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

Seamlessly Transitioning from MakeShop to Volusion: Your Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can feel like a daunting task, but with the right guidance, it's an opportunity to revitalize your online store. If you're currently running your business on MakeShop and are considering a move to Volusion, you're looking at a transition that can unlock new features, enhance scalability, and improve your overall user experience. This detailed guide will walk you through every critical step, ensuring a smooth and successful data transfer, preserving your valuable customer data, product information, and SEO rankings.

Moving your store, often referred to as replatforming, involves transferring all essential entities—from product SKUs and categories to customer records and order history—from your current platform to the new one. Given that MakeShop typically requires data export via CSV files, and Volusion utilizes a specific connection method, this guide will outline how to bridge these two platforms effectively. Our aim is to help you navigate this transition with confidence, minimizing downtime and ensuring data integrity.

Prerequisites for a Successful MakeShop to Volusion Migration

Before you begin the actual data transfer, it's crucial to lay the groundwork. Proper preparation on both your source (MakeShop) and target (Volusion) stores will significantly streamline the entire process and prevent potential hurdles. This foundational stage is vital for a smooth transition and maintaining your online business continuity.

• MakeShop (Source Store) Data Export: Since MakeShop does not offer a direct API connection for common migration tools, your data will be extracted via CSV files. You will need to export all relevant data, including products, product categories, manufacturers, reviews, customer information, orders, invoices, taxes, stores, coupons, CMS pages, and blog posts into well-organized CSV files. Ensure your data is clean and consistently formatted to avoid issues during import. For more insights on preparing your source store, read our guide on How to prepare Source store for migration?.
• Volusion (Target Store) Setup: Your Volusion store needs to be ready to receive the incoming data. This includes setting up your basic store, choosing a theme, and installing any necessary applications. Crucially, Volusion migrations require the installation of the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module. This module, along with a bridge file, facilitates the connection. You'll need FTP access to your Volusion store's root directory to upload this bridge file. If you're unsure about this step, refer to What is a root folder and where can I find it?. More general preparation tips are available in How to prepare Target store for migration?.
• Secure Access Credentials: Have your Volusion admin login details (adminLogin, adminPwd, adminUrl, url) and FTP access credentials ready for bridge file upload. For the CSV migration from MakeShop, ensure your exported files are accessible. For details on access, see The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.
• Data Backup: Always perform a complete backup of your MakeShop store before initiating any migration. This safeguards your data against unforeseen issues during the transfer process.
• Review Supported Entities: Be aware of what can be migrated. Volusion supports products, categories, manufacturers, reviews, customers, orders, invoices, taxes, stores, coupons, and CMS pages. MakeShop via CSV also supports these, plus blogs.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to dive into the migration wizard. Follow these steps to smoothly transfer your data from MakeShop (via CSV) to Volusion.

Step 1: Initiate Your Migration

Begin by accessing the migration wizard on your chosen migration tool. This initial screen will guide you to start your migration journey, whether you choose a DIY approach or opt for expert assistance.

Step 2: Configure Your Source Store (MakeShop via CSV)

In this step, you will specify MakeShop as your source platform by selecting the 'CSV File to Cart' option. This indicates that your data will be read from the CSV files you've exported from MakeShop.

• Select 'CSV File to Cart' from the dropdown menu as your Source Cart.
• Upload the CSV files containing your MakeShop data. The migration tool will then parse these files to extract your store's information.

Step 3: Set Up Your Target Store (Volusion)

Next, you'll configure your Volusion store as the destination for your e-commerce data.

• Select 'Volusion' from the dropdown menu as your Target Cart.
• Enter your Volusion Store URL.
• Install the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module and upload the provided bridge file via FTP to the root directory of your Volusion store. This bridge facilitates secure communication between the migration tool and your new Volusion platform.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

Now, you'll choose which specific data entities you wish to move from MakeShop to Volusion. You can opt to migrate all available data or select specific types based on your needs.

• Review the list of migratable entities, which typically include: Products, Product Categories, Customers, Orders, Product Reviews, CMS Pages, Manufacturers, Taxes, Stores, and Coupons.
• Check the boxes for the data you want to transfer. For a comprehensive move, it's often best to select all entities.

