BigCommerce To Shopify Migration Simplified

This guide breaks it all down for you. We’ll cover how to transfer your products, customers, and orders without losing valuable data, how to ensure a smooth transition without hurting your SEO, and what to watch out for during the process.

Step-by-Step Guide For BigCommerce to Shopify Migration

Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify requires careful data transfer to ensure a smooth transition. Follow these steps to export and import your store’s key data:

Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store

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Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store

Before launching your online store, you need to create a Shopify account and configure essential settings. Shopify makes it easy to get started with a user-friendly setup process.

How to Sign Up for Shopify

1. Go to Shopify’s Website – Visit Shopify.com and click on the “Start Free Trial” button.

2. Enter Basic Information – Provide details like your email address, store name, and password to create an account.

3. Answer Business Questions – Shopify will ask for information about your business type, revenue, and sales channels. Answering these helps Shopify customize recommendations for your store.

4. Access Your Shopify Dashboard – Once registered, you’ll be redirected to your Shopify admin panel, where you can begin setting up your store.

Customize and Configure Your Store

1. Design Your Store – Use Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor to select a theme, customize your homepage, add branding elements, and upload product images.

2. Set Up Essential Store Settings – Configure shipping zones, tax rates, and payment gateways like Shopify Payments, PayPal, or third-party providers.

3. Integrate Apps and Tools – Enhance store functionality with Shopify apps for SEO, inventory management, and marketing automation.

4. Choose a Pricing Plan – Once your store is set up, select a pricing plan that aligns with your business size and growth strategy.

Step 2: Export Data from BigCommerce

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1. Export Products: Use the Bulk Edit template to export your products as a CSV file.

2. Export Product SKUs: For SKU-specific exports, choose the SKU Inventory Management template.

3. Export Customers: Export your customer list as a CSV file (note that passwords cannot be transferred).

4. Export Orders: Use the Default template to export orders and save them in a CSV format.

Step 3: Import Data into Shopify

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1. Import Products: Go to Shopify's Products section and upload the CSV file containing your product data.

2. Import Customers: Upload your customer data CSV file to Shopify and ensure you select the appropriate import settings.

3. Import Orders: Use the Transporter app (available for Shopify Plus) to import orders.

Step 4: Transfer Your BigCommerce Domain to Shopify

1. Unlock Your Domain: Go to your BigCommerce dashboard and disable the domain registrar lock.

2. Connect to Shopify: In Shopify’s settings, connect your existing domain and verify it.

Step 5: Create URL Redirects

1. Set Up Manual Redirects: Redirect individual pages by entering the old URL and the new destination.

2. Dynamic Redirects: For automatic redirection to products or categories, select the corresponding page.

Step 6: Inform Your Subscribers About Re-Platforming

1. Send Emails or Blog Posts: Keep customers in the loop about the new site, launch day, and any new features.

2. Use Shopify Emails: Utilize Shopify's built-in email tool or third-party apps to notify your customer base.

Step 7: Place Some Test Orders

Test Transactions: Complete both successful and failed transactions, cancel or refund orders, and check fulfillment.

Step 8: Train Your Staff Members

Assign Roles: Set permissions and ensure that everyone understands how to manage products, customers, and orders.

Step 9: Launch Your Shopify Store

Launch the Store: Announce the official launch and keep track of any technical issues or customer concerns.

Post-Migration Checklist for BigCommerce to Shopify Migration

Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify is just the beginning of your online business journey. To ensure a seamless transition, it's crucial to review technical aspects, optimize content, and monitor performance. A well-structured post-migration strategy helps maintain store functionality, enhance user experience, and maximize conversions.

1. Fix Technical Issues for a Smooth Shopping Experience

After migration, test your Shopify store to identify and resolve any technical glitches. Common issues include broken links, missing images, incorrect product variants, and formatting inconsistencies. The App Store offers various solutions, so run a full website audit to fix checkout errors, mobile responsiveness, and integration conflicts with third-party apps.

2. Update Content to Optimize for SEO and Engagement

Ensure that all product descriptions, images, and metadata are correctly transferred and optimized. Shopify’s SEO structure differs from BigCommerce, so update URLs, alt texts, and meta descriptions accordingly, including any references to Shopify files. Refresh category pages, blog posts, and landing pages to align with Shopify’s best practices.

3. Analyze Performance Using Data-Driven Insights

Leverage Shopify Analytics and tools like Google Analytics to track site speed, conversion rates, and customer behavior. Monitor cart abandonment rates and optimize checkout flows to reduce drop-offs. Identify slow-loading pages and improve them for better user experience and SEO rankings.

