Quick Summary
Do you have a BigCommerce store that is not delivering as well as you expected? Then it might be a good idea to explore some of the other top eCommerce development platforms. To that end, one of the top options available is WooCommerce.
But a poorly executed switch risks search rankings, customer experience, and sales. So how do you go about the BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration? There are both automated as well as manual methods.
This blog will cover everything from planning, data transfer, and design consistency to post-move optimizations. So let’s begin.
Both BigCommerce and WooCommerce are two of the outstanding platforms building eStores. But of course, one would be more suitable than the other. Let’s look at a few reasons to shift from BigCommerce to WooCommerce.
Unlike BigCommerce’s tiered plans with hidden transaction fees, WooCommerce is free and open-source—you only pay for hosting and extensions you need. No surprise charges when scaling, and you control every cost.
WooCommerce seamlessly merges with WordPress, letting you manage blogs, memberships, and eCommerce in one place. Leverage around 58K+ WordPress plugins for content marketing, SEO, and lead generation without workarounds.
Break free from BigCommerce’s template restrictions. WooCommerce offers full code access, unlimited design tweaks, and compatibility with page builders like Elementor. You get truly unique storefronts—no “cookie-cutter” limitations.
With WooCommerce, you own your data—no vendor lock-in. Host it anywhere, switch providers freely, and avoid BigCommerce’s platform-dependent rules. Your store, your terms.
BigCommerce forces upgrades for advanced features. WooCommerce scales affordably—optimize hosting for your exact traffic needs without mandatory premium plans. Grow big or stay lean without artificial limits.
WooCommerce becomes particularly valuable as stores scale and need more specialized functionality. Our eCommerce migration services will help ensure the flexibility, cost structure, and a seamless integration.
Migrating from BigCommerce to WooCommerce isn’t just about moving data—it’s about ensuring business continuity. You need careful preparation to avoid data loss, downtime, or SEO-related setbacks. So before we proceed to migrating the platform, there are a few steps to take care of.
Before making any changes, create a full backup of your BigCommerce store, including:
Step 1: Go to BigCommerce Dashboard and navigate to Products > Export.
You’ll be taken to a dedicated Export screen.
Step 2: Choose ‘Bulk Edit’. It’ll open a Products popup.
Step 3: Select ‘Export my Products to a CSV file’. That will ready a downloadable export file.
Step 4: Click ‘Download my Product File’.
That will successfully create a backup for your products and product images.
Step 5: Go to Customer > Export.
Repeat the same steps to back up the customer data.
Step 6: Go to Order > Export.
Repeat the same steps to back up the order data.
Make sure to store backups in multiple locations (cloud, local drive) for redundancy.
Unlike BigCommerce (a SaaS platform), WooCommerce (along with WordPress) is self-hosted. So your store’s performance, security, and scalability will heavily depend on your hosting provider. It’ll not only give you more control—but also more responsibility in selecting a server that meets your store’s needs.
So here are a few factors to consider when selecting the right hosting for your WooCommerce store:
Hosting Type
Not all hosting is built for WooCommerce. So first off, you need to consider the different types:
Performance & Speed
A slow store kills conversions. Look for hosting with:
Check for server response times under 500ms—critical for SEO and user experience.
Security Features
WooCommerce stores handle sensitive data. Ensure your host provides:
WooCommerce-Specific Optimizations
Generic WordPress hosting won’t cut it. Seek hosts with:
Scalability & Resources
Traffic spikes shouldn’t crash your store. Prioritize hosts with:
Support & Migration Help
24/7 expert support is a must. Bonus if they offer:
Pricing & Value
Cheap hosting often costs more long-term. Compare:
Avoid shared hosting for high-traffic stores—prioritize VPS or dedicated servers for better reliability. A few of the top recommended hosting services for WooCommerce are Kinsta, SiteGround WooCommerce, Hostinger, and Cloudways.
A properly configured WooCommerce store ensures a smooth transition from BigCommerce. Follow these steps to build a strong foundation before migrating your data.
Step 1: Download WordPress from the official website or install via your hosting provider’s auto-installer.
Step 2: Install WooCommerce plugin and run the WooCommerce setup wizard to configure basic settings.
Step 3: Select and customize a WooCommerce-compatible theme. Avoid heavy themes as they may slow down the loading speeds and hurt conversions. Also, try to match your BigCommerce design.
Step 4: Install the essential WooCommerce plugins. Here are a few key ones:
Step 5: Before importing data, set up:
Step 6: Test critical store functions, like:
Test the basic functionality (checkout, product pages) before migration to catch early issues.
