Visualsoft to PrestaShop Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

Seamlessly Migrate Your E-commerce Store from Visualsoft to PrestaShop

Are you considering a platform migration for your online store? Moving from Visualsoft to PrestaShop can unlock new opportunities for customization, community support, and enhanced control over your e-commerce operations. This comprehensive guide, crafted by e-commerce content experts and SEO strategists, will walk you through every critical step of transitioning your valuable store data with precision and minimal disruption. We'll cover everything from essential prerequisites to post-migration best practices, ensuring a smooth and successful replatforming experience.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before you begin the data transfer from Visualsoft to PrestaShop, a thorough preparation phase is crucial. Addressing these prerequisites will safeguard your data integrity and streamline the entire process.

• Backup Your Visualsoft Store: Always create a complete backup of your current Visualsoft store's database and files. This is your safety net in case of any unforeseen issues during the migration.
• Prepare Your PrestaShop Store: Ensure you have a fresh installation of PrestaShop ready on your hosting environment. It's recommended to start with a clean slate to avoid conflicts. You can learn more about preparing your target store by reading our guide on How to prepare Target store for migration?.
• Gather Access Credentials: You will need administrative access to both your Visualsoft and PrestaShop stores. This typically includes FTP/SFTP access and admin panel login details for both platforms. For more details on required credentials, consult The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.
• Install Necessary Modules: Both Visualsoft and PrestaShop require specific modules or connection bridges for the migration tool to establish a secure link. For Visualsoft, the Cart2Cart Visualsoft Migration module is required. For PrestaShop, the Cart2Cart Universal PrestaShop Migration module will be needed. These facilitate a secure "Bridge only" connection method.
• Review Your Data: Take this opportunity to clean up any outdated products, customer records, or unnecessary information in your Visualsoft store. A clean source translates to a clean target.

Understanding these initial steps will set a solid foundation for your upcoming e-commerce journey. For insights into preparing your source store, refer to How to prepare Source store for migration?.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you are ready to initiate the data transfer process. This guide outlines a step-by-step approach using a robust migration wizard to move your store data from Visualsoft to PrestaShop.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Begin by accessing the migration wizard. This initial screen presents options to start a do-it-yourself migration, request expert assistance, or estimate costs. Select the DIY option to proceed with the guided wizard.

Step 2: Connect Your Visualsoft Source Store

In this step, you will specify your current store platform. Choose Visualsoft from the list of supported carts and provide your Visualsoft store's Admin URL. The migration tool uses a "Bridge only" connection method, requiring you to upload a Connection Bridge file to your Visualsoft store's root directory. This bridge acts as a secure data conduit between your Visualsoft store and the migration service. Ensure the Cart2Cart Visualsoft Migration module is in place to facilitate this connection.

The root folder is the highest-level directory of your website, often named 'public_html' or 'www'. If you're unsure, you can find more information on What is a root folder and where can I find it?

Step 3: Connect Your PrestaShop Target Store

Next, select PrestaShop as your target shopping cart from the dropdown menu and enter its Admin URL. Similar to the source store, PrestaShop also utilizes a "Bridge only" connection. You will download the PrestaShop Connection Bridge, extract the 'bridge2cart' folder, and upload it to the root directory of your PrestaShop installation. This step also requires the Cart2Cart Universal PrestaShop Migration module to be active in your PrestaShop environment.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

This critical step allows you to choose exactly which types of data you wish to transfer from Visualsoft to PrestaShop. You can select all entities or pick them individually based on your business requirements. Both platforms support a wide range of data, including:

• Products: Including SKUs, product descriptions, images, prices, and inventory. Visualsoft supports 'Create Variants from Attributes'.
• Product Categories: Your store's organizational structure for products.
• Manufacturers: Information about the brands you carry.
• Product Reviews: Valuable social proof from your customers.
• Customers: Customer data, including contact information and shipping addresses.
• Orders: Complete order history, statuses, and associated customer details.
• Invoices: Your billing records.
• Taxes: Existing tax rules and configurations.
• Stores: (If applicable for multi-store setups).
• Coupons: Your promotional codes and discounts.
• CMS Pages: Static content like 'About Us' or 'Contact Us' pages.
• Blogs & Blog Posts: (Supported specifically by PrestaShop, if you plan to introduce blogging).

