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

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from nsCommerceSpace to Volusion

As your e-commerce business grows, the need for a more robust, scalable, and feature-rich platform becomes paramount. If you're currently operating on nsCommerceSpace, you might be considering a move to a platform that offers greater flexibility, enhanced SEO capabilities, and a richer set of tools to elevate your online store. Volusion stands out as a powerful candidate, providing a comprehensive solution for merchants looking to expand their digital footprint and improve the user experience.

This guide will walk you through the process of migrating your store from nsCommerceSpace to Volusion. Given that nsCommerceSpace does not offer direct API integration for automated migration tools, the transition will primarily involve exporting your data into CSV files and then importing them into your new Volusion store via a specialized migration service. We'll ensure you understand each step, from preparing your data to launching your new site, all while focusing on maintaining data integrity and preserving your valuable SEO rankings.

Prerequisites for a Seamless Migration

Before embarking on your data transfer journey, it's crucial to lay a solid foundation. Proper preparation on both your source (nsCommerceSpace) and target (Volusion) platforms will significantly reduce potential downtime and ensure a smooth transition.

1. Preparing Your nsCommerceSpace Store (Source)

• Data Export: Since nsCommerceSpace is not directly integrated with migration tools, you will need to export your store's data into CSV files. This typically includes essential entities such as Products, Product Categories, Manufacturers, Product Reviews, Customers, Orders, Invoices, Taxes, Stores, Coupons, and CMS Pages. Pay close attention to product SKUs and variants to ensure all merchandise details are captured. If your nsCommerceSpace store includes blog posts, you should export those separately, though Volusion has some limitations regarding SEO options for blogs.
• Data Cleansing: This is an opportune moment to clean up your existing data. Remove outdated products, duplicate customer entries, or irrelevant information. Clean data ensures a more efficient and accurate transfer.
• Full Backup: Always perform a complete backup of your nsCommerceSpace store's database and files before initiating any data export. This safeguards your current store data in case any issues arise during the process.

2. Preparing Your Volusion Store (Target)

• Set Up Your Volusion Store: Ensure you have a new Volusion store account set up and ready to receive data. This includes selecting your desired theme and making any initial aesthetic configurations. For detailed guidance, consult our article on How to prepare Target store for migration?.
• Install the Migration Module: Volusion requires a specific plugin for data import using bridge connection methods. You will need to install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module. This module facilitates the secure transfer of your data.
• FTP Access: You'll need FTP access credentials for your Volusion store. This is required to install the bridge file, which is a small connector application that allows the migration service to securely communicate with your Volusion store and perform the data transfer. Understanding What is a root folder and where can I find it? will be helpful here. We understand concerns about security; rest assured, providing your access details to a reputable service is safe. Learn more at Is it safe to provide your company with my access details?.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to initiate the migration process using a reliable e-commerce migration service.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Begin by navigating to the migration wizard interface. This initial screen will guide you through the process of setting up your transfer.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (nsCommerceSpace via CSV)

In the source store setup, you will select "CSV File to Cart" as your source platform. You'll then be prompted to upload the CSV files containing your nsCommerceSpace data. Ensure all relevant files for products, customers, orders, and other entities are uploaded correctly. For more details on this method, refer to our CSV.File Data Migration service page.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Volusion Store

Next, select "Volusion" as your target shopping cart. Provide your new Volusion store's URL and the necessary admin credentials. The migration service will then guide you through installing the bridge connector file on your Volusion server using your FTP access. This bridge acts as a secure conduit for data transfer.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Migration

This critical step allows you to choose exactly which types of data you want to transfer from your nsCommerceSpace CSV files to Volusion. You can select all available entities or pick specific ones like Products, Product Categories, Customers, Orders, Product Reviews, Manufacturers, Coupons, Invoices, and CMS Pages. Carefully review your selections to ensure all vital customer data, product metadata, and transactional records are included.

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options

Enhance your migration with a range of optional features. These can include:

• Preserve IDs: This option helps maintain the original IDs for products, orders, and customers in your new Volusion store, which can be crucial for inventory management and historical data. Learn more at How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• Create 301 SEO URLs: Essential for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity, this option automatically sets up redirects from your old nsCommerceSpace URLs to your new Volusion URLs.
• Migrate Customer Passwords: Securely transfer existing customer passwords to provide a seamless login experience.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensure all product and category images embedded within descriptions are transferred.
• Clear Target Store Data: If your Volusion store has existing demo data, you might want to Clear current data on Target store before migration option to avoid conflicts.

Step 6: Map Data Fields

In this stage, you'll perform data mapping to ensure that specific fields from your nsCommerceSpace data are correctly matched to their corresponding fields in Volusion. This is particularly important for customer groups, order statuses, and product attributes. Accurate mapping ensures data consistency and integrity across platforms.

Step 7: Perform a Free Demo Migration (Recommended)

Before committing to a full migration, conduct a free demo migration. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, and orders) to your Volusion store. The demo is invaluable for checking data accuracy, verifying field mapping, and ensuring the overall process works as expected without affecting your live data. Use this opportunity to identify and resolve any potential issues.

Step 8: Launch Full Migration

Once you're satisfied with the demo results, proceed with the full data transfer. Review your selected entities and options one last time. You may also consider adding a Migration Insurance Service, which offers additional remigrations within a specified period, providing peace of mind. Learn more about How Migration Insurance works?.

Initiate the full migration, and the service will begin transferring all your nsCommerceSpace data to Volusion. You'll receive updates on its progress, and you can generally continue managing your current store with minimal disruption.

Post-Migration Steps

The migration doesn't end when the data transfer is complete. A few crucial steps remain to ensure your new Volusion store is fully operational and optimized.

• Thoroughly Test Your New Volusion Store: After the migration, meticulously test every aspect of your Volusion store. This includes:
  • Browsing product pages, checking images, descriptions, SKUs, and variants.
  • Testing the checkout process with various payment methods.
  • Verifying customer accounts, login functionality, and order history.
  • Ensuring all internal links and navigation work correctly.
  • Checking contact forms and other interactive elements.
• Update DNS Settings: Once you're confident your Volusion store is performing flawlessly, update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new Volusion store. This makes your new store live to the public.
• Implement 301 Redirects: If you did not use the automated 301 URL redirect option during migration, it's critical to set them up manually. This preserves your SEO rankings and link equity by redirecting visitors and search engines from old nsCommerceSpace URLs to the corresponding new Volusion URLs.
• Install Essential Volusion Apps/Plugins: Explore the Volusion App Store for any additional functionalities, marketing tools, or integrations you require to enhance your store's features and user experience.
• Inform Your Customers: Send out an email announcement to your customer base, letting them know about your new and improved Volusion store. Highlight new features or improvements they can expect.
• Monitor SEO and Analytics: Keep a close eye on your SEO performance using Google Search Console and other analytics tools. Monitor traffic, rankings, and any crawl errors to quickly address potential issues.

Migrating from nsCommerceSpace to Volusion via CSV export offers a path to a more modern and powerful e-commerce platform. While it requires careful data preparation, following these steps will help you achieve a successful and impactful transition. Should you encounter any challenges or require additional assistance, don't hesitate to Contact Us or refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for support.