Bigcommerce to Shopify

Step 1: Prepare Your BigCommerce Store for Migration

Before we begin the actual migration from BigCommerce to Shopify, it is crucial to prepare your BigCommerce store adequately. This preparation phase involves backing up your store data, which includes products, orders, customers, and other essential information. A secure backup minimizes the risk of data loss during migration and ensures that you have a reliable restore point if needed.

We will perform the following actions to prepare your BigCommerce store:

• Backup Data: Navigate to your BigCommerce admin panel and export your data to CSV files. This includes products, customers, and orders. To do this, go to Products, then Export. Select the All Products option and choose the CSV format. Repeat this for Customers and Orders.
• Document Store Settings: Take note of your current settings, including payment gateways, shipping settings, and tax configurations. Documenting these settings helps in configuring your new Shopify store accurately.
• Remove Unused Data: Clean up your BigCommerce store by removing any outdated or unnecessary products, customers, or orders. This will streamline the migration process and improve the performance of your new store.

In this step, we not only secure our data but also lay the foundation for a smooth and efficient migration process.

Step 2: Generate BigCommerce API Credentials

To migrate data from BigCommerce to Shopify, we need to create API credentials. These credentials allow us to securely access your BigCommerce store data without manually downloading files during the migration. This step is crucial for ensuring a seamless transfer of information.

Follow these steps to generate your API credentials:

1. Log in to your BigCommerce Admin Panel.
2. Navigate to Advanced Settings, then select API Accounts.
3. Click on Create API Account.
4. Fill in the required details:
• Name: Assign a name, e.g., PowerCommerce Migration.
• Token Type: Select V2/V3 API Token.
• Permissions: Set permissions for Products, Customers, and Orders to Read/Write access. Ensure that all other permissions are set according to your needs.
5. Click Save. A TXT file containing your API credentials will automatically download.

Store this TXT file securely, as it will be needed during the migration process to connect to your Shopify store.

Step 3: Set Up Your Shopify Store

Now that we have prepared our BigCommerce store and generated the necessary API credentials, it is time to set up your Shopify store. This setup will involve creating the store and configuring essential settings to ensure it aligns with your business needs.

Follow these steps to set up your Shopify store:

1. Visit Shopify's website and sign up for a new account.
2. Choose a suitable plan based on your business size and requirements. You can start with the Basic plan and upgrade later as needed.
3. Once your account is created, access the Shopify Admin Panel.
4. Configure your store settings by going to Settings and then General. Here, fill in your store name, address, and other relevant details.
5. Set up payment gateways under the Payments section. Choose the payment providers that you plan to offer to your customers.
6. Configure your shipping settings by going to Shipping and Delivery. Set shipping zones, rates, and methods based on your business model.

By completing this setup, we ensure that your Shopify store is ready to receive data from BigCommerce, paving the way for a seamless migration.

Step 4: Migrate Data Using Matrixify

With your Shopify store set up and your BigCommerce store prepared, we can now proceed to migrate your data. We will utilize Matrixify, a powerful migration app that simplifies the data transfer process between BigCommerce and Shopify.

Here’s how to use Matrixify for the migration:

1. Log into your Shopify Admin Panel and go to the Apps section. Search for and install the Matrixify app.
2. Open the Matrixify app and select the Import option.
3. Upload the API credentials TXT file you downloaded from BigCommerce.
4. Choose the BigCommerce API as the import format.
5. Under Options, select Dry Run to simulate the migration without making any changes. This allows you to check for errors without affecting your live store.
6. Click Import to generate an Excel file that outlines the data to be migrated.

Once the Dry Run is complete, download the generated Import Results file to review the data. Ensure everything looks correct, and make note of any items that may need adjustment before the actual import.

Step 5: Review and Clean Up Migration Data

After running the Dry Run migration using Matrixify, it is essential to review the data thoroughly. This helps identify any discrepancies or issues that may arise during the migration process, ensuring a smooth transition to Shopify.

Here's how to review and clean up your migration data:

1. Open the Import Results file you downloaded during the Dry Run. This file contains detailed information about what will be imported.
2. Check for any errors or warnings listed in the file. Common issues may include:
• Missing product images
• Incorrect product variants
• Invalid customer data
3. For any errors found, make the necessary adjustments in your original data files or the Matrixify template.
4. Once corrections are made, save the file in the required format for Matrixify.
5. Upload the cleaned Excel file back into the Matrixify app and prepare for the actual migration.

This step is critical for ensuring that the data transferred to your new Shopify store is accurate and functional, minimizing the risk of operational issues post-migration.

Step 6: Execute the Data Migration

With the data cleaned and prepared, it's time to execute the full migration from BigCommerce to Shopify using Matrixify. This final step in the migration process transfers all your data into the new platform.

Follow these steps to complete the data migration:

1. Log back into the Matrixify app on your Shopify Admin Panel.
2. Select the Import option.
3. Upload the cleaned Excel file that you prepared in the previous step.
4. Ensure that the import format is set to Matrixify.
5. Remove the Dry Run option and ensure all necessary import options are selected (e.g., product images, SEO data).
6. Click on the Import button to start the migration process.

Monitor the progress of the migration. Depending on the amount of data being transferred, this process may take some time. Once the import is complete, ensure to check for any errors or issues reported by Matrixify during the import process.

Step 7: Post-Migration Review and Testing

Once the migration process is complete, it is crucial to conduct a thorough post-migration review and testing phase. This step ensures that all data has been accurately transferred and that your new Shopify store functions as expected.

Here's how to perform a post-migration review:

1. Log into your Shopify Admin Panel and review each section of your store, including:
• Products: Ensure all products are listed correctly with images, descriptions, and prices.
• Customers: Verify that customer data is intact, including addresses and order history.
• Orders: Check that all past orders are listed accurately.
2. Test the functionality of your store by:
• Placing test orders to ensure the checkout process works smoothly.
• Testing payment methods to confirm that the integrations function properly.
• Reviewing shipping settings and calculating rates to verify they align with your business needs.
3. Address any issues found during the testing phase. If you encounter problems, consider consulting with a migration expert for assistance.

By completing this thorough review and testing phase, we can ensure that your new Shopify store is fully operational and ready for your customers.

Power Your Step - Get in Touch

Are you ready to power your migration to Shopify with expert support? At PowerCommerce, we specialize in seamless ecommerce platform migrations, ensuring that your transition from BigCommerce to Shopify is smooth and efficient. Our team is dedicated to minimizing downtime and maximizing your store’s performance.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for personalized assistance and guidance. Here’s how you can get in touch:

1. Visit our contact page to fill out our inquiry form.
2. Call us directly at 800-099-9090 for immediate assistance.
3. Email us at info@powercommerce.com with any questions or to schedule a consultation.

With our commitment to innovation, scalability, and customer-centric solutions, we are here to help you achieve your ecommerce goals with confidence.