Alibaba to PrestaShop Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

Alibaba to PrestaShop migration made effortless. Looking to move Alibaba store to PrestaShop? Cart2Cart ensures a swift, secure, and seamless transfer data experience. Switch from Alibaba to PrestaShop with confidence, preserving your SEO rankings and achieving zero downtime. Whether you prefer a detailed step-by-step guide for DIY migration or professional expert help to handle everything for you, we have the perfect solution. Start your Alibaba to PrestaShop migration today and unlock PrestaShop’s full potential.

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What data can be
migrated from Alibaba to PrestaShop

To determine your Alibaba to PrestaShop migration price, click the button below. The migration price depends on the number of data types and the additional migration options selected.

How to Migrate from Alibaba to PrestaShop In 3 Steps?

Connect your Source & Target carts

Choose Alibaba and PrestaShop from the drop-down lists & provide the stores’ URLs in the corresponding fields.

Select the data to migrate & extra options

Choose the data you want to migrate to PrestaShop and extra options to customise your Alibaba to PrestaShop migration.

Launch your Demo/Full migration

Run a free Demo to see how the Cart2Cart service works, and when happy - launch Full migration.

Migrate from Alibaba to PrestaShop: Your Expert Guide for a Seamless E-commerce Transition

Migrate from Alibaba to PrestaShop: Your Expert Guide for a Seamless E-commerce Transition

As your e-commerce venture evolves, you might find that the robust, marketplace-centric environment of Alibaba, while excellent for sourcing and B2B operations, may not fully cater to your aspirations for a dedicated, customizable B2C storefront. Making the strategic switch to a powerful, open-source platform like PrestaShop offers unparalleled control, flexibility, and a richer customer experience.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every critical step of migrating your store data from Alibaba to PrestaShop. Given that Alibaba primarily functions as a B2B marketplace and does not offer direct API integration for store migrations, our process will involve exporting your valuable data into CSV files and then utilizing a specialized migration service to facilitate a smooth transfer to your new PrestaShop store. We'll cover everything from preparation to post-migration fine-tuning, ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime during your replatforming journey.

Prerequisites for a Successful Alibaba to PrestaShop Migration

Before initiating your data transfer, careful preparation is key to a seamless transition. Here’s what you need to have in place:

  • Backup Your Alibaba Data: Although you’ll be exporting data, it’s always wise to create a comprehensive backup of all your critical information from Alibaba. This includes product details (SKUs, descriptions, images, variants), customer information, and order history.
  • Export Data to CSV: Manually export your product, customer, and order data from Alibaba into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. This is the crucial step that transforms your Alibaba data into a format compatible with migration tools. Ensure your CSVs are well-structured and clean. For more information on CSV data migration, refer to our CSV.File Data Migration service.
  • Set Up Your PrestaShop Store: Have a fresh PrestaShop installation ready on your chosen hosting. This includes setting up your domain, hosting, and installing the PrestaShop platform itself. You don't need to add any products or customers yet, as these will be migrated. Consider reviewing how to prepare your target store for migration.
  • FTP/Admin Access for PrestaShop: You will need full administrator access to your PrestaShop backend and FTP/SFTP access to your server's root directory to upload the necessary connection bridge files. Read our guide on access credentials for more details.
  • Understand Data Entities: Familiarize yourself with the types of data you wish to transfer, such as products, categories, manufacturers, customer data, orders, and potentially reviews or CMS pages.
  • Required Plugin for PrestaShop: PrestaShop requires the installation of the "Cart2Cart Universal PrestaShop Migration module" for the connection bridge to function correctly.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps using the migration wizard to transfer your store data from Alibaba (via CSV) to PrestaShop.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Begin your migration journey by navigating to the start page of the migration wizard. Here, you'll choose the option to start a do-it-yourself migration.

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

Since Alibaba does not support direct API connections for migration, you will select 'CSV File to Cart' as your source platform. This is where your pre-exported Alibaba data comes into play. Upload your prepared CSV files containing your product, customer, and order information. You will also need to provide your Source Store URL.

