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

Seamlessly Migrate Your Online Store from Rakuten to Volusion

Are you considering a platform switch for your e-commerce business? Moving your online store can be a significant undertaking, but with the right guidance, it can lead to enhanced features, better scalability, and an improved user experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of migrating your store data from Rakuten to Volusion, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. While Rakuten doesn't offer a direct API connection for automated migration tools, we'll leverage the power of CSV file export and import to facilitate a robust data transfer.

Volusion, known for its all-in-one e-commerce solution, provides powerful tools for managing products, customers, and orders, making it an excellent choice for merchants looking for a robust and scalable platform. By following these steps, you can confidently replatform your store, preserving your valuable data and maintaining your SEO rankings.

Before diving into the migration process, it's crucial to understand the preparatory steps needed for both your existing Rakuten store and your new Volusion platform.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Careful preparation is key to a smooth data transfer. Here's what you need to do before initiating the migration from Rakuten to Volusion:

• For Your Rakuten Store (Source):
  1. Export Data to CSV Files: Since direct API access isn't typically available for Rakuten via common migration tools, you'll need to export your store data into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. This includes critical entities like products, product categories, customer records, orders, and potentially product reviews. Ensure your exports are as comprehensive as possible. For more information, you might find our CSV.File Data Migration service helpful.
  2. Backup Your Store: Always create a complete backup of your current Rakuten store's data and files. This acts as a safety net in case any unforeseen issues arise during the data transfer.
  3. Review Data Integrity: Clean up any outdated or redundant data in your Rakuten store before export. This will ensure you're only migrating clean, relevant information to Volusion.
• For Your Volusion Store (Target):
  1. Set Up Your Volusion Store: Ensure your new Volusion store is already set up and accessible. This means having a basic installation complete and admin access.
  2. Install Cart2Cart Volusion Migration Module: To enable seamless data transfer to Volusion, you will need to install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module. This plugin facilitates the connection between the migration tool and your Volusion database.
  3. FTP/SFTP Access: You'll need FTP or SFTP access to your Volusion store's root directory to upload the necessary connection bridge files for the migration tool. If you're unsure about this, refer to What is a root folder and where can I find it?
  4. Volusion Admin Credentials: Have your Volusion store's administrator login URL, username, and password readily available. These are required for the migration tool to connect. For security concerns, you can read Is it safe to provide your company with my access details?
  5. Choose a Theme: Select and ideally install your desired Volusion theme before migration. This helps visualize how your product data will appear.
  6. Prepare Target Store: For additional guidance on preparing your target store, see our FAQ: How to prepare Target store for migration?

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to begin the data transfer process using a migration wizard. Follow these steps carefully to move your store's data.

Step 1: Initiate the Migration Process

Start by accessing the migration wizard. You'll be presented with options to begin your do-it-yourself migration. Select the option to start a new migration.

Step 2: Connect Your Rakuten Store (via CSV Files)

Since Rakuten is not directly supported by an automated connector, you will use the CSV file import method. Select "CSV File to Cart" as your Source Cart. You will then upload the CSV files you exported from Rakuten containing your products, customers, orders, and other data. This method allows the migration tool to interpret your Rakuten data.

The `CsvToCart` method supports migrating a wide range of entities including Products, Product Categories, Product Manufacturers, Product Reviews, Customers, Orders, Invoices, Taxes, Stores, Coupons, CMS Pages, Blogs, and Blog Posts. Ensure your CSV files contain all the data you wish to move.

Step 3: Connect Your Volusion Store

Next, select "Volusion" as your Target Cart. Provide your Volusion store's URL, along with your admin login and password. The system will guide you through installing the necessary connection bridge files, often via FTP/SFTP, which communicates with the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module you've already installed on your target store. This bridge establishes a secure connection for the data transfer.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

In this crucial step, you choose which specific data types (entities) you wish to migrate from your Rakuten CSV files to your new Volusion store. Common choices include products, customer records, orders, product categories, and reviews. You can select all entities or pick them individually based on your business needs.

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options

This stage offers several powerful optional features to customize your migration. Consider selecting options such as:

• Migrate Images in Description: Essential for preserving product descriptions and CMS page content.
• Clear Target Store Data: If your Volusion store contains any demo or test data, select this to ensure a clean slate before migration. Learn more about Clear current data on Target store before migration option.
• Preserve Product/Order/Customer IDs: Highly recommended for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that existing links or integrations remain valid. Find out How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• SEO URLs & Create 301 SEO URLs: Critical for preserving your existing search engine rankings and link equity. This option automatically creates 301 redirects for your old Rakuten URLs to the new Volusion structure.
• Password Migration: Allows customers to log into their new Volusion accounts with their existing Rakuten passwords.

Step 6: Map Data Fields

The mapping setup ensures that corresponding data fields from your Rakuten CSV files are correctly associated with the appropriate fields in Volusion. This typically involves matching customer groups (e.g., "Wholesale" to "Customer Group 1") and order statuses (e.g., "Pending" to "New"). Accurate data mapping is crucial for maintaining consistent customer data and order processing.

Step 7: Perform a Free Demo Migration (Recommended)

Before committing to a full migration, conduct a free demo. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, orders) to your Volusion store. The demo helps you verify the migration quality, check data accuracy, and identify any potential issues without impacting your live store or incurring full costs. It's an invaluable step for ensuring data integrity.

Step 8: Launch Full Migration

Once you are satisfied with the demo results, you can proceed with the full migration. Review all your selected options and the total cost. Consider adding a Migration Insurance Service, which allows for multiple re-migrations within a specified period, offering peace of mind. For details, see How Migration Insurance works?.

Initiate the full data transfer. The process duration will depend on the volume of your data. The migration tool typically operates in the cloud, allowing you to close your browser and resume other tasks.

Post-Migration Steps

After your data has been successfully transferred to Volusion, a few critical post-migration steps are necessary to ensure your new store is fully operational and optimized:

• Review Data Accuracy and Integrity: Thoroughly check your Volusion store to confirm that all products, categories, customers, orders, reviews, and other data entities have been migrated correctly. Pay close attention to product details, images, prices, and customer account information.
• Configure Essential Store Settings: Set up your shipping methods, payment gateways, tax rules, and other crucial store settings within Volusion.
• Verify SEO and Redirects: If you used the 301 redirect option, test key URLs from your old Rakuten store to ensure they correctly redirect to their new Volusion counterparts, preserving your SEO rankings and link equity. Update your sitemap in Google Search Console.
• Test All Functionality: Perform comprehensive tests of your new Volusion store's functionality. This includes testing the checkout process, placing test orders, creating customer accounts, using search filters, and confirming that all links and pages are working as expected.
• Update DNS Settings: Once you are confident that your Volusion store is fully functional and ready, update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new Volusion store. This will direct your visitors to the new platform.
• Notify Customers: Inform your customers about the move to the new platform and encourage them to explore your updated store.
• Consider Post-Migration Services: If you have new data generated on your Rakuten store during or shortly after migration, consider using a Recent Data Migration Service. For any needed adjustments or re-runs, the Cart2Cart Remigration Service is available.

Migrating from Rakuten to Volusion is a significant undertaking that offers numerous benefits for your e-commerce business. By meticulously following these steps and leveraging the capabilities of a robust migration tool, you can achieve a seamless transition with minimal downtime and maximum data integrity. Welcome to your new Volusion store!