How to Migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify Effortlessly?

Are you looking for detailed guidelines on how to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify? Then, fortunately, you have come to the right place.

In today’s article, we will walk you through the following key points:

• Steps to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify
• Post-migration checklist to set up your Shopify store
• Comparison between Big Cartel vs Shopify

Not gonna let you wait any longer. Here we go!

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Switch from Big Cartel to Shopify – Preparation

There are two phases to complete before running the Big Cartel to Shopify migration successfully:

• Export a CSV file from your Big Cartel website
• Create a new Shopify store

1. Export Big Cartel CSV file

To export your Big Cartel into a single CSV file for future reference, follow our steps below:

• Log in to your account on my.bigcartel.com.
• Navigate to the “Orders” tab.
• Select either the “Unshipped” or “Shipped” tab.
• Narrow down your search for specific data by choosing the “Search” option from the drop-down menu.
• Hit “Download CSV” from the action menu.

2. Set up the Shopify store

Moving on, we have the Shopify store setting-up phase. You can try out their free trial before going for a monthly subscription plan.

• Navigate to the Shopify website and sign up for a new account.
• Provide basic information about your online business, such as selling channels, specific requirements, experience, etc.

• Select “Enter my store” and you will gain access to your Shopify admin dashboard.

Looking for a concise guide that will walk you through the basics of creating a Shopify storefront? Watch the video demonstration below, or go to our comprehensive Shopify tutorial.

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How to Migrate Big Cartel to Shopify with LitExtension

After successfully setting up your new store, it’s time we embark on your migration process. You can choose various methods when moving from Big Cartel to Shopify, such as manually or hiring an expert. However, these will cost you more time and money as it requires decent technical knowledge to avoid possible data problems that may arise.

Additionally, because each Big Cartel store has an exclusive database structure, moving to Shopify requires a more complicated procedure than our Basic Migration Package.

That’s when LitExtension’s All-in-One Migration Package comes into play. A Personal Assistant (PA) will carefully carry out your project to ensure the most secure and smooth migration. With 10+ years of experience, our experts have gained in-depth knowledge of both platforms, so relax because your store is in good hands!

First, let’s go through all the steps needed:

• Step 1: Meeting Schedule
• Step 2: Technical Consultation
• Step 3: Migration Configuration
• Step 4: Demo Migration
• Step 5: Demo Migration Review
• Step 6: Full Migration
• Step 7: Migration Result Testing
• Step 8: Post-Migration Services Utilization

The time has come, here goes the tutorial on how to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify!

1. Meeting Schedule

Get in touch with our specialists for a one-on-one consultation to go through your needs regarding the Big Cartel Shopify migration. To do so, provide your contact details and choose a convenient time for the meeting.

Please book 2 hours in advance so we can prepare for it and address any concerns you may have.

2. Technical Consultation

During the meeting, our experts will gain an understanding of your specific requirements for the Big Cartel to Shopify migration. We will also shed lights on the current situation of your Big Cartel database to come up with the most suitable solution. It is crucial for both parties to have the same vision for the project to have the best outcome.

Move on to the payment steps; follow our guide here if you agree with the discussed process. LitExtension’s All-in-One Migration Package pricing currently starts from $139 based on your specific requirements.

3. Migration Configuration

Our experts will configure your target store to create the best environment when switching from Big Cartel to Shopify.

Identify the entities you wish to migrate to your new Shopify store, including products, customers, orders, etc. We have placed a box next to each category so that you can type in the exact amount of data according to your needs.

Look to the right, you will see a list of free Additional Options for further migration settings. Usually, we charge them $19 – $39 for the Basic Migration Package. Nevertheless, they are completely free for All-in-One clients, so seize your chance now!

Here are what most of our previous customers go for:

• Preserve Product, Order, Customer IDs on Target Store

By selecting this choice, the product, customer, and order IDs will remain unchanged in your Target Store, mirroring those in your Source Store. This selection is essential for maintaining the interconnectedness of entities post-migration. Additionally, it facilitates convenient management of your products, customers, and orders.

• Clear Data On Target Store Before Migration

This feature enables you to remove data on the Target Store based on the selected entities for migration. Its purpose is to prevent data mixing and duplication throughout the migration process.

Next up, we also offer store customization service.  However, these modifications are restricted to your Big Cartel and Shopify’s unique requirements. It’s important to understand that this does not cover the transfer of non-standard data or data created by third-party modules and extensions. For more information, please consult our experts during the private meeting.

4. Demo Migration

Run through the free Demo Migration beforehand to observe our service in action with a maximum of 1,000 entities. It might take you a few minutes to complete the procedure.

5. Demo Migration Review

The result of the Demo Migration may be seen before the completion of the Full Migration. If you are satisfied with it, our experts will perform the Full Migration to move from Big Cartel to Shopify.

6. Full Migration

This is when your whole store will be officially moved to its new home. LitExtension experts will conduct the Full Migration from Big Cartel to Shopify. With LitExtension Smart Controller monitoring your system, our team can identify and resolve any problems that arise quickly.

7. Migration Result Testing

LitExtension’s team of experts will thoroughly examine the migrated data to ensure that the transfer from Big Cartel to Shopify has been executed accurately and without any discrepancies. You can look at the migration result and ask the PA for more advanced requirements (if needed).

If you have any severe technical troubles with your migrated data within 30 days, LitExtension is responsible for a FULL REFUND. Send us a ticket detailing your order and the reason for the refund. Your refund will be processed and sent within 7 days of your verified refund request.

