Stress-Free Migration: How to Migrate BigCommerce to WooCommerce Without Issues

Thinking about moving your online store from BigCommerce to WooCommerce? You’re making a smart choice! WooCommerce gives you more control, flexibility, and cost savings, making it the preferred platform for many eCommerce store owners.

But let’s be honest—migration can feel intimidating. Will you lose data? Will your SEO suffer? What if something goes wrong?

No worries! This guide will walk you through every step of the process. Whether you choose an automated migration tool or a manual approach, you’ll know exactly how to migrate BigCommerce to WooCommerce without stress.

Why Move from BigCommerce to WooCommerce?

BigCommerce is a great platform, but it comes with limitations that may hold back your business growth. Let’s compare the two platforms:

If you want to take full control of your store and avoid high monthly costs, WooCommerce is the way to go!

Pre-Migration Checklist

Before starting the migration, it’s crucial to prepare your store to avoid potential hiccups.

1. Back Up Your BigCommerce Store

Even with an automated migration, things can go wrong. Download a full backup of your store, including products, customers, orders, and images.

2. Choose a Hosting Provider for WooCommerce

Since WooCommerce is self-hosted, you’ll need a reliable hosting provider. Popular choices include:

• SiteGround – Fast and WooCommerce-optimized
• Bluehost – Officially recommended by WooCommerce
• Kinsta – Premium hosting for large stores

3. Install WordPress & WooCommerce

• Set up WordPress on your hosting account.
• Install the WooCommerce plugin and configure basic settings.
• Pick a WooCommerce-compatible theme for your store.

4. Select a Migration Method

There are two primary ways to migrate your store:

1. Automated Migration Tools – Quick, easy, and minimal technical knowledge required.
2. Manual Migration – More control, but time-consuming and requires effort.

Migration Methods

Option 1: Using an Automated Migration Tool

If you want a fast and hassle-free way to migrate BigCommerce to WooCommerce, automated tools are your best bet.

Popular Migration Tools:

• Cart2Cart – Transfers products, customers, orders, and more without downtime.
• LitExtension – Offers migration with 301 redirects and SEO settings.

How to Use an Automated Migration Tool:

1. Sign Up for the Migration Tool – Choose your preferred service and create an account.
2. Connect Your BigCommerce & WooCommerce Stores – Provide the API credentials for both platforms.
3. Select What to Migrate – Choose data like products, customers, orders, and reviews.
4. Run a Free Demo Migration – Test a small batch to ensure everything works properly.
5. Perform Full Migration – Once satisfied, transfer all data.
6. Verify & Adjust – Check that all products, images, and customer details are correctly imported.

Option 2: Manual Migration for Full Control

Prefer a hands-on approach? Here’s how to migrate manually:

Steps for Manual Migration:

1. Export Data from BigCommerce
   • Go to BigCommerce Admin Panel > Export
   • Download CSV files for products, customers, and orders.
2. Prepare CSV Files for WooCommerce
   • Format data correctly using Excel or Google Sheets.
   • Make sure product categories and attributes align with WooCommerce.
3. Import Data into WooCommerce
   • Use WooCommerce’s built-in import tool.
   • Upload CSV files and map fields correctly.
4. Set Up Payment & Shipping
   • Configure payment methods (PayPal, Stripe, etc.).
   • Adjust shipping zones and tax settings.
5. Manually Recreate Store Design
   • Pick a WooCommerce-compatible theme.
   • Customize navigation menus, widgets, and homepage layout.

Post-Migration Tasks

Once you’ve successfully migrated, it’s time to polish your WooCommerce store!

1. Verify All Data

Check that products, prices, orders, and customers are correctly transferred. Fix any missing images or incorrect data.

2. Set Up Redirects for SEO

To avoid broken links and lost rankings, set up 301 redirects from old BigCommerce URLs to new WooCommerce URLs.

3. Test the Store

• Place test orders to ensure checkout works.
• Check mobile responsiveness.
• Confirm payment and shipping settings are correct.

4. Inform Customers About the Migration

• Send an email announcing the move.
• Provide instructions for logging in (as customer passwords may not migrate).

5. Optimize for SEO

• Use Yoast SEO or Rank Math plugins for better on-page SEO.
• Update product descriptions, alt text, and metadata for higher rankings.

Conclusion

Migrating BigCommerce to WooCommerce might seem like a challenge, but with proper planning, the process can be straightforward. Whether you choose an automated tool or a manual approach, the key is to back up your data, test everything thoroughly, and optimize your new store for success.

Once the migration is complete, WooCommerce will give you the freedom, flexibility, and cost savings that will help your business grow. So why wait? Start your migration today and enjoy the benefits of WooCommerce!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I migrate my BigCommerce store without losing data?

Yes! Using automated migration tools or a careful manual approach will ensure that all products, customers, and orders remain intact.

2. Will my SEO rankings drop after migration?

Not if you implement 301 redirects and maintain proper SEO settings. Make sure to update metadata and sitemap files.

3. Do customer passwords migrate to WooCommerce?

Due to encryption differences, passwords typically don’t transfer. Customers will need to reset their passwords after migration.

4. How long does the migration process take?

Automated migration can take a few hours, while manual migration may take a couple of days depending on store size.

5. Do I need a developer to migrate my store?

Not necessarily! If you use an automated tool, you can do it yourself. However, if you want custom migration, hiring a developer may be helpful.