Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Big Cartel to Wix Migration Guide

Big Cartel

Wix

Migrate from Big Cartel to Wix to overcome product limitations while maintaining affordability and simplicity. This guide walks you through transferring your store data and leveraging Wix's drag-and-drop builder for greater design flexibility.

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Migrating from Big Cartel to Wix: Complete Preparation Guide

A comprehensive step-by-step guide to successfully migrate your online store from Big Cartel to Wix, leveraging Wix's affordable drag-and-drop builder while preserving your product data and business continuity.

Export Your Big Cartel Store Data

Log into your Big Cartel admin panel and navigate to the Settings section to download your product data as a CSV file. This export will include product names, descriptions, prices, and inventory levels, but note that you'll need to manually save product images separately as Big Cartel doesn't include image URLs in the CSV export.

Choose Your Wix Business Plan

Select the appropriate Wix Business plan based on your needs - Business Basic ($27/mo) for essential features, Business Unlimited ($32/mo) for growing stores, or Business VIP ($59/mo) for priority support. Consider your current Big Cartel product count and ensure it fits within Wix's catalog limits for your chosen plan.

Set Up Your Wix Store Structure

Create your Wix account and use the drag-and-drop editor to design your store layout, matching or improving upon your Big Cartel design. Set up your product categories, payment methods, and shipping zones in the Wix dashboard before importing any products to ensure a smooth transition.

Prepare and Import Product Data

Format your Big Cartel CSV export to match Wix's import requirements, ensuring all product variants stay within Wix's limits. Upload your product images to Wix's media manager first, then import your product data using Wix's bulk import tool, linking each product to its corresponding images.

Configure Store Settings and Integrations

Set up your payment processing, tax settings, and shipping options in Wix to match your Big Cartel configuration. Connect any third-party tools you were using with Big Cartel, such as email marketing services or analytics platforms, using Wix's app market integrations.

Test and Launch Your New Store

Thoroughly test your Wix store by placing test orders, checking mobile responsiveness, and verifying all product information transferred correctly from Big Cartel. Once satisfied, update your domain settings and redirect your Big Cartel traffic to your new Wix store to complete the migration.

Big Cartel to Wix Migration Guide

A comprehensive step-by-step process to migrate your online store from Big Cartel to Wix, designed for small businesses seeking affordable simplicity with enhanced features and customization options.

Export Product Data from Big Cartel

15-30 minutes

Log into your Big Cartel admin panel and navigate to the Products section. Click on 'Export Products' to download a CSV file containing all your product information including titles, descriptions, prices, and inventory. Big Cartel's CSV export will include product images as URLs, which you'll need for the import process. Save this file in a secure location as it contains all your essential product data.

Tips:

• Download product images separately if they're hosted on Big Cartel's servers
• Review the CSV file to ensure all product variants are included (up to your 50 variant limit)
• Make note of any custom fields or attributes that may not export properly

Important:

• Big Cartel doesn't export customer data, so you'll need to manually collect customer information
• Order history cannot be transferred to Wix

Create and Set Up Your Wix Account

20-30 minutes

Sign up for a Wix account and select a Business & eCommerce plan that suits your needs. Choose the eCommerce plan or Business VIP for advanced features like abandoned cart recovery and priority support. Complete your account setup by verifying your email and providing basic business information. Access the Wix Editor or Wix ADI to begin building your store.

Tips:

• Start with a 14-day free trial to test the platform before committing
• Choose Business VIP if you need priority support during migration
• Connect your domain name during setup if you have one

Important:

• You'll need a paid plan to connect your custom domain and remove Wix ads
• Some advanced eCommerce features require higher-tier plans

Select and Customize Your Wix Store Template

1-3 hours

Browse Wix's extensive collection of eCommerce templates and select one that matches your brand aesthetic and business type. Consider templates specifically designed for your industry or product type. Customize the template by adjusting colors, fonts, and layout to match your Big Cartel store's branding. Use the drag-and-drop editor to modify sections and add custom elements as needed.

Tips:

• Choose a mobile-responsive template as most customers shop on mobile devices
• Look for templates with built-in product gallery and filtering options
• Save your brand colors and fonts as a style guide for consistency

Important:

• Switching templates after adding content may require significant redesign work
• Some template features may not be available on lower-tier plans

Import Products to Wix Store

45 minutes - 2 hours

Navigate to your Wix Store Manager and select 'Products' then 'Import Products'. Upload your Big Cartel CSV file and map the columns to corresponding Wix fields (name, description, price, SKU, inventory). Review the import preview carefully to ensure all data is correctly mapped. Since Wix supports up to 100 variants per product compared to Big Cartel's 50, you have room to expand your product options if needed.