Step 3: Connect Your Target PrestaShop Store

Next, designate PrestaShop as your target platform. Input your PrestaShop store's Admin URL. For PrestaShop, the connection method is 'Bridge only', which requires uploading a connection bridge file. Download the bridge file, extract the 'bridge2cart' folder, and upload it to the root directory of your PrestaShop installation via FTP. This step is crucial for establishing a secure link between the migration service and your new store. Remember that the Cart2Cart Universal PrestaShop Migration module is required.

Step 4: Select Data for Migration

In this phase, you specify exactly which data entities you want to transfer. You can migrate a wide range of information, including Products, Product Categories, Product Manufacturers, Product Reviews, Customers, Orders, Invoices, Taxes, Stores, Coupons, CMS Pages, and Blogs/Blog Posts. You can choose to migrate all entities or selectively pick those most relevant to your business needs.

Step 5: Configure Migration Options & Data Mapping

This critical step allows for fine-tuning your data transfer process:

  • Additional Migration Options: Enhance your migration by selecting various options. These include 'Clear Target' (to remove any existing data on PrestaShop before migration), 'Preserve Product IDs', 'Preserve Orders IDs', 'Preserve Customers IDs' (beneficial for maintaining internal consistency and references), 'SEO URLs', '301 SEO URLs' (highly recommended for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity), 'Migrate Invoices', and 'Password Migration' for your customers. Consider the Clear current data on Target store before migration option and How Preserve IDs options can be used?.

  • Data Mapping Setup: Ensure data consistency by mapping customer groups and order statuses from your source CSV data to their corresponding fields in PrestaShop. This step ensures that customer roles and order lifecycle stages are correctly translated to your new platform.

Step 6: Run Demo Migration & Full Migration

We highly recommend performing a free demo migration first. This allows you to review a limited set of your data on PrestaShop, verifying data integrity and identifying any potential issues before committing to the full transfer. Once satisfied, proceed with the full migration. You can also explore options for a Migration Insurance Service for added peace of mind, offering remigrations within a specified period.

Post-Migration Steps

After your data has successfully moved to PrestaShop, there are crucial post-migration tasks to ensure your new store is fully operational and optimized:

  1. Thoroughly Test Your PrestaShop Store: Navigate through your new store as a customer and an admin. Check product pages, add items to the cart, complete test purchases, verify customer accounts, and ensure all links and functionalities work correctly.
  2. Update DNS Records: Once you are confident that your PrestaShop store is running perfectly, update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new PrestaShop hosting. Remember that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally.
  3. Configure 301 Redirects: If you used the '301 SEO URLs' option during migration, the system will handle many redirects. However, manually review and set up any additional 301 redirects for old Alibaba page URLs that might not have been covered. This is vital for preserving your SEO rankings and guiding users to the correct new pages.
  4. Install Theme and Extensions: Customize your PrestaShop store's appearance by installing your chosen theme. Integrate any necessary modules or extensions (e.g., payment gateways, shipping calculators, marketing tools) that enhance your store's functionality and user experience.
  5. Re-index Product Data: Ensure all products are properly indexed for search within your PrestaShop store.
  6. SEO Optimization: Submit your new PrestaShop sitemap to Google Search Console and other search engines. Monitor your SEO rankings and traffic to quickly address any drops. Remember the PrestaShop limitation: SEO options are excluded for blogs.
  7. Set Up Analytics & Marketing Tools: Integrate Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and any other tracking or marketing tools to monitor performance and run campaigns from day one.
  8. Consider a Recent Data Migration Service: If new orders or customer registrations occurred on your Alibaba store during the migration period, a recent data migration service can transfer this new data to PrestaShop, ensuring nothing is missed.

Migrating from Alibaba to PrestaShop is a strategic move that grants you greater control and flexibility over your online store. While the process involves careful planning, especially due to Alibaba's marketplace structure necessitating CSV exports, following this guide will help you achieve a smooth transition to your new, feature-rich PrestaShop platform. Should you encounter any challenges, our team is always ready to assist; feel free to contact us or consult our Frequently Asked Questions.

