How to migrate from BigCartel to Shopify with LitExtension expert?
Big Cartel to Shopify migration is now effortless with LitExtension. Choose between handling the process on your own or relying on our team of professionals to ensure a safe and accurate transfer.
4 Reasons to Migrate Big Cartel to Shopify
Since both Big Cartel and Shopify are popular eCommerce platforms, you might be asking yourself, “Do I really need to make the switch?” Well — yes, you do! As discussed in our Big Cartel vs Shopify comparison, Shopify indeed outshines its rival in many key areas:
Shopify is excellent for scalability
One of Shopify’s standout advantages is the freedom to list as many products as you like, no matter which plan you choose.
Sure, once you hit 50,000 products, you’ll be limited to adding only 1,000 new products or variants every 24 hours. But other than that, the sky’s the limit, and you can keep expanding your inventory as much as your store (and budget) can handle!
Big Cartel, on the other hand, doesn’t offer the same flexibility: even with its top-tier Diamond plan, you’re limited to just 500 product listings. For anyone looking to grow their business long-term, that cap is definitely going to be pretty restrictive.
Shopify has far more customizable themes
Another impressive Shopify perk is its incredible theme store: as of now, you’ve got 217 themes to choose from, and the collection only keeps growing!
Prices range from free to $500 for a one-time purchase, so there are options available for every budget. Shopify has 217 beautiful themes across various industries
The best part? They’re very customizable. You can easily adjust headers, banners, fonts, and menu placement using just the built-in settings. For even more control, Shopify lets you add your own custom code and files for a truly unique design.
In comparison, Big Cartel doesn’t even come close; 17 templates and limited customization options will make you feel boxed in.
You can’t use your favorite fonts, position banners exactly where you want, or even upload videos to product listings. And forget about adding custom code – it’s not even an option.
Shopify can boost search engine rankings
Themes and listings aside, Shopify also leaves its competitors in the dust when it comes to SEO. Everything you need to boost your store’s visibility is right there: you can easily edit title tags, URLs, and meta descriptions without fuss.
Things get even better with Shopify’s built-in blogging engine, which helps you attract more visitors through engaging, relevant articles and blog posts.
Big Cartel, unfortunately, cannot compete in this area since there are zero options to edit meta descriptions or create redirects. Even something as basic as blogging requires either HTML knowledge or using external services (e.g., DropInBlog). We must say this is a pretty serious gap if you aim to grow your online presence in the long run.
Shopify’s app store is superior
Last but definitely not least, Shopify totally dominates in apps and extensions. With over 13,000 apps (and increasing), it has something for every eCommerce need imaginable!
Plus, the price range is very flexible, with options from free to around $100/month to ensure businesses of any size can find what fits them.
Shopify’s app store
Meanwhile, Big Cartel only offers about 1,500 apps and add-ons as of our writing. Sure, the number is decent (compared to some platforms), but it doesn’t stand a chance against Shopify’s variety.
Not to mention, the apps’ quality is nowhere near enough to bridge the huge gap in Big Cartel’s built-in features.
So, all in all, Big Cartel works mostly for smaller brands or start-ups with more basic needs. Once your business takes off (and you’re ready for bigger opportunities), switching to Shopify is clearly the smart next step to fuel future growth.
Potential Risks When Switching from Big Cartel to Shopify
At this point, we all agree that switching from Big Cartel to Shopify is the best move for your store’s future growth and scalability. But remember – this is a very big leap, and there might be some unexpected risks lurking if you’re not cautious:
Risk |
Description |
Losing data |
There’s always a chance that important data like product info, customer details, or order history might not transfer over perfectly. |
Downtime |
Your store could experience downtime during the switch, which means lost sales and frustrated customers. |
SEO drops |
If URLs or product descriptions don’t migrate smoothly, it can mess with your search engine rankings. |
Feature compatibility |
Not every feature or app you rely on might work the same — or at all — on the new platform. |
Design challenges |
Your store’s layout and design might not transfer cleanly. As a result, you’ll have to spend time tweaking it to get it just right. |
Customer confusion |
Any changes to how your store looks or functions might confuse or throw off some loyal customers. |
Learning curve |
Getting used to the new platform might take time, which could slow down operations or lead to mistakes early on. |
Security risks |
If the migration isn’t handled carefully, sensitive data could be exposed and put both you and your customers at risk. |
We know these risks can seem daunting, but don’t sweat it; LitExtension has got your back! In the next sections, we’ll guide you through every preparation step for a smooth, secure, and hassle-free migration.
