Thelia to Ecwid Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

A Seamless Transition: Migrating Your E-commerce Store from Thelia to Ecwid

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration is a significant decision for any online merchant. If you're currently operating on Thelia and looking to transition to the versatile and scalable Ecwid platform, this guide will walk you through the entire process. Moving your store, including valuable assets like SKUs, customer data, and order history, requires careful planning and execution to ensure data integrity and minimize downtime. This guide, brought to you by e-commerce migration experts, will detail how to perform a smooth data transfer from Thelia (via CSV file export) to Ecwid.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, it’s crucial to prepare both your existing Thelia store and your new Ecwid environment. Proper preparation is key to a seamless transition and maintaining your online presence and SEO rankings.

• Backup Your Thelia Store: Always create a full backup of your Thelia database and files. This serves as a safety net in case any unforeseen issues arise during the data export process.
• Prepare Your Ecwid Store: Ensure your Ecwid store is set up and accessible. You don't need to populate it with products, but having the basic storefront ready is essential. You'll need an active Ecwid account.
• Export Thelia Data to CSV Files: Since Thelia is not directly supported by automated tools, the migration will be done via CSV file export. You will need to export your products, product categories, customer information, order details, and other relevant data into well-structured CSV files. Pay close attention to data formatting to ensure compatibility. For a more detailed understanding of CSV migrations, consider our CSV.File Data Migration service.
• Install the Cart2Cart Ecwid Migration App: For connecting to Ecwid, the target store requires the Cart2Cart Ecwid Migration App to be installed. This app facilitates the API connection necessary for the data transfer.
• Obtain Ecwid API Access Credentials: You will need your Ecwid Store ID and an Access Token. These can usually be found in your Ecwid admin panel under 'API' or 'Apps' settings. Ecwid's API connection requires HTTPS for security and specific API scopes, and while Cart2Cart handles the core integration, complex customizations might require custom app development. Refer to our guide on access credentials for more details.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps using an automated migration tool to move your e-commerce data efficiently.

Step 1: Initiate Your Migration Journey

Begin by navigating to the migration wizard. Here, you can choose to start a free demo migration or proceed directly with a full data transfer.

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

In the migration wizard, select "CSV File to Cart" as your Source Cart. You will then be prompted to upload the CSV files you prepared from your Thelia store. Ensure all your product data, customer details, and order history CSVs are complete and accurately formatted. For more information on preparing your source store, see our FAQ.

Step 3: Establish Your Ecwid Target Store Connection

Next, select "Ecwid" as your Target Cart. You will be required to provide your Ecwid Store ID and Access Token to establish an API connection. This process is streamlined with the Cart2Cart Ecwid Migration App, which handles the necessary API scopes and ensures data is securely transferred.

Step 4: Choose Your Data Entities for Transfer

This crucial step allows you to select precisely which data entities you want to move from your Thelia CSV files to Ecwid. You can typically migrate a wide range of data, including:

• Products, including SKUs and variants
• Product Categories
• Customer details
• Order history
• Product Reviews
• CMS Pages
• Coupons
• Blog Posts

While Thelia (via CSV) also supports entities like Manufacturers, Invoices, Taxes, and Stores; Ecwid natively supports Gift Cards. Carefully review the options and select what's most relevant for your new Ecwid store.

Step 5: Configure Data Mapping

Data mapping is essential for ensuring that customer groups, order statuses, and other custom fields from your Thelia CSV data are correctly associated with their corresponding fields in Ecwid. The wizard will present options to match these entities, maintaining data consistency and integrity.

Step 6: Select Additional Migration Options

Enhance your migration with a variety of additional options. Highly recommended selections include:

• Preserve Order IDs: Maintain your original order numbering for consistency. Read more about how this option can be used.
• Create 301 Redirects: Automatically set up redirects to preserve your SEO rankings and link equity from your old Thelia URLs to the new Ecwid ones.
• Migrate Images in Product Descriptions: Ensure all visual content embedded in your product descriptions is transferred correctly.
• Clear Current Data on Target Store: This option removes existing data from your Ecwid store before migration, which is often useful for fresh setups.

Step 7: Perform a Demo Migration & Full Migration

Before committing to the full replatforming, initiate a Free Demo Migration. This transfers a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) allowing you to review the transferred data in your Ecwid store and ensure everything looks correct. Once you're satisfied with the demo, proceed with the Full Migration.

For added peace of mind, consider adding a Migration Insurance Plan. This service provides a set number of re-migrations, offering flexibility in case you need further adjustments. Learn more about how Migration Insurance works.

Post-Migration Steps

After your data has successfully been transferred to Ecwid, there are several critical steps to finalize your store and ensure a seamless experience for your customers.

• Verify Data Integrity: Thoroughly check your Ecwid store. Confirm that all products, categories, customer accounts, and order histories, including variants and metadata, have been transferred accurately. Look for any missing images, incorrect pricing, or corrupted information.
• Configure Store Settings: Set up your shipping methods, tax rates, payment gateways, and store policies within Ecwid. Ensure these align with your business operations.
• Update DNS and SEO: Point your domain name to your new Ecwid store. Test your 301 redirects to ensure old Thelia URLs correctly direct to their new Ecwid counterparts, preserving your SEO rankings and link equity. Monitor your traffic and search engine performance closely.
• Test Functionality: Perform test purchases, register new customer accounts, and test all aspects of your new Ecwid store to ensure a smooth user experience. Check that all forms, filters, and checkout processes work as expected.
• Install Essential Apps and Customize Theme: Explore the Ecwid App Market to find extensions that enhance your store's functionality, like marketing tools, accounting integrations, or advanced reporting. Customize your Ecwid store's theme to match your brand identity.
• Remove Old Store Data: Once you are completely confident in your new Ecwid store and all checks are complete, you can decommission or archive your old Thelia store data.

Migrating from Thelia to Ecwid is a strategic move that can unlock new growth opportunities. By following this detailed guide, you can ensure a successful and efficient data transfer, positioning your business for future success on your new platform. Should you encounter any challenges or require expert assistance, don't hesitate to contact our support team for specialized services like Migration Customization.