Cart66 to Volusion Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

Migrating Your E-commerce Store from Cart66 to Volusion: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can feel like a daunting task, but with the right strategy and tools, it can be a smooth transition that propels your business forward. If you're currently running your online store on Cart66 and looking to replatform to Volusion, you're seeking a move towards a more robust, all-in-one e-commerce solution. Cart66, often favored for its WordPress integration, provides a straightforward shopping cart experience. However, as your business grows, you might find yourself needing the enhanced scalability, comprehensive features, and dedicated e-commerce environment that Volusion offers.

This expert guide will walk you through every critical step of migrating your e-commerce data from Cart66 to Volusion, ensuring data integrity, minimal downtime, and the preservation of crucial SEO rankings. We'll leverage a powerful migration tool to facilitate a seamless data transfer, moving everything from your product catalog and customer information to order history and reviews.

Prerequisites for a Successful Cart66 to Volusion Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, it's crucial to prepare both your source (Cart66) and target (Volusion) stores. This groundwork will ensure a smoother, more efficient migration process.

• Access Credentials: You will need full administrative access to both your Cart66 and Volusion stores. For both platforms, the connection method is 'Bridge only', which typically requires FTP/SFTP access to upload a connection bridge file to your store's root directory. For Cart66, you'll need the Cart2Cart Cart66 Migration module, and for Volusion, the Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module will be required. Ensure you have your admin login, password, store URLs, and FTP credentials readily available. Learn more about access credentials in The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.
• Backup Your Cart66 Store: Always create a complete backup of your Cart66 store's database and files before starting any migration. This is a critical safety measure, allowing you to restore your store in case of any unforeseen issues.
• Prepare Your Volusion Store: Ensure your new Volusion store is set up and accessible. While you don't need to configure every detail, having the basic store structure in place is beneficial. If you plan to use the "Clear Target" option during migration, you don't need to worry about existing data on Volusion. For more details, consult our guide on How to prepare Target store for migration? and How to prepare Source store for migration?.
• Review Your Data: Take this opportunity to clean up your Cart66 data. Remove outdated products, unused customer accounts, or redundant information. A clean dataset will result in a more efficient and accurate migration.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, let's dive into the step-by-step process of moving your e-commerce data from Cart66 to Volusion using an automated migration wizard.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Begin by accessing the migration tool's interface. You'll typically be presented with options to start a new migration. Choose the do-it-yourself (DIY) migration wizard to begin the automated process.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (Cart66)

In the migration wizard, select Cart66 as your Source Cart. You will then need to provide your Cart66 store's URL. As Cart66 utilizes a "Bridge only" connection method, you'll be prompted to download a connection bridge file. Upload this file via FTP to the root directory of your Cart66 store. This bridge acts as a secure conduit, allowing the migration tool to access your Cart66 data. Remember, a Cart2Cart Cart66 Migration module is required for this connection.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Store (Volusion)

Next, choose Volusion as your Target Cart. Similar to the source store setup, enter your Volusion store's URL. Volusion also uses a "Bridge only" connection method, so you will download and upload a separate connection bridge file to the root directory of your Volusion store. This establishes the secure link for data transfer. A Cart2Cart Volusion Migration module is required for the Volusion connection.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Migration

This crucial step allows you to specify exactly which data entities you wish to transfer from Cart66 to Volusion. You can migrate a wide range of information, including:

• Products: SKUs, variants, descriptions, images, prices, attributes.
• Product Categories: Hierarchies and associated metadata.
• Product Manufacturers: Manufacturer details.
• Product Reviews: Customer feedback on products.
• Customers: Customer accounts, billing/shipping addresses, and customer groups.
• Orders: Order history, statuses, and associated customer data.
• Invoices: Invoice details.
• Taxes: Tax rates and configurations.
• Stores: Store-related information (if applicable for multi-store setups, though note multi-store limitations for BigCommerce variants mentioned in source data).
• Coupons: Coupon codes and their rules.
• CMS Pages: Content management system pages.