Tips:

• Upload product images to Wix Media Manager before importing for better organization
• Use Wix's bulk edit feature to quickly update multiple products after import
• Create product categories and collections to organize your inventory

Important:

• Product images may need to be re-uploaded if Big Cartel URLs become inactive
• Review all product descriptions as formatting may not transfer perfectly

Set Up Customer Accounts and Communication

1-2 hours

Since Big Cartel doesn't provide customer data export, you'll need to manually rebuild your customer base. Enable customer accounts in Wix Store Manager and set up customer registration options. Create a customer migration announcement to inform existing customers about the platform change and encourage them to create new accounts. Set up email marketing through Wix Ascend or integrate with your existing email service provider.

Tips:

• Offer a discount code to existing customers who create new accounts
• Export any customer emails you have from other sources (newsletters, manual records)
• Set up automated welcome emails for new account registrations

Important:

• You cannot transfer existing customer accounts or order history from Big Cartel
• Customer loyalty points or rewards cannot be migrated

Configure Payment Processing

30-45 minutes

Set up payment methods in Wix Payments or connect third-party processors like PayPal, Stripe, or Square. Configure your preferred payment options including credit cards, digital wallets, and alternative payment methods. Enter your bank account information for payment deposits and set up tax collection if required. Test payment processing with small test transactions to ensure everything works correctly.

Tips:

• Wix Payments offers competitive rates and seamless integration
• Enable multiple payment options to reduce cart abandonment
• Set up automatic tax calculation for applicable locations

Important:

• Payment processor approval may take 1-3 business days
• Some payment methods may have additional fees or requirements

Configure Shipping Settings

45 minutes - 1.5 hours

Access the Shipping & Fulfillment section in Wix Store Manager to set up your shipping zones, rates, and methods. Create shipping rules based on weight, price, or destination that match or improve upon your Big Cartel shipping setup. Configure local delivery options if applicable and set up shipping notifications for customers. Integrate with shipping carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx for real-time rates and label printing.

Tips:

• Offer free shipping thresholds to increase average order value
• Set up multiple shipping options (standard, expedited, overnight)
• Configure shipping notifications to keep customers informed

Important:

• Double-check shipping calculations to avoid undercharging customers
• International shipping may require additional tax and customs configuration

Set Up Tax Configuration

30-60 minutes

Configure tax settings in Wix Store Manager based on your business location and requirements. Set up automatic tax calculation for states where you have nexus or are required to collect sales tax. Enable Wix's integration with TaxJar for automated tax compliance if needed. Review and test tax calculations across different customer locations to ensure accuracy.

Tips:

• Research current sales tax requirements for your business locations
• Enable automatic tax updates to stay compliant with changing rates
• Consider consulting with a tax professional for complex situations

Important:

• Tax requirements vary by location and business type
• Incorrect tax setup can lead to compliance issues

Migrate Content and Create Essential Pages

2-4 hours

Copy content from your Big Cartel store's About, FAQ, and policy pages to corresponding pages in Wix. Create or update essential pages including Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Return Policy, and Contact information. Use Wix's built-in blog feature if you had a blog on Big Cartel or external platform. Ensure all content is optimized for SEO with proper headings, meta descriptions, and keywords.

Tips:

• Use Wix SEO Wiz to optimize your content for search engines
• Create a comprehensive FAQ page to reduce customer service inquiries
• Add customer testimonials and reviews to build trust

Important:

• Ensure all legal pages comply with current regulations
• Don't copy content directly without reviewing for accuracy and relevance

Set Up Domain and URL Redirects

1-2 hours

Connect your custom domain to your Wix store through the Domains section in your Wix account. If you're keeping the same domain, set up 301 redirects from your old Big Cartel URLs to corresponding Wix pages to maintain SEO value. Create a redirect map for all important pages including product pages, category pages, and content pages. Test all redirects to ensure they work properly.

