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

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Nexternal to Volusion

Replatforming your e-commerce store is a significant undertaking, but it often paves the way for enhanced functionality, improved user experience, and greater scalability. If you're currently operating on Nexternal and considering a move to Volusion, you're embarking on a journey towards a more robust and feature-rich platform. Volusion offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing products, customers, and orders, empowering merchants with greater control and growth opportunities.

Since Nexternal is not directly supported by automated migration tools in the same way as some other platforms, this guide will detail a streamlined process utilizing CSV file exports from Nexternal and an efficient migration service to import your crucial data into Volusion. We'll cover everything from essential preparations to post-migration verification, ensuring a smooth transition for your online business.

Before you begin your migration, consider leveraging specialized services to simplify the process. Many merchants opt for a Basic Data Migration Service or even an Ultimate Data Migration Service to handle the complexities, allowing you to focus on your business.

Prerequisites for Migration

A successful data transfer requires careful preparation of both your existing Nexternal store and your new Volusion platform. Addressing these prerequisites upfront will minimize potential issues and ensure data integrity.

• Nexternal (Source Store) Preparation:
  Before you can begin, you'll need full administrative access to your Nexternal account. Your primary task here will be to export all your essential data into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. This includes:
  • Product data (SKUs, names, descriptions, pricing, inventory, variants, images).
  • Customer data (names, email addresses, billing/shipping addresses).
  • Order history (order IDs, customer details, product details, order statuses).
  • Product categories, manufacturers, and potentially reviews.
  • Any other critical information you wish to carry over.
  Familiarize yourself with Nexternal's export functionalities to ensure you capture as much relevant information as possible. For guidance on preparing your source data, refer to our How to prepare Source store for migration? FAQ.
• Volusion (Target Store) Preparation:
  You will need a functional Volusion store where your data will be imported. Ensure you have:
  • Full administrative access to your Volusion store.
  • The complete URL of your Volusion store.
  • FTP access to your Volusion store's root directory. This is crucial for installing the necessary migration bridge, which facilitates secure data exchange between the migration tool and your new Volusion platform.
  • The Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module must be installed on your Volusion store. This plugin is required for the bridge connection.
  For detailed steps on setting up your target store, consult our guide on How to prepare Target store for migration?.
• General Considerations:
  • Data Backup: Always perform a complete backup of both your Nexternal and Volusion stores before initiating any migration process. This safeguards your data against unforeseen circumstances.
  • Access Credentials: Keep your Nexternal export files and Volusion admin/FTP credentials readily available. Learn more about secure access in The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart. We also address concerns about security in Is it safe to provide your company with my access details?.
  • Review Target Options: Understand the options available for your Volusion target store, such as preserving IDs, migrating passwords, and creating 301 SEO URLs.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to successfully transfer your e-commerce data from Nexternal (via CSV) to Volusion.

Step 1: Initiate Your Migration

Begin by navigating to the migration wizard. This is where you'll set up the parameters for your data transfer.

Step 2: Connect Your Nexternal Data (Source Store Setup)

Since Nexternal data will be migrated via CSV files, you will select the "CSV File" option as your Source Cart. Upload the CSV files you exported from Nexternal, containing your products, categories, customers, orders, and other relevant entities. This method allows for comprehensive data transfer even when direct API connections are not available for the source platform. For more details on this approach, visit our CSV.File Data Migration service page.

Step 3: Connect Your Volusion Store (Target Store Setup)

Next, choose "Volusion" from the dropdown list as your Target Cart. Provide your Volusion store's URL in the designated field. Crucially, you'll need to install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module (the bridge) on your Volusion store via FTP. This bridge acts as a secure conduit, enabling the migration service to access and import data into your new Volusion platform.

