Ascentium Commerce Server to Volusion Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

Seamlessly Transition Your E-commerce Store from Ascentium Commerce Server to Volusion

Are you considering a platform change for your online business? Moving your e-commerce store from Ascentium Commerce Server to Volusion can unlock a new realm of features, scalability, and user experience. Volusion offers a robust, all-in-one platform with integrated hosting, marketing, and security features, making it an attractive destination for merchants looking to grow. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every essential step of migrating your valuable store data, from products and customer information to orders and reviews, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal downtime. For more on the benefits of such a move, explore our Frequently Asked Questions.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, careful preparation is key to a smooth and error-free process. Ensure you have the following in place:

• Ascentium Commerce Server Data Export: Since Ascentium Commerce Server does not have a direct API connection for automated migration tools, you will need to export your store data into CSV files. Gather all essential data, including products (with SKUs, variants, images, descriptions), product categories, customer records, order history, and potentially CMS pages or blog posts, into organized CSV formats.
• Volusion Store Setup: Have your new Volusion store fully set up and accessible. This includes choosing your theme, configuring basic settings, and ensuring you have administrative access. You'll need your Volusion store's URL, admin login, and password.
• FTP Access for Volusion: Volusion migrations utilize a connection bridge. You'll need FTP access to your Volusion store's root directory to upload the necessary bridge files. Volusion supports FTP access, which is crucial for the migration tool to establish a secure connection.
• Cart2Cart Volusion Migration Module: A specific Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module is required for the migration process. Be prepared to install this plugin on your Volusion target store as part of the setup.
• Data Backup: Always create a complete backup of your Ascentium Commerce Server data before starting any migration. This safeguards your information against any unforeseen issues.
• Review Target Store Preparation: Familiarize yourself with how to prepare your new Volusion store for incoming data. Read our guide on How to prepare Target store for migration?.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

This section outlines the process using an automated migration tool, leveraging CSV for your Ascentium data and the Volusion Bridge for secure connection.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Begin your migration journey by visiting the migration wizard. You'll be presented with options to start a self-service migration or request expert assistance.

Step 2: Configure Your Ascentium Commerce Server (Source Store)

As Ascentium Commerce Server requires a CSV export, you will select 'CSV File to Cart' as your source platform. Upload the CSV files containing your exported Ascentium data. This method ensures all your valuable store information, from product SKUs to customer details, is ready for transfer.

Step 3: Set Up Your Volusion Store (Target Store)

Next, specify Volusion as your target e-commerce platform. Provide your Volusion store's URL, along with your admin login and password. The migration tool will guide you to install a connection bridge, which often involves uploading a specific plugin or a set of files via FTP to your Volusion store's root directory. This bridge enables a secure and efficient data transfer.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Migration

Choose which types of data you wish to migrate from your Ascentium CSV files to Volusion. Common entities include:

• Products (including images, descriptions, SKUs, and variants)
• Product Categories
• Customers
• Orders (with statuses and historical data)
• Manufacturers
• Product Reviews
• Invoices
• Coupons
• CMS Pages

You can select all entities or pick them individually to tailor the migration to your needs.

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options

This step allows you to fine-tune your data transfer with various optional settings. Consider these important options:

• Clear Target Store Data: If your Volusion store contains demo data, selecting 'Clear current data on Target store before migration' is often recommended to prevent duplication.
• Preserve IDs: Options like 'Preserve Product IDs,' 'Preserve Orders IDs,' and 'Preserve Customers IDs' are crucial for maintaining consistency with existing records and third-party integrations.
• SEO URLs & 301 Redirects: Enable 'SEO URLs' and 'Create 301 SEO URLs' to preserve your existing search engine rankings and link equity. This is vital for maintaining your website's visibility post-migration.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensure product images embedded in descriptions are transferred correctly.
• Password Migration: Migrate customer passwords to ensure a seamless login experience for your returning customers.

Step 6: Map Your Data Fields

Data mapping is a critical step where you match specific fields from your Ascentium CSV data to the corresponding fields in Volusion. This ensures that customer groups, order statuses, and other custom attributes are correctly categorized and displayed in your new store.

Step 7: Run a Free Demo Migration

Before committing to the full migration, run a free demo. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, and orders) to your Volusion store. Review this demo data carefully to ensure everything has migrated correctly and appears as expected. It's an excellent opportunity to identify and resolve any mapping issues or data inconsistencies.

Step 8: Initiate Full Data Migration

Once you're satisfied with the demo results, proceed with the full migration. At this stage, you can also consider adding a Migration Insurance Plan, which offers additional remigrations if you need to adjust or update your store data after the initial transfer. The tool will provide a summary of all entities being migrated and the total cost. Click 'Start Full Migration' to begin the comprehensive data transfer.

Post-Migration Steps

Congratulations on migrating your store! The work isn't quite finished yet. Here are crucial steps to take after your data transfer to ensure your Volusion store is fully operational and optimized:

1. Thorough Data Verification: Rigorously check all migrated data on your Volusion store. Verify product details, pricing, stock levels, customer accounts, order history, and CMS pages. Ensure product images are displaying correctly and internal links are functional.
2. Configure Store Settings: Set up essential Volusion store configurations, including payment gateways, shipping methods, tax rules, and email notifications. Remember, Volusion supports multi-tax configurations.
3. Implement 301 Redirects: If you didn't utilize the 'Create 301 SEO URLs' option during migration or if you have specific URL changes, implement 301 redirects from your old Ascentium URLs to your new Volusion URLs. This preserves your SEO rankings and prevents broken links, ensuring a smooth user experience.
4. Install Necessary Apps & Plugins: Explore the Volusion App Store for any additional functionality your business requires, such as advanced marketing tools, analytics, or accounting integrations.
5. Update DNS Settings: Point your domain name to your new Volusion store by updating your DNS records. This makes your new store live to the public.
6. Conduct Extensive Testing: Test your entire store's functionality, including the checkout process, customer login, product searches, and contact forms. Ensure a seamless shopping experience.
7. Address Volusion Specifics: Be aware of Volusion's specific limitations, such as potential multi-store limitations for BigCommerce variants (if applicable) and SEO options being excluded for blogs. Plan accordingly for these aspects.
8. Monitor SEO Performance: After going live, closely monitor your search engine performance using tools like Google Search Console. Look for any crawl errors or drops in rankings.
9. Announce Your New Store: Inform your customers about your new and improved shopping experience!

Migrating from Ascentium Commerce Server to Volusion is a significant undertaking, but with careful planning and execution, it can lead to a more efficient and growth-oriented e-commerce presence. Should you encounter any challenges or prefer expert assistance, don't hesitate to Contact Us for support or consider our Ultimate Data Migration Service.