BigCommerce to Magento Migration can be a transformative process for your ecommerce business, unlocking new possibilities for customization, scalability, and feature-rich functionality. BigCommerce and Magento are two prominent ecommerce platforms, each with its advantages.
Let’s compare them and understand the process of migrating from BigCommerce to Magento.
Pre-Migration Preparation
Step 1: Thorough Planning
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- Conduct a detailed analysis of your current platform, including data structure, extensions, customization, and problems.
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- Define precise objectives and criteria for the Magento store, considering customization needs, scalability, and a compilation of preferred features.
Step 2: Data Backup
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- Perform a complete backup of your BigCommerce store data, including product names, images, customers, orders, and other relevant information.
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- Ensure you have a secure and accessible backup of the target store to safeguard against any unforeseen issues during the data migration process.
Step 3: Choose Magento Version
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- Select the appropriate version of Magento for your online business needs, considering factors like budget, required features, and compatibility with existing systems.
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- Magento 2 is often recommended for its enhanced performance, security, and feature set for your ecommerce website or app.
BigCommerce Migration to Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Step 4: Connect Your Stores
Begin by logging into your chosen migration tool. Select BigCommerce as your source cart and Magento as your target cart. Input the URLs for both your existing BigCommerce store and the new Magento store. This establishes a connection between the two platforms.
Extension Research and Installation:
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- Identify Magento extensions that correspond to the features and functionalities present in your BigCommerce store.
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- Install and configure necessary extensions to ensure an ease of use transition of features.
You can choose from some examples of the following extensions:
Amasty – Improved Layered Navigation: Enhances the default Magento layered navigation, providing advanced filtering options for a better user experience.
Mageplaza – SEO Extension: Improves SEO capabilities with features like rich snippets, HTML and XML sitemaps, and advanced meta tags.
Yotpo – Reviews & Ratings: Enables the collection and display of customer reviews and ratings, which work to enhance the credibility of product pages.
OneStepCheckout: Streamlines the checkout process, reducing cart abandonment and improving the overall shopping experience.
ShipperHQ: Offers advanced shipping rate management, allowing merchants to customize shipping options based on various factors.
Magento Social: Integrates social media platforms, facilitating social sharing, login, and other social interactions on the ecommerce site.
Aheadworks – Follow-Up Email: Automated and real-time email follow-ups for abandoned carts, order confirmation, and customer feedback, enhancing customer engagement.
Weglot – Translation and Multilingual: Enables seamless translation of the Magento store into multiple languages, catering to a global audience.
Mirasvit – Sphinx Search Ultimate: Improves the default Magento search functionality, providing faster and more accurate search results.
Fooman – PDF Customizer: Allows customization of PDF invoices, shipments, and credit memos, ensuring a professional and branded appearance.
These extensions enhance and extend the functionality of Magento, providing merchants with default import tools to optimize their online stores.
Step 5: Choose Migration Data & Extra Options
In this phase, carefully select the data for migration, including products, customers, and orders. Customize the migration to suit specific needs, such as choosing particular product categories or customer groups.
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- Use data transfer tools to efficiently move data from BigCommerce to Magento, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of product details, customer information, and order data.
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- Maintain a focus on precision to prevent discrepancies in the new Magento store, ensuring a seamless transition of reliable and accurate data.
Recreate Customizations
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- Recreate any customizations, themes, or templates from a lot that are present in your BigCommerce store within the Magento environment.
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- Adjust design elements, layouts, and styles to match your brand and better user experience expectations.
SEO Considerations
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- Implement SEO best practices within Magento, including customizable URLs, metadata, and sitemap configurations.
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- Set up redirects from old BigCommerce URLs to new Magento URLs to preserve SEO rankings.
Integration Setup
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- Configure integrations with third-party applications, such as payment gateways, CRM systems, and shipping providers.
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- Ensure seamless communication between Magento and external systems for a cohesive ecommerce ecosystem.
Testing
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- Conduct thorough testing of the Magento store to identify and resolve any issues related to functionality, design, or data integration to the other system.
