Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Wix to BigCommerce Migration Guide

Wix

BigCommerce

Migrate from Wix to BigCommerce to eliminate transaction fees and access robust built-in ecommerce features that reduce app dependency costs. This guide covers the complete migration process for scaling your online store.

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Wix to BigCommerce Migration Guide

Migrate from Wix to BigCommerce to eliminate transaction fees and access built-in ecommerce features. This guide covers exporting your Wix data and setting up your new BigCommerce store with enhanced product variant capabilities.

Export Your Wix Store Data

Download your product catalog from Wix using the CSV export feature in your