Migrating your eCommerce website from WooCommerce to BigCommerce is a significant undertaking for any growing business. WooCommerce is a solid platform for start-ups and small stores, but as your business expands you might require more robust features and scalability than WooCommerce offers. BigCommerce, a SaaS eCommerce platform, comes with powerful built-in features, high performance, and excellent support – making it an attractive target platform for an upgrade. However, replatforming a store from WooCommerce to BigCommerce can seem daunting. The good news is that with the right plan and process, you can ensure a smooth migration with minimal downtime, meaning your source store can keep running while data transfers to the new platform.
Who This Is For
- Merchants with 500+ SKUs
- Stores running subscriptions or complex product variations
- Businesses with ERP, CRM, or fulfillment system integrations
- Teams frustrated with plugin conflicts or server maintenance
- Brands ready to scale on a stable SaaS foundation
One of the biggest advantages of switching to a SaaS platform like BigCommerce is the potential to significantly reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) over time. Here’s how SaaS can lower your eCommerce TCO compared to managing a self-hosted solution like WooCommerce.
WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: At a Glance
| Feature | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
| Hosting | Self-hosted | Fully hosted SaaS |
| Plugin Management | Manual updates and compatibility | Built-in functionality |
| Scalability | Limited by server | Cloud scaling |
| Checkout Customization | Plugin-dependent | Native + Checkout SDK |
| Support | Community-driven | 24/7 enterprise-grade support |
| Technical Maintenance Responsibility | Your team | BigCommerce handles it |
At LimeLight Marketing, we’ve refined a five-step migration process that prioritizes data security, business continuity, and SEO preservation. In this guide, we’ll walk eCommerce managers and business owners through each step of our WooCommerce to BigCommerce migration process – from the initial data mapping to the final activation – so you know what to expect. By following this proven migration process, you can confidently move your store to BigCommerce and position your brand for future growth. Let’s dive into the steps.
Typical Migration Timeline
Migration timelines vary based on complexity, integrations, and order volume. We’ve completed migrations off of WooCommerce in as little as 2.5 months. Most stores fall into the 3–6 month range.
Step 1: Data Mapping – Export and Map Your WooCommerce Data
Every successful migration process begins with careful planning and data mapping. In this first phase, we take inventory of all your data and map out how it will fit into the BigCommerce model. Start by preparing your WooCommerce store for export. This includes creating a full backup of your current WooCommerce site (files, database, images) and reviewing your store data for cleanliness. It’s wise to clean up any outdated product listings, customer records, or test orders now so that only accurate, relevant data gets migrated. Data backup is a crucial data security step – it safeguards your information against any unexpected issues during the migration.
BigCommerce offers a WooCommerce migration app, which can be effective for straightforward migrations. However, in scenarios involving complex order structures (e.g., multi-shipment orders), or stores with high volumes of data or custom fields, custom scripting and API-level migration provides a more tailored, flexible, and reliable solution. LimeLight frequently implements hybrid strategies that mix app-based tools with direct API work to meet technical requirements.
We also run small batch imports early in the process to quickly identify blockers and edge cases. This iterative approach allows us to troubleshoot and refine the migration pipeline before full-scale import begins.
Step 2: Template Setup – Building Your BigCommerce Store for Success
With a data migration plan in place, the next step is setting up your BigCommerce environment and templates. We begin by setting up your new BigCommerce store and configuring it to match your brand’s look and feel. This involves choosing a BigCommerce theme (or developing a custom theme) that aligns with your design standards and optimizing it for performance and mobile responsiveness. BigCommerce’s theme framework allows extensive customization, so we make sure the new store’s templates mirror your existing branding from WooCommerce. Your logo, color scheme, fonts, and overall style guide are applied so the new site will be instantly familiar to your customers.
During template setup, we also build out the essential pages and navigation structure in BigCommerce. This includes creating optimized category pages, product page templates, and any custom page layouts you might need. Our developers configure site settings (like currency, tax, and shipping options) and integrate any necessary BigCommerce apps or plugins equivalent to your WooCommerce extensions. Essentially, we’re ensuring the new BigCommerce store is fully prepared to receive your data. By front-loading the design and user experience work in this step, we avoid scrambling to fix the look of the site after migration. The goal is that once the data is migrated, the BigCommerce store design is already dialed in and meets your brand standards. Before moving on, we verify that key template elements (header, footer, menus, etc.) are in place and that the site structure in BigCommerce will support all your migrated content. A properly set-up template means your new BigCommerce store will not only look great but also be optimized for conversion and SEO from day one.
LimeLight’s full in-house development team also means that if there’s not an existing BigCommerce app or solution available to meet need, we can build it for you. We’ve done this with scenarios ranging from high volume phone ordering, to complex product bundling and shipment scenarios.
