Switching from Shopify to BigCommerce is an important step for businesses that want to grow. There are many reasons for this: greater scalability, more flexible integrations, and better cost control. At the same time, a migration is more than just a technical task—it also affects SEO, design, and business processes.
Shopify is ideal for getting started. However, as businesses grow, many merchants begin to hit limitations: rising costs due to apps, limited customization options, or missing B2B and multi-store features.
BigCommerce offers a robust solution with many built-in features that are particularly crucial for larger stores. However, a shop migration also carries risks. Without clear planning, data loss, SEO setbacks, and unnecessary costs can occur. That’s why it makes sense to work with experts like Datora.
As Shopify specialists, we analyze your existing store, provide strategic consulting, and support you in unlocking the full potential of BigCommerce.
Why migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce?
Many merchants start with Shopify because it is easy to set up and intuitive to use. As the business grows, requirements become more complex—and this is exactly where BigCommerce can play to its strengths.
- Scalability: BigCommerce offers more room for growing product catalogs and complex business models.
- Functionality: Built-in features such as B2B solutions, multi-storefronts, and advanced SEO options are available out of the box.
- Flexibility: Less dependence on paid third-party apps, as many features are already integrated.
- Costs: Depending on revenue structure and feature requirements, BigCommerce can be more cost-effective in the long term.
In short: if your business is growing and your store is reaching its limits, BigCommerce can be the next logical step.
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The 6 steps of migration
A successful migration requires a clear structure. The following steps help you plan the process safely and efficiently.
- Audit & backup your data:
Before moving any data, create a complete backup. Secure products, categories, customers, orders, content, and SEO settings. Also review which apps you are using and whether BigCommerce equivalents exist. - Set up your new store:
- Choose a theme that matches your brand identity.
- Configure layout, navigation, and mobile display.
- Set up payment and shipping methods.
- Install necessary apps or use built-in BigCommerce features.
Tip: Use this opportunity to modernize your store design and improve usability.
- Export data: Shopify offers export options via CSV files or third-party tools. Check carefully:
- Are all product variants included correctly?
- Are prices, SKUs, and descriptions accurate?
- Were metafields and SEO data exported?
- Import into BigCommerce: Map fields correctly and pay special attention to:
- Product variants (colors, sizes, bundles)
- Customer and order histories
- Categories and collections
- SEO data such as meta titles, meta descriptions, and URL slugs
- Set up redirects (301 redirects):
SEO is a critical factor. Every old URL should redirect to the new BigCommerce URL. Without redirects, you risk ranking losses, traffic drops, and revenue loss. - Store check & testing before going live:
- Test the entire checkout process.
- Check mobile display, loading speed, and images.
- Verify prices, tax rates, and shipping costs.
- Have multiple people place test orders.
These six steps form the foundation for a successful migration. They help you work in a structured way, avoid mistakes, and make the transition significantly easier.
Risks & pitfalls
On paper, the six steps seem manageable. In practice, things are often more complex. Even small mistakes can have serious consequences—from ranking losses to data issues in the new store. That’s why it’s important to understand common pitfalls and proactively prevent them.
Common risks:
- Data mapping: Not every Shopify field maps directly to BigCommerce. Incorrect mappings can lead to inaccurate product information or incomplete datasets.
- App dependencies: Features handled by apps in Shopify must be recreated or replaced in BigCommerce.
- SEO risks: Incorrect redirects or incomplete meta data can negatively impact search engine rankings.
- Variant complexity: The larger the catalog and the more variants (colors, sizes, etc.), the higher the risk of errors.
- Time investment: Testing, rework, and team training often require more resources than initially expected.
Underestimating a migration can lead to revenue loss and frustration. With a clear understanding of potential pitfalls, you can avoid problems early and plan realistically. Involving experienced consultants or agencies is highly recommended—they know the risks and can mitigate them in advance, keeping the migration predictable and secure.
Practical tips for a successful migration
- Use tools: Automated migration services like Cart2Cart or LitExtension can save a lot of work by automatically transferring products, categories, customers, and orders. Still, you should manually review the results to catch inconsistencies or missing data early. For smaller shops, these tools are a cost-effective solution; for larger ones, they provide a solid foundation.
- Test iteratively: Start with a pilot run by migrating only a small selection of products and orders. This allows you to verify data mapping, field accuracy, and checkout functionality. Only once the test runs smoothly should you proceed with the full migration. Iterative testing saves time and reduces risk.
- Use an SEO checklist: SEO losses are one of the biggest dangers. Use tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to crawl your Shopify URLs, secure meta data, and prepare redirects. After migration, crawl all important pages again and verify that redirects work correctly and meta data has been transferred properly.
- Optimize your design: A migration is the perfect opportunity for a redesign. Analyze conversion rates and customer feedback beforehand to implement targeted improvements. Focus on clear navigation, fast loading times, and mobile optimization. A fresh, modern design improves user experience and can boost conversion rates.
- Involve experts: Many steps can theoretically be handled in-house. However, for larger stores, it’s worth involving professionals. Experts handle data mapping, redirect strategies, testing, and technical implementation. This saves time, reduces stress, and prevents errors that could put your revenue at risk.
Migration with Datora
If you’re planning to switch from Shopify to BigCommerce, professional guidance is essential. Datora specializes in Shopify and supports you both strategically and technically throughout the entire migration.
The team analyzes your existing Shopify store, advises on suitable BigCommerce solutions, and helps you unlock the full potential of the new platform.
With Datora, you gain a partner who:
- handles your data mapping professionally,
- sets up redirects and SEO cleanly,
- performs testing and supports you through go-live,
- provides strategic guidance on how to benefit from BigCommerce long term.
This ensures your store continues to run smoothly—without ranking losses or revenue decline.
Conclusion: Why migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce?
The move offers many opportunities: more flexibility, better scalability, and often lower long-term costs. At the same time, it is complex and comes with risks that are easy to underestimate. From incomplete data to faulty redirects and SEO losses, small mistakes can have big consequences.
That’s why thorough preparation is crucial: backups, data checks, careful mapping, and extensive testing. Those who also rely on experts like Datora reduce risks, save time, and ensure that the new store goes live quickly and professionally.
This allows you to focus on what truly matters: your growth and your customers.