Step 4: Select Data for Transfer

This critical step allows you to specify exactly which data entities you want to move from your Nexternal CSV files to Volusion. You can select "All entities" or individually choose items such as:

• Products (including SKUs, variants, images, descriptions)
• Product Categories
• Product Manufacturers
• Product Reviews
• Customers
• Orders
• Invoices
• Taxes
• Coupons
• CMS Pages

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options

Enhance your migration with a range of optional features. These settings allow for a tailored data transfer:

• Preserve Product IDs, Order IDs, Customer IDs: Maintaining original IDs can simplify post-migration operations and integrations. Learn more about How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• Create 301 SEO URLs: Highly recommended to preserve your search engine rankings and link equity by redirecting old Nexternal URLs to their new Volusion counterparts.
• Migrate Images in Product Descriptions: Ensures that embedded images are transferred correctly.
• Password Migration: Allows customers to log into their new Volusion accounts with their existing Nexternal passwords.
• Clear Target Store Data: If you're migrating to an existing Volusion store with pre-existing data, this option (use with caution) removes it before import. Find out more about the Clear current data on Target store before migration option.

Step 6: Map Your Data

In this step, you'll align the data fields from your Nexternal CSVs to the corresponding fields in Volusion. This ensures that customer groups, order statuses, and other custom attributes are correctly categorized and displayed on your new platform. The intuitive interface will guide you through matching these entities, promoting data consistency and integrity.

Step 7: Run a Free Demo Migration (Highly Recommended)

Before committing to a full data transfer, run a free demo migration. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, and orders) to your Volusion store. Use this opportunity to thoroughly inspect the transferred data, check for errors, and ensure everything appears as expected. This vital step helps identify and resolve potential issues early. For a detailed test, consider the Migration Preview Service.

Step 8: Initiate Full Migration

Once you're satisfied with the demo results, proceed with the full migration. Review the total cost and choose any desired Migration Insurance Service, which offers remigration options in case you need to run the process again. Initiate the full data transfer, and your Nexternal store data will be moved to Volusion.

Post-Migration Steps

Migrating your store isn't just about data transfer; it's also about ensuring your new Volusion store is fully functional and optimized for success. These crucial post-migration steps will help you go live smoothly.

• Thorough Data Verification: Immediately after the migration, meticulously check all transferred data. Verify:
  • Products: Ensure all SKUs, descriptions, images, pricing, and inventory levels are accurate. Check product variants and attributes.
  • Categories: Confirm category structures and product assignments.
  • Customers: Verify customer accounts, addresses, and any migrated passwords.
  • Orders: Cross-reference order history, statuses, and associated customer data.
  • Reviews & CMS Pages: Check content accuracy and formatting.
• Test Store Functionality: Emulate a customer's journey through your new Volusion store:
  • Complete a test purchase (from product selection to checkout).
  • Test customer account registration and login.
  • Verify search functionality and filters.
  • Check all forms (contact, newsletter sign-up).
• Configure SEO & Redirects: If you opted for 301 redirects during migration, verify their functionality. Update your DNS settings to point your domain to your new Volusion store. Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console and other search engines to ensure your new URLs are indexed correctly and to maintain your SEO rankings.
• Install Essential Apps & Plugins: Explore the Volusion App Store for any necessary integrations, such as marketing tools, analytics, or customer service applications that enhance your store's capabilities.
• Set Up Payment Gateways & Shipping Options: Reconfigure your preferred payment methods (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) and shipping carriers in Volusion. Ensure all settings match your business requirements.
• Update Branding & Design: Customize your Volusion theme to reflect your brand identity. Ensure your logo, colors, and overall design aesthetic are consistent.
• Go Live! Once everything is thoroughly tested and configured, announce your new Volusion store to your customers.
• Monitor Performance: Keep a close eye on your store's performance, traffic, and sales data in the weeks following the launch. Address any issues promptly.

Remember, the journey doesn't end with launch. If you need to migrate any new data added to your Nexternal store after the initial transfer, consider our Recent Data Migration Service. For any further adjustments or if you encounter unexpected challenges, our Cart2Cart Remigration Service or Contact Us page can provide assistance. For more in-depth support, explore our specialized migration packages, including the Premium Data Migration Service and Extended Data Migration Service.