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- Test different scenarios, for bug fixes including product purchases, user registrations, and checkout processes.
Read Also: Discover the latest in Magento 2 Migration
Post-Migration Preparation
Step 6: Launch Your Demo/Full Migration
Before committing to a full migration, many tools offer a demo option. It enables the migration preview and ensures everything appears as expected. After the demo, proceed to launch the full migration. This initiates the transfer of your chosen data from BigCommerce to Magento.
Closely monitor the migration process, ensuring accurate transfer of all data. Upon completion, thoroughly review your Magento store to confirm its faithful reflection of the content and structure of your original BigCommerce store.
Post-Migration Optimization
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- Monitor the performance of the Magento store post-migration and optimize as needed.
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- Collect feedback from users and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and refinement.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
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- Establish months or year Magento plan for ongoing support and maintenance of the Magento store.
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- Stay informed about updates, data security patches, and new Magento features within the Magento ecosystem.
What Data Should be Migrated from BigCommerce to Magento?
When migrating from BigCommerce to Magento, a seamless transition involves transferring crucial data categories.
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- Products: Migrate comprehensive product details, encompassing names, descriptions, SKUs, prices, and stock levels. Include product attributes, variations, custom options, and associated multimedia content.
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- Categories and Attributes: Ensure a smooth transition of category structures, hierarchies, and product attributes. Transfer attribute sets seamlessly for consistent organization.
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- Customers: Transfer customer information seamlessly, covering names, email addresses, and billing/shipping addresses. Preserve customer groups and segmentation for effective post-migration customer management.
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- Orders: Migrate order details, including order numbers, statuses, and timestamps. Preserve customer order history, transaction details, invoices, shipments, and credit memos for comprehensive order tracking.
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- Reviews and Ratings: Ensure continuity by migrating product reviews and ratings submitted by customers, preserving valuable feedback.
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- Tax Rules and Settings: Transfer tax configurations and rules applicable to products and orders for accurate taxation in the new environment.
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- Shipping and Payment Settings: Migrate shipping methods, zones, rates, payment methods, and configurations to maintain operational consistency.
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- URLs and SEO Data: Preserve product URLs and SEO-friendly page structures for optimal online visibility. Migrate metadata for products, categories, and content pages.
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- CMS Pages and Content: Seamlessly transfer static content pages, including home pages, about us, and contact pages. Preserve content, images, and media associated with CMS pages for a consistent online presence.
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- Coupons and Discounts: Migrate coupon codes, discount rules, and promotional configurations to retain promotional strategies and pricing consistency.
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- Customer Passwords: Ensure the secure transition of encrypted customer passwords for a seamless customer experience.
BigCommerce vs Magento
| Features | BigCommerce | Magento |
| Type | SaaS (Software as a Service), cloud-based | PaaS (Platform as a Service), open-source |
| Customization | It has limited themes and pre-built options | It has extensive themes and full access to code for customization |
| Maintenance | Fully managed hosting, automatic updates | Self-managed hosting, user handles updates |
| Security | BigCommerce handles hosting security | User responsibility; Must meet PCI compliance |
| Functionality | Core features included; Extensions available | Customizable; Build specific features if needed |
| Enterprise | Offer enterprise plans | Adobe Commerce Cloud for Magento; Enhanced tools |
| Pricing Structures | Subscription fees, agency fees, apps/extensions | Licensing fees, hosting costs, developer fees |
| Ease of Integration | Easier to integrate; Powerful API | Tricky integration; Complex due to customization |
| Plug-ins/Apps | Smaller app store; Quick install process | A larger marketplace; Requires a traditional setup |
Benefits of BigCommerce Migration to Magento
Migrating from BigCommerce to Magento offers several key advantages.
Enhanced Customization and Flexibility
Magento surpasses BigCommerce in customization, empowering merchants with open-source flexibility. Customizable templates and advanced theming options enable the creation of unique, personalized storefronts.
Open Source Advantage
Magento’s open-source nature provides unparalleled control. Access to source code facilitates deep integrations with constant updates and community-driven improvements.
