Neto to Volusion Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Neto to Volusion

Replatforming your e-commerce store from Neto to Volusion opens up new avenues for growth, enhanced features, and streamlined operations. This significant transition, while promising, requires careful planning and execution to ensure data integrity and minimize downtime. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to seamlessly move your valuable store data, including products, customer information, and orders, from Neto to Volusion.

By following these instructions, you'll be well-equipped to undertake this vital data transfer, setting your business up for success on your new Volusion platform.

Prerequisites for Migration

Before initiating the data migration process, certain preparatory steps are crucial to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Addressing these prerequisites will safeguard your data and expedite the entire replatforming journey.

• For Your Neto (Source) Store:

  As Neto utilizes an API-only connection method, you will need to provide specific credentials for the migration tool to access your data securely. These typically include: clientId, clientSecret, refreshToken, storeId, adminEmail, and adminPwd. Please note the requirement for HTTPS and the necessity of the Cart2Cart Neto Migration App. The platform data also indicates that custom app development might be needed to facilitate this API connection, suggesting a more involved setup to grant the necessary API scopes and admin API access token. Ensure you have these details ready and any custom app developed or configured as per Cart2Cart's guidelines.

  For more details on preparing your source store, refer to our How to prepare Source store for migration? guide and The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.

• For Your Volusion (Target) Store:

  Volusion connects via a Bridge-only method. This means you will need to install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module by uploading a connection bridge file to the root directory of your Volusion store. You will need your Volusion adminLogin, adminPwd, adminUrl, and the main url of your store. FTP access to your Volusion store's server will be required to place the bridge file. Ensure your Volusion store is set up and accessible.

  Consult our How to prepare Target store for migration? for specific instructions on preparing your Volusion store and What is a root folder and where can I find it? if you're unsure about the bridge file placement.

• General Preparations:
  • Backup Your Data: Always create a full backup of your Neto store's database and files before starting any migration. This is a critical safety measure.
  • Review Store Data: Clean up any unnecessary or outdated data on your Neto store to ensure a more efficient transfer.
  • Internet Connection: Maintain a stable internet connection throughout the migration process.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you are ready to begin the automated data transfer from Neto to Volusion using the Cart2Cart migration wizard. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful replatforming.

Step 1: Kickstarting Your Migration

Your journey begins on the Cart2Cart website. Navigate to the migration wizard, where you'll initiate the process. Here, you'll find options to start a do-it-yourself migration, request assistance, or calculate costs.

Step 2: Connecting Your Source Store (Neto)

On the Source Store Setup screen, select 'Neto' from the list of available e-commerce platforms. You will then be prompted to enter your Neto store's URL and the specific API connection details you gathered in the prerequisites, including your clientId, clientSecret, refreshToken, storeId, adminEmail, and adminPwd. Remember, the Cart2Cart Neto Migration App and potentially custom app development are required for this connection to function correctly. Ensure all fields are filled accurately to establish a secure link for data extraction.

Step 3: Setting Up Your Target Store (Volusion)

Next, move to the Target Store Setup. From the dropdown menu, select 'Volusion' as your new e-commerce platform. Provide the full URL of your Volusion store. This step will also require you to confirm the installation of the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module and the successful placement of the bridge file in your Volusion store's root directory, as Volusion operates on a 'Bridge only' connection method. Verify the connection to proceed.

Step 4: Selecting Entities and Additional Options

This critical step allows you to define precisely what data you wish to transfer from Neto to Volusion. You'll see a checklist of data entities, enabling you to migrate all or specific components of your store.

• Entities to Migrate: Common entities supported by both Neto and Volusion include Products (with SKUs and variants), Products Categories, Products Reviews, Customers, Orders, Coupons, and CMS Pages. Volusion also supports Products Manufacturers, Invoices, Taxes, and Stores, while Neto supports Gift Cards and Blogs Posts. Note Volusion's limitation where SEO options are excluded for blogs. Select all the data types essential for your new store's operation.

• Additional Migration Options: Enhance your migration by selecting from various optional features. These include:
  • Clear Target Store Data: This option removes existing data on your Volusion store before migration, ensuring a clean slate.
  • Preserve IDs: Utilize options like Preserve Product IDs, Order IDs, and Customer IDs to maintain continuity in your database and avoid confusion.
  • Migrate Images in Description: Essential for transferring all product images embedded within descriptions.
  • SEO URLs & 301 SEO URLs: Crucial for maintaining your SEO rankings and link equity. Implementing 301 redirects ensures that old Neto links redirect seamlessly to your new Volusion URLs, preventing broken links and preserving your search engine authority.
  • Password Migration: For Volusion, this option allows the transfer of customer passwords, improving user experience by allowing customers to log in with their existing credentials.

Step 5: Data Mapping

The Mapping Setup step is vital for ensuring data consistency between your Neto and Volusion stores. Here, you'll match customer groups, order statuses, and other custom fields from your source store to their corresponding counterparts in Volusion. This ensures that your customer data, order history, and other critical metadata are accurately represented on your new platform, preserving data integrity.

Step 6: Launching the Full Migration

Before committing to the full data transfer, it's highly recommended to perform a free demo migration. This allows you to preview how your data will appear on Volusion and address any potential issues. Once satisfied, you can proceed with the full migration. At this stage, you may also consider purchasing a Migration Insurance Service, which offers additional remigrations for a specified period. Review the summary of selected entities and total cost, then initiate the full data transfer to Volusion.

Post-Migration Steps

The migration doesn't end when the data transfer is complete. Several crucial post-migration steps are necessary to ensure your new Volusion store is fully operational and optimized:

1. Verify Data Accuracy: Thoroughly check all migrated data on your Volusion store. This includes product details (SKUs, descriptions, images), customer accounts, order histories, and CMS pages. Ensure everything is transferred accurately and appears as expected.
2. Test Functionality: Conduct comprehensive testing of your Volusion store's functionality. This involves placing test orders, checking the checkout process, verifying payment gateways and shipping methods, testing search filters, and ensuring customer login and account management work seamlessly.
3. Configure SEO & Redirects: If you opted for 301 redirects during migration, verify that they are functioning correctly to preserve your SEO rankings and link equity. Update your sitemap and submit it to search engines like Google.
4. Update DNS Records: Point your domain name to your new Volusion store if you haven't already. This step is essential for making your new store live to the public.
5. Set Up Essential Integrations: Reconfigure and test any third-party integrations, such as analytics tools, marketing automation platforms, and accounting software.
6. Review Theme and Design: Ensure your Volusion store's theme and custom design elements are displaying correctly and providing an optimal user experience.
7. Ongoing Monitoring: Keep an eye on your store's performance, customer feedback, and analytics data post-migration to quickly identify and resolve any unforeseen issues.

Migrating from Neto to Volusion is a significant undertaking, but with careful planning and execution, it can lead to a more robust and scalable e-commerce presence. Should you encounter any challenges or require expert assistance, our team is always ready to help. Feel free to Contact Us or explore our Frequently Asked Questions for further support.