What Data Can Be Migrated From Big Cartel To Shopify
-
Products
- Name, SKU, Full Description, Status, Manufacturer, Weight.
- Price, Special Price.
- Stock Status, Manage Stock, Quantity.
- Meta Title, Meta Description.
- Product Tags.
- Barcode.
- Variants: SKU, Weight, Attributes, Quantity, Price, Special Price, Name, Thumbnail Image.
- Additional Images.
- Metafields.
Products Categories
- Name, Description.
- Image.
- Meta Title, Meta Description.
-
- First Name, Last Name, Email.
- Newsletter.
- Billing Address:
First Name, Last Name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, Country, State, City, Zip Code. Telephone, . - Shipping Address:
First Name, Last Name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, Country, State, City, Zip Code, Telephone.
-
- Order Number.
- Order Status.
- First Name, Last Name, Email.
- Billing Address:
First Name, Last Name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, Country, State, City, Zip Code, Telephone, Fax. - Shipping Address:
First Name, Last Name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, Country, State, City, Zip Code, Telephone. - Order Items (Name, SKU, Option), Product Price, Quantity.
- Sub Price, Discount Price, Tax Price, Shipping Price, Total Price.
- Order Comments.
-
- Name.
-
- Coupon Code, Coupon Date, Coupon Expire Date.
-
- Created Date.
- Rate.
- User Name.
- Title.
- Comment.
-
- Title, Description.
- URL.
- Image.
- Categories.
-
- Title, Description.
- Categories.
- SEO URLs.
- Images.
-
- Products (Name, Description, Attribute)
- Categories (Name, Description)
- CMS Page (Name, Description)
- Blogs (Name, Description)
- Note: Additional fee may apply
(*) Please note that the data listed above may vary depending on your Source Store.
Additional Options
Clear Sample Data On Shopify Before Migration
You can delete the sample data on Shopify in accordance with selected entities for migration… More Details →
Preserve Order IDs on Shopify Store
This option helps keep your order ID the same during your store migration… More Details →
Create 301 Redirects on Shopify Store
Automatically redirect your old store’s URLs to the new ones during the migration… More Details →
Migrate Images from Products, Categories, Blog Descriptions
This option helps you to migrate images in descriptions of products, categories, and blog posts… More Details →
Strip HTML Tags from Category and Product Names
Strip HTML tags from category and product names automatically when migrating your store … More Details →
Migrate Categories into Shopify Automated Collections
Automatically add tags to your products. You can show sub-categories just like in your Source Store… More Details →
How to Perform Big Cartel to Shopify Migration
Select Big Cartel as “Source Cart” and Shopify as “Target Cart” from dropdown list. Enter store URL and follow brief instructions to set up the carts.
Choose the entities you want to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify such as products, product categories, customers, orders, and even more.
Let’s start the migration from Big Cartel to Shopify. Once the migration process is kicked off, it will constantly run even when you turn off your browser.
Switch from Big Cartel to Shopify – Preparation
There are two phases to complete before running the Big Cartel to Shopify migration successfully:
- Export a CSV file from your Big Cartel website
- Create a new Shopify store
1. Export Big Cartel CSV file
To export your Big Cartel into a single CSV file for future reference, follow our steps below:
- Log in to your account on my.bigcartel.com.
- Navigate to the “Orders” tab.
- Select either the “Unshipped” or “Shipped” tab.
- Narrow down your search for specific data by choosing the “Search” option from the drop-down menu.
- Hit “Download CSV” from the action menu.
2. Set up the Shopify store
Moving on, we have the Shopify store setting-up phase. You can try out their free trial before going for a monthly subscription plan.
- Navigate to the Shopify website and sign up for a new account at this address: https://www.shopify.com/commerce-coach/litextension
- Provide basic information about your online business, such as selling channels, specific requirements, experience, etc.
- Select “Enter my store” and you will gain access to your Shopify admin dashboard.
Perform Big Cartel to Shopify Migration with LitExtension in 3 steps
After successfully setting up your new store, it’s time we embark on your migration process. You can choose various methods when moving from Big Cartel to Shopify, such as manually or hiring an expert.
