Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce Migration Guide

Adobe Commerce

BigCommerce

This guide walks you through migrating from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce to eliminate transaction fees and reduce operational costs through built-in features. Learn step-by-step processes for transferring your store while maintaining functionality.

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Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce Migration Preparation

Essential steps to prepare for migrating your enterprise store from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce, taking advantage of built-in features and eliminating transaction fees.

Audit Current Adobe Commerce Setup

Document all custom extensions, themes, and integrations currently running on your Adobe Commerce store. Create a comprehensive inventory of product catalogs, customer data, order history, and any custom functionality that needs to be replicated or replaced in BigCommerce.

Choose BigCommerce Plan and Review Limitations

Select the appropriate BigCommerce plan based on your business needs, considering the 250 product variant limit per product. If you have products with more variants in Adobe Commerce, plan how to restructure them as separate products or simplify variant options.

Prepare Adobe Commerce Data Export

Use Adobe Commerce's database export tools and API access to extract product data, customer information, order history, and content. Organize exported data in CSV format compatible with BigCommerce's import requirements, ensuring proper field mapping.

Map Adobe Commerce Extensions to BigCommerce Features

Identify which Adobe Commerce extensions can be replaced by BigCommerce's built-in features like abandoned cart recovery, SEO tools, and marketing automation. Research BigCommerce apps for any remaining functionality gaps and factor the cost savings from reduced app dependencies.

Set Up BigCommerce Store Structure

Create your BigCommerce store, configure basic settings, and establish the category structure, payment gateways, and shipping zones. Set up your domain configuration and SSL certificates to prepare for the eventual cutover from Adobe Commerce.

Plan Customer Migration Strategy

Develop a strategy for migrating customer accounts and order history while maintaining login credentials where possible. Prepare customer communication about the platform change, emphasizing improved features and the streamlined checkout experience BigCommerce provides.

Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce Migration Guide

A comprehensive 12-step migration process from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce, designed for growing businesses seeking built-in features and no transaction fees. This guide addresses key considerations including variant limitations and leverages BigCommerce's strengths for B2B stores and multi-channel retailers.

Pre-Migration Analysis and Data Audit

3-5 days

Conduct a thorough audit of your Adobe Commerce store to identify products with more than 250 variants, as BigCommerce has variant limitations. Document all custom extensions, integrations, and third-party modules currently in use. Create a comprehensive inventory of your data including products, customers, orders, and content. Evaluate which Adobe Commerce customizations can be replaced with BigCommerce's built-in features.

Tips:

• Use Adobe Commerce's reporting tools to identify high-variant products
• Document all payment gateways and shipping methods currently configured
• List all third-party integrations and their BigCommerce equivalents

Important:

• Products exceeding 250 variants will need to be restructured
• Custom Adobe Commerce extensions may not have direct BigCommerce equivalents

BigCommerce Account Setup and Plan Selection

1-2 days

Create your BigCommerce account and select the appropriate plan based on your business needs, considering features like B2B functionality and API call limits. Configure your store's basic settings including timezone, currency, and measurement units. Set up your domain and SSL certificate through BigCommerce's interface. Enable any required enterprise features if moving to BigCommerce Enterprise.

Tips:

• Choose BigCommerce Enterprise if you need advanced B2B features
• Configure multi-currency settings early if selling internationally
• Set up your custom domain immediately to avoid delays

Important:

• Plan limitations affect API calls and bandwidth
• Domain propagation can take 24-48 hours

Adobe Commerce Data Export

2-3 days

Export your data from Adobe Commerce using the built-in export functionality or database queries for comprehensive data extraction. Generate CSV exports for products, customers, categories, and orders from the Adobe Commerce admin panel. Use Adobe Commerce's API to extract complex data relationships and custom attributes. Create a backup of your media files and product images from the Adobe Commerce media directory.

Tips:

• Export data in BigCommerce-compatible CSV format when possible
• Use Adobe Commerce's native export tools for standard entities
• Document custom attribute mappings for later reference

Important:

• Large databases may require segmented exports
• Custom attributes may not map directly to BigCommerce fields

Theme Selection and Design Setup

3-7 days

Browse BigCommerce's theme marketplace and select a theme that matches your brand and functionality requirements. Purchase and install your chosen theme, then begin customizing it to match your Adobe Commerce store's design. Configure the theme's built-in features like product galleries, navigation menus, and responsive design elements. Set up your store's logo, colors, and typography to maintain brand consistency.

