Moderate 4-7 days 12 steps

Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce Migration Guide

Big Cartel

Adobe Commerce

This guide walks you through migrating from Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce, helping you unlock enterprise-grade features and unlimited customization while preserving your existing product catalog and customer data.

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Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce Migration Preparation

Essential steps to prepare for migrating from Big Cartel's simple platform to Adobe Commerce's enterprise-grade solution, ensuring a smooth transition to advanced ecommerce capabilities.

Export and Audit Your Big Cartel Data

Download your product data using Big Cartel's CSV export feature from your admin dashboard. Review your current product catalog, noting any limitations from Big Cartel's 50-variant restriction that you'll want to expand in Adobe Commerce.

Plan Your Adobe Commerce Architecture

Determine whether Adobe Commerce or Adobe Commerce Enterprise fits your needs based on your GMV and required features. Map out your desired site structure, including advanced B2B capabilities, multi-store setup, and custom functionality requirements.

Prepare Enhanced Product Catalog Structure

Design your expanded product architecture to take advantage of Adobe Commerce's unlimited variants and advanced product types. Plan category hierarchies, attribute sets, and configurable products that weren't possible in Big Cartel's simpler structure.

Set Up Development and Staging Environments

Establish Adobe Commerce development and staging environments for testing your migration. Configure hosting infrastructure that can handle Adobe Commerce's enterprise requirements, including proper server specifications and caching solutions.

Design Custom Theme and Extensions Strategy

Plan your custom theme development to match your brand requirements, moving beyond Big Cartel's limited customization options. Identify necessary Adobe Commerce extensions and custom modules needed for your enterprise features.

Configure User Roles and B2B Features

Set up Adobe Commerce's advanced user management system, including customer groups, B2B company accounts, and role-based permissions. Plan integration with your existing business systems like ERP, CRM, and inventory management tools.

Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce Migration Process

A comprehensive 12-step migration guide for transitioning from Big Cartel's simple e-commerce platform to Adobe Commerce's enterprise-grade solution, designed for businesses requiring advanced features, unlimited product variants, and extensive customization capabilities.

Data Export and Analysis from Big Cartel

2-4 hours

Begin by exporting all product data from Big Cartel using their CSV export feature available in the admin panel. Navigate to Products > Export to download your product catalog, including images, descriptions, and pricing. Since Big Cartel limits variants to 50 per product, analyze your current catalog structure to plan for Adobe Commerce's unlimited variant capabilities. Document any custom fields or attributes you'll need to recreate in Adobe Commerce.

Tips:

• Export data during low-traffic hours to ensure complete data capture
• Create a backup of all product images separately as CSV exports may not include full image URLs
• Document your current URL structure for SEO preservation planning

Important:

• Big Cartel's CSV export doesn't include customer data - you'll need to manually extract this information
• Order history cannot be directly exported and will require manual documentation if needed

Adobe Commerce Environment Setup

1-2 days

Set up your Adobe Commerce instance by choosing between Adobe Commerce Cloud or on-premise deployment based on your enterprise needs. Configure your hosting environment with appropriate server specifications for your expected traffic and catalog size. Install Adobe Commerce and complete the initial setup wizard, including database configuration and admin account creation. Configure your development, staging, and production environments following Adobe's best practices.

Tips:

• Choose Adobe Commerce Cloud for automatic scaling and managed infrastructure
• Set up separate environments for development, staging, and production from the start
• Configure SSL certificates and security settings during initial setup

Important:

• Adobe Commerce requires significantly more server resources than Big Cartel
• Ensure your hosting meets Adobe's minimum requirements for optimal performance

Theme Selection and Customization Planning

3-5 days

Select an appropriate Adobe Commerce theme that aligns with your brand and enterprise requirements. Consider themes optimized for large catalogs and B2B functionality if applicable to your business model. Plan customizations needed to replicate your Big Cartel design or implement new enterprise features. Set up your development environment for theme customization, including local development tools and version control systems.

Tips:

• Choose responsive themes optimized for mobile commerce and fast loading
• Consider purchasing premium themes with built-in enterprise features
• Plan for advanced features like quick order forms, customer-specific pricing, or advanced search

Important:

• Extensive theme customization can significantly increase migration timeline
• Ensure chosen theme supports the product types and attributes you'll be importing

Product Catalog Structure and Attributes Setup

1-2 days

Design your product catalog structure in Adobe Commerce, taking advantage of unlimited variants and advanced attribute systems. Create product attribute sets that accommodate your expanded product data beyond Big Cartel's limitations. Set up categories, subcategories, and product types that will support your enterprise-level catalog organization. Configure advanced features like configurable products, bundled products, and grouped products as needed.