However, these will cost you more time and money as it requires decent technical knowledge to avoid possible data problems that may arise.
Additionally, because each Big Cartel store has an exclusive database structure, moving to Shopify requires a more complicated procedure than our Basic Migration Package.
That’s when LitExtension’s All-in-One Migration Package comes into play. A Personal Assistant (PA) will carefully carry out your project to ensure the most secure and smooth migration.
With 10+ years of experience, our experts have gained in-depth knowledge of both platforms, so relax because your store is in good hands!
First, let’s go through all the steps needed:
- Step 1: Meeting Schedule
- Step 2: Technical Consultation
- Step 3: Migration Configuration
- Step 4: Demo Migration
- Step 5: Demo Migration Review
- Step 6: Full Migration
- Step 7: Migration Result Testing
- Step 8: Post-Migration Services Utilization
The time has come, here goes the tutorial on how to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify!
1. Meeting Schedule
Get in touch with our specialists for a one-on-one consultation to go through your needs regarding the Big Cartel Shopify migration. To do so, provide your contact details and choose a convenient time for the meeting.
Please book 2 hours in advance so we can prepare for it and address any concerns you may have.
2. Technical Consultation
During the meeting, our experts will gain an understanding of your specific requirements for the Big Cartel to Shopify migration. We will also shed lights on the current situation of your Big Cartel database to come up with the most suitable solution. It is crucial for both parties to have the same vision for the project to have the best outcome.
Move on to the payment steps; follow our guide here if you agree with the discussed process. LitExtension’s All-in-One Migration Package pricing currently starts from $139 based on your specific requirements.
3. Migration Configuration
Our experts will configure your target store to create the best environment when switching from Big Cartel to Shopify.
Identify the entities you wish to migrate to your new Shopify store, including products, customers, orders, etc. We have placed a box next to each category so that you can type in the exact amount of data according to your needs.
Look to the right, you will see a list of free Additional Options for further migration settings. Usually, we charge them $19 – $39 for the Basic Migration Package. Nevertheless, they are completely free for All-in-One clients, so seize your chance now!
Here are what most of our previous customers go for:
- Preserve Product, Order, Customer IDs on Target Store: By selecting this choice, the product, customer, and order IDs will remain unchanged in your Target Store, mirroring those in your Source Store. This selection is essential for maintaining the interconnectedness of entities post-migration. Additionally, it facilitates convenient management of your products, customers, and orders.
- Clear Data On Target Store Before Migration: This feature enables you to remove data on the Target Store based on the selected entities for migration. Its purpose is to prevent data mixing and duplication throughout the migration process.
Next up, we also offer store customization service. However, these modifications are restricted to your Big Cartel and Shopify’s unique requirements.
It’s important to understand that this does not cover the transfer of non-standard data or data created by third-party modules and extensions. For more information, please consult our experts during the private meeting.
4. Demo Migration
Run through the free Demo Migration beforehand to observe our service in action with a maximum of 1,000 entities. It might take you a few minutes to complete the procedure.
5. Demo Migration Review
The result of the Demo Migration may be seen before the completion of the Full Migration. If you are satisfied with it, our experts will perform the Full Migration to move from Big Cartel to Shopify.
6. Full Migration
This is when your whole store will be officially moved to its new home. LitExtension experts will conduct the Full Migration from Big Cartel to Shopify.
With LitExtension Smart Controller monitoring your system, our team can identify and resolve any problems that arise quickly.
7. Migration Result Testing
LitExtension’s team of experts will thoroughly examine the migrated data to ensure that the transfer from Big Cartel to Shopify has been executed accurately and without any discrepancies.
You can look at the migration result and ask the PA for more advanced requirements (if needed).
If you have any severe technical troubles with your migrated data within 30 days, LitExtension is responsible for a FULL REFUND. Send us a ticket detailing your order and the reason for the refund.
Your refund will be processed and sent within 7 days of your verified refund request.
8. Post-Migration Services Utilization
The great thing about using the All-in-One Migration Package when migrating from Big Cartel to Shopify is that your old store will continue to receive new orders as usual during the migration process.
Thus, your database will need to be updated after the migration to ensure the best shopping experience for your customers.
Don’t worry, our post-migration services are here to help:
- Recent Data Migration: The transfer process will seamlessly move all existing and forthcoming orders and customers to the new store, ensuring a smooth transition without disruptions.
