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

Introduction: Navigating Your E-commerce Platform Transition

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategy and tools, transitioning your online store can be a smooth and beneficial process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of moving your SureCart store to Volusion, ensuring a seamless data transfer and minimal disruption to your business operations. While SureCart itself doesn't offer direct API connections for automated migration tools, we will leverage the robust capabilities of CSV file migration to ensure all your critical data — from products and customers to orders and reviews — is accurately moved to your new Volusion platform.

Replatforming to Volusion offers a powerful new environment for growth, providing enhanced features and scalability. Follow these steps to ensure a successful switch and unlock the full potential of your new e-commerce home.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, careful preparation of both your SureCart (source) and Volusion (target) stores is crucial. This foundational work will significantly contribute to a smooth and efficient migration process.

• For Your SureCart Store (Source):
  1. Data Export: Since SureCart does not typically support direct API integration with third-party migration tools, you will need to export your store data into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. This includes essential entities such as products (with SKUs and variants), product categories, customer data, order history, product reviews, and any CMS pages. Ensure your data is well-organized and correctly formatted for CSV export.
  2. Data Review and Cleanup: Take this opportunity to audit your SureCart data. Remove any outdated products, inactive customer accounts, or irrelevant information. Clean data ensures a more efficient migration and a healthier new store.
  3. Backup Your Data: Always create a complete backup of your SureCart store's data before starting any migration process. This provides a safety net in case any issues arise during the export or transfer.

  For more details on preparing your source store, read our guide on How to prepare Source store for migration?

• For Your Volusion Store (Target):
  1. Set Up Your Volusion Store: Ensure your new Volusion store is fully set up and accessible. You'll need its URL and administrative access credentials, including `adminLogin`, `adminPwd`, and `adminUrl`.
  2. Install Cart2Cart Volusion Migration Module: Volusion requires a specific migration module to facilitate the data transfer. This module, often referred to as a "bridge," needs to be installed on your Volusion store. This typically involves uploading files via FTP to your store's root directory to establish a secure connection. FTP access is therefore essential.
  3. Review Target Store Settings: Consider if you want to clear any existing demo data on your Volusion store before migration. The migration tool often offers an option to "Clear Target" data, which can be useful for starting fresh.

  For further assistance with your target store preparation, consult our How to prepare Target store for migration? guide.

• General Prerequisites:
  1. Access Credentials: Have all necessary login details for both your SureCart (for data export) and Volusion (for administrative and FTP access) platforms readily available. Learn more in The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.
  2. Consider Downtime: While migration tools aim to minimize downtime, plan for a brief period when your stores might be less accessible, especially during the final data transfer.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to initiate the migration process. We'll use a specialized migration tool to facilitate the move from your SureCart CSV files to Volusion.

Step 1: Initiate Your Migration Journey

Begin by accessing the migration tool's interface. This is where you'll start the process by either logging in or creating a new account.

Step 2: Configure Your Source Store (SureCart via CSV)

This is where you'll tell the migration tool about your current store and upload your SureCart data.

1. Select Source Cart: From the list of available platforms, choose "CSV File to Cart" as your source shopping cart. This indicates that your data will be provided via CSV files.
2. Upload CSV Files: You will then be prompted to upload the CSV files you exported from your SureCart store. Ensure all relevant data files (products, customers, orders, etc.) are included.

Step 3: Set Up Your Target Store (Volusion)

Next, you'll configure your new Volusion store as the destination for your data.

1. Select Target Cart: From the dropdown menu, select "Volusion" as your target shopping cart.
2. Provide Store URL: Enter the full URL of your Volusion store.
3. Install Bridge Connector: The migration tool will guide you to download a "bridge" file. You'll need to upload this file to the root directory of your Volusion store via FTP. This bridge is essential for securely connecting the migration tool to your Volusion database. The tool will then verify the connection.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

Now, you'll specify exactly which types of data you want to transfer from your SureCart CSV files to Volusion.