Tips:

• Plan attribute sets before importing products to ensure proper data organization
• Use Adobe Commerce's layered navigation features for improved customer experience
• Set up product relations and cross-sells during catalog structure planning

Important:

• Changing attribute sets after product import can be complex and time-consuming
• Ensure all custom attributes are properly configured before bulk product import

Product Data Import and Enhancement

2-3 days

Transform your Big Cartel CSV export data to match Adobe Commerce's import format requirements. Use Adobe Commerce's native import functionality or third-party tools to bulk import your products, taking advantage of the platform's ability to handle unlimited variants per product. Enhance your product data with additional attributes, detailed descriptions, and SEO-optimized content that wasn't possible in Big Cartel's limited system. Configure product images, galleries, and media assets.

Tips:

• Use Adobe Commerce's sample CSV files as templates for proper data formatting
• Import products in batches to monitor for errors and ensure data integrity
• Optimize product images for web performance during the import process

Important:

• Large product catalogs may require server timeout adjustments for successful imports
• Validate all product data before import as bulk corrections can be challenging

Customer Account Migration and B2B Setup

1-2 days

Since Big Cartel doesn't provide direct customer export functionality, manually recreate important customer accounts or implement a customer re-registration process. Set up Adobe Commerce's advanced customer features including customer groups, pricing tiers, and account hierarchies for B2B functionality. Configure customer account features like wishlists, order history, and personalized experiences that weren't available in Big Cartel.

Tips:

• Create customer groups for different pricing tiers and access levels
• Set up automated welcome emails for customers who need to re-register
• Configure B2B features like company accounts and approval workflows if needed

Important:

• Customer password migration is not possible - all customers will need to reset passwords
• Order history from Big Cartel cannot be automatically imported into customer accounts

Payment Gateway Configuration

1 day

Configure Adobe Commerce's extensive payment options, likely expanding beyond Big Cartel's limited payment methods. Set up enterprise-grade payment gateways like Authorize.net, PayPal Pro, or Braintree for advanced transaction processing. Configure multiple payment methods for different customer groups or geographic regions. Set up payment security features including fraud protection and PCI compliance measures that are essential for enterprise operations.

Tips:

• Test payment gateways in sandbox mode before going live
• Configure different payment methods for different customer groups or regions
• Set up recurring payment options if you plan to offer subscription products

Important:

• Some payment gateways require separate merchant account applications
• Ensure all payment methods comply with your target markets' regulations

Advanced Shipping and Tax Configuration

1-2 days

Set up Adobe Commerce's sophisticated shipping system, which offers far more flexibility than Big Cartel's basic shipping options. Configure multiple shipping methods, carriers, and complex shipping rules based on product attributes, customer groups, or geographic locations. Implement advanced tax calculation systems including tax rules for different jurisdictions, customer types, and product categories. Set up integration with tax calculation services if operating in multiple tax jurisdictions.

Tips:

• Use table rate shipping for complex shipping scenarios not supported by Big Cartel
• Configure free shipping promotions and shipping discounts for customer groups
• Set up real-time shipping quotes from major carriers

Important:

• Complex shipping rules should be thoroughly tested before launch
• Tax configuration errors can have legal and financial implications

Content Migration and CMS Setup

1-2 days

Migrate your existing content from Big Cartel including about pages, policies, and blog content to Adobe Commerce's advanced CMS system. Take advantage of Adobe Commerce's superior content management capabilities to create rich, SEO-optimized pages with advanced layouts and widgets. Set up static blocks, CMS pages, and content staging features that provide much more flexibility than Big Cartel's limited content options.

Tips:

• Use Adobe Commerce's page builder for creating rich, interactive content
• Set up content staging for scheduled updates and promotions
• Create reusable content blocks for consistent messaging across pages

Important:

• URLs may change during content migration, requiring redirect planning
• Some Big Cartel content formatting may not transfer directly and need manual adjustment

SEO and URL Redirect Implementation

1 day

Implement comprehensive URL redirects from your Big Cartel site structure to preserve SEO rankings and ensure customer bookmarks continue working. Set up 301 redirects for all product pages, category pages, and content pages using Adobe Commerce's URL rewrite management system. Configure SEO-friendly URLs, meta tags, and structured data that take advantage of Adobe Commerce's advanced SEO capabilities beyond Big Cartel's limitations.

Tips:

• Create a comprehensive redirect map before implementing redirects
• Use Adobe Commerce's URL rewrite tool for managing redirects efficiently
• Set up Google Search Console to monitor redirect performance

Important:

• Missing redirects can significantly impact SEO rankings and customer experience
• Test all redirects thoroughly before switching domains or going live

Integration Setup and Third-Party Connections

2-3 days

Configure integrations with enterprise-level tools and services that weren't available with Big Cartel, such as ERP systems, CRM platforms, email marketing tools, and analytics solutions. Set up Adobe Commerce's API connections for inventory management, order processing, and customer data synchronization. Implement advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, advanced analytics, and marketing automation integrations.

