Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

BigCommerce to Square Online Migration Guide

BigCommerce

Square Online

This guide walks you through migrating from BigCommerce to Square Online to achieve a unified POS and online store experience. Learn how to transfer your store data while leveraging Square's integrated retail ecosystem.

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BigCommerce to Square Online Migration Guide

Seamlessly transition from BigCommerce to Square Online to unify your point-of-sale and online store operations. This migration will help you leverage Square's integrated ecosystem for better omnichannel retail management.

Export Your BigCommerce Store Data

Access your BigCommerce admin panel and export all essential data including products, customers, and orders via CSV files. Navigate to Store Setup > Import/Export to download product catalogs, customer lists, and order history - note that BigCommerce supports up to 250 product variants per export batch.

Set Up Your Square Online Account

Create your Square Online account and choose the appropriate plan based on your needs (Free, Plus at $29/mo, or Premium at $79/mo). Connect your existing Square POS account if you have one, or set up Square payments to ensure seamless integration between your online and physical store operations.

Configure Store Settings and Design

Set up your basic store information, shipping zones, tax settings, and payment methods in Square Online. Choose and customize a theme that matches your brand, ensuring your store design aligns with your physical location's branding for consistent omnichannel experience.

Import Products and Inventory

Upload your BigCommerce product CSV files to Square Online's product import tool, mapping fields like SKU, price, description, and inventory levels. Review and adjust product categories, variants, and images to ensure everything displays correctly in your new Square Online store.

Migrate Customer Data and Test Orders

Import your customer database from BigCommerce into Square Online, ensuring contact information and purchase history are preserved where possible. Conduct thorough testing of the checkout process, payment processing, and inventory synchronization between your POS and online store.

Launch and Redirect Traffic

Update your domain settings to point to your new Square Online store and set up 301 redirects from your old BigCommerce URLs to maintain SEO rankings. Announce the migration to your customers and take advantage of Square's unified dashboard to monitor both online and in-store sales from one central location.

BigCommerce to Square Online Migration Guide

A comprehensive 12-step process to migrate your ecommerce store from BigCommerce to Square Online, designed for retail businesses seeking unified POS and online store management with unlimited product variants.

Export Data from BigCommerce

2-3 hours

Navigate to BigCommerce's Store Setup > Data Export section and generate CSV exports for products, customers, orders, and categories. BigCommerce allows comprehensive data export including product variants (up to your current 250 limit), customer information, and order history. Download all files and organize them in a dedicated migration folder for easy access during the import process.

Tips:

• Export during low-traffic hours to avoid performance issues
• Include all product images in your export by checking the 'Include Images' option
• Save exports with clear naming conventions like 'BC_Products_YYYY-MM-DD.csv'

Important:

• BigCommerce exports may timeout for large datasets - consider exporting in smaller date ranges
• Product variant data may need manual formatting for Square Online compatibility

Set Up Square Online Account

30-45 minutes

Create your Square Online account at squarespace.com/online-store or through the Square Dashboard if you already have Square POS. Choose the appropriate plan based on your business needs - the free plan supports unlimited products but has Square branding, while paid plans offer custom domains and advanced features. Link your existing Square account to maintain unified inventory and customer data across POS and online channels.

Tips:

• Use the same business email as your BigCommerce account for consistency
• Enable Square POS integration during setup for seamless omnichannel operations
• Choose a plan that supports your expected transaction volume and feature requirements

Important:

• Free plan includes Square branding and limited customization options
• Account verification may take 1-2 business days before full functionality is available

Select and Customize Theme

3-4 hours

Browse Square Online's theme library and select a template that matches your brand aesthetic and product catalog structure. Square Online offers mobile-responsive themes optimized for retail businesses with built-in POS integration features. Customize colors, fonts, and layout to match your BigCommerce store's branding, ensuring visual consistency for returning customers during the transition.

Tips:

• Choose themes with grid layouts if you have many product variants
• Test theme responsiveness on mobile devices before finalizing
• Upload your logo and brand assets before starting detailed customization

Important:

• Theme customization options are more limited compared to BigCommerce's flexibility
• Some advanced design features may require upgrading to paid plans

Import Product Catalog

4-6 hours

Use Square Online's bulk import feature to upload your BigCommerce product CSV file through the Items section of your Square Dashboard. Map BigCommerce fields to Square's product structure, paying special attention to variant configurations since Square Online supports unlimited variants compared to BigCommerce's 250 limit. Review and adjust product categories, descriptions, and pricing to ensure accuracy in the new platform.