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options & Data Mapping

This stage offers powerful customization to ensure your data is transferred precisely as needed. You'll find a range of additional options and the ability to map specific data fields.

Additional Options:

Choose from recommended options to enhance your data transfer:

• Migrate Images in Description: Ensures product images embedded within descriptions are transferred.
• Clear Target: Deletes all existing data on your PrestaShop store before migration (use with caution on a live store).
• Preserve Product IDs, Orders IDs, Customer IDs: Crucial for maintaining existing external integrations or internal record-keeping. Learn more about How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• SEO URLs & 301 SEO URLs / Create 301 SEO URLs: Essential for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity. This option automatically creates redirects from your old Visualsoft URLs to the new PrestaShop ones, preventing broken links and preserving your SEO value. This is a vital component for a smooth user experience post-migration.
• Password Migration: Allows customers to log into their accounts on the new PrestaShop store using their existing Visualsoft passwords.
• Migrate Invoices: Transfers all your invoice data.
• Skip Custom Attributes: If you only need standard attributes.

Data Mapping:

Accurate data mapping ensures that customer groups, order statuses, and other customizable fields from Visualsoft correctly align with their equivalents in PrestaShop. You will be prompted to match these fields via dropdowns.

Step 6: Run a Demo Migration & Initiate Full Migration

Before committing to the full transfer, run a free demo migration. This moves a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, orders) to your PrestaShop store, allowing you to review the results and ensure everything functions as expected. This Migration Preview Service is invaluable for identifying and resolving potential issues early.

Once you are satisfied with the demo results, you can proceed with the full migration. At this stage, you also have the option to select a Migration Insurance Plan, which provides additional remigrations if needed. Learn more about How Migration Insurance works?.

Post-Migration Steps to Finalize Your PrestaShop Store

The migration doesn't end when the data transfer is complete. These crucial post-migration steps ensure your new PrestaShop store is fully functional, optimized, and ready for customers.

• Thorough Testing:
  • Products: Check product pages, variations, images, prices, and stock levels.
  • Orders: Verify order history, statuses, and customer assignments.
  • Customers: Test customer logins, account details, and password reset functionality.
  • Navigation & Links: Click through all menu items and internal links to ensure they work correctly. Pay special attention to SEO URLs and 301 redirects.
• Update DNS Settings: Once you're confident in your new PrestaShop store, update your domain's DNS records to point to your new hosting. This is when your new store goes live.
• Configure Payment & Shipping Gateways: Re-configure and test all your preferred payment methods (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) and shipping options within your PrestaShop admin.
• Install Essential Modules & Themes: Customize your PrestaShop store with new themes and modules for enhanced functionality and aesthetics.
• SEO Optimization:
  • Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console.
  • Monitor your SEO rankings and traffic to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Verify that all 301 redirects are working as expected to preserve link equity.
• Review Analytics: Set up and monitor analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to track traffic and user behavior on your new PrestaShop store.
• Consider Recent Data Migration: If new orders or customer registrations occurred on your Visualsoft store during the migration period, consider using a Recent Data Migration Service to transfer this latest information.
• Delete Old Store Data: Once you are absolutely certain your PrestaShop store is fully operational and your data is secure, you can consider decommissioning your old Visualsoft store.

By diligently following these steps, you can confidently transition from Visualsoft to PrestaShop, setting the stage for growth and an improved e-commerce experience. If you encounter any challenges, specialized services like Migration Customization Service or Basic Data Migration Service are available to assist.