Tips:

• Choose themes optimized for your industry (B2B, retail, etc.)
• Test theme responsiveness across all devices before customizing
• Utilize BigCommerce's built-in design tools for quick customization

Important:

• Custom Adobe Commerce theme features may require theme modifications
• Some themes have limitations on customization depth

Product Catalog Migration and Variant Restructuring

5-10 days

Import your product catalog to BigCommerce, restructuring products that exceed the 250-variant limit by creating separate parent products or using BigCommerce's modifier system. Map Adobe Commerce product attributes to BigCommerce's product fields and custom fields. Upload product images and ensure proper image optimization for BigCommerce's CDN. Configure product SEO settings, meta descriptions, and URL structures to maintain search rankings.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's bulk import tools for large catalogs
• Leverage product modifiers for options that don't need inventory tracking
• Test a small batch of products before full migration

Important:

• Variant restructuring may affect existing product URLs
• Complex product configurations may require manual adjustment

Customer Data Import and Account Setup

2-4 days

Import customer data from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce using CSV import or API integration, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Map customer groups from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce's customer group system for B2B functionality. Set up customer account features like wishlists, order history, and address books. Configure customer registration settings and account approval processes if needed for B2B operations.

Tips:

• Hash passwords will need to be reset or use BigCommerce's password migration tools
• Set up customer groups early to maintain pricing structures
• Test customer login functionality thoroughly

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be directly migrated
• Custom customer attributes may require BigCommerce custom fields

Payment Gateway Configuration

1-2 days

Configure payment gateways in BigCommerce, taking advantage of the platform's no transaction fee policy for supported processors. Set up your existing payment processors or migrate to BigCommerce's optimized payment solutions. Configure payment methods for different customer groups, especially important for B2B operations with terms like Net 30. Test payment processing in BigCommerce's sandbox environment to ensure proper functionality.

Tips:

• Choose BigCommerce's optimized payment solutions to avoid transaction fees
• Configure different payment methods for B2B vs B2C customers
• Set up payment method restrictions by customer group or location

Important:

• Some Adobe Commerce payment extensions may not be available
• Payment gateway approval processes can take additional time

Shipping Methods and Tax Configuration

2-3 days

Set up shipping zones, methods, and rates in BigCommerce's shipping manager, replicating your Adobe Commerce shipping configuration. Configure BigCommerce's built-in shipping integrations with carriers like FedEx, UPS, and USPS for real-time rates. Set up tax rules using BigCommerce's automated tax solutions or integrate with services like Avalara for complex tax requirements. Configure shipping restrictions and special handling for different product types.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's carrier-calculated shipping for accurate rates
• Set up shipping zones to match your Adobe Commerce configuration
• Test shipping calculations with various product combinations

Important:

• Complex shipping rules may need simplification
• International shipping settings require careful configuration

Content Migration and CMS Setup

3-5 days

Migrate your Adobe Commerce CMS pages, blocks, and content to BigCommerce's content management system. Transfer blog posts and articles to BigCommerce's built-in blog functionality or integrate with external blogging platforms. Set up BigCommerce's page builder to recreate complex landing pages and promotional content. Configure navigation menus and footer links to match your original site structure.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's page builder for complex layouts
• Maintain URL structure when possible for SEO benefits
• Test all internal links after content migration

Important:

• Complex Adobe Commerce CMS blocks may need redesign
• Some dynamic content features may require different implementation

SEO Configuration and URL Redirects

2-3 days

Set up 301 redirects from your Adobe Commerce URLs to the new BigCommerce URLs to preserve SEO rankings and prevent broken links. Configure BigCommerce's built-in SEO features including meta titles, descriptions, and structured data. Set up Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and other tracking tools on your new BigCommerce store. Implement any necessary canonical URLs and XML sitemaps.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's automatic redirect tools where possible
• Maintain URL structure similarity for easier redirect mapping
• Set up Google Search Console early to monitor crawl errors

Important:

• Extensive URL changes can temporarily impact search rankings
• Complex redirect rules may require manual configuration

Integration Setup and Third-Party Connections

3-7 days

Set up integrations with your existing business tools like ERP systems, CRM platforms, and marketing automation tools using BigCommerce's extensive app marketplace. Configure multi-channel selling integrations for platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media channels that BigCommerce supports natively. Set up inventory management systems and order fulfillment integrations. Test all API connections and data synchronization processes.