Tips:

• Prioritize integrations critical to daily operations first
• Use Adobe Commerce's REST API for custom integrations
• Set up webhook notifications for real-time data synchronization

Important:

• Third-party integrations may require additional development time
• Test all integrations thoroughly to ensure data accuracy and system stability

Comprehensive Testing and Launch Preparation

2-3 days

Conduct thorough testing of all functionality including product browsing, cart operations, checkout process, payment processing, and order management workflows. Test the enhanced features and capabilities that weren't available in Big Cartel to ensure they work correctly. Perform load testing to ensure your Adobe Commerce installation can handle expected traffic volumes. Create a launch checklist and rollback plan, then coordinate the final DNS switch and go-live process.

Tips:

• Test with real payment amounts in sandbox mode to verify complete transaction flows
• Perform cross-browser and mobile device testing for all functionality
• Train your team on Adobe Commerce's advanced admin features before launch

Important:

• Plan for potential downtime during DNS propagation
• Have technical support available during launch for immediate issue resolution

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Big Cartel supports 50 vs Adobe Commerce's Unlimited.

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.

Common challenges and solutions

Essential questions and answers for businesses migrating from Big Cartel's simple platform to Adobe Commerce's enterprise-grade solution

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

A complete migration from Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce typically takes 3-6 months for a full implementation. This includes platform setup, custom development, data migration, theme development, and thorough testing phases. The timeline extends significantly due to Adobe Commerce's complexity compared to Big Cartel's simple structure.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when migrating from Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce?

You can maintain most of your SEO value by implementing proper 301 redirects from your Big Cartel URLs to corresponding Adobe Commerce pages. Adobe Commerce offers superior SEO capabilities compared to Big Cartel, including advanced URL structures, meta tag management, and schema markup. Plan your URL mapping carefully during migration to preserve search rankings.

Can I migrate my order history and customer data from Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce?

Yes, but it requires custom development since Big Cartel's CSV export is limited mainly to product data. Order history and customer information will need to be extracted through Big Cartel's API or manual export processes. Adobe Commerce can accommodate this historical data, but expect additional development costs for proper data mapping and import.

How much more expensive is Adobe Commerce compared to Big Cartel?

The cost difference is substantial - you'll go from Big Cartel's $9.99-$19.99/month to Adobe Commerce starting at $2,000+/month based on GMV. Additionally, you'll need budget for development, hosting, maintenance, and potentially dedicated technical staff. The investment is justified for businesses needing enterprise-grade features and scalability that Big Cartel cannot provide.

What enterprise features will I gain by switching from Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce?

Adobe Commerce provides advanced B2B capabilities, multi-store management, sophisticated inventory management, advanced reporting and analytics, and extensive customization options that Big Cartel lacks. You'll also gain enterprise-grade security, performance optimization tools, and integration capabilities with complex business systems. These features support much larger catalogs and transaction volumes than Big Cartel's 50-500 product limits.

Do I need technical expertise to manage Adobe Commerce after migrating from Big Cartel?

Yes, Adobe Commerce requires significantly more technical knowledge than Big Cartel's user-friendly interface. You'll likely need a dedicated developer or technical team for ongoing maintenance, updates, and customizations. Consider partnering with an Adobe Commerce agency or hiring technical staff, as the platform's complexity far exceeds Big Cartel's simple management system.

How much downtime should I expect during the migration from Big Cartel?

With proper planning, you can minimize downtime to just a few hours during the final DNS switch. Adobe Commerce can be fully built and tested on a staging environment while your Big Cartel store remains live. The actual cutover involves updating DNS settings and final data synchronization, typically completed within 2-4 hours during low-traffic periods.

Will my Big Cartel theme work on Adobe Commerce?

No, Big Cartel themes are not compatible with Adobe Commerce due to completely different templating systems and architecture. You'll need to rebuild your design from scratch using Adobe Commerce's theme structure or choose from available Adobe Commerce themes. This represents a significant portion of your migration timeline and budget.

Can customers keep their existing passwords after the migration?

Customer passwords cannot be directly transferred due to different encryption methods between platforms. Customers will need to reset their passwords on the new Adobe Commerce store, or you can implement a seamless password migration system during their first login attempt. Plan a communication strategy to inform customers about this requirement.

How should I test my new Adobe Commerce store before going live?

Create a comprehensive testing plan covering all functionality, payment processing, inventory management, and user experience across devices. Adobe Commerce's complexity requires thorough testing of features that didn't exist in Big Cartel, such as advanced checkout processes, B2B functionality, and multi-store capabilities. Plan for at least 2-4 weeks of intensive testing with real transaction scenarios.

What happens to my Big Cartel apps and integrations during migration?

Big Cartel apps won't work with Adobe Commerce, but you'll have access to a much larger ecosystem of extensions and integrations. Adobe Commerce offers more sophisticated alternatives for most Big Cartel apps, plus enterprise-level integrations with ERP, CRM, and other business systems. Budget for reconfiguring and potentially upgrading your app functionality during migration.

Should I migrate customer reviews from Big Cartel to Adobe Commerce?

Yes, migrating customer reviews is important for maintaining social proof and SEO value. This typically requires custom development to extract reviews from Big Cartel and import them into Adobe Commerce's review system or a third-party review extension. Plan this migration carefully to maintain review authenticity and associated product relationships.