1. Data Transfer is Not Always Perfect
- Shopify and BigCommerce have different data structures, meaning some information may not transfer seamlessly.
- Product details, customer data, order history, and URLs need to be carefully mapped and validated.
- Some elements, like customer passwords, custom fields, and gift cards, won’t transfer automatically.
💡 Solution: Use migration tools like LitExtension, Cart2Cart, or Matrixify, and manually verify all data after import. Ventura Web Design specializes in this type of data transfer, checkout our BigCommerce to Shopify migration page for more info.
2. URL Structure Differences (SEO Risks)
- Shopify forces a specific URL structure that differs from BigCommerce.
- BigCommerce URL: /product/sample-product
- Shopify URL: /products/sample-product
- If not handled properly, this can lead to broken links and SEO ranking drops.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Set up 301 redirects in Shopify to ensure old BigCommerce links point to the new Shopify URLs.
✔️ Update Google Search Console with your new sitemap to minimize SEO disruptions.
3. Shopify Has a Product Variant Limit
- BigCommerce allows unlimited product variants, while Shopify limits each product to 100 variants and 3 options.
- If you sell complex products (e.g., apparel with many sizes and colors), you might hit Shopify’s limit.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Use Shopify apps like Infinite Options or Advanced Product Options to bypass variant limits.
✔️ Consider restructuring your product listings if necessary.
4. Customer Passwords Won’t Transfer
- Shopify encrypts passwords differently than BigCommerce, meaning customers must reset their passwords.
- This can create friction and lead to lost customers if not handled properly.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Send an email campaign to inform customers about the migration and provide a password reset link.
✔️ Incentivize them with a discount or loyalty points to encourage re-engagement.
5. Order History Won’t Migrate Easily
- Shopify does not support direct order history migration, meaning past orders from BigCommerce won’t appear in the Shopify admin.
- This can create customer service challenges when handling returns or referencing past purchases.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Manually export your BigCommerce orders and keep them in a separate database or spreadsheet for future reference.
✔️ Use apps like Matrixify to import old order data into Shopify for archival purposes.
6. BigCommerce Has Some Features That Shopify Lacks
- B2B Features: BigCommerce has built-in customer group pricing, bulk discounts, and quote management, while Shopify often requires third-party apps for these features.
- Advanced Filtering: BigCommerce offers better native product filtering, whereas Shopify relies on third-party apps for this functionality.
💡 Solution: Identify any BigCommerce features you rely on and find equivalent Shopify apps before migrating.
7. Payment Processing & Transaction Fees
- Shopify charges transaction fees if you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments (unlike BigCommerce, which has no transaction fees).
- Shopify Payments is only available in certain countries, so businesses outside supported regions must pay extra fees.
💡 Solution:
✔️ If possible, use Shopify Payments to avoid transaction fees.
✔️ Compare Shopify’s payment gateway costs to BigCommerce’s before switching.
8. Shopify’s Theme & Design System is Different
- BigCommerce and Shopify use different templating systems, meaning your BigCommerce theme won’t transfer to Shopify.
- Shopify’s Liquid language requires a different approach to customization.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Choose a Shopify theme that closely matches your current BigCommerce store.
✔️ If necessary, hire a Shopify expert such as Ventura Web Design and Marketing for custom design work.
9. Potential Downtime During Migration
- If the migration isn’t planned properly, you may experience store downtime, leading to lost sales.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Test everything on a Shopify staging store before switching domains.
✔️ Schedule the migration during low-traffic hours to minimize disruptions.
10. Post-Migration Testing & Monitoring
- Even after migration, you may encounter bugs, broken links, missing images, or formatting issues.
- It’s important to test everything before announcing the switch.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Test checkout, payments, shipping rates, and customer accounts before going live.
✔️ Monitor Google Analytics, SEO rankings, and error reports in Google Search Console.
🎯 Key Takeaways
✅ Plan Ahead: Outline your migration steps and use a reliable migration tool.
✅ Backup Everything: Export product data, orders, customers, and metadata before migrating.
✅ Redirect Old URLs: Use 301 redirects to prevent SEO damage.
✅ Test Before Going Live: Check all store functions, from checkout to customer logins.
✅ Inform Customers: Announce the migration and assist with password resets.
A well-planned migration will help you avoid disruptions and make your Shopify store even more successful than your BigCommerce one. 🚀