Tips:

• Explore BigCommerce's native integrations before custom solutions
• Use BigCommerce's webhook system for real-time data sync
• Test integrations with sample data before going live

Important:

• Some Adobe Commerce integrations may not have BigCommerce equivalents
• API rate limits may affect integration frequency

Comprehensive Testing and Go-Live

3-5 days

Conduct thorough testing of all store functionality including product browsing, cart operations, checkout process, payment processing, and order fulfillment. Test customer account functionality, B2B features, and multi-channel integrations. Perform load testing to ensure the store can handle your expected traffic volume. Execute your go-live plan including DNS changes, final data sync, and monitoring setup.

Tips:

• Create a comprehensive testing checklist covering all functionality
• Test from different devices and browsers
• Have a rollback plan ready in case of critical issues

Important:

• Go-live during low-traffic periods to minimize impact
• Monitor closely for 48-72 hours after launch

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Adobe Commerce supports Unlimited vs BigCommerce's 250.

customers

Customer contact info, addresses, marketing preferences transfer. Passwords must be reset for security.

orders

Order history for reference. Consider importing last 3-6 months for customer service.

Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce Migration: Common Challenges and Solutions

Key questions and practical solutions for businesses migrating from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce, covering technical requirements, cost implications, and operational considerations.

How long does it typically take to migrate from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce?

A complete Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce migration typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on store complexity and customizations. The process involves data export from Adobe Commerce, theme setup, app configuration, and thorough testing before launch.

Will migrating from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce hurt my SEO rankings?

SEO impact can be minimized with proper planning including URL mapping, 301 redirects, and meta data preservation. BigCommerce offers built-in SEO tools that may actually improve your rankings compared to Adobe Commerce's more complex SEO management.

Can I transfer all my order history and customer data from Adobe Commerce?

Yes, BigCommerce supports comprehensive data migration including order history, customer accounts, and product data through database export and API integration. However, customer passwords will need to be reset due to different encryption methods between platforms.

What happens to my Adobe Commerce extensions and customizations on BigCommerce?

Most Adobe Commerce extensions will need alternatives since BigCommerce uses different architecture. However, BigCommerce's built-in features often replace many paid Adobe Commerce extensions, potentially reducing your app costs and complexity.

How do BigCommerce's built-in features compare to Adobe Commerce's capabilities?

BigCommerce includes many features that require extensions in Adobe Commerce, such as abandoned cart recovery, product reviews, and multi-channel selling. While Adobe Commerce offers more customization flexibility, BigCommerce's built-in approach reduces maintenance overhead.

How much downtime should I expect during the migration from Adobe Commerce?

With proper planning, downtime can be limited to just the DNS switchover period (1-4 hours). The migration work happens on BigCommerce's staging environment while your Adobe Commerce store remains live until the final cutover.

What's the best way to test my new BigCommerce store before going live?

BigCommerce provides staging environments where you can fully test checkout processes, integrations, and functionality. Plan for 1-2 weeks of thorough testing including payment processing, inventory sync, and third-party integrations before launch.

Can I recreate my Adobe Commerce theme design on BigCommerce?

While BigCommerce has fewer themes than Shopify, its Stencil framework allows for extensive customization to match your Adobe Commerce design. You may need custom development work, but the result can be very close to your original design.

Will my customers need to create new accounts after the migration?

Customer account data transfers over, but customers will need to reset their passwords due to different encryption systems. Send advance notice to customers and consider offering incentives to encourage password resets and re-engagement.

How should I handle orders and inventory during the migration process?

Implement an inventory freeze 24-48 hours before launch and process all pending Adobe Commerce orders before switching. Use BigCommerce's inventory management tools to sync stock levels and ensure accurate product availability at launch.

What are the real cost differences between Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce?

You'll likely see significant savings migrating from Adobe Commerce's $2,000+/month to BigCommerce's $39-399/month plans. Factor in reduced hosting costs, fewer required apps due to built-in features, and no transaction fees when calculating total cost of ownership.

Can I migrate my product reviews and ratings from Adobe Commerce to BigCommerce?

Yes, product reviews can be migrated through data export and import processes, though the format may need adjustment. BigCommerce's built-in review system is robust and may offer better features than your current Adobe Commerce review setup.