1. Choose Entities: The tool will present a checklist of available data entities. Select all the data types you wish to migrate. For SureCart to Volusion via CSV, the commonly supported entities include:
   • Products: Including SKUs, product descriptions, images, and variants.
   • Product Categories: Maintaining your store's organizational structure.
   • Product Manufacturers
   • Product Reviews: Preserving social proof and customer feedback.
   • Customers: Including customer groups and billing/shipping addresses.
   • Orders: With their complete history and order statuses.
   • Invoices
   • Taxes
   • Coupons
   • CMS Pages: Ensuring your static content, like "About Us" or "Contact Us" pages, is transferred.
   You can select all entities or pick and choose based on your specific needs.

Step 5: Configure Additional Options and Data Mapping

This critical step allows you to fine-tune your migration and ensure data integrity and SEO preservation.

1. Additional Migration Options: Review and select any additional options that are relevant to your migration:
   • Migrate Images in Description: Essential for products and CMS pages.
   • Clear Target: To erase any existing data on your Volusion store before the transfer. See What does the option "Clear current data on Target store before migration" mean?
   • Preserve Product IDs, Orders IDs, Customers IDs: Maintain original IDs for consistency, especially important for external integrations. Learn more in How Preserve IDs options can be used?
   • SEO URLs & Create 301 SEO URLs: Crucial for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity by creating redirects from old URLs to new ones.
   • Password Migration: Allows customers to log in with their existing credentials on the new Volusion store.

2. Data Mapping: The tool will prompt you to map specific fields, such as customer groups and order statuses, from your SureCart data to their corresponding fields in Volusion. This ensures consistency and proper categorization in your new store.

Step 6: Run a Demo Migration (Recommended)

Before committing to a full data transfer, perform a free demo migration. This will transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Volusion store. Use this opportunity to:

• Verify Data: Check if products, categories, customer information, and orders have transferred correctly.
• Test Functionality: Ensure basic store functions work as expected with the migrated data.

Step 7: Execute Full Data Transfer

Once you are satisfied with the demo migration, you can proceed with the full data transfer. Review the summary of the migration, including the total number of entities and the cost, and then initiate the complete process.

Consider adding Migration Insurance Service, which allows for re-migrations within a specific period, providing peace of mind. Find out more about How Migration Insurance works?

Post-Migration Steps: Ensuring a Flawless Volusion Store

Completing the data transfer is a significant milestone, but the process isn't over. Thorough post-migration checks are essential to guarantee your new Volusion store is fully functional and optimized.

• Thorough Data Verification:
  1. Products: Check product pages, images, descriptions, pricing, inventory levels, and variants.
  2. Customers: Verify customer accounts, login functionality, and historical order data.
  3. Orders: Confirm that all past orders, including their statuses and details, are present and accurate.
  4. Categories & Navigation: Ensure your category structure and site navigation work correctly.
  5. Reviews: Verify that all product reviews have been transferred and are displayed properly.
• Test Store Functionality:
  1. Checkout Process: Perform test purchases to ensure the entire checkout flow, from adding to cart to payment processing, is seamless.
  2. Search & Filters: Test your store's search functionality and product filters.
  3. Forms: Check contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, and other interactive elements.
• SEO and Redirects:
  1. 301 Redirects: Verify that all 301 redirects from your old SureCart URLs to your new Volusion URLs are working correctly to preserve your SEO rankings and prevent broken links.
  2. Metadata: Check that product and page meta titles and descriptions have been transferred accurately.
• Configure Themes and Apps:
  1. Theme Customization: Customize your Volusion theme to match your brand's aesthetics and user experience expectations.
  2. Integrate Apps: Install and configure any necessary third-party applications, payment gateways, shipping providers, and marketing tools for your Volusion store.
• Update DNS Settings: Once you are completely satisfied with your new Volusion store, update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new platform. This is the final step in making your Volusion store live to the world.
• Communicate with Customers: Inform your customers about the migration. Provide any necessary instructions, especially if they need to reset passwords or if there are minor changes to their account access.

If you encounter any challenges or require additional support during your migration, do not hesitate to Contact Us for expert assistance.