How To Migrate From BigCommerce To Shopify: Step-By-Step Guide

Every year, thousands of brands outgrow their eCommerce platforms; some even call it the “digital molting” stage of business. BigCommerce sellers in particular often feel the squeeze of revenue-based fees and scaling limits. 

Learning how to migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify is less about moving data and more about unlocking a storefront built to grow without hidden penalties.

BigCommerce Migration Blueprint: Your 14-Step Business-First Approach

Successfully migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify requires careful planning and systematic execution to protect your revenue stream and customer relationships. This business-first methodology ensures data integrity while maintaining operational continuity throughout the entire process.

Let's walk through the complete 14-step process that covers everything from initial planning to post-launch optimization:

Step 1: Complete Store Assessment and Business Impact Planning

Your migration's success starts with understanding every aspect of your current business operations. This comprehensive assessment prevents costly oversights and ensures nothing critical gets lost during the transition.

• Document all BigCommerce store features currently in use
• Identify critical business periods to avoid during migration
• Calculate current BigCommerce costs vs projected Shopify costs
• Create a detailed inventory of all integrations and third-party tools
• Establish success metrics and KPIs to track migration performance

Pro Tip: Create a comprehensive spreadsheet documenting every payment gateway, shipping rule, promotional setup, and custom feature. This document becomes your migration roadmap and prevents feature gaps that could disrupt customer experience. Include screenshots of complex configurations that might be difficult to recreate from memory.

Step 2: Choose Your Shopify Plan and Initial Setup

Selecting the right Shopify plan impacts your migration strategy and long-term operational costs. Your plan choice should align with transaction volume, team size, and advanced feature requirements.

• Select an appropriate Shopify plan based on BigCommerce's transaction volume
• Set up a Shopify account with business information
• Configure basic store settings (currency, timezone, tax settings)
• Purchase and install the chosen Shopify theme
• Set up password protection for the development phase

Consider Shopify Basic for stores under $50K monthly revenue, Standard for growing businesses needing advanced reports, or Advanced for high-volume operations requiring detailed analytics. Factor in transaction fees, staff account requirements, and international selling capabilities when making your decision.

Step 3: Export All Data from BigCommerce

Data extraction requires precision to ensure complete information transfer without corruption or loss. BigCommerce's export tools are comprehensive but need systematic use for optimal results.

Export Your Product Catalog Systematically

Navigate to BigCommerce Admin → Settings → Data Export to access native export functionality. Export your product catalog first, ensuring inclusion of all variants, custom fields, bulk pricing rules, and product relationships.

• Product names, SKUs, and descriptions with full details
• Pricing information, including special prices and bulk discounts
• Product attributes, categories, and variant configurations
• Stock levels, weight data, and inventory tracking information

Extract Customer Information Securely

Customer data represents your business's most valuable asset, requiring careful handling throughout the export process. Focus on essential information while maintaining privacy compliance standards.

• Main customer files with names, emails, and registration dates
• Billing and shipping address information is stored separately
• Customer group assignments and newsletter subscription status
• Purchase history and customer lifetime value calculations

Remember that customer passwords cannot be exported for security reasons, requiring customers to reset passwords on your new Shopify store.

Handle Order Data with Special Care

Order export presents unique challenges due to complex relationships between customers, products, and payment information. Prioritize recent order data for business continuity.

• Recent orders from the last 6-12 months for most businesses
• Complete order details, including product variants and quantities
• Payment status, shipping information, and customer notes
• Order status tracking and fulfillment history

Consider using specialized tools like Cart2Cart or LitExtension for complex order data that includes custom fields or specialized configurations.

Secure All Digital Assets

Download all product images and media files from your BigCommerce File Manager. These visual assets require special organization for efficient import.

• Product images, including main photos and additional gallery images
• Category banners and promotional graphics
• PDF files, user manuals, and downloadable content
• Custom graphics and brand assets are used throughout the store

Organize files logically with clear naming conventions that include product SKUs or categories for easier identification during the import process.