4. Stay Current with Shopify’s Evolving Features

Shopify regularly releases updates, new features, and integrations. Keep your store optimized by updating themes, apps, and integrating social media payment gateways. Stay informed about eCommerce trends, Shopify’s latest features, and competitor strategies to enhance store performance and customer satisfaction.

Also read our blog on Shopify to BigCommerce here!

What are Some Common Challenges in Migration?

Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify can offer many benefits, but the process isn’t always smooth. There are several challenges that merchants often face during migration, and understanding these can help you prepare better for the transition. Here are some common obstacles you may encounter:

1. Data Loss or Inaccuracy

One of the biggest risks in any migration is the potential for data loss or inaccuracies. Product details, customer information, and order histories could be missing or incorrectly transferred if the migration process is not handled carefully. It’s essential to back up your data, including creating a folder for backups, and verify its accuracy at every step of the migration.

2. Compatibility Issues

BigCommerce and Shopify are built on different platforms, so certain features or integrations available in Shopify might not be compatible with BigCommerce or Magento. This could mean you need to either adjust your processes or develop custom solutions to replicate functionality. Be prepared for some tweaks or additional work in this area.

3. Design and Theme Transition

Transferring your store’s design and theme can be a challenge. Shopify and BigCommerce use different design systems, so your theme may not transfer smoothly between the two platforms. Customizations may be required to ensure your store looks and feels the same as it did on BigCommerce, which could take extra time and effort.

4. Learning Curve

While both platforms are user-friendly, Shopify and BigCommerce have different sets of tools, processes, and features. Switching to a new platform means your team will need time to familiarize themselves with the new system. This learning curve can be especially tricky if you’ve built processes around BigCommerce’s tools, as Shopify might have a different approach.

5. SEO Impact

Migrating platforms can affect your SEO rankings and traffic if not managed carefully. Issues like broken links, improper redirects, or missed SEO settings can negatively impact your visibility on search engines. It’s important to pay special attention to SEO during migration, ensuring that all redirects are set up properly and your SEO settings are maintained.

6. Payment Gateway Integration

Both Shopify and BigCommerce support multiple payment gateways, but the configuration process may differ. If your store uses a third-party payment provider, you may need to reconfigure your payment gateway settings to ensure a smooth transaction process. This can be especially tricky if your payment gateway is not supported on BigCommerce or needs custom integration.

7. Time and Resource Investment

Migrating your store from BigCommerce to Shopify with our migration service is a time-consuming process. It involves multiple steps, including exporting and importing data, reconfiguring apps, and testing everything to ensure it works. This process can disrupt your business operations, so you should allocate the necessary resources and time to ensure a smooth transition.

Also read our take on BigCommerce review and if it is worth it in 2025!

Effortless Transition: Move to Shopify Without Missing a Beat

Migrating your eCommerce store to a new platform can seem overwhelming, especially when your marketing programs are running full steam. At TheGenieLab, we understand the challenges of moving your store, including the need for a free demo migration while keeping everything running smoothly.

Let us handle the migration, while you continue to focus on growing your business. We’ll ensure that your BigCommerce store is up and running seamlessly, allowing you to keep your marketing programs and customer engagement going without missing a beat. Contact us Today!

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Your eCommerce Store

Making the leap to Shopify is more than just a technical switch—it's a fresh opportunity to elevate your business and refine your approach to your storefront. While the migration process can seem like a heavy lift, it’s crucial to recognize that it’s also a chance to streamline your operations, optimize your store’s performance, and set yourself up for long-term success.

The key to a smooth transition lies in thoughtful planning, ensuring that all your moving parts—whether it’s data, marketing efforts, or customer experience—remain intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify better than BigCommerce?

Shopify offers a wide variety of themes and apps to customize your store, as well as integrated payment processing options. BigCommerce, on the other hand, is praised for its scalability and flexibility, making it a good option for growing businesses or those with more complex requirements. It offers advanced features like multi-channel selling, built-in SEO tools, and detailed analytics. 

How much does it cost to migrate to Shopify?

Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans, starting from $29 per month for the Basic Shopify plan up to $299 per month for the Advanced Shopify plan. Additionally, there may be costs associated with purchasing a new theme, apps, or hiring a developer to customize your Shopify store.

Does BigCommerce integrate with Shopify?

No, BigCommerce and Shopify are two separate e-commerce platforms and do not integrate with each other. If you are looking to migrate from one platform to the other or need to transfer data between them, you may need to use third-party migration tools or services to facilitate the transition.