Ways to perform migration from Alibaba to PrestaShop

Automated migration

Just set up the migration and choose the entities to move – the service will do the rest.

Try It Free
Automated Migration

Data Migration Service Package

Delegate the job to the highly-skilled migration experts and get the job done.

Choose Package
Service Package
Customers

Benefits for Store Owners

Ecommerce Agencies

Benefits for Ecommerce Agencies

Clear Target Store data before migration

Will delete all data from your PrestaShop store

free

Move images from products, categories, blog posts descriptions

Those included in the descriptions

Set products quantity to 100 on PrestaShop store

To check how the migration works for out of stock products

+$29

Preserve product IDs on Target Store

Your Alibaba product IDs will be the same in PrestaShop

+$39

Migrate categories and products SEO URLs

Keep your Alibaba URL structure on PrestaShop

Preserve customer IDs on Target Store

Your Alibaba customer IDs will be the same in PrestaShop

Smart update entities

The Smart Update function allows updating your store data that have been edited or modified during or after the Full Migration (e.g., Product quantity, Orders status, etc.).

Migrate invoices, credit memos and shipments

Includes carriers

Skip migration of custom attributes

Skip migration of custom attributes.

free

Choose all the extra migration options and get 40% off their total Price

Try it now
Migration Limitations

The design and store functionality transfer is impossible due to Alibaba to PrestaShop limitations. However, you can recreate it with the help of a 3rd-party developer.

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Alibaba to PrestaShop Migration Video Tutorial

Let’s figure out everything about Alibaba to PrestaShop migration through Cart2Cart.

Your data is safely locked with Cart2Cart

We built in many security measures so you can safely migrate from Alibaba to PrestaShop. Check out our Security Policy

Server Security

All migrations are performed on a secure dedicated Hetzner server with restricted physical access.

Application Security

HTTPS protocol and 128-bit SSL encryption are used to protect the data being exchanged.

Network Security

The most up-to-date network architecture schema, firewall and access restrictions protect our system from electronic attacks.

Data Access Control

Employee access to customer migration data is restricted, logged and audited.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical data migration from Alibaba to PrestaShop take?

The migration time from Alibaba to PrestaShop varies based on the volume of data and complexity. A small store might take a few hours, while larger stores could take several days. A free Demo Migration can provide a more accurate estimate for your specific case.

Will my Alibaba store experience downtime during migration to PrestaShop?

No, your Alibaba store will not go offline during the migration to PrestaShop. The process runs on a separate, secure server, allowing your existing store to remain fully operational without interruption. We ensure a seamless transition. Learn more about our process.

What data entities can be migrated from Alibaba to PrestaShop?

We can migrate a wide range of entities, including products, customers, orders, categories, images, and potentially reviews from your Alibaba data to PrestaShop. Specific data availability depends on your Alibaba export capabilities (e.g., via CSV files) and the migration customization options.

Should I use an automated tool or hire an expert for my Alibaba to PrestaShop migration?

An automated tool like ours can handle standard Alibaba to PrestaShop data transfers efficiently and cost-effectively. For highly complex custom data, significant customizations, or if you prefer a fully hands-off approach, hiring an expert for our Premium Data Migration Service is recommended.

Is my data secure during the migration from Alibaba to PrestaShop?

Yes, data security is our top priority. All migrations from Alibaba to PrestaShop are performed on secure, encrypted servers. We adhere to strict data protection protocols, ensuring your sensitive information remains confidential and intact throughout the transfer. Review our Security Policy.

Can customer passwords be migrated from Alibaba to PrestaShop?

Direct migration of encrypted customer passwords from generic sources like Alibaba (often via CSV) to PrestaShop is typically not possible due to security protocols. We offer a password recovery solution where customers can reset their passwords on the new PrestaShop store. Learn more about password migration.

Will my store's design and theme transfer during the Alibaba to PrestaShop migration?

No, your store's design and theme will not directly transfer from Alibaba to PrestaShop. Migration focuses on data entities. You'll need to select or develop a new theme for your PrestaShop store and customize it to match your branding. Consider your theme options.

How can I prevent SEO loss when migrating from Alibaba to PrestaShop?