Tips:

• Use Wix's automatic redirect feature for common page types
• Create a comprehensive redirect list before making the switch
• Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors after migration

Important:

• Domain propagation can take up to 48 hours
• Missing redirects can negatively impact your search engine rankings

Comprehensive Testing and Quality Assurance

2-3 hours

Conduct thorough testing of your entire Wix store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, and payment processing. Test on multiple devices and browsers to ensure consistent performance. Place test orders using different payment methods and shipping options to verify the complete customer experience. Check all forms, links, and interactive elements for proper functionality.

Tips:

• Test with different user accounts and guest checkout options
• Verify email notifications are working correctly
• Check mobile responsiveness on various screen sizes

Important:

• Don't launch until all critical functions are tested and working
• Test during different times of day to check for performance issues

Launch and Post-Migration Monitoring

Ongoing - 1 week intensive monitoring

Once testing is complete, officially launch your Wix store by updating DNS settings and announcing the migration to your customers. Monitor the site closely for the first few days, checking for any issues with orders, payments, or customer inquiries. Set up Google Analytics and other tracking tools to monitor performance. Create a customer communication plan to address any migration-related questions or concerns.

Tips:

• Announce the migration across all your marketing channels
• Offer launch promotions to drive initial traffic and sales
• Keep your Big Cartel store active for a few days as backup

Important:

• Monitor for any broken links or missing content that may have been overlooked
• Be prepared to quickly address any customer service issues during the transition

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Big Cartel supports 50 vs Wix's 100.

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

Key questions and practical answers for businesses migrating from Big Cartel to Wix ecommerce platform

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

A basic migration with up to 50 products typically takes 1-2 weeks, including setup, design customization, and testing. For larger catalogs (up to 500 products), expect 2-3 weeks to properly transfer all data and configure Wix's more extensive feature set.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when switching from Big Cartel to Wix?

You may experience temporary SEO impact due to URL structure changes, but Wix offers better SEO tools than Big Cartel. Set up 301 redirects for your main product pages and update your Google Business Profile and social media links to minimize ranking loss.

Can I transfer my order history and customer data from Big Cartel to Wix?

Big Cartel doesn't provide order history export, so you'll need to manually record important order data before migrating. Customer email lists can be exported and imported into Wix, but customers will need to create new accounts since passwords cannot be transferred.

How do I export my products from Big Cartel to import into Wix?

Big Cartel provides CSV export functionality for your products, including titles, descriptions, prices, and images. You can then use Wix's product import tool to bulk upload this data, though you may need to reformat the CSV to match Wix's required structure.

What's the cost difference between Big Cartel and Wix plans?

Wix is more expensive but offers more features - Business Basic at $27/mo vs Big Cartel's Gold at $9.99/mo. However, Wix includes advanced design tools, better SEO features, and more payment options that may justify the higher cost for growing businesses.

Will there be any downtime during the migration process?

No, you can build your new Wix store while keeping Big Cartel live. Only switch your domain when the Wix store is fully ready and tested, minimizing downtime to just the DNS propagation period (usually 24-48 hours).

How do I recreate my Big Cartel store design in Wix?

Wix offers much more design flexibility than Big Cartel with its drag-and-drop editor and hundreds of templates. Take screenshots of your current design and use Wix's visual editor to recreate or improve upon your existing layout with more customization options.

What ecommerce features will I gain by switching from Big Cartel to Wix?

Wix offers abandoned cart recovery, more payment gateways, advanced inventory management, customer accounts with order history, and built-in marketing tools like email campaigns. You'll also get better mobile responsiveness and SEO capabilities compared to Big Cartel's simpler feature set.

How should I test my new Wix store before going live?

Use Wix's preview mode to test all product pages, checkout process, and payment systems with test transactions. Check mobile responsiveness, contact forms, and ensure all product images and descriptions transferred correctly before switching your domain.

Will my existing customers need to create new accounts on Wix?

Yes, customers will need to create new accounts since login credentials cannot be transferred between platforms. Send a migration announcement email explaining the change and consider offering a small discount to encourage re-registration on your new Wix store.

Can I keep selling during the migration process?

Yes, keep your Big Cartel store active while building on Wix to avoid lost sales. You may need to manually sync inventory levels between platforms during the transition period, but this ensures continuous business operations.

Should I choose Wix if I plan to scale beyond 500 products?

Wix can handle larger catalogs but may become limited for extensive product lines or complex B2B needs. It's excellent for small to medium businesses with straightforward product catalogs, but consider more robust platforms like Shopify if you anticipate significant growth beyond 1000 products.