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

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from redSHOP to Volusion

Replatforming your e-commerce store is a strategic decision that can significantly boost your online business's capabilities and growth. If you're currently operating on redSHOP and looking to leverage the robust features, scalability, and user-friendliness of Volusion, this detailed guide will walk you through the entire migration process. While redSHOP offers a solid foundation, moving to a platform like Volusion can unlock new opportunities for enhanced performance, improved customer experience, and streamlined operations. This article outlines a clear, step-by-step approach to ensure a smooth and successful data transfer, helping you transition your valuable store data with confidence.

This guide will focus on a systematic process, typically facilitated by an automated migration tool, ensuring that your products, customer data, orders, and other essential information are moved securely and efficiently. Since redSHOP is not typically supported by direct connectors, we will detail the process using CSV file export, which is a highly effective method for data transfer.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer from your redSHOP store to Volusion, a few crucial preparatory steps are required to ensure a seamless transition and safeguard your data integrity.

• For Your redSHOP (Source) Store:

  Since redSHOP does not have a direct API connection method for automated migration tools, the migration will be performed using CSV files. This means you will need to export all your vital store data from redSHOP into CSV format. Ensure you export the following entities:

  • Products (including SKUs, variants, descriptions, images, pricing)
  • Product Categories
  • Customer data (names, addresses, order history)
  • Orders
  • Product Reviews
  • Manufacturers
  • CMS Pages (if applicable)
  • Coupons (if applicable)

  Thoroughly organize and clean your CSV files to avoid any data inconsistencies. For more details on preparing your source store, you can refer to our guide on How to prepare Source store for migration? and explore our CSV.File Data Migration service.

• For Your Volusion (Target) Store:
  • Set Up Your New Volusion Store: Ensure you have a new Volusion store account actively set up and accessible. You will need administrative access to this store.
  • Install the Migration Bridge/Module: Volusion migrations typically require the installation of a connector module or bridge. The Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module required for establishing a secure connection between the migration tool and your new Volusion store. This bridge facilitates the secure transfer of your data.
  • Administrator Access: You will need full administrator login credentials (adminLogin, adminPwd) for your Volusion store, along with your store's URL. This ensures the migration tool can access and populate your new store.
  • Backup Your Data: Although you're starting fresh with Volusion, it's always prudent to perform a complete backup of your existing redSHOP data before any major replatforming effort.

  For additional guidance on target store preparation, consult our How to prepare Target store for migration? FAQ.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once your prerequisite tasks are complete, you can begin the automated migration process. Here's a detailed walkthrough:

Step 1: Get Started with the Migration Wizard

Your journey begins by accessing the migration wizard. This intuitive interface will guide you through each step of the data transfer process.

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

In this crucial step, you'll specify your current e-commerce platform. Since redSHOP isn't directly integrated with standard connectors, you will select the 'CSV File to Cart' option as your source.

• From the dropdown menu, choose 'CSV File to Cart' as your Source Cart type.
• Upload the CSV files containing your redSHOP data (products, customers, orders, etc.) as prompted by the wizard. This method ensures all your exported redSHOP data is correctly ingested by the migration tool.

Step 3: Set Up Your Target Store (Volusion)

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

• Select 'Volusion' from the dropdown list of Target Cart types.
• Enter the full URL of your Volusion store in the designated field.
• You will be prompted to install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module (also known as a migration bridge). This is essential for the migration tool to securely connect with and transfer data to your Volusion store. Follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

This stage allows you to precisely control which data entities you want to move from redSHOP to Volusion. You can migrate a wide range of information to ensure your new store is fully populated.

• Review the list of available data entities, which includes: Products, Product Categories, Products_Manufacturers, Products_Reviews, Customers, Orders, Invoices, Taxes, Stores, Coupons, and CMS_Pages.
• Check the boxes next to all the data types you wish to transfer. You can select individual entities or choose to migrate 'All entities' with a single click. This ensures all your valuable data, including product SKUs, customer records, and historical orders, are included in the replatforming.

