Are you ready to move your online store from BigCommerce to Shopify? Whether you're seeking better flexibility, user experience, or app integrations, Shopify is an ideal next step for many growing eCommerce brands in 2026.
But how do you transfer all your store data — products, customers, and orders — without losing anything important?
This step-by-step BigCommerce to Shopify migration guide will show you exactly how to make the move seamlessly using Cart2Cart, including how to preview a demo migration and avoid common mistakes.
Why Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify?
Both BigCommerce and Shopify are top-tier SaaS eCommerce platforms, but store owners often make the switch due to:
- Simpler user interface
- Larger app ecosystem and themes
- Faster setup for non-developers
- Better multichannel sales tools
- More user-friendly checkout customization
Shopify is especially appealing if you're scaling your brand and want more design freedom, plugin variety, and an intuitive backend.
What Data Can Be Migrated from BigCommerce to Shopify?
| Entity | Can Be Migrated |
|---|---|
| ✅ Products (with images, variants, SKUs, categories) | Yes |
| ✅ Customers (names, emails, addresses, order history) | Yes |
| ✅ Orders (IDs, dates, status, shipping info) | Yes |
| ✅ Coupons, reviews, taxes, currencies) | Yes |
| ✅ Blog posts, CMS pages | Optional |
| ✅ SEO URLs and meta data | Yes (with add-ons) |
❗ Note: Customer passwords can’t be transferred for security reasons. Customers will need to reset their passwords on your new Shopify store.
How to Transfer Products, Customers, and Orders from BigCommerce to Shopify
Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store
- Go to Shopify.com and start a free trial
- Add your store name, email, and preferences
- Inside the dashboard, configure:
Don’t worry about themes or custom design yet — migrate your data first.
Step 2: Back Up Your BigCommerce Store
Before transferring anything:
- Export a CSV or full database backup
- Save product images, theme files, and customer lists
- Use BigCommerce's Data Export Tool under Advanced Settings > Data Export
This ensures you have a fallback in case anything needs to be restored manually.
Step 3: Use Cart2Cart for Migration
Cart2Cart is an automated BigCommerce to Shopify migration tool that transfers your store data without manual input or coding.
Key Benefits:
- 100% automated migration
- Free demo migration
- Preserves product variants, images, SEO data
- Supports BigCommerce → Shopify out-of-the-box
- No downtime required
Step 4: Set Up the Cart2Cart Migration
- Go to Cart2Cart’s migration page
- Create a free account
- Choose:
- Source Cart: BigCommerce
- Target Cart: Shopify
- Provide store credentials:
- BigCommerce API credentials
- Shopify API key or store access
- Map data fields (e.g., product types, order statuses)
- Choose extra options:
- Migrate images in descriptions
- Preserve order IDs
- Migrate SEO URLs and metadata
- Create 301 redirects
Step 5: Run a Free Demo Migration
Before migrating everything, test a small sample:
- Transfers limited number of products, orders, and customers
- Lets you preview how the data will look in Shopify
- Helps ensure everything maps correctly
Use this demo to validate data quality before the full migration.
Step 6: Launch Full BigCommerce to Shopify Migration
Once you're satisfied with the demo:
- Start the full migration
- The process runs automatically in the background
- Shopify remains usable during the transfer
- Large stores may take several hours to migrate fully. For detailed planning, consult our Universal eCommerce Migration Checklist.
You’ll receive a confirmation email once the transfer is complete.
Post-Migration Checklist
Review Transferred Data
- Product listings: names, images, prices, inventory
- Customer data: email addresses, order history
- Orders: status, payment, shipping
- Collections and categories
Install a Theme
- Choose a responsive Shopify theme and customize your:
- Homepage
- Navigation
- Product and collection pages
Shopify has both free and premium themes available in its Theme Store.
Set Up Redirects to Preserve SEO
- Redirect your old BigCommerce URLs to their new Shopify counterparts:
- Use Shopify’s URL redirect tool
- Or install a plugin like Easy Redirects or 301 Redirects Manager
- Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console
- Monitor crawl errors and organic traffic
301 redirects are crucial for retaining SEO rankings after migration.
Notify Customers
- Let users know your store has moved
- Encourage them to reset their passwords
- Offer a discount or reward for returning customers
BigCommerce to Shopify Migration Cost Overview
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Shopify Plan | $39–$499/month |
| Cart2Cart Migration | $69–$699+ (based on data volume) |
| Shopify Theme | Free or $180–$350 (one-time) |
| Apps & Plugins | Free–$100/month |
| Optional Developer Help | $200–$1,500+ |
Free demo available with Cart2Cart — no risk or payment required upfront.
Real-Life Example
- Store Type: Mid-sized electronics retailer
- Platform: BigCommerce (several years)
- Reason for Migration: Wanted modern UX, easier admin panel, better integrations
- Tool Used: Cart2Cart
- Migration Scope:
- 5,000+ products
- 2,000+ customer accounts
- 3,000+ completed orders
✅ Completed in under 4 hours
✅ All categories, images, and orders intact
✅ Recovered SEO positions with 301 redirects
FAQ: BigCommerce to Shopify Migration
Q: Will my product images transfer to Shopify?
A: Yes — including images in product descriptions and galleries.
Q: Can I migrate order history and statuses?
A: Absolutely. Cart2Cart transfers full order data and history.
Q: Can I migrate blog content from BigCommerce to Shopify?
A: Yes — optional during migration or using a CMS import tool.
Q: Will my URLs remain the same?
A: No — Shopify uses different URL structure, but Cart2Cart can help create 301 redirects to preserve SEO.
Q: Can I run the store during migration?
A: Yes — BigCommerce remains live during the process. No downtime required.
Ready to Make the Move?
Want to migrate your BigCommerce store to Shopify quickly and safely?
Use Cart2Cart to automate the process and avoid manual errors, broken data, or lost SEO rankings.
Start Free Demo Migration Now
No credit card. No risk. Full control.
Monthly Update – March 2026
As we step into March 2026, eCommerce businesses are increasingly focusing on advanced personalization and AI-driven customer engagement. The trend towards hyper-personalized shopping experiences means leveraging AI to analyze customer behavior, predict preferences, and offer tailored product recommendations and content. This goes beyond simple "customers also bought" suggestions, extending to dynamic pricing, personalized promotions, and even custom landing page layouts for individual user segments. Furthermore, the integration of generative AI into product descriptions and customer service chatbots is becoming more sophisticated, allowing for instant, contextually relevant interactions that enhance the buying journey.
Another key trend for this month is the emphasis on sustainable and transparent supply chains. Consumers are more conscious than ever about the environmental and ethical impact of their purchases. Businesses that clearly communicate their efforts in sustainability, from sourcing to delivery, are building stronger brand loyalty. Consider auditing your supply chain for greener alternatives and making these efforts visible to your customers through clear messaging on product pages and in marketing materials. Embracing these trends can significantly boost conversion rates and foster long-term customer relationships in a competitive digital landscape.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