Once these steps are complete, you’re ready to transfer data from BigCommerce to WooCommerce. The next phase involves exporting/importing products, customers, and orders—ensuring no critical data is lost in transit. You can do it through a dedicated extension or follow the manual method.
Setting up the WooCommerce store can be simple, but there might be quite a few nuances involved. So for the best results, you can hire our WooCommerce developers.
Migrating your store from BigCommerce to WooCommerce can be complex, but tools like LitExtension simplifies it. It offers an automated, secure, and accurate data transfer.
Here’s the process to follow.
Step 1: Log into the LitExtension account. You can also opt for a social login through Google or Facebook account.
Step 2: After login, you will be taken to the “My Migrations” page. Click on ‘Create New Migration’ to get started.
Step 3: On the setup page, first select the ‘Source Cart Type’ as BigCommerce.
Step 4: Then, enter the BigCommerce API details to set up the source cart.
Step 5: Enter the BigCommerce store URL and API path. (For that, you can log into the BigCommerce dashboard and go to “Advanced Settings”.)
Step 6: Enter the ‘Target Cart Type’ and ‘Target Cart URL’.
Step 7: Download the LitExtension Connection. Extract the .zip file and upload it to your new store’s root folder. Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) for integration.
Step 8: Click ‘Next’ to configure the store migration.
Step 9: At this stage of migration, select the elements to be migrated to the new store. To migrate everything from the store, click on ‘Select All’ option.
Step 10: Select any additional options like “Language Mapping” and “Order Status Mapping”.
Step 11: Go for the “Demo Migration” option to see what elements of the store will be shifted to the new store. (You also have an option to skip this step.)
Step 12: If everything is as per you expected, click “Full Migration” to complete the BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration.
The LitExtension method ensures there is no downtime, no data loss, and 24×7 process support.
But if you want a more customized migration with more control over the results, consult with our WooCommerce development company.
After you are done shifting your store to a new platform, there are a few necessary steps to implement for the best results. Let’s look at them one-by-one.
Even automated migrations can have discrepancies. A single misplaced decimal in pricing or missing product variant can lead to lost sales or frustrated customers. Cross-check every product SKU, customer record, and order history—your store’s credibility depends on precision.
What to Do?
Broken links = broken trust. Without proper redirects, your hard-earned SEO rankings vanish overnight, and customers hitting old URLs land on error pages. This isn’t just tech hygiene—it’s revenue protection.
What to Do?
Assume nothing works until proven otherwise. A checkout glitch you miss today could mean abandoned carts tomorrow. Test purchases, account logins, and payment processing like a secret shoppe. Your customers won’t tolerate beta-testing your live store.
What to Do?
Your CRM, email tools, and inventory systems won’t magically reconnect. A single overlooked integration (like abandoned cart emails) can silently bleed sales. Rebuild these pipelines methodically—they’re your store’s central nervous system.
What to Do?
Surprise changes alienate users. A clear email explaining why you migrated (better features? faster checkout?) turns potential confusion into goodwill.
What to Do?
Here’s a bonus: Include direct support links for anyone struggling with password resets or new workflows.
Post-migration quirks often surface days later. Slow-loading product pages or payment timeouts might not appear during testing. So use tools like Google Analytics and Hotjar to catch what you didn’t anticipate.
These steps are like an insurance policy against lost revenue, eroded trust, or technical debt that compounds over time.
Not if done correctly. Proper 301 redirects, preserved URL structures, and meta data transfer maintain SEO value. Use tools like Screaming Frog to audit links pre-and post-migration.
For small stores (under 100 products), 1-2 days. Medium stores (100-500 products) take 3-5 days. Large stores may require a week or more, especially with order/customer data.
No, passwords can’t be transferred directly due to encryption differences. WooCommerce will prompt customers to reset passwords on first login. Notify customers in advance.
Keep it active during migration for testing. Cancel only after verifying WooCommerce works perfectly, including orders, payments, and integrations.
Most need reimplementation. Check WooCommerce’s plugin library for equivalents. Some SaaS tools (like Mailchimp) offer direct WooCommerce plugins.
Temporarily, yes. Use DNS staging or subdomains to test WooCommerce while BigCommerce remains live. Redirect fully only after successful testing.
Migrating from BigCommerce to WooCommerce can help with greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and deeper, more seamless integration. While the process requires careful planning, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile.
A successful migration hinges on proper preparation, thorough testing, and attention to detail. Once completed, you’ll have full control over your store’s design, functionality, and scalability without restrictive platform fees.
So, ready to make the switch? Then connect with us today!
John Niles, a dedicated Technical Consultant at BrainSpate since 2023, specializes in eCommerce. With a global perspective, he crafts insightful content on cutting-edge web development technologies, enriching the digital commerce landscape.