Step 4: Prepare and Clean Your Data for Shopify

Clean, organized data imports faster and performs better in your new environment. This preparation step prevents ongoing operational headaches and ensures optimal store performance.

• Review exported CSV files for data quality issues
• Remove duplicate or outdated customer records
• Standardize product SKUs and naming conventions
• Organize product images and rename them for easy identification
• Create a product collections/categories mapping document

Use this opportunity for strategic data cleanup by removing discontinued products, inactive customer accounts, and outdated category structures that no longer serve your business model. Clean data migrates faster and performs better on your new Shopify store.

Step 5: Import Products to Shopify

Product import success requires patience and systematic verification to ensure accurate pricing, variants, and product relationships transfer correctly.

Format Your CSV Files Perfectly

Download Shopify's official CSV templates from their help documentation. Proper formatting prevents costly import failures that can set back your migration timeline significantly.

• Match column headers exactly to Shopify's requirements
• Clean up special characters that might break imports
• Verify data types, ensuring numbers are formatted as numbers
• Test with small batches before importing your entire catalog

Map BigCommerce Data to Shopify Structure

Understanding how BigCommerce data translates to Shopify's structure prevents import failures and ensures smooth data transition.

• Product titles and descriptions transfer with minimal modification
• BigCommerce categories become Shopify collections
• Custom attributes may need restructuring as product tags or metafields
• Pricing must match Shopify's decimal formatting requirements

Handle Shopify's Variant Limitations Strategically

Critical limitation alert: Shopify allows a maximum of 100 variants and 3 options per product, which may require restructuring complex BigCommerce products.

• Audit complex products before migration to identify issues
• Split products exceeding variant limits into multiple listings
• Restructure option combinations to fit within Shopify's constraints
• Plan alternative solutions for highly customizable products

Use Shopify's native CSV import tool found in Products → All Products → Import. Upload product data in manageable batches of 50-100 products to monitor for errors and verify successful imports.

Step 6: Import Customer Data to Shopify

Customer data migration requires careful handling to maintain privacy compliance while ensuring smooth account transitions for your valued customers.

• Use Shopify's customer import feature in the Customers section
• Upload the customer CSV file with required fields (email, name, addresses)
• Send account activation emails to customers for password setup
• Verify customer groups/tags are properly assigned
• Test customer login functionality

Prepare a clear communication explaining the migration process and account access changes. Send account activation emails to customers after import, providing simple instructions for password setup. This proactive approach prevents customer service overwhelm during the transition period.

Step 7: Configure Shopify Store Settings

Proper store configuration ensures smooth business operations from day one. These fundamental settings affect payment processing, tax calculations, and customer communications.

Set Up Payment Processing Systems

Configure payment gateways to match your current BigCommerce setup while taking advantage of Shopify's competitive rates.

• Enable Shopify Payments as the primary gateway for the lowest transaction fees
• Add PayPal Express and customer-preferred payment methods
• Configure regional payment options for international customers
• Test each gateway with small transactions to verify processing

Configure Shipping and Tax Systems

Recreate your shipping configurations exactly to prevent customer confusion about delivery costs and tax calculations.

• Set up shipping zones and rates matching BigCommerce setup
• Configure free shipping thresholds and promotional rates
• Establish tax calculations for all applicable regions
• Test shipping calculations for various location combinations

Customize Communication Templates

Configure email notification templates for order confirmations, shipping notifications, and customer communications. Customize templates to match your brand voice and include essential business information that customers expect.

Step 8: Recreate Store Design and Navigation

Visual consistency maintains customer trust during platform transition. Focus on brand recognition while leveraging Shopify's modern design capabilities.

Maintain Brand Identity Through Design

Your store's design affects everything from user experience to conversion rates. Maintain visual consistency to prevent customer confusion during the transition.

• Customize the Shopify theme to match the brand colors and typography
• Upload logo and configure visual elements for brand recognition
• Recreate key design elements that define your brand identity
• Ensure mobile responsiveness across all devices and screen sizes

Structure Navigation for User Experience

Create intuitive navigation systems that help customers find products easily while taking advantage of Shopify's navigation capabilities.