We protect your SEO by migrating crucial data like URLs, meta descriptions, and titles from your Alibaba store to PrestaShop. Implementing proper 301 redirects is key to maintaining your search engine rankings and organic traffic. Explore our SEO migration strategies.

What factors influence the cost of migrating from Alibaba to PrestaShop?

Migration costs from Alibaba to PrestaShop are primarily determined by the number of entities (products, customers, orders), the complexity of custom fields, and any additional customization services required. A free estimate is available on our website.

How can I verify data accuracy after migrating from Alibaba to PrestaShop?

After your migration from Alibaba to PrestaShop, we recommend conducting a thorough review. A Demo Migration lets you preview a limited dataset, and post-migration checks involve comparing product counts, order details, and customer information.

Why 150.000+ customers all over the globe have chosen Cart2Cart?

100% non-techie friendly

Cart2Cart is recommended by Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, OpenCart, PrestaShop and other top ecommerce platforms.

Keep selling while migrating

The process of data transfer has no effect on the migrated store. At all.

24/7 live support

Get every bit of help right when you need it. Our live chat experts will eagerly guide you through the entire migration process.

Lightning fast migration

Just a few hours - and all your store data is moved to its new home.

Open to the customers’ needs

We’re ready to help import data from database dump, csv. file, a rare shopping cart etc.

Trusted by eCommerce dominators since 2009

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DAMIEN
Online store owner

Great service which allowed us to transfer products, customers and orders database of our customer from Virtuemart to Prestashop 2 times: a first time in order to prepare the new website and a second time in order to update new customers and new orders placed in the meantime. Without Cart2Cart this would have been more complicated… A great customer service also, very available and very competent. Thanks to them
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From VirtueMart
To PrestaShop
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XAVIER DAGUET
Online store owner

Great Service, and great support team. Used for a migration from Magento to PrestaShop, it works like a charm.
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From Magento
To PrestaShop
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NIEVES TORRES
Online store owner

Tiene un servicio online que me ha salvado la vida. Y de momento todo a funcionado perfecto migrando de woocommerce a prestashop. Me han facilitado la vida y me han alegrado el día
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From WooCommerce
To PrestaShop
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PD123456
Online store owner

Cart2Cart helped me with several PrestaShop migrations. They always give good support, ready to listen and help if needed. I migrated several stores with 15000 products, with no problem.

This is the best migration tool I know.
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To PrestaShop
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MARIO CINQUOTTI
Online store owner

This was the only service that worked for X-Cart5 to PrestaShop migration. Other paid service (even a paid “pro” module on PrestaShop store) revealed completely useless. With Cart2Cart I was able to test migration and quickly see any issue on the target shop. I recommend it
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From X-Cart
To PrestaShop
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DADDO
Online store owner

It’s an easy system to clone products on different platforms. I use it as tool to migrate things from magento to PRestashop and it works perfectly. I would recommend it
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From Magento
To PrestaShop
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GIJS VAN WOERDEKOM
Online store owner

Working with pleasure with you, did a big migration from old prestashop to the latest version, all migrated with no issues and delivered in time! Thanks a lot! Saved me also a lot of time.
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From PrestaShop
To PrestaShop
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RAFA
Online store owner

Great bussiness, and extraordinary on line help, great tech chat, really great service, from old shop Zen cart to a superb prestashop 1.6x. Thanks a lot, save time and money… I recommend for sure
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From Zen Cart
To PrestaShop
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JIRI FARNIK
Online store owner

I was in to move from the Magento to Prestashop.The migration was easy to set up and get running, there was a small problem with the move but the team acted quickly and resolved the issue. Excellent service.
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From Magento
To PrestaShop
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GORDON PEEL
Online store owner

Brilliant…I needed to migrate from oscommerce to Prestashop and Cart2cart made it so very easy. I was doubtful at first so I ran the on-line demo which put me at ease as it so worked well that I went to the next stage and migrated the entire shop. Completed in minutes, no need for any support just followed the simple on-screen instructions and that’s all there was to it. Thank you it was worth every penny
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From osCommerce
To PrestaShop