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options & Data Mapping

This is where you fine-tune your migration to match your specific business requirements and ensure data consistency.

Additional Migration Options

You'll find a range of checkboxes to customize your data transfer. Consider these highly recommended options:

• Preserve Product IDs, Preserve Orders IDs, Preserve Customers IDs: These options help maintain consistency by retaining your original IDs in Volusion, which can be crucial for inventory management, customer service, and integrations. Learn more about How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• Password Migration: Migrate customer passwords securely, enabling your existing customers to log into their new Volusion accounts with their current credentials.
• SEO URLs & 301 SEO URLs: Crucial for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity. This option helps transfer your existing SEO URLs and create 301 redirects from your old redSHOP URLs to the new Volusion ones, preventing broken links and preserving your hard-earned SEO authority.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensures that all product and category images embedded within descriptions are transferred correctly.
• Clear Target: You may choose to Clear current data on Target store before migration option if your Volusion store contains any placeholder data you want to remove.

Data Mapping Setup

This step is vital for ensuring your data is correctly categorized and displayed in Volusion. You will map customer groups and order statuses from your redSHOP store to their corresponding equivalents in Volusion.

• Customer Groups Mapping: Match your redSHOP customer groups (e.g., 'Registered Customers,' 'Wholesale Buyers') to the appropriate customer groups in Volusion.
• Order Statuses Mapping: Ensure that your redSHOP order statuses (e.g., 'Pending Payment,' 'Processing,' 'Completed') are correctly mapped to Volusion's order statuses. This ensures continuity in order management and reporting.

Step 6: Run a Free Demo Migration

Before committing to the full migration, it's highly recommended to perform a 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 serves as a preview, allowing you to:

• Verify the accuracy of the data transfer.
• Check how products, categories, customer data, and order details appear in your new Volusion environment.
• Identify and resolve any potential mapping or display issues early on.

Step 7: Initiate Full Migration

Once you are satisfied with the demo results and all settings are configured to your liking, you are ready for the full data transfer.

• Review the final summary of your selected entities and estimated cost.
• Consider adding a Migration Insurance Service, which offers additional support and remigrations if needed. Learn more about How Migration Insurance works?.
• Click to start the full migration. The process will run in the background, allowing your current redSHOP store to remain fully operational without any downtime during the data transfer.

Post-Migration Steps: Securing Your Volusion Store's Success

Completing the data migration is a significant milestone, but a few crucial post-migration tasks are essential to ensure your new Volusion store is fully optimized and ready for business.

• Verify Data Integrity: Thoroughly review your Volusion store. Check all migrated entities: products (SKUs, variants, images, descriptions), categories, customer accounts, order histories, reviews, and CMS pages. Ensure everything is accurately transferred and displayed.
• Configure Store Settings: Set up essential store configurations specific to Volusion, including shipping methods, tax settings, payment gateways, and store currency.
• Install Theme and Apps: Select and customize a Volusion theme that aligns with your brand. Install any necessary apps or integrations from the Volusion App Store to enhance functionality, such as marketing tools, analytics, or inventory management solutions.
• Test All Functionality: Conduct extensive testing of your new store. Place test orders, register new customer accounts, test contact forms, search functionality, and ensure all payment and shipping options work correctly. This step is crucial for delivering a flawless user experience.
• Update DNS and Implement Redirects: Once you're confident in your new Volusion store, update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new Volusion site. If you didn't utilize the 301 SEO URLs option during migration, implement 301 redirects from your old redSHOP URLs to the new Volusion URLs. This is vital for preserving your SEO rankings, maintaining link equity, and preventing broken links that can harm user experience and search visibility.
• Go Live and Monitor: Announce your new Volusion store to your customers. Continuously monitor your store's performance, website traffic, and sales in the initial weeks to identify and address any unforeseen issues promptly.

By following these steps, you can confidently transition your e-commerce business from redSHOP to Volusion, setting the stage for growth and enhanced online presence. If you encounter any challenges or require specialized assistance during your migration, do not hesitate to Contact Us for expert support.