• Recreate the main navigation menu structure from BigCommerce
• Set up footer links, including legal pages and customer service
• Add homepage content featuring the best products and promotions
• Optimize category structures for improved product discovery

Mobile optimization is critical since over 60% of e-commerce traffic comes from mobile devices. Test thoroughly on various devices to ensure optimal user experience.

Step 9: Set Up SEO and URL Redirects

Preserving search engine rankings protects years of SEO investment and prevents devastating traffic losses that can take months to recover.

Understanding URL Structure Differences

BigCommerce and Shopify use different URL structures that require comprehensive mapping for proper redirect implementation.

• BigCommerce Products: yourstore.com/product-name/
• Shopify Products: yourstore.com/products/product-name
• BigCommerce Categories: yourstore.com/category-name/
• Shopify Collections: yourstore.com/collections/category-name

Create Comprehensive URL Mapping

Build a detailed spreadsheet mapping every important URL from your BigCommerce store to its new Shopify equivalent.

• Export all URLs from your BigCommerce sitemap
• Map each old URL to its corresponding new Shopify URL
• Prioritize high-traffic pages and revenue-generating products
• Include blog posts, category pages, and informational content

Don't skip any pages - even a few missing redirects can cost significant traffic and revenue.

Implement 301 Redirects in Shopify

Navigate to Online Store → Navigation → URL Redirects in your Shopify admin to configure redirect rules.

• Import redirect lists using Shopify's CSV template for bulk uploads
• Test critical redirects manually to verify proper functionality
• Use pattern-based redirects for systematic URL changes
• Monitor redirect performance using Google Search Console

Preserve SEO Assets and Meta Data

Transfer all meta titles, descriptions, and image alt text from your BigCommerce store to maintain SEO continuity.

• Copy product meta information for search engine optimization
• Transfer category descriptions and collection SEO settings
• Preserve image alt text for accessibility and image search
• Set up Google Analytics 4 and Search Console tracking

This SEO data represents significant optimization value accumulated over years of work.

Step 10: Install and Configure Essential Apps

Strategic app selection replaces BigCommerce functionality while often providing enhanced capabilities not available on your previous platform.

Research Apps for Functionality Replacement

BigCommerce includes many native features that require apps on Shopify. Research thoroughly to find the best replacements.

• Judge.me or Yotpo for customer reviews and ratings
• Klaviyo or Mailchimp for email marketing automation
• ReConvert or Bold Upsell for post-purchase optimization
• Searchanise or Instant Search+ for advanced search functionality

Configure Marketing and Customer Tools

Set up email marketing integration if you're changing platforms from your BigCommerce setup, ensuring continuity in customer communication.

• Export customer email lists from BigCommerce
• Configure automated welcome sequences and cart abandonment emails
• Set up customer segmentation based on purchase history
• Install loyalty program apps if needed for customer retention

Research apps using reviews, feature comparisons, and free trial periods before committing to paid subscriptions that affect your operational budget.

Step 11: Test Everything Before Going Live

Comprehensive testing prevents costly mistakes and ensures flawless functionality when customers visit your new store.

Execute Comprehensive Functionality Testing

Testing every aspect of your store prevents embarrassing launches and lost sales due to technical issues.

• Place multiple test orders using different payment methods and shipping addresses
• Test product variants, quantity adjustments, and cart functionality
• Verify checkout process, including discount codes and promotional offers
• Check customer account creation, login, and password reset functionality

Verify Cross-Browser and Device Compatibility

Ensure your store works perfectly across all major browsers and devices that your customers use.

• Test functionality on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers
• Verify mobile responsiveness on various screen sizes
• Check loading speeds and performance on different network conditions
• Test all interactive elements, including forms and navigation

Validate Business Operations

Test all business-critical functions that affect daily operations and customer satisfaction.

• Verify shipping calculations for various locations and product combinations
• Test inventory management and stock level updates
• Check email notifications and automated communications
• Validate contact forms and customer service tools

Complete full test purchases with real payment methods to verify that discount codes, tax calculations, and shipping rates work correctly across all scenarios.

