How to Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify?

Migrating from one e-commerce platform to another is a significant decision that can impact your store’s growth and performance. As online businesses scale, store owners often consider moving to a platform that offers better flexibility and functionality. Shopify has emerged as a leading choice, and if you’re looking to migrate, this guide will walk you through the BigCommerce to Shopify migration process. 

Introduction

BigCommerce to Shopify Migration Process  

Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify involves transferring data—such as products, customers, and orders, customizing your Shopify store, and ensuring SEO and performance are optimized. While the process requires careful planning, the results can modernize operations and unlock new growth opportunities.

Why Is Choosing the Right E-commerce Platform Crucial?

The e-commerce platform you choose will determine your store’s success. Shopify has all the instruments, options, and scalability to be a strong choice for businesses ready for expansion. A thorough understanding of both platforms is essential for a smooth transition.

Why Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify?

Common Reasons for Migrating  

Most businesses migrate to Shopify due to its better scaling, excellent integration, and ease of use. This one is quite popular among developers and e-commerce store owners because of its user-friendly design, robust app ecosystem, and growing market presence.

Key Benefits of Switching to Shopify  

• Ease of Use: Shopify’s intuitive design allows users with minimum technical knowledge to run their stores.
• Better Integrations: Shopify’s vast app store provides more features to enhance store functionality.
• Scalability: Shopify is suitable for both small businesses and large corporations, making it scalable. 

BigCommerce vs. Shopify: Feature and Pricing Comparison

Key Differences Between BigCommerce and Shopify  

While both platforms support robust e-commerce solutions, they cater to different needs. Shopify excels in ease of use, design flexibility, and app integrations, while BigCommerce focuses on built-in functionalities that appeal to larger enterprises.

Pre-Migration Preparation

Before moving to another platform, assess your store, the features, and the commercial goals you hope to achieve. 

• Backing Up Your BigCommerce Data 

Before migration, a comprehensive backup of all data must be made. Ensure all your significant documents, such as product catalogs, customer lists, and order details, are backed up. 

• Define your migration goals and success metrics

Identify your goals to be fulfilled throughout the migration process. Does the site’s speed, performance, and user experience need to be improved, or does the site’s administration need to become quicker? Based on it, you also establish precise success metrics. 

Choosing the Right Shopify Migration Services

You can use DIY migration tools or hire Shopify migration services. When migrating your e-commerce store from BigCommerce to Shopify, you have several options:

1. DIY Migration Tools:

 Store Importer app: This app can transfer products, customers, orders, and blog posts.

 Matrixify App: Matrixify is a Shopify app that helps users manage their store data by importing, exporting, updating, and migrating data. Follow these steps:

    Step 1: Create BigCommerce API credentials.

    Step 2: Upload the credentials text file to Matrixify.

    Step 3: Use “Dry Run” to generate an Excel file.

    Step 4: Check and import the data.

2. Third-Party Migration Apps: Cart2Cart, and LitExtension, these apps can handle the entire migration process.
3. Cyblance: This service can transfer your domain and CMS pages.
4. Professional Migration Services: Hire a developer or agency for a tailored and expert migration.

Why Choose Professional Services:

•  Prevent data loss and downtime.
•  Ensure a smooth transition.
•  Benefit from expert guidance and support.

Steps to Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify 

Step 1: Create your Shopify store. Using an appropriate migration tool or service, connect it to BigCommerce.

Step 2: Identify which data sets to transfer, including product information, customer data, and order histories. Ensure all essential data is accurately selected for transfer.

Step 3: To start the transfer, follow the detailed instructions provided by the migration tool or service. Monitor the procedure to spot any possible mistakes early on and fix them.

Step 4: Post-migration, check your Shopify store to ensure all the data has been transferred correctly. Ensure complete operational readiness, test product listings, order integrity, and functionality.

Post-Migration Configuration and Customization

Once the migration from BigCommerce to Shopify is complete, the priority is configuring your store to match your brand and ensure smooth functionality.

1. Customize a theme that relates to your brand identity. This is required because your Shopify store will reflect the appearance of your business.

 

2. Install essential apps to enhance functionality from all aspects of product management to customer service tools.

 

3. Test every aspect of your store, from user navigation and mobile responsiveness to the checkout procedures. The easier the user experience, the more likely visitors will convert.

 

4. Set up payment gateways so that clients can complete transactions quickly and securely.

 

5. Customize shipping zones, prices, and options to match your company strategy and guarantee smooth deliveries.

 

6. Verify that transferred data, including products, customer information, and order history, is accurate and operational.

 

7. Restore third-party services such as accounting software, email marketing tools, and CRM.

Post-Migration – SEO and Marketing Strategies 

After your Shopify store is set up, maintaining visibility and driving traffic becomes crucial. Focus on the following SEO and marketing strategies:

• 301 Redirects for SEO Preservation: To prevent traffic loss and maintain your search engine rankings, you must set up 301 redirects from the BigCommerce URLs to the Shopify URL.

• On-Page SEO Optimization: Ensure appropriate keywords are used to optimize the product pages, metadata, and images. Shopify’s built-in SEO tools will enhance your on-page SEO.

• Avoid Common SEO Pitfalls: Secure the rankings from problems such as duplicate content, broken links, and slow site speed. This migration will ensure that pages load easily on the user’s browser and crawlers.

• Digital Marketing Strategies: After the migration, promote the new Shopify store via email, social media, and content marketing to increase traffic.

• Utilize Shopify’s Marketing Tools: Shopify’s built-in email automation, social media connectors, and analytics features can help you boost traffic and engage with consumers more effectively.

• Continuous SEO Enhancement: Use Shopify’s analytics and SEO tools to optimize your site. Monitor your site’s performance to improve your search rankings.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome?

Data Transfer and Compatibility Issues  

Ensure data is transferred correctly by following the step-by-step process and using tools that help identify potential migration issues.

Managing Downtime and Minimizing Customer Disruption  

To minimize downtime, schedule your migration during less busy hours, while communicating the process to consumers before time to manage their expectations.

Customization Limitations and Solutions  

While Shopify advertises its ability to be shaped into anything you require, some elements will be borrowed from BigCommerce and may not have a direct equivalent. Collaborate with developers to create custom solutions as necessary.

Conclusion

Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify requires careful planning and execution. With the right approach, businesses can ensure a smooth transition, maintaining data integrity, SEO, and customer satisfaction. If you’re evaluating a BigCommerce alternative, Shopify stands out as a strong contender with its robust features and flexibility. Consulting Shopify experts can empower your business to grow sustainably, offering the functionality and scalability required to remain competitive in the e-commerce business.