Are you considering a switch from Shopify to BigCommerce for your eCommerce store? You're not alone. Many businesses outgrow Shopify's limitations and find BigCommerce offers a more scalable and feature-rich platform.
This comprehensive guide will answer any questions, including why you should consider migrating and a step-by-step process.
The team at Groove will walk you through the process of migrating from Shopify to BigCommerce, explore the benefits of making the switch, and explain why partnering with an agency can save you time, money, and headaches associated with transition and implementation.
Migrate Shopify to Bigcommerce: Is it Right For You?
Before diving into the migration process, you shouldn't go in blindly.
First, you and your team must consider if it even makes sense for you.
Evaluate if BigCommerce is the right fit for your business. Here are some signs it might be time to consider a switch from Shopify:
- Your store is growing rapidly: If your sales volume is increasing, and you need a platform that can handle higher transaction rates and product sophistication, BigCommerce is a strong choice.
- You need more customization options: BigCommerce offers greater design flexibility and a wider range of built-in features compared to Shopify. This allows your customers to have a more unique and personalized shopping experience.
- You're looking for advanced marketing and SEO tools. BigCommerce has a larger scope of built-in marketing and SEO functionalities, which allow you to create targeted marketing campaigns and improve organic search ranking.
- You're tired of transaction fees: Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce doesn't charge transaction fees on top of their monthly plan, which can save you significant costs in the long run, especially with high sales volume.
The Benefits of Migrating from Shopify to BigCommerce
By now, you should have a more vivid picture of why you should consider migrating Shopify to BigCommerce.
Here are some benefits you can enjoy when the migration is successful and complete:
- Very scalable: BigCommerce is built to handle your large product catalogs, high traffic volumes, and complicated business models, reducing the operational nightmare that comes with growth.
- Pay for what you use: BigCommerce's lack of transaction fees can significantly reduce your overall eCommerce platform costs and increase your optimization at scale.
- Automate your marketing: BigCommerce offers a broader range of built-in features, including marketing automation capabilities and a powerful built-in CMS for creating rich content experiences and an overall comprehensive website strategy.
- Greater design flexibility: BigCommerce provides more control over your store's design and user experience through its open-source topology and more comprehensive theme selection.
- More channels to sell: BigCommerce integrates seamlessly with various sales channels, including marketplaces, social media platforms, and point-of-sale systems.
The Migration Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you have conducted your due diligence and have decided it's time to switch over to BigCommerce, it can seem daunting at first. Of course, if you're already used to Shopify, it can be difficult to fully estimate the transition process and how it may affect your current operational efficiency.
Deciding to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce can be a complex process, but it can be completed smoothly with careful planning and the right tools.
Here's a roadmap to get you started:
Data Backup and Evaluation
Begin by creating a complete backup of your Shopify store data, including products, customers, orders, and content. This guarantees you have a safety net in case of any issues during the migration.
Set Up Your BigCommerce Store
Sign up for a BigCommerce plan that best suits your business needs. Customize your store's design and theme to match your brand's aesthetic and provide a seamless experience for your customers when they visit your site.
Export Your Shopify Data
You can use Shopify's built-in export tools or migration apps to export your product data (including descriptions, images, and variants), customer information, and order history.
Import Your Data into BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers various import tools to migrate Shopify to BigCommerce. Data mapping is vital during this step so that nothing is lost in the process.
Set Up Redirects
Implement redirects from your old Shopify URLs to the corresponding new URLs on BigCommerce to maintain SEO ranking, prevent broken links, and avoid confusion among your customers. You can take this down later when most of your customer base has gotten used to the new site.
Test and Launch
Don't forget to thoroughly test your migrated store to ensure everything functions as intended, including product listings, checkout process, and payment gateways. Once satisfied, launch your new BigCommerce store!
Why Partnering with an Agency Makes Sense
While migrating from Shopify to BigCommerce can be done independently, partnering with an experienced eCommerce agency offers several advantages.
A good agency will provide ongoing support after the migration process to address any issues that may arise. Groove Commerce has the knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complex migrations efficiently, saving you time and minimizing disruption when you migrate Shopify to BigCommerce.
Migrating from Shopify to BigCommerce can be a strategic move for your growing business. With its scalability, strong features, cost-saving, and optimization tools, BigCommerce can help you and your brand achieve new heights.
Are you considering a migration? Our team of eCommerce experts at Groove Commerce has extensive experience guiding businesses through the Shopify to BigCommerce migration process. We handle everything from data migration and store setup to customization and ongoing support.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your specific needs and explore how we can help you seamlessly transition to BigCommerce.
