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

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Goodsie to Volusion

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can feel like a monumental task, but with the right guidance, it transforms into a strategic opportunity. If you're looking to move your online store from Goodsie to Volusion, you're transitioning to a robust platform known for its extensive features and scalability. This guide will walk you through every critical step of moving your products, customer data, orders, and other essential store elements, ensuring a smooth and successful replatforming experience.

Given that Goodsie is not directly supported by automated migration tools, we will leverage the CSV.File Data Migration method, exporting your data from Goodsie into structured CSV files and then importing it into your new Volusion store. This approach ensures data integrity and a tailored transition.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, careful preparation of both your existing Goodsie store and your new Volusion environment is essential. This groundwork minimizes potential disruptions and ensures a more efficient migration.

Preparing Your Goodsie (Source) Store

• Data Export: Goodsie does not offer direct API access for migration tools. You will need to manually or programmatically export all your critical store data into CSV files. This includes:
  • Products: Product names, descriptions, SKUs, pricing, images, inventory levels, and any variants.
  • Categories: The hierarchical structure of your product categories.
  • Customer Records: Names, email addresses, shipping, and billing information.
  • Orders: Order history, statuses, and associated customer details.
  • Reviews: Customer product reviews and ratings.
  • CMS Pages: Static content pages, policies, and blog posts (if applicable).
• Data Cleanliness: Review your exported CSV files for any inconsistencies, duplicates, or outdated information. Clean data will lead to a cleaner new store.
• Backup Your Store: Always create a complete backup of your Goodsie store data before undertaking any major changes.
• For more detailed advice on preparing your source store, read our guide on how to prepare your source store.

Preparing Your Volusion (Target) Store

• Set Up Your Volusion Store: Ensure your new Volusion store is fully set up and accessible. This includes choosing your store design, configuring basic settings, and familiarizing yourself with the Volusion admin panel.
• FTP/SFTP Access: Volusion requires the installation of a migration module (bridge) to facilitate the data transfer. You'll need full FTP or SFTP access to your Volusion store's root folder for this purpose.
• Install Cart2Cart Volusion Migration Module: This specific plugin is required for seamless connection and data transfer to your Volusion target store.
• Review Access Credentials: Have your Volusion admin login details and FTP/SFTP credentials readily available. Learn more about securing your access details in The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.
• Consult our guide on preparing your target store for additional tips.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to use a specialized migration service to transfer your data. The following steps outline the process using a typical migration wizard:

Step 1: Configure Your Source Store (Goodsie via CSV)

Begin by selecting your source platform within the migration wizard.

1. From the dropdown menu, choose "CSV File to Cart" as your Source Cart.
2. Upload the CSV files containing your Goodsie store data (products, customers, orders, etc.) to the migration wizard. Ensure all necessary files are included and correctly formatted.

Step 2: Set Up Your Target Store (Volusion)

Next, you'll specify Volusion as your new e-commerce home.

1. Select "Volusion" from the Target Cart dropdown list.
2. Provide your Volusion store's full URL.
3. You will then be prompted to install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module (bridge) by uploading it to your Volusion store's root directory via FTP/SFTP. This module enables the migration tool to connect securely with your Volusion database.

Step 3: Select Data Entities for Migration

This critical step allows you to choose exactly which types of data you wish to transfer from Goodsie to Volusion.

• Review the list of available entities, which typically includes: Products, Product Categories, Product Manufacturers, Product Reviews, Customers, Orders, Invoices, Taxes, Stores, Coupons, and CMS Pages.
• You can choose to migrate all entities or select specific ones based on your needs.

Step 4: Configure Additional Migration Options

Enhance your migration with a range of advanced settings:

• Migrate Images in Description: Ensure product and category images embedded within descriptions are transferred.
• Clear Target Store Data: Opt to clear any existing data in your Volusion store before migration, ideal for a fresh start.
• Preserve IDs: Crucially, select options like Preserve Product IDs, Preserve Orders IDs, and Preserve Customers IDs to maintain data integrity and consistency for internal systems.
• SEO URLs & 301 SEO URLs: Implement these to create SEO-friendly URLs and set up 301 redirects automatically, preserving your valuable SEO rankings and link equity.
• Password Migration: Enable this to transfer customer passwords, providing a seamless login experience for your existing customer base.
• Create Variants from Attributes: For products with multiple options (e.g., size, color), this ensures all SKUs and product variants are correctly established in Volusion.
• Migrate Invoices: Transfer your billing documentation for accurate record-keeping.

Step 5: Perform Data Mapping

This step ensures that specific data fields from your Goodsie CSV files are correctly matched to their corresponding fields in Volusion.

• Map customer groups, order statuses, and other custom fields from your source data to the appropriate Volusion structures. This ensures that all customer data and order history retain their logical associations and attributes.

Step 6: Run a Free Demo Migration

Before committing to a full transfer, we highly recommend executing a demo migration. This allows you to:

• Transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, orders).
• Review the transferred data in your Volusion store to identify any potential issues or formatting discrepancies.
• Make necessary adjustments to your CSV files or migration settings based on the demo results.

Step 7: Initiate the Full Migration

Once you are satisfied with the demo results, proceed with the full data transfer. This will move all selected entities from your Goodsie CSV files to your Volusion store. Consider adding a Migration Insurance Service, which offers additional remigrations and support, as detailed in How Migration Insurance works?.

Post-Migration Steps

The migration doesn't end when the data transfer is complete. A few crucial steps ensure your new Volusion store is fully operational and optimized.

• Thorough Data Review: Scrutinize all migrated data in your Volusion store. Check product details, pricing, inventory, customer accounts, order history, and CMS pages. Ensure all images are displaying correctly and links are functional.
• Configure Store Settings: Set up your shipping methods, payment gateways, tax rules, and any other essential store policies within Volusion.
• Implement 301 Redirects: If you didn't enable automated 301 redirects during migration, it is critical to manually set them up. This ensures that old Goodsie URLs properly direct to their new Volusion counterparts, maintaining your SEO rankings and providing a smooth user experience.
• Update DNS Records: Point your domain name to your new Volusion store. Plan this step carefully to minimize any downtime for your customers.
• Comprehensive Testing: Perform extensive testing of all store functionalities. Place test orders, verify customer login processes, test search functionality, and ensure navigation is intuitive.
• Decommission Goodsie Store: Once you are confident that your Volusion store is fully operational and stable, you can safely remove your old Goodsie store.
• Monitor SEO Performance: Keep a close eye on your search engine rankings and traffic using analytics tools to ensure a smooth transition of your online visibility.
• Should you require further assistance or a more hands-on approach, consider our specialized services like the Ultimate Data Migration Service. For any questions, do not hesitate to Contact Us or visit our Frequently Asked Questions.