Advanced SEO Capabilities
Magento excels in SEO, essential for visibility in the competitive online marketplace. Advanced features like customizable URLs, metadata, and SEO-friendly page structures enhance online presence.
Multi-Store Functionality
For managing multiple brands or markets, Magento’s multi-store functionality streamlines operations. A single admin panel simplifies the management of diverse storefronts.
Comprehensive Catalog Management
Magento’s tools for catalog management, including customizable attributes and advanced inventory features, contribute to a user-friendly interface for seamless shopping experiences.
Integration Capabilities
Magento’s architecture facilitates seamless third-party integration, connecting with CRM systems, payment gateways, shipping providers, and marketing automation for enhanced operational efficiency.
Robust Security Measures
Magento prioritizes security with regular updates and practices, crucial for secure online transactions and building customer trust.
Recommended Read: How to secure a Magento store from card payment attack
Cost Considerations
Considering the total cost of ownership, Magento’s open-source nature eliminates licensing fees, offering a cost-effective solution.
When to Consider BigCommerce to Magento Migration
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- Consider migrating from BigCommerce to Magento for reasons such as business growth, where expanding demand and product lines exceed BigCommerce’s scalability.
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- Customization needs, particularly for a unique online presence, drive the move.
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- Global expansion initiatives benefit from Magento’s robust architecture, offering multi-currency and multilingual support.
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- Open-source enthusiasts find Magento appealing for its flexibility and source code access.
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- An advanced SEO strategy finds a home in Magento’s customizable features.
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- Multi-store functionality simplifies management for businesses with diverse brands or markets.
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- Comprehensive catalog management, seamless integrations, security focus, community support, budget considerations, and the need for technological adaptation all contribute to the compelling case for migrating to Magento.
BigCommerce Migration to Magento: A Systematic Approach with Klizer
The migration process, detailed in our guide, demands meticulous planning and execution. The associated benefits — including heightened customization, global expansion capabilities, and streamlined integrations — substantiate the rigorous effort invested. In line with business evolution, ecommerce solutions must adapt.
Magento stands as a strategic investment in the enduring success of your online ventures. Opt for a decisive move, leverage the potential, and strategically position your business for sustained success in the fiercely competitive digital landscape of 2024 and beyond.
At Klizer, we specialize in delivering robust migration services, ensuring a seamless transition to Magento with a focus on precision and efficiency.
FAQ
Why should I consider migrating from BigCommerce to Magento in 2024?
Migrating to Magento in 2024 offers numerous benefits, including enhanced customization, scalability for future growth, advanced SEO capabilities, and access to a vibrant open-source community. It positions your business for sustained success in the evolving ecommerce landscape.
Is Magento suitable for small businesses, or is it better for larger enterprises?
Magento caters to businesses of all sizes. While it is known for its scalability and is ideal for larger enterprises, Magento’s flexibility and customizable features make it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses looking to grow.
What steps should I take to ensure a smooth migration process?
Begin with thorough planning, including data backup and choosing the right Magento version. Utilize data-migration tools, recreate customizations, conduct extensive testing, and implement SEO best practices. Ongoing support, training, and optimization are crucial post-migration.
How can I maintain SEO rankings during the migration process?
Implement SEO best practices in Magento, including customizable URLs, metadata, and sitemap configurations. Set up redirects from old BigCommerce URLs to new Magento URLs to preserve SEO rankings.
What role does the Magento community play in post-migration support?
The Magento community is an invaluable resource for ongoing support, live chat collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Engaging with the community provides access to insights, perfect solutions, and best practices for optimizing your Magento store.
Will migrating to Magento incur additional costs?
While there are costs associated with the Magento migration services, Magento’s open-source nature eliminates licensing fees. The long-term development costs are influenced by factors such as hosting choices, extensions, and ongoing maintenance.
Is Magento 2 the recommended version for the first migration in 2024?
Magento 2 is often recommended for its enhanced performance, improved import data services, security, and feature set. However, the choice depends on your specific business needs and compatibility requirements. Consider consulting with experts to determine the most suitable version for your migration.