- Re-Migration: If the previous upgrade did not meet your specific requirements, you could initiate another upgrade process to address any remaining needs or expectations.
- Smart Update: You can import newly created and previously modified data into your Shopify store simultaneously.
Within 6 months after your Full Migration, LitExtension offers free, unlimited post-migration services as long as the number of migration entities only accounts for 10% of the total.
The video below may help you better visualize how LitExtension performs the task:
Guidelines to Set Up Shopify Store After Migration
Even though the migration has been completed, you’re not ready to generate profits yet. There are still a couple of things to do, follow our footsteps to find out!
1. Install themes & apps
So that’s done with the database, let’s design your website. Your online store’s conversion rate, credibility, and other metrics are all impacted by how your brand is represented visually. Therefore, installing a theme and utilizing customization tools is a must.
First, pick the most suitable one from the 140+ themes offered by Shopify Theme Store (both free and premium). Otherwise, you can also extend your search when navigating to Themeforest. For further information, refer to our collection of best Shopify themes.
Then, set up essential eCommerce features by integrating third-party apps from the Shopify App Store. By doing this, you can guarantee the most fulfilling experience for your customers.
2. Change DNS & switch domain
DNS is what helps connect your domain name to the network’s IP address where your server is located. Your domain name server (DNS) settings connect your website’s address (IP address) to your unique domain name.
Thus, you will need to update your domain name server settings to use the IP address of your newly created eCommerce website.
After the Big Cartel to Shopify migration, you may encounter one of three typical DNS and domain-related difficulties, including:
- Both stores are hosted by the same company, using the same URL. However, the Shopify store you’re moving to lies in the subdirectory.
- You use the same hosting service, yet the URLs of the two stores are not an exact match.
- You have two online stores with distinct domain names and hosting providers.
Your Shopify store will be plagued with issues if you don’t replace the old domain. If you’re having trouble doing this, contact the LitExtension team for support.
3. Configure shipping & payment methods
Before launching your new business, it’s crucial to set up your Shopify shipping options. If you don’t account for shipping costs when setting prices, you may have to ask the customers for more payment or issue refunds. Neither of these outcomes is ideal.
Similarly, deciding payment methods also directly affects customer satisfaction. You can offer third-party payment gateways or the in-house option (Shopify Payments).
Remember to evaluate the processing fees before making your final decision since each gateway charges merchants a different price.
4. Place test orders
Last but not least, don’t forget to place test orders before publishing your website. Double-check every step of your customer journey to ensure that things have fallen into place, from products and orders to transactions. This also enables you to notice problems and fix them just in time.
If you want to have a detailed look, our Shopify launch checklist might be helpful!
Migration Pricing
Automated Migration
With the Automated Migration Package, you can run a seamless store migration automatically and accurately using the LitExtension app in only 3 simple steps.
Automated Migration includes:
- Pre-migration
- Data Migration
- Perform Migration
- Additional Migration Options are available
- Data Security
- Post-migration
- Customer Support
Extensive data can be challenging to migrate accurately. Please connect with our experts through the ChatBox at the bottom-right or book a call for the best consultancy for your data migration.
All-in-One Migration Service
All-in-One Migration is a all-inclusive service. LitExtension experts will handle the migration from start to finish to ensure the best results of your project.
All-in-One Migration Service includes:
- Pre-migration Support
- Data Migration
- Full Migration Implementation
- Free All Additional Migration Options
- Data Security
- Migration Results Testing
- Post-migration
- Customer Support
Extensive data can be challenging to migrate accurately. Please connect with our experts through the ChatBox at the bottom-right or book a call for the best consultancy for your data migration.
Popular Questions About Big Cartel to Shopify Migration
Not seeing your question listed here? Contact Us for the quickest answer.
What is Big Cartel to Shopify Migration?
Migrating your online shop from Big Cartel to Shopify entails transferring your customer base, product listings, order history, and other relevant data. This Big Cartel to Shopify migration can be performed manually or by employing a dedicated service like LitExtension for a more efficient and streamlined process.
How long does it take to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify?
The duration of a Big Cartel to Shopify migration is not set in stone. It’s influenced by factors like the size of your Big Cartel shop, the amount of data being transferred (products, customers, orders), and any additional customizations required. For a more accurate estimate, reach out to our experts.