You can choose to migrate all entities or select them individually based on your specific needs.

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options

Enhance your migration with a variety of additional options. These settings allow for greater control over how your data is transferred and can help preserve your store's functionality and SEO.

• Migrate Images in Description: Transfer product images embedded within descriptions.
• Clear Target: Remove all existing data from your Volusion store before migration. (See What does the option 'Clear current data on Target store before migration' mean?)
• Preserve Product IDs, Orders IDs, Customer IDs: Maintain original IDs for seamless integration with third-party tools and internal systems. (Learn more about How Preserve IDs options can be used?)
• SEO URLs & Create 301 SEO URLs: Migrate existing SEO-friendly URLs and automatically set up 301 redirects to preserve link equity and prevent broken links.
• Password Migration: Migrate customer passwords for a smoother user experience, allowing customers to log in with their existing credentials.
• Create Variants from Attributes: If applicable, convert product attributes into variants.

Step 6: Map Data Fields

This step ensures that your data is correctly categorized in Volusion. You'll be prompted to map customer groups and order statuses from your Cart66 store to their corresponding fields in Volusion. For example, match "Pending" in Cart66 to "Pending" in Volusion for order statuses, or customer roles. This step is vital for maintaining data consistency and proper store functionality post-migration.

Step 7: Run Demo Migration & Full Migration

Before committing to the full data transfer, run a free Demo Migration. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Volusion store. Review the demo results thoroughly to ensure everything transferred correctly and to identify any potential issues or adjustments needed.

Once satisfied with the demo, proceed with the Full Migration. At this stage, you may also consider selecting a Migration Insurance Plan, which offers a set number of remigrations within a specific period, providing peace of mind. The system will display the total cost and allow you to finalize your selections before initiating the full transfer.

Post-Migration Steps: Securing Your New Volusion Store

Completing the data migration is a significant milestone, but your work isn't quite finished. These post-migration steps are crucial for ensuring your new Volusion store is fully operational, optimized, and ready for your customers.

• Thoroughly Test Your Volusion Store: This is perhaps the most critical step. Systematically check every aspect of your new store:
  • Browse products and categories.
  • Add items to the cart and go through the entire checkout process.
  • Test customer accounts: login, password reset, order history.
  • Verify order processing and inventory updates.
  • Check all forms, links, and navigations.
• Update DNS Settings: Once you've confirmed your Volusion store is fully functional and all data is in place, update your domain's DNS records to point to your new Volusion store. This will direct your visitors to the new platform. Plan this during off-peak hours to minimize potential downtime.
• Verify 301 Redirects: If you opted for 301 redirects during migration, verify that they are functioning correctly. Use an SEO tool to check for broken links and ensure old Cart66 URLs redirect seamlessly to their new Volusion counterparts, preserving your SEO rankings and link equity.
• Configure Essential Settings:
  • Set up and test all payment gateways (e.g., PayPal, Stripe).
  • Configure shipping methods and rates.
  • Review tax settings for accuracy.
  • Integrate any necessary third-party applications or plugins that are specific to Volusion.
• SEO Audit: Perform a comprehensive SEO audit of your new Volusion store. Check meta titles, descriptions, image alt tags, and site structure. Ensure your sitemap is updated and submitted to search engines. Monitor your rankings closely.
• Inform Your Customers: Send out a communication to your customers, announcing the move to your new and improved Volusion store. Highlight any new features or benefits they can expect from the replatforming.
• Deprecate Cart66: Once you are confident that your Volusion store is running perfectly and all systems are stable, you can safely decommission your old Cart66 store.

Migrating from Cart66 to Volusion is an investment in your e-commerce future. By following this detailed guide and utilizing professional migration tools, you can achieve a smooth, efficient, and successful transition, positioning your business for continued growth and enhanced online presence. If you encounter any challenges or prefer expert assistance, consider our Ultimate Data Migration Service or Contact Us for personalized support.