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

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Subbly to Volusion

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can feel like a significant undertaking, but with the right guidance, it’s an opportunity to elevate your online business. If you’re considering moving your store from Subbly to Volusion, you're looking to transition from a platform primarily focused on subscriptions to a robust, feature-rich e-commerce solution known for its comprehensive tools and scalability.

This guide serves as your authoritative roadmap, providing clear, actionable steps for a seamless data transfer. We'll navigate the intricacies of exporting your valuable data from Subbly via CSV files and importing it into your new Volusion store, ensuring data integrity, preserving SEO rankings, and maintaining an excellent user experience throughout the replatforming process. Get ready to unlock new potential for your online business.

Prerequisites for Migration

Before you initiate the data transfer, some crucial preparation steps are required for both your Subbly (source) and Volusion (target) stores. Proper preparation minimizes downtime and potential issues during the migration.

1. Subbly (Source) Store Preparation

• Data Export: Since Subbly does not offer a direct API or bridge connection for automated migrations, you will need to export all your vital store data into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. This includes:
  • Products (including SKUs, product variants, descriptions, images)
  • Product Categories
  • Customer data (names, contact information, addresses)
  • Orders (status, order history, invoice data)
  • Product Reviews
  • CMS Pages / Blog Posts (if applicable and exportable)

  Ensure these exports are as comprehensive as possible. Clean and organize your data before export to make the import process smoother.

• No Plugin Required: For Subbly, as the migration will be handled via CSV files, there is no specific plugin installation required on your source store.

For more detailed information on preparing your source store, read our guide on How to prepare Source store for migration?

2. Volusion (Target) Store Preparation

• Set Up Your Volusion Store: Ensure your new Volusion store is fully set up and accessible. If you have an existing Volusion store with data, it's highly recommended to perform a full backup before migration.
• Install Migration Bridge: Volusion typically requires a connection via a migration bridge. This involves installing the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module onto your Volusion store's server. You will need FTP (File Transfer Protocol) access to your Volusion store's root directory to upload the necessary files. This bridge acts as a secure conduit for data exchange.
• Access Credentials: Gather your Volusion admin login details, FTP credentials, and any other required access information.

For more detailed instructions, consult our guide on How to prepare Target store for migration? and The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to initiate the data transfer. We'll use a guided migration wizard for this process, ensuring all your e-commerce entities are moved securely and accurately.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Navigate to the migration wizard interface. This is where your journey to Volusion begins.

Step 2: Source Store Setup (Subbly via CSV)

In the wizard, you'll first configure your source store. Select "CSV File to Cart" from the dropdown list. You will then be prompted to upload the CSV files you exported from your Subbly store. This method allows you to transfer products, customer data, orders, and other essential information effectively.

For more details on this process, see our CSV.File Data Migration service.

Step 3: Target Store Setup (Volusion)

Next, configure your target store. Choose "Volusion" as your target platform from the dropdown menu. You will need to provide your Volusion store's URL. The system will then guide you through installing the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module (the bridge) if you haven't already, ensuring a secure connection for the transfer.

Step 4: Select Data Entities

This critical step allows you to choose exactly which data entities you want to migrate. You can select all available options or pick specific items such as products (including SKUs and variants), product categories, customers, orders, product reviews, and CMS pages. Make sure to select all the data types essential for your new Volusion store.

Step 5: Configure Additional Options

Here, you'll find a range of optional features to customize your migration. Consider selecting options pertinent to your business needs:

• Migrate Images in Description: Ensures all product images embedded within descriptions are transferred.
• Clear Target: Useful if your Volusion store is new or you want to remove all existing data before the transfer. Exercise caution if your target store already contains valuable information. Read more about Clear current data on Target store before migration option.
• Preserve Product IDs, Orders IDs, Customers IDs: Retains original IDs from your Subbly store, which can be crucial for inventory management and customer relationship history. Learn more about How Preserve IDs options can be used?.
• SEO URLs, 301 SEO URLs, Create 301 SEO URLs: Absolutely vital for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity. This ensures old Subbly URLs redirect seamlessly to their new Volusion counterparts.
• Migrate Invoices: Transfers all invoice data for accurate financial records.
• Password Migration: Allows customer passwords to be transferred, providing a smoother login experience for your existing customer base.

Step 6: Data Mapping

In this step, you will map your Subbly (CSV) data fields to the corresponding fields in Volusion. This ensures consistency for elements like customer groups and order statuses. For instance, you'll match "Pending" in Subbly to "Pending Approval" or "Processing" in Volusion, or map customer roles to appropriate Volusion customer segments.

Step 7: Run Demo Migration (Recommended)

Before committing to a full migration, we highly recommend running a free demo migration. This transfers a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Volusion store. It’s an excellent opportunity to preview the data transfer, check for any potential errors, and ensure the data integrity meets your expectations without affecting your live store.

Step 8: Initiate Full Migration

After a successful demo, review your migration summary, including the total cost and the number of entities to be transferred. You may also consider adding Migration Insurance for peace of mind and the ability to re-migrate data if needed. Once satisfied, click to initiate the full data transfer to your new Volusion store.

Post-Migration Steps

The migration isn't truly complete until you've verified everything and optimized your new Volusion store for launch.

• Thorough Data Verification: Systematically check all migrated data in your Volusion store. Verify product details (descriptions, images, SKUs, variants), customer accounts, order history, categories, and CMS pages. Ensure all quantities and pricing are accurate.
• Update DNS Records: Once you're confident in your new Volusion store, update your domain's DNS records to point to your Volusion store. This is the moment your new store goes live to the public.
• SEO & Redirects Audit: Crucially, test all your 301 redirects to ensure they are functioning correctly. This preserves your SEO rankings and prevents broken links, maintaining valuable link equity from your old Subbly store.
• Test Functionality: Perform comprehensive tests of all critical store functionalities: place a few test orders, process payments, test search functionality, register new customer accounts, and verify shipping calculations.
• Configure Design & Features: Customize your Volusion store's theme, set up your preferred payment gateways, configure shipping rules, and install any necessary Volusion apps or plugins to enhance functionality and user experience.
• Launch & Monitor: Announce your new Volusion store! Actively monitor traffic, sales, and user behavior in the initial weeks to quickly address any unforeseen issues.
• Recent Data Migration: If new orders or customer data are generated on your Subbly store during or immediately after the main migration, consider using a Recent Data Migration Service to transfer this new data to Volusion.

By following these steps, your transition from Subbly to Volusion will be as smooth and efficient as possible, setting your e-commerce business up for continued success. For further assistance or specific questions, don't hesitate to Contact Us or visit our Frequently Asked Questions section.