Tips:

• Clean up product data in Excel before importing to reduce errors
• Take advantage of Square's unlimited variants to expand product options
• Import products in batches of 500-1000 items to monitor for errors

Important:

• Product images may need to be re-uploaded manually if URLs don't transfer properly
• Complex variant structures from BigCommerce may require manual adjustment in Square

Import Customer Database

2-3 hours

Upload your BigCommerce customer CSV file through Square Online's customer import tool in the Customers section. Map customer fields including contact information, order history, and any customer groups or segments from BigCommerce. Square Online will create customer profiles that sync with your POS system, enabling unified customer experiences across online and in-store purchases.

Tips:

• Verify email formatting is consistent to avoid duplicate customer records
• Import customer purchase history to maintain loyalty program continuity
• Send a migration notification email to customers about the platform change

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be migrated - customers will need to reset passwords on first login
• Some customer custom fields from BigCommerce may not have equivalent fields in Square

Configure Payment Processing

1-2 hours

Set up Square's integrated payment processing system, which is automatically configured for Square Online stores. Configure accepted payment methods including credit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and Square gift cards. If you were using other payment processors on BigCommerce, you'll transition to Square's unified payment system that works seamlessly between online and POS transactions.

Tips:

• Enable all digital wallet options to reduce cart abandonment
• Set up Square gift cards to encourage repeat purchases
• Configure automatic receipt emails for online orders

Important:

• You cannot use third-party payment processors like PayPal or Stripe with Square Online
• Payment processing fees structure may differ from your previous BigCommerce setup

Set Up Shipping Configuration

2-3 hours

Configure shipping zones, rates, and methods in Square Online's Shipping section, replicating your BigCommerce shipping setup. Square Online integrates with major carriers and offers real-time shipping calculations. Set up local delivery options if you have physical store locations, and configure pickup options to leverage your omnichannel capabilities with Square POS integration.

Tips:

• Enable in-store pickup options to drive foot traffic to physical locations
• Set up shipping zones that match your BigCommerce configuration
• Configure free shipping thresholds to maintain customer expectations

Important:

• Some advanced shipping rules from BigCommerce may need to be simplified for Square Online
• Third-party shipping apps from BigCommerce won't transfer and may need alternatives

Configure Tax Settings

1-2 hours

Set up tax configurations in Square Online's Tax section, ensuring compliance with your business locations and shipping destinations. Square automatically calculates taxes based on your business address and shipping locations, which integrates seamlessly with your POS system for consistent tax handling. Import any specific tax exemptions or custom tax rates you had configured in BigCommerce.

Tips:

• Verify tax rates match your BigCommerce settings for consistency
• Enable automatic tax calculation for all shipping destinations
• Set up tax-exempt customer categories if applicable to your business

Important:

• Complex tax rules from BigCommerce may need manual recreation
• International tax configurations may be more limited in Square Online

Migrate Content and Pages

3-4 hours

Recreate your BigCommerce store pages including About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service in Square Online's Pages section. Copy content from your BigCommerce pages and adapt formatting to Square Online's page builder. Set up your navigation menu structure to match your previous site organization, ensuring customers can easily find familiar content and information.

Tips:

• Keep URLs similar to your BigCommerce structure for SEO continuity
• Optimize content for Square Online's page builder capabilities
• Create a comprehensive FAQ page about the platform transition

Important:

• Complex page layouts from BigCommerce may need simplification
• Custom HTML/CSS from BigCommerce pages may not be fully compatible

Set Up URL Redirects

2-3 hours

Configure 301 redirects from your BigCommerce URLs to corresponding Square Online URLs to preserve SEO rankings and ensure customers can find your migrated content. Use Square Online's URL redirect feature in the SEO section, or implement redirects at the domain level if you're changing domains. Focus on redirecting high-traffic pages, product pages, and category pages first.

Tips:

• Create a comprehensive URL mapping spreadsheet before implementing redirects
• Prioritize redirects for your most popular products and pages
• Test redirects using tools like Redirect Checker to ensure they work properly

Important:

• Square Online has limited redirect capabilities compared to BigCommerce
• Some complex URL structures may require domain-level redirect configuration

Comprehensive Testing Phase

4-6 hours

Conduct thorough testing of your Square Online store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, payment processing, and order fulfillment workflows. Test the integration between your online store and Square POS system to ensure inventory synchronization and unified customer experiences. Verify that all imported data displays correctly and all store functions work as expected.

