StoreFront eCommerce to Volusion Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

Migrate StoreFront eCommerce to Volusion: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you considering moving your online store from StoreFront eCommerce to Volusion? This transition can unlock new growth opportunities, enhanced features, and a more robust e-commerce environment for your business. Replatforming your store is a significant decision, but with a clear strategy and the right tools, it can be a seamless and rewarding process. This guide will walk you through every essential step of migrating your valuable store data—including products, customer information, orders, and more—from StoreFront eCommerce to Volusion.

Since StoreFront eCommerce is a custom or less common platform, the most efficient way to transfer your data is by exporting it into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. This guide will leverage the power of CSV data migration to seamlessly transfer your store's essence to the Volusion platform, ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime.

Prerequisites for Migration

Before you begin the data transfer, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and successful migration. Here’s what you’ll need:

• StoreFront eCommerce (Source Store) Preparation:
  • Data Export: You will need to export all your essential store data (products, categories, customers, orders, reviews, CMS pages, etc.) from your StoreFront eCommerce store into CSV files. Ensure these files are well-structured and contain all necessary information, including product SKUs, variant details, customer addresses, and order histories.
  • Data Backup: Always perform a complete backup of your existing StoreFront eCommerce store’s database and files. This is a crucial safeguard in case any unforeseen issues arise during the migration process.

  For more details on preparing your source store, read our FAQ on preparing your source store.

• Volusion (Target Store) Preparation:
  • Active Volusion Account: Ensure you have an active Volusion store account. It’s recommended to start with a fresh Volusion installation to avoid conflicts with existing data.
  • Admin Access: You will need full administrative access to your Volusion store. This includes your admin login URL, username, and password, as these are required for establishing a connection for the data transfer.
  • FTP Access: Volusion requires a bridge connection for migration. This means you’ll need FTP access to your Volusion store’s root directory to upload the necessary migration bridge files. Knowledge of what a root folder is will be helpful.
  • Plugin Installation: A specific migration module (e.g., Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module) will be required to facilitate the data transfer to Volusion. This module is typically provided by the migration service.

  For more details on preparing your target store, read our FAQ on preparing your target store.

• General Considerations:
  • Stable Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection is essential for uninterrupted data transfer.
  • Time Allocation: Depending on the volume of your data, the migration process can take some time. Plan accordingly to minimize potential impact on your business operations.
  • Security: Rest assured that providing your access details to a reputable migration service is secure. Read more about the safety of providing access details.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to successfully transition your e-commerce data from StoreFront eCommerce (via CSV) to Volusion.

1. Step 1: Start Your Migration

   Begin by accessing the migration wizard. This initial screen will guide you through the first phase of setting up your data transfer. You can choose to start a DIY migration or explore assisted services.

   

2. Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (StoreFront eCommerce via CSV)

   Since StoreFront eCommerce data will be transferred using CSV files, select "CSV File to Cart" as your Source Cart. You will then be prompted to upload your prepared CSV files containing your products, categories, customers, orders, and other essential data. This method ensures that all your critical information from StoreFront eCommerce is ready for import.

   

3. Step 3: Connect Your Target Store (Volusion)

   Next, you’ll configure your new Volusion store as the target. From the dropdown list, select "Volusion". You will then need to provide the URL of your Volusion store and upload the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module, which acts as a bridge for secure data exchange. This module requires FTP access for installation into your Volusion store's root directory. Once uploaded, enter your Volusion admin credentials to establish the connection.

   

4. Step 4: Select Data Entities for Migration

   This is where you choose precisely what data you want to move. The migration tool supports a wide range of entities, including:

   • Products (with variants, SKUs)
   • Product Categories
   • Customers (with their groups and order histories)
   • Orders (with statuses and invoices)
   • Products Reviews
   • CMS Pages
   • Coupons
   • Taxes

   You can choose to migrate all available data or select specific entities based on your business needs. This step provides granular control over your data transfer.

   

5. Step 5: Configure Additional Options & Data Mapping

   Additional Options

   Enhance your migration with a variety of supplementary features. Key options for Volusion include:

   • Clear Target Store Data: Optionally clear any existing data in your Volusion store before migration to ensure a clean slate. Read about clearing target store data.
   • Preserve IDs: Maintain original Product, Order, and Customer IDs to prevent disruptions with external integrations or internal records. Learn how Preserve IDs options can be used.
   • Migrate Customer Passwords: Securely transfer customer passwords, allowing your existing customers to log in without needing to reset.
   • Create 301 Redirects: Automatically generate 301 redirects for your old URLs to your new Volusion URLs. This is crucial for preserving your SEO rankings and link equity.
   • Migrate Images in Product Descriptions: Ensure product images embedded within descriptions are also transferred.

   

   Data Mapping

   Crucially, you'll need to map your StoreFront eCommerce customer groups and order statuses to their corresponding equivalents in Volusion. This step ensures that your customer segmentation and order workflow remain consistent post-migration, maintaining data integrity and a seamless transition for your team.

   

6. Step 6: Run a Free Demo Migration (Recommended)

   Before committing to a full data transfer, run a free demo migration. This allows you to migrate a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Volusion store. Use this opportunity to meticulously check the transferred data for accuracy, including product details, pricing, images, customer accounts, and order history. It's an excellent way to preview the outcome and make any necessary adjustments.

   Explore our Migration Preview Service for more details.

7. Step 7: Initiate Full Data Transfer

   Once you are satisfied with the demo results, proceed with the full migration. Review the summary of your selected entities and chosen additional options. You may also consider adding a Migration Insurance Service, which offers additional remigrations for a specified period, providing extra peace of mind. Initiate the process, and the migration tool will handle the comprehensive data transfer to your Volusion store.

   

Post-Migration Steps

After your data has successfully moved to Volusion, there are several critical steps to finalize your store's transition and ensure everything runs smoothly:

• Thorough Data Review: Conduct a comprehensive audit of your new Volusion store. Verify all migrated data, including product details (SKUs, images, pricing, variants), customer information, order histories, and CMS pages. Ensure that all data appears as expected and that no critical information is missing.
• Configure Store Settings: Set up essential Volusion store configurations, such as shipping zones, tax rules, payment gateways, and store policies. Ensure these settings align with your business operations.
• Implement 301 Redirects: If you didn't utilize the automatic 301 redirect option during migration, it's crucial to manually implement redirects from your old StoreFront eCommerce URLs to your new Volusion URLs. This preserves your SEO rankings and prevents broken links, maintaining valuable link equity.
• Update DNS Records: Point your domain's DNS records to your new Volusion store. This makes your new store live to the public. Plan this step carefully to minimize downtime.
• Test Functionality: Rigorously test your Volusion store's functionality. This includes the entire customer journey: browsing products, adding to cart, checkout process, account creation, and submitting reviews. Test different payment methods and shipping options.
• Update Integrations: Reconnect any third-party apps or integrations (e.g., marketing automation, CRM, accounting software) with your new Volusion store.
• Inform Customers: Announce the launch of your new Volusion store to your customer base. Provide clear instructions if there are any changes to their login process (though password migration aims to prevent this).
• Monitor Performance: Keep a close eye on your store's performance, user experience, and SEO metrics in the weeks following the migration. Address any issues promptly.

Migrating from StoreFront eCommerce to Volusion is a strategic move that can significantly benefit your e-commerce business. By following this detailed guide, you can ensure a successful and efficient transition, setting your store up for future growth and enhanced capabilities on the Volusion platform. Should you encounter any challenges or require specialized assistance, don't hesitate to contact us.