8. Post-Migration Services Utilization

The great thing about using the All-in-One Migration Package when migrating from Big Cartel to Shopify is that your old store will continue to receive new orders as usual during the migration process. Thus, your database will need to be updated after the migration to ensure the best shopping experience for your customers.

Don’t worry, our post-migration services are here to help:

• Recent Data Migration: The transfer process will seamlessly move all existing and forthcoming orders and customers to the new store, ensuring a smooth transition without disruptions.
• Re-Migration: If the previous upgrade did not meet your specific requirements, you could initiate another upgrade process to address any remaining needs or expectations.
• Smart Update: You can import newly created and previously modified data into your Shopify store simultaneously.

Within 6 months after your Full Migration, LitExtension offers free, unlimited post-migration services as long as the number of migration entities only accounts for 10% of the total. The video below may help you better visualize how LitExtension performs the task:

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Guidelines to Set Up Shopify Store After Migration

Even though the migration has been completed, you’re not ready to generate profits yet. There are still a couple of things to do, follow our footsteps to find out!

1. Install themes & apps

So that’s done with the database, let’s design your website. Your online store’s conversion rate, credibility, and other metrics are all impacted by how your brand is represented visually. Therefore, installing a theme and utilizing customization tools is a must.

First, pick the most suitable one from the 140+ themes offered by Shopify Theme Store (both free and premium). Otherwise, you can also extend your search when navigating to Themeforest. For further information, refer to our collection of best Shopify themes.

Then, set up essential eCommerce features by integrating third-party apps from the Shopify App Store. By doing this, you can guarantee the most fulfilling experience for your customers.

2. Change DNS & switch domain

DNS is what helps connect your domain name to the network’s IP address where your server is located. Your domain name server (DNS) settings connect your website’s address (IP address) to your unique domain name. Thus, you will need to update your domain name server settings to use the IP address of your newly created eCommerce website.

After the Big Cartel to Shopify migration, you may encounter one of three typical DNS and domain-related difficulties, including:

• Both stores are hosted by the same company, using the same URL. However, the Shopify store you’re moving to lies in the subdirectory.
• You use the same hosting service, yet the URLs of the two stores are not an exact match.
• You have two online stores with distinct domain names and hosting providers.

Your Shopify store will be plagued with issues if you don’t replace the old domain. If you’re having trouble doing this, contact the LitExtension team for support.

3. Configure shipping & payment methods

Before launching your new business, it’s crucial to set up your Shopify shipping options. If you don’t account for shipping costs when setting prices, you may have to ask the customers for more payment or issue refunds. Neither of these outcomes is ideal.

Similarly, deciding payment methods also directly affects customer satisfaction. You can offer third-party payment gateways or the in-house option (Shopify Payments). Remember to evaluate the processing fees before making your final decision since each gateway charges merchants a different price.

4. Place test orders

Last but not least, don’t forget to place test orders before publishing your website. Double-check every step of your customer journey to ensure that things have fallen into place, from products and orders to transactions. This also enables you to notice problems and fix them just in time.

If you want to have a detailed look, our Shopify launch checklist might be helpful!

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Shopify vs Big Cartel – At a Glance

Either Big Cartel or Shopify are two excellent eCommerce solutions for merchants who wish to build and sell their products. However, each caters to different business types and provides varying degrees of personalization.

What is Big Cartel?

You can notice right away from browsing the Big Cartel website that it promotes itself as the best online marketplace for creative professionals. The site takes pride in its affordability, which makes it appealing to artists. With Big Cartel, you can create an online store that looks polished and expert without writing any code.

From our experience, the downside of Big Cartel lies in its lack of sophisticated selling tools and limited third-party integrations. As a result, it might not be the best choice for those trying to scale their business at a quick pace.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce solution that simplifies setting up, operating, and growing a company. The platform allows business owners to create and personalize their online store, which they can then use to sell from the website, mobile devices, in physical stores, at pop-up locations, on social media, and in other online marketplaces.

Not only does it offer handy customization tools but also robust sales features, allowing merchants to express their creativity while still generating revenue. This is one of the biggest perks when we put Shopify on the scale with Big Cartel.

What makes Shopify the winner?

When comparing Big Cartel vs Shopify, it seems that Shopify has been ahead of the game with its various yet robust features, allowing e-merchants to make the best out of their business. Join us to find out what really makes Shopify stand out:

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Migrate Big Cartel to Shopify – Recap

As you can see, there are only 8 steps required to migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify:

1. Meeting Schedule – Go through your specific requirements in the private meeting.
2. Technical Consultation – Consult and select the best migration method for your project.
3. Migration Configuration – Select the entities to migrate and address any other preferences you might have.
4. Demo Migration – To see how our actual migration works.
5. Demo Migration Result Testing – Check the demo migration result before activating Full Migration.
6. Full Migration – The experts will move your data from Big Cartel to Shopify.
7. Migration Result Testing – Verify the migration outcomes and make necessary adjustments before proceeding.
8. Post-Migration Services Utilization – Make use of the services to keep your database updated.

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Big Cartel to Shopify Migration – FAQs

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Key Takeaways

In conclusion, Shopify is a great alternative if you’re thinking about moving away from Big Cartel. We hope that our article today on How to migrate Big Cartel to Shopify has helped you to clear your doubts and continue your eCommerce journey.

With over 200,000 businesses successfully migrated and compatibility for 200+ significant platforms, we are trying our best to maintain the title of LitExtension – #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert. If you’re still skeptical after reading about the service, you can attempt a free demo migration to see how the program works.

Check out our LitExtension Blog or join the Facebook Community Group for more tips and tricks.