Tips:

• Test checkout process with different payment methods and shipping options
• Verify inventory sync between online store and POS system
• Test customer account creation and login functionality

Important:

• Some BigCommerce features may not have direct equivalents in Square Online
• Mobile responsiveness should be tested across multiple devices and browsers

Go Live and Monitor

Ongoing monitoring for 1 week

Switch your domain to point to Square Online and officially launch your migrated store. Monitor the site closely for the first 48-72 hours, checking for any issues with orders, payments, or customer interactions. Set up Square Online's analytics and reporting tools to track performance, and communicate the migration to your customers through email announcements and social media updates highlighting the improved omnichannel experience.

Tips:

• Schedule the go-live during low-traffic hours to minimize disruption
• Prepare customer service team for migration-related inquiries
• Monitor Google Analytics and Square reporting for any traffic or conversion issues

Important:

• Have a rollback plan ready in case of critical issues
• Customer service volume may increase during the first week as customers adapt to the new platform

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: BigCommerce supports 250 vs Square Online'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

Key questions and practical solutions for businesses migrating from BigCommerce to Square Online, covering everything from data transfer to operational continuity.

How long does it typically take to migrate from BigCommerce to Square Online?

A complete migration usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on your store size and complexity. This includes exporting data via CSV from BigCommerce, setting up Square Online, importing products and customers, configuring payment settings, and testing the new store before going live.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when migrating to Square Online?

You may experience temporary SEO impact due to URL structure changes, but this can be minimized with proper 301 redirects. Square Online has basic SEO tools, though they're more limited than BigCommerce's advanced SEO features, so plan your redirect strategy carefully before migration.

Can I transfer my complete order history from BigCommerce to Square Online?

BigCommerce allows CSV export of order data, but Square Online has limited import capabilities for historical orders. You'll likely need to keep BigCommerce data for reference while starting fresh with new orders in Square Online, or use a third-party migration service.

What happens to my BigCommerce apps when I switch to Square Online?

BigCommerce apps won't transfer to Square Online, and you'll need to find alternatives in Square's more limited app ecosystem. However, many functions may be built into Square's integrated POS system, potentially reducing your need for third-party apps.

How do the customization options compare between BigCommerce and Square Online?

Square Online offers significantly fewer customization options compared to BigCommerce's extensive theme editing and code access. You'll have pre-built templates with limited design flexibility, which may require adjusting your brand presentation expectations.

How much website downtime should I expect during the migration?

You can minimize downtime to just the DNS switching period (a few hours) by building your Square Online store completely before making it live. Keep your BigCommerce store running until Square Online is fully tested and ready to replace it.

Should I test my Square Online store before making it live?

Absolutely - use Square Online's preview mode to thoroughly test all functionality including product displays, checkout process, payment processing, and mobile responsiveness. Create test orders to ensure the integration with Square POS works correctly for your omnichannel needs.

Can I recreate my BigCommerce theme design in Square Online?

Square Online's templates are more restrictive than BigCommerce's customizable themes, so you likely won't achieve an exact replica. Focus on maintaining your brand colors, logo, and key design elements within Square Online's template constraints.

Will my customers need to create new accounts on Square Online?

Yes, customer passwords cannot be migrated due to security encryption, so customers will need to create new accounts or use password reset functionality. You can import customer contact information via CSV, but plan a communication strategy to help customers with the transition.

How can I continue operations during the migration process?

Keep your BigCommerce store fully operational while building Square Online in parallel, avoiding any business interruption. Only switch over when Square Online is completely ready, and consider migrating during low-traffic periods to minimize impact.

How will my monthly costs change switching from BigCommerce to Square Online?

You could save significantly - BigCommerce Standard ($39/mo) vs Square Online Free plan, or BigCommerce Plus ($105/mo) vs Square Online Premium ($79/mo). However, factor in Square's payment processing fees and reduced functionality when calculating total cost of ownership.

Can I migrate my product reviews from BigCommerce to Square Online?

Square Online has limited native review functionality compared to BigCommerce's review system. You may need to export reviews as CSV data for reference, but will likely need to integrate a third-party review app or start collecting reviews fresh on Square Online.