Step 3: Migration – Transferring Products, Customers, and Orders
Now comes the core migration step: moving all your store data from WooCommerce to BigCommerce. With our data mapping plan from Step 1 as a guide and the BigCommerce store ready from Step 2, we proceed to migrate the data. As mentioned previously, we’ll have run small batch imports already, so there shouldn’t be any technical surprises. This phase is more about taking the time to get all of the data we want migrated over.
During the import, it’s crucial to choose the entities you want to migrate and ensure each is mapped properly. For example, when importing products, we map fields like name, SKU, price, descriptions, images, and variants to their proper places in BigCommerce. For customer data, we map customer names, emails, addresses, etc., and for orders we include order dates, items, amounts, and statuses. Thanks to the thorough data mapping done earlier, this import step is systematic and accurate – we’ve essentially told BigCommerce where to put each piece of WooCommerce data. If any mismatch or error arises, we catch it and remap or re-import as needed.
By the end of the migration step, all your critical store data (products, categories, customer accounts, order history, coupons, reviews, and more) will have been migrated from WooCommerce into the BigCommerce platform. Throughout this process, we maintain strict data security and integrity checks, verifying that no records are lost or corrupted. LimeLight’s migration approach also emphasizes uptime – your WooCommerce source store can typically remain operational during the data transfer, so you don’t lose sales while migrating. This careful, secure migration process ensures your new BigCommerce store has all the data it needs to effectively replace the old site.
(Tip: There are automated migration services that let you select the data to migrate and even run a free demo migration. While these tools can be handy for small stores, a professional managed migration like LimeLight’s will handle custom data, large volumes, and edge cases more thoroughly. We tailor the process to your store’s unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all script.)
Step 4: QA – Comprehensive Testing Across Devices and Browsers
Migrating the data is only part of a successful replatforming – next we perform rigorous quality assurance (QA) to ensure everything works perfectly on the new BigCommerce store. In this step, our team thoroughly tests the site across different devices, browsers, and use cases. We start by verifying the migrated data: are all products, customers, and orders present and correct? We validate product listings (check titles, descriptions, pricing, images, variants) and customer records in BigCommerce against the source data to confirm nothing is missing or mismatched. It’s important to confirm that order history migrated over properly, and that customer accounts (with hashed passwords or reset process) are set up for your users.
We then conduct full-site testing of the BigCommerce store. This means browsing the site like a customer would: navigating categories, searching for products, adding items to the cart, and going through the entire checkout process on the new platform. We verify that the site is responsive and renders correctly on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Every button, link, and form is clicked to make sure it functions. Critical user flows such as account registration, login, and placing an order are tested end-to-end. During this QA phase, we also pay attention to performance (page load times) and any interface issues. We follow best practices by testing every major feature and fixing any issues that surface. This cross-browser, cross-device QA ensures the new BigCommerce store delivers a smooth shopping experience.
Additionally, we QA the administrative experience of the store as well. Are pages and templates easy to work with? Can the people that maintain product data easily update the correct built in fields, custom fields, and metafields? Is the way we’ve set up navigation simple to work with when categories or store content changes? This is an often missed step in store QA. While the customer experience is critical, the experience for store admins to maintain and update content should also be evaluated and refined wherever needed to ensure store maintenance is a simple process.
By the end of Step 4, you and our team will have confidence that the new site is fully functional, user-friendly, and mirrors or improves upon the old WooCommerce site in terms of content and usability. If any problems are found, we address them now – before launch – so launch day can proceed without surprises.
Step 5: Activation – Launch, SEO Preservation, and Post-Migration Setup
The final step is the exciting part: activation of your new BigCommerce store. Once all data is migrated and the site passes QA, it’s time to go live. Launching an eCommerce site on a new platform involves more than just flipping a switch – we coordinate a careful go-live plan to minimize downtime and maintain your hard-earned SEO rankings. Every client gets a specific and thorough go-live checklist defined, but there’s a typical set of steps that fall into this.
First, we set up 301 redirects for all important URLs from your WooCommerce site to their new BigCommerce counterparts. This includes product pages, category pages, and any content pages that have a new URL on BigCommerce. By implementing URL redirects, we ensure that customers who had bookmarked pages or search engines that indexed your old URLs are automatically sent to the appropriate page on the new site. This step is critical for SEO preservation: it helps maintain your search engine rankings and prevents “page not found” errors during the transition.
We also take care of other SEO and analytics setup tasks at this stage. The BigCommerce store’s SEO settings (page titles, meta descriptions, alt tags, etc.) are reviewed and updated as needed, and we generate a fresh XML sitemap to submit to search engines once live. We integrate web analytics and tracking tools into the new site – for example, installing Google Analytics and setting up any marketing tags that were on the old site. Ensuring analytics is operational from day one allows you to monitor traffic and conversions immediately upon launch. LimeLight’s team typically has performance tracking in place from the minute the site goes live, so we can measure the launch impact and quickly address any anomalies.
