What to consider before moving from Bigcommerce to Shopify?

1. Backup BigCommerce database

Before proceeding to the actual BigCommerce to Shopify migration process, you need to back up your database (customers, orders, and products, etc.) first. This is  how you do it:

• Navigate to your BigCommerce dashboard.
• Go to Products > Export.
• Select Default under Export Template and File Format Options. Then, click Continue.
• Choose Export my Products to a CSV file in the Products dialog box that appears. After that, click Close. Then, all your product data will be saved to your computer in a CSV Files.

• Then, you will see a progress bar to help you keep track of the project. When it finishes, click the Download my Products file to automatically save this file to your computer.

• Lastly, don’t forget to use WebDAV (this app allows you to upload files to store’s server) to connect to your store. Then, drag and drop the “product_images” to your desktop.

While we ensure a perfect data transfer from BigCommerce to Shopify, we still recommend creating a backup of your store data for extra peace of mind.. It will definitely be your savior when things go wrong, and you want to undo your action.

2. Create a new Shopify store

Here are the steps to create a new Shopify store:

• Sign up for an Shopify account.
• After that, Shopify will ask you some information about your business, such as product type, location, etc. You can skip all the questions and choose the most suitable signup option. 
• It will take you straight to the Shopify dashboard once you’ve filled in your information. Now you can get down to migrating BigCommerce to Shopify.

Sign up for a Shopify ID

We have done a tutorial video providing the easiest steps to build your newly-created Shopify store, check it out now:

How to transfer BigCommerce to Shopify in 3 Steps with LitExtension

As the leading Shopping Cart Migration Expert, LitExtension ensures your store’s move to Shopify is fast, precise, and completely secure. Moving your store is simple – our 3-step process requires no technical knowledge to complete your migration to Shopify: Alright, let’s go further into the detailed process of BigCommerce to Shopify migration!

#Step 1: Set up Source Cart and Target Cart

To start your migration, you have to use your email address to sign up on the LitExtension website. Furthermore, you can also log in directly by using your Facebook or Google account.

Log in to your LitExtension account

Now, navigate to the “Create a Migration” tab. When the setup page is appear, under the Source Cart Setup, select BigCommerce as your Source Cart type. Provide the Store URL and follow the brief instruction to get your API info.

Select BigCommerce as your Source Store

Next, enter your Shopify’s URL and API password to connect your destination store. If you are using the LitExtension App directly from Shopify Store, the system will automatically recognize your API to save time and effort.

Choose Shopify as your Target Cart

In case you don’t know how to get an API password from the Shopify store, please follow the easy instructions in this video below! Do not hesitate to contact LitExtension’s support team if you encounter any difficulties. We are available 24/7 to help you fix all problems as well as answer any questions about this field.

#Step 2: Choose entities you want to migrate

We supports migrating important data such as: products, customers, pages, blog posts, and coupons in this case. You can choose to migrate only a few or click “Select all” to migrate all of them.

Choose Entities to Migrate

Then, scroll down to see a list of Additional Options to expand your migration possibilities. For example, 301 Redirect is essential when re-platforming because it helps to create 301 redirects to the new site. Then, the SEO rankings you have built up for years will be kept.

LitExtension Additional Options

Also, remember to map the language between two platforms to ensure the best eCommerce experience for both you and your customers!

#Step 3: Perform BigCommerce to Shopify Migration

Now you are ready for the full BigCommerce to Shopify migration. I highly recommend you try our FREE DEMO to see what your website will look like after the data migration before you decide to pay for it. If that’s not your concern, tick the “Skip Demo Migration” checkbox and activate the real migration. Once started, the migration runs automatically on our servers – you can safely turn off your computer during the process. It is completely safe to turn it off! All you need to do is take a break. Having a cup of coffee is equally important and your email will receive a notification when the process is completed.

Perform the full migration

What to do after switching from Bigcommerce to Shopify?

After the full migration is finished, all of your products, except for those which are out-of-stock, will be displayed on the storefront. First, please click on the “Check Result” button to keep track of migrating BigCommerce to Shopify results.  You can easily find them from the catalog or by an onsite search. You should check your product details carefully, including product descriptions, images, variants, and meta descriptions. Second, don’t forget to check data on both the front-end and back-end of your new online store.

Migrate BigCommerce to Shopify check results

One of the advantages when using our LitExtension service is that your old website still runs as normal during the migration process. Therefore, you will no longer have to worry about losing your customers when switching from BigCommerce to Shopify. This also means that the database will continue to update whenever a new order pops up. That’s when these post-migration services come in handy:

• Recent data migration enables you to add all the newest data from BigCommerce to Shopify.
• Smart update stores the current state of the data, including any modifications you’ve done and any new entities that have appeared.
• Re-migration service allows you to migrate data all over again if the first migration hasn’t met your requirements.

All of these services are completely FREE in three months from your first full migration if the number of new entities is less than 10% of the total number of entities in the initial migration.

Methods To Migrate from Bigcommerce to Shopify

There are several ways for you to choose from when performing a BigCommerce to Shopify migration. Depending on your specific requirements, picking out the most suitable way will save up time and effort significantly:

• Use an automated migration service
• Manually transfer between the two platforms
• Hire an experienced expert

However, there are existing drawbacks underlying the first two options.

Use LitExtension’s Automated Migration Service

LitExtension makes it simpler, quicker, and more accurate to switch to a new platform for your online business. Having completed 280,000+ successful cart migration projects for 150K+ clients across the globe, LitExtension deserves to be the #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert. Our technical staff has in-depth familiarity with the features of both BigCommerce and Shopify. Hence, we can ensure minimum data errors and consistency throughout the whole procedure.

Migrate From BigCommerce to Shopify with LitExtension

Manual method

If you are not tech-savvy, we do not recommend doing everything on your own. Even though it’s a money-saving option, you have to pour a lot of time and effort into switching from BigCommerce to Shopify. It may take a few weeks at least, not to mention when you have to fix possible errors happening during the process. Due to BigCommerce’s structure, you can only export Product and Customer data automatically. With other types of information, online store owners are required to copy and paste manually. Similarly, when uploading products via the Shopify CSV import method, you won’t be able to import the photos that come along with them. Once again, you have to do it the hard way.

Hire a professional expert

You may choose to hire a web developer or agency if you are unsure of your ability to handle the procedure on your own. Normally, they will charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to $80 for switching from BigCommerce to Shopify, which may add up to a total investment of $500-$2500. Data migration often involves exporting information from your previous platform to Excel or CSV files and then importing it into your new shopping cart. The downside of this is that it’s hard to find a website agency or freelancer that fully grasps the data structure of a given platform. This often leads to multiple errors in handling data and table structure. As a result, the time to repair will be extended along with the total fee you have to pay.

When to Perform BigCommerce to Shopify Migration? 

• When you want higher conversion rates: Consider moving if you feel your store is not converting well. Some studies and reports suggest that Shopify stores often see higher average conversion rates than other platforms, which can help you boost sales.
• When you need more apps and integrations: If you feel limited by BigCommerce features, it may be time to switch. Shopify’s large app ecosystem gives you more tools for marketing, automation, reporting, and custom features.
• When you want a more user-friendly experience: If managing your store feels too complex, Shopify can be a better fit. Its dashboard and settings are often easier to use, especially for non-technical users.
• When you are ready to scale and grow: If your business is expanding and you need a platform that grows with you, Shopify is a strong choice. It supports brands of all sizes, from small shops to global businesses, with reliable performance and infrastructure.