Step 12: Prepare for Launch

Careful launch preparation minimizes business disruption and ensures a smooth transition from BigCommerce to Shopify operations.

Strategic Launch Timing and Team Coordination

Schedule your launch during optimal timing to minimize business impact and ensure adequate support coverage.

• Schedule DNS changes during the lowest traffic periods in your timezone
• Avoid weekends and holidays when technical support is limited
• Prepare customer communication highlighting improvements and new features
• Train team members on the Shopify admin interface and new procedures

Establish Monitoring and Safety Protocols

Set up comprehensive monitoring systems for immediate issue detection and resolution during the critical launch period.

• Configure Google Analytics alerts for traffic and conversion tracking
• Set up uptime monitoring to detect any service interruptions
• Create emergency contact lists for technical support
• Develop rollback procedures in case critical issues arise

Real-time monitoring helps identify problems immediately after launch when quick resolution is most critical.

Step 13: Execute Domain Switch and Go Live

The critical moment requires careful coordination and real-time monitoring to ensure a successful transition from BigCommerce to Shopify.

Coordinate Technical Domain Transition

Update your domain's DNS settings to point to Shopify's servers using the specific DNS records provided in your Shopify admin panel.

• Change A records to point to Shopify's IP addresses
• Update CNAME records for any subdomains if applicable
• Monitor DNS propagation using online checking tools
• Maintain the BigCommerce store as a backup during the transition

DNS propagation typically takes 24-48 hours, but can vary depending on your domain registrar and TTL settings.

Monitor Critical Performance Metrics

Continuously monitor site performance during the first 24 hours after DNS changes to identify issues immediately.

• Track page loading speeds and server response times
• Monitor transaction processing and payment gateway functionality
• Check for broken links, missing redirects, or 404 errors
• Verify that all automated systems function correctly

Launch Communication Strategy

Send strategic announcements to your customer database, highlighting improvements and generating excitement about the new platform.

• Email customers about an enhanced shopping experience and new features
• Provide clear instructions for account access and password reset
• Announce any special launch promotions or improvements
• Monitor customer service channels for migration-related inquiries

Keep your BigCommerce store active for at least 30 days as a safety backup while monitoring traffic transition and resolving any unforeseen issues.

Step 14: Post-Launch Monitoring and Optimization

The first 30 days after launch are critical for success. Active monitoring prevents small issues from becoming major customer complaints.

Establish Performance Tracking Systems

Monitor key performance indicators daily to measure migration success and identify areas needing immediate attention.

• Track website traffic, conversion rates, and average order value
• Compare metrics against BigCommerce baseline performance
• Monitor page loading speeds and site performance metrics
• Analyze customer behavior patterns and shopping flow

Implement Proactive Issue Resolution

Set up automated monitoring systems to catch problems before they impact customers significantly.

• Monitor for 404 errors using Google Search Console
• Track customer service inquiries for recurring issues
• Set up alerts for unusual traffic patterns or conversion drops
• Fix missing redirects within 24 hours of discovery

Gather Customer Feedback and Optimize

Actively collect customer feedback to identify remaining pain points and optimization opportunities.

• Send post-purchase surveys asking about the shopping experience
• Monitor reviews and social media for customer sentiment
• Track customer service inquiries for common issues
• Implement improvements based on user feedback and behavior data

The first 72 hours after going live are critical for identifying and resolving issues that weren't caught during testing. Create a post-launch action plan including daily check-ins for the first week and weekly reviews for the first month.

Turning Migration Effort Into Business Momentum

Making the decision to migrate BigCommerce to Shopify is more than a technical task; it’s a strategic move that positions your store for growth, flexibility, and long-term success. By following a structured step-by-step process, you protect your data, maintain customer trust, and build a foundation for scaling without hidden costs or complexity. 

If you want to move with confidence and avoid common pitfalls, let the experts at Velt2 handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business, not managing migrations.