How do I migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify without losing SEO?
Preserve your SEO investment while migrating from Big Cartel to Shopify. Our platform offers automatic 301 redirects as a standard feature, ensuring a seamless transition for both search engines and users. This means your old Big Cartel URLs will point to the corresponding pages on your new Shopify store, preventing any loss in SEO value.
Can I migrate several languages to Shopify?
Want to move your multilingual Big Cartel shop to a platform with more advanced features for international selling? We can help! While a direct migration of multiple languages from Big Cartel might not be possible, we can assist you in setting up a multi-language Shopify store using apps like Langify. This allows you to reach a wider audience and expand your business globally. Contact us to learn more about this service.
Can I migrate options and attributes from Big Cartel to Shopify?
We understand the importance of maintaining your product options and details. While a direct migration of all options and attributes might not be possible due to platform variations, we’ll do our best to preserve as much information as possible. We can import key product attributes into Shopify’s meta fields, ensuring this data is readily available for your use.
Why my product variants were not migrated from Big Cartel to Shopify?
If your product variants appear incomplete after transferring from Big Cartel to Shopify, it’s likely due to Shopify’s restrictions. Shopify limits products to a maximum of 99 variants and 3 options. If your Big Cartel products had more variations, those exceeding Shopify’s limits might not be fully transferred.
Can I migrate product categories on Big Cartel to Shopify?
We’ll help transfer your product organization as seamlessly as possible. While a direct category transfer might not be feasible due to platform differences, we’ll do our best to map your Big Cartel categories to suitable Shopify Collections, ensuring your products are categorized effectively on your new store.
Can I migrate my customer passwords from Big Cartel to Shopify?
When migrating your shop from Big Cartel to Shopify, please note that customer passwords cannot be transferred directly. This is because Shopify’s platform is designed with robust security measures and uses a restricted-access database to protect sensitive customer information, including passwords. Your customers will need to set up new passwords on your Shopify store.
Can I migrate my Big Cartel product SKUs to Shopify?
While Big Cartel might not use SKUs in the same way as Shopify, we’ll work to transfer any relevant product codes you’ve assigned to your products. We’ll map those codes to your Shopify products, helping maintain consistency in your inventory management.
Can I migrate Big Cartel reviews to Shopify?
While migrating from Big Cartel to Shopify, direct transfer of customer reviews is generally not possible due to platform limitations. However, you can explore third-party apps on Shopify that might offer solutions for importing reviews from external sources, helping you retain some of your valuable social proof.
Leave The Work For The Experts
If you’re non-tech, let our Shopify migration experts handle your migration from A to Z.
Save your time for more important tasks.
How Your Data Is Secured During Migration?
Server Security
Data Security
Data Access Restriction
GDPR Compliance
NDA
Payment Security
Why Choose LitExtension for Big Cartel to Shopify Migration
3-Step Simplicity
With our automated tool, you just need three steps to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify—no coding, no hassle, no technical headaches.
24/7 Expert Support
Our team is here for you 24/7, even on holidays, to ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.
Selling While Migrating
Keep your Big Cartel store fully operational during migration, no lost sales or frustrated customers.
Data Quality Assurance
LitExtension detailed manual testing process delivers the accuracy you need for a secure migration.
FREE 60-Day Updates
Enjoy free Re-migrations, Recent Migrations, and Smart Updates for 60 days from your start date, keeping your data synchronized after migration.
Risk-Free Experience
We believe in our service, and we want you to as well; that’s why we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Your Success, Our Motivation
Who We Truly Are? Let Our Customer Define!
LitExtension helped me transfer my webshop from Big Cartel to Shopify. Products and images worked fine. Unfortunately, it is not possible to migrate the inventory from Big Cartel to Shopify, because there is no way to export it out of Big Cartel. But the developer at LitExtension was kind enough to manually transfer my inventory data (I only have 25 products, so it was not a crazy amount of data). Really quick response, and clear and precise reactions.
I was looking for a migration service that could handle my client’s complex Squarespace store, and LitExtension delivered. They migrated everything perfectly, including our custom product options and unique shipping settings. I’m incredibly impressed with their service!
The migration from Squarespace to Shopify was a huge success thanks to LitExtension! They migrated everything flawlessly, including our custom product options and unique shipping settings. I’m very happy with the service.
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