
Create and add store policies, such as return, privacy, and terms of service policies, to your website.
Optimize for SEO
Update your store’s metadata, titles, and descriptions to improve search engine rankings and maintain your SEO efforts from your previous platform.
Test Functionality
Thoroughly test your store’s functionality, including product pages, the checkout process, payment gateways, and email notifications, to ensure a smooth user experience for your customers.
Set Up Analytics and Tracking
Integrate analytics and tracking tools, such as Google Analytics, to monitor your store’s performance and gain valuable insights into customer behavior.
Once you have followed all these steps, you can configure your new BigCommerce store and ensure that everything is running smoothly before launching it to the public.
But remember to continuously monitor your store’s performance and make any necessary adjustments. This will optimize your online presence and provide the best possible experience for your customers.
Migrate Shopify to BigCommerce Challenges
One needs to understand that migration is a complex process. Hence, Shopify to BigCommerce migration comes with challenges. However, being aware of potential challenges helps to address them effectively.
Some of the challenges that one gets to see while one tries Shopify to BigCommerce migration are:
Data Loss
To avoid losing critical information, double-check your migration settings and back up your Shopify store data.
Downtime
Minimize store downtime by conducting the migration during off-peak hours and efficiently coordinating the process.
SEO Impact
Preserve your SEO efforts by implementing 301 redirects, migrating metadata, and monitoring your rankings post-migration.
Customizations & Integrations
Recreate custom features and integrations in your new BigCommerce store or find suitable alternatives.
These are some hurdles that one should overcome if any online store is going to migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce.
Overcome the Migration Challenges
Migration challenges are easy to overcome by following these straightforward steps:
Plan Ahead
Create a detailed migration plan, outlining tasks, deadlines, and responsible parties to keep the process organized and efficient.
Backup Data
Make regular backups of your Shopify store data to avoid potential data loss during migration.
Test Functionality
Thoroughly test your new BigCommerce store’s functionality, including navigation, checkout, and mobile responsiveness.
Communicate with Customers
Keep your customers informed about the migration to manage expectations and ensure a positive user experience.
By addressing these challenges proactively, you can ensure a smooth and successful migration from Shopify to BigCommerce.
What Makes BigCommerce Stand Out?
Wondering why businesses are making the move to BigCommerce? Or should an online store on Shopify opt for migrate Shopify to BigCommerce? Whatever your answer might be, remember, BigCommerce gives you an edge over other platforms in many aspects.
It’s not only for scalability or security reasons but for many other features, like flexibility, SEO-friendliness, etc. that make BigCommerce a far better choice for store owners who want to stand out.
Let’s see each of the BigCommerce features.
Scalability
The biggest reward of picking BigCommerce over other eCommerce platforms is because of its scalability. It is a scalable platform that can grow with your business. So, as your business expands, you can easily add new products, categories, and features to your store without worrying about hitting any limits. This is the reason most businesses who are planning to expand their business are picking this platform.
Flexibility
BigCommerce is known to offer a flexible and customizable platform. This allows businesses to create unique and tailored shopping experiences for their customers. With a wide range of themes and plugins, you can customize your store’s look and functionality to meet your specific needs. So, if Shopify is not offering a wide range of themes, then the option like migrate Shopify to BigCommerce is always a better one.
Mobile Optimization
With more consumers shopping on their mobile devices, having a mobile-optimized store is crucial. BigCommerce offers a responsive design, ensuring your store looks great on any device.
SEO-friendly
BigCommerce is designed with SEO in mind. It offers built-in SEO features to help businesses improve their store’s search engine rankings. Improved search engine ranking drives more traffic and even increases sales. So as a business owner if you are looking to improve the rank of your store, then Shopify to BigCommerce migration is the best option.
Security
Security is a top concern for online stores. BigCommerce offers enterprise-grade security features, including PCI compliance and SSL certification, to ensure your customers’ data is safe.
Integration Capabilities
The most important perk behind Shopify to BigCommerce migration is that the latter integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, including popular marketing tools and shipping providers. This allows you to streamline your operations and automate processes, saving time and money.
Well, these are some reasons why businesses may consider taking the leap from Shopify to BigCommerce. Maybe it’s for more flexibility of their online store or for improved SEO capabilities, BigCommerce offers a compelling alternative to Shopify for businesses of all sizes.
Professional Help
If you are contemplating Shopify to BigCommerce migration, then you’re not alone. Many businesses are making the switch in search of better features and flexibility. If you make the decision to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce, professionals of B2Commerce will guide you through the entire process.
Our experts will not only highlight the key considerations of the Shopify to BigCommerce migration but also discuss the challenges, as well as the best practices to overcome them. Only then the migration is going to be a smooth one for your store.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice to pick between Shopify and BigCommerce will depend on the business needs and preferences. Every business is different and so are its needs.
So, as a business owner, if you prioritize ease of use and a vast app ecosystem, then Shopify is a perfect choice. However, if built-in features, flexibility, transparent pricing, etc., are more important to you, then you should go with BigCommerce.
In other words, businesses should try to understand their business needs and requirements before opting to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce. This will help businesses to get the desired results that they might have been looking forward to.