When everything is ready, we coordinate the official launch of the BigCommerce store. This may involve scheduling the DNS switch or domain repointing to the new site during a low-traffic period. Our team stands by to quickly fix any hiccups at launch. In most cases, the transition is seamless for customers – aside from a new look and improved speed, they shouldn’t experience disruptions. We recommend announcing the new site launch to your customers via email and social media, highlighting any new features or improvements. Post-launch, we keep a close eye on the site’s performance. It’s wise to monitor SEO rankings and site analytics in the weeks after migration to ensure everything stabilizes and improves. If any post-migration issues arise (for example, an overlooked redirect or a minor styling bug), we address them promptly as part of our support. By the end of this activation step, your BigCommerce store is officially live and fully operational, with all the necessary SEO and tracking in place. Congratulations – you have successfully migrated from WooCommerce to BigCommerce, and your business is now set to leverage BigCommerce’s platform for future growth!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why migrate from WooCommerce to BigCommerce?
A: WooCommerce is a powerful and flexible plugin for WordPress, but it requires self-hosting and constant maintenance. As your store grows, you might face challenges with scalability, site speed, and plugin conflicts. BigCommerce is a fully hosted ecommerce platform with enterprise-level features built in, such as advanced SEO tools, security, and multi-channel integration. Many businesses migrate to BigCommerce to gain more stability and out-of-the-box functionality for growth. If you find that WooCommerce is limiting your expansion or requiring too much hands-on management, BigCommerce can be a great solution to fuel your next stage of growth.
Keep Reading: 5 Killer BigCommerce Features for Enterprises
Q2. How do I ensure my data is secure during migration?
A: Data security is a top priority in any migration. Start by backing up your entire WooCommerce site before making any changes. During LimeLight’s migration process, we handle your data with care and use secure transfer methods. We map and transfer data in a controlled environment, verifying integrity at each step so that products, customer data, and orders all match between the source and target. Some automated tools even offer a free demo migration to preview how your data will appear. Ultimately, working with experienced professionals provides an extra layer of security – we’ve migrated many stores and have checks in place to prevent data loss.
Q3. Will there be downtime when switching platforms?
A: It’s possible to migrate with virtually no downtime. LimeLight’s approach allows your WooCommerce source store to keep running during the data migration, so you can continue taking orders. When it’s time to launch the BigCommerce site, there may be a brief maintenance window or DNS propagation period, but we aim to make this transition seamless for your shoppers. With proper planning and 301 redirects in place, most customers won’t even notice the switch aside from an improved site experience.
Q4. What happens to my SEO rankings after migration?
A: Preserving SEO is a critical part of our migration process. We implement 301 redirects for all important pages from WooCommerce to BigCommerce, which tells search engines that your content has moved permanently. This helps maintain your rankings for those pages. We also carry over or reconfigure your meta titles, descriptions, and URL structures where possible to keep consistency. After launch, we generate a new sitemap and submit it to Google so they can index your BigCommerce store quickly. It’s normal to monitor your SEO closely post-migration, as rankings might fluctuate temporarily. However, with proper redirects and on-page SEO setup, you shouldn’t lose organic traffic.
Q5. Can I migrate my store from WooCommerce to BigCommerce by myself?
A: Technically, yes – there are tools and built-in migration features that can help DIY users. BigCommerce offers apps and third-party services that allow you to connect your carts, choose the entities to migrate, and run the transfer, often providing a free demo migration to preview the results. However, eCommerce migration can be complex. You’ll need to handle theme re-creation, plugin/app replacements, data mapping, and troubleshoot any issues. Mistakes in migration—such as missing data, broken links, or checkout errors—can hurt your business. That’s why many eCommerce managers turn to agencies like LimeLight. Our team saves you time and ensures nothing is overlooked, so you can focus on running your business.
Q6. What should I do post-migration in my new BigCommerce store?
A: After your BigCommerce site is live, monitor its performance by tracking loading speed, uptime, and Google Analytics metrics to ensure traffic and conversions are steady. Gather customer feedback to check if users encounter any issues or if they love the new experience. Stay up to date with BigCommerce platform updates and regularly apply improvements. Also, update any integrations (email marketing, CRM, ERP, etc.) to ensure they work with the new store. LimeLight Marketing provides post-launch support to help you fine-tune your store and maximize your results. The migration isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter for your eCommerce store, so keep optimizing for continued success.
Ready to Migrate Without the Headaches?
At LimeLight Marketing, we understand that a platform migration is a big move for your business. Our five-step process – Data Mapping, Template Setup, Migration, QA, and Activation – is designed to make the journey from WooCommerce to BigCommerce as smooth as possible. If you’re considering a WooCommerce to BigCommerce migration, let our experienced team guide you. We handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on running your business. Contact LimeLight Marketing today to start planning your BigCommerce migration! 🎉
