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

Migrating from Nexternal to BigCommerce: Your Ultimate How-To Guide

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can feel like a monumental task, but with the right guidance, transitioning from Nexternal to BigCommerce can be a smooth and rewarding process. BigCommerce offers robust scalability, extensive customization options, and powerful marketing tools, making it an excellent choice for merchants looking to elevate their online presence and expand their business.

Since Nexternal does not offer a direct API connection for automated data transfer, this guide will walk you through a proven method: migrating your store data via CSV files to your new BigCommerce platform. This approach ensures that all your critical information, including products, customer data, and order history, is accurately moved. We’ll cover everything from the initial preparation to the final post-migration checks, ensuring a seamless replatforming experience.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating your data transfer, adequate preparation is key to a smooth transition. Taking these steps will help minimize downtime and ensure data integrity.

For Your Nexternal (Source) Store: Exporting Data via CSV

• Data Export: Since Nexternal requires a file-based migration, your primary task will be to export all essential data from your Nexternal store into CSV files. This includes product information (SKUs, variants, descriptions, images), customer records, and order histories. Ensure your exports are comprehensive and well-organized. For detailed guidance on preparing your source store, read our How to prepare Source store for migration? FAQ.
• Data Cleaning: Review your exported CSV files for any outdated, duplicate, or incorrect information. Cleaning your data now will save significant effort later.
• Image Export: Ensure all product images are exported and readily accessible, as they will need to be re-uploaded or linked to your new BigCommerce store.

For Your BigCommerce (Target) Store: Setup and API Access

• New BigCommerce Store: Set up a new BigCommerce store (trial or paid account). Familiarize yourself with its administrative panel.
• API Credentials: BigCommerce requires API access for data import. You will need to generate a Client ID, Access Token, and API Path within your BigCommerce admin panel. This typically involves creating a custom app with the necessary scopes to grant migration tools permission to read and write data. HTTPS is required for API connections. You can find more information on BigCommerce’s App Marketplace (https://login.bigcommerce.com/deep-links/marketplace/apps/20947) or refer to our guide on The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.
• Store Preparation: For optimal results, ensure your BigCommerce store is ready to receive data. This might include setting up basic categories or attributes if you plan to refine them manually. Learn more about preparing your target store with our How to prepare Target store for migration? FAQ.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to begin the migration wizard. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful data transfer.

Step 1: Initiate Your Migration

Begin by navigating to the migration service platform. Here, you'll select the option to start a new migration.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (Nexternal via CSV)

Since Nexternal data will be imported via files, select "CSV File to Cart" as your Source Cart. You will then upload your prepared CSV files containing your Nexternal store’s data. This method allows you to transfer products, product categories, manufacturers, reviews, customers, orders, and more.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Store (BigCommerce)

Now, select "BigCommerce" as your Target Cart. Enter your BigCommerce store’s URL. You will then be prompted to provide the BigCommerce API credentials: the Client ID (Username), Access Token (API Token), and the API Path. As noted earlier, these are obtained by creating a custom app in your BigCommerce admin panel to ensure secure and authorized data transfer.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

This critical step allows you to choose exactly which entities you wish to migrate from your Nexternal CSV files to BigCommerce. You can select all available entities or handpick specific ones such as:

• Products (including categories, manufacturers, attributes, and options)
• Customers
• Orders
• Coupons
• Blog Posts
• CMS Pages

Step 5: Configure Additional Options and Data Mapping

This stage allows for crucial customization and ensures your data is perfectly aligned with BigCommerce’s structure.

Additional Migration Options

You’ll find a variety of optional features to tailor your migration:

• Clear Target: Opt to clear your BigCommerce store’s existing data before migration.
• Preserve IDs: Select options like "Preserve Orders IDs," "Preserve Product IDs," "Preserve Category IDs," and "Preserve Customers IDs" to maintain original identifiers. This is crucial for historical data and external integrations. Read more on How Preserve IDs options can be used?
• SEO URLs & 301 Redirects: Choose to "Create 301 SEO URLs" and "SEO URLs" to safeguard your existing search engine rankings and ensure seamless redirection for old links, preserving your link equity.
• Create Variants from Attributes: If your Nexternal products use attributes (like size, color) to define variations, this option will automatically create product variants in BigCommerce.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensure product images embedded within descriptions are also transferred.
• Password Migration: Transfer customer passwords for a smoother user experience post-migration.

Keep in mind BigCommerce’s API rate limits and custom app development requirements during this process.

Data Mapping

The data mapping interface is where you align fields between your Nexternal CSV data and BigCommerce. You’ll typically map:

• Customer Groups: Match Nexternal customer segments (e.g., "Wholesale" to BigCommerce customer groups).
• Order Statuses: Ensure order states (e.g., "Pending", "Shipped") correctly translate to BigCommerce’s equivalents.
• Product Attributes: Map custom product attributes to BigCommerce’s system.

Accurate mapping is vital for maintaining data integrity and functionality on your new store.

Step 6: Run a Free Demo Migration

Before committing to a full migration, we highly recommend running a free demo migration. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10-20 products, customers, and orders) to your BigCommerce store. Use this opportunity to thoroughly inspect the transferred data for accuracy, formatting, and completeness.

Step 7: Start the Full Data Transfer

Once you’re satisfied with the demo results, proceed with the full migration. Review your selected entities and chosen options one last time. You might also consider opting for a Migration Insurance Service, which provides additional remigrations if needed, ensuring peace of mind during this critical transition. A comprehensive list of all data entities with their exact counts and the total migration cost will be displayed for final review.

Post-Migration Steps

Completing the data transfer is a significant milestone, but the process doesn’t end there. These post-migration steps are crucial for launching your BigCommerce store successfully and maintaining your online presence.

• Verify Data Integrity: Conduct a comprehensive review of your BigCommerce store. Check product listings, SKUs, variants, customer accounts, order histories, and CMS pages. Ensure all images, descriptions, and metadata are correct.
• Configure SEO: If you opted to create 301 redirects during migration, verify they are working correctly. Update your XML sitemaps, verify your new site with Google Search Console, and monitor your SEO rankings. This helps preserve your link equity and existing visibility.
• Design & Theme Customization: Customize your BigCommerce theme to align with your brand identity. Ensure your store is responsive and provides an optimal user experience across all devices.
• Payment & Shipping Configuration: Set up your preferred payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal) and shipping methods within BigCommerce.
• Third-Party Integrations: Reconnect any essential third-party apps, analytics tools (like Google Analytics), marketing automation platforms, and customer service solutions that you used with Nexternal.
• Thorough Testing: Perform extensive testing of all core functionalities: product search, adding to cart, checkout process, customer account creation, form submissions, and email notifications.
• Update DNS Records: Once you are completely satisfied, update your domain’s DNS records to point to your new BigCommerce store.
• Monitor & Optimize: After going live, continuously monitor your store’s performance, sales, and user feedback. Utilize BigCommerce’s analytics to identify areas for optimization.

For any new orders or data updates that occur on your Nexternal store after the initial migration, consider utilizing a Recent Data Migration Service to seamlessly transfer this fresh data to your BigCommerce store.

By following this detailed guide, you can confidently transition your e-commerce business from Nexternal to BigCommerce, unlocking new opportunities for growth and success.