Step 5: Configure Additional Options & Data Mapping

This critical step allows you to fine-tune your migration settings and ensure data consistency between platforms.

Additional Migration Options

Customize your migration by selecting various additional options. These features are designed to preserve SEO, enhance data integrity, and tailor the transfer to your specific business requirements.

• Preserve Product IDs, Preserve Orders IDs, Preserve Customers IDs: These options are highly recommended to maintain consistency for existing data, particularly if you have external systems or integrations relying on these IDs. Learn more about How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensures that images embedded within product descriptions or CMS pages are also transferred.
• SEO URLs & Create 301 SEO URLs: Crucial for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity. This option ensures that your old URLs redirect to the new ones, preventing broken links.
• Password Migration: Allows existing customer passwords to be migrated, improving the user experience for returning customers.
• Clear Target Store Data: Use with caution! This option will erase all existing data on your Volusion store before the migration begins. It's often selected for fresh store setups. Understand what this option means.

Data Mapping Setup

Data mapping ensures that specific fields, such as customer groups and order statuses, from your MakeShop store are correctly associated with their equivalents in Volusion. This prevents data loss and ensures consistency in your new store.

• Map your MakeShop customer groups (e.g., 'Wholesale', 'Retail') to the corresponding customer groups in Volusion.
• Match your MakeShop order statuses (e.g., 'Processing', 'Completed', 'Refunded') to the appropriate order statuses in Volusion.

Step 6: Run a Free Demo Migration (Recommended)

Before committing to the full migration, run a free demo. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Volusion store. It's an excellent way to:

• Verify the data transfer accuracy.
• Check how products, customer information, and orders appear on Volusion.
• Identify and address any potential issues or adjustments needed before the full transfer.

Step 7: Initiate Full Migration

Once you are satisfied with the demo results, you can proceed with the full migration. Review all your selected options and the total cost of the migration. You may also consider adding a Migration Insurance Plan, which allows for multiple remigrations within a specified period, offering peace of mind. Learn more about how Migration Insurance works.

With everything confirmed, launch the full data transfer. The migration tool will then handle the bulk transfer of all your selected e-commerce data to your new Volusion store.

Post-Migration Steps: Securing Your Success on Volusion

Completing the data transfer is a significant milestone, but your journey isn't over. Several crucial post-migration tasks are necessary to ensure your new Volusion store is fully functional, optimized, and ready for business.

• Thorough Data Verification: Immediately after the migration, meticulously check all transferred data on your Volusion store.
• Products: Ensure all SKUs, variants, images, descriptions, and pricing are accurate.
• Categories: Verify category structures and product assignments.
• Customer Accounts: Confirm customer data, order history, and (if migrated) password functionality.
• Orders: Check order details, statuses, and associated customer information.
• CMS Pages & Blogs: Review content, formatting, and internal links. Note Volusion's limitation where SEO options are excluded for blogs.
• Configure SEO Settings & Redirects: If you opted for 301 SEO URLs during migration, verify that all redirects are working correctly. Update your sitemap in Google Search Console and monitor your SEO rankings to ensure continuity.
• Install Essential Apps and Plugins: Replicate the core functionalities and user experience you had on MakeShop by installing equivalent apps or plugins from the Volusion App Store. This might include marketing tools, analytics, customer support, or inventory management integrations.
• Payment Gateways & Shipping Options: Configure and thoroughly test your preferred payment gateways (e.g., credit card processors, PayPal) and shipping methods to ensure a seamless checkout process for your customers.
• Theme Customization & Branding: Fine-tune your Volusion store's design to reflect your brand identity. Optimize for mobile responsiveness and user experience.
• Conduct Comprehensive Testing: Before going live, perform extensive testing of all store functionalities. This includes the entire customer journey: product browsing, adding to cart, checkout process, account creation, and contact forms.
• Update DNS Records: Once you're confident that your Volusion store is fully operational and tested, update your DNS records to point your domain name to the new Volusion platform.
• Final Backup: Perform a fresh backup of your newly migrated Volusion store.

By diligently following these steps, you can ensure a successful and smooth migration from MakeShop to Volusion, positioning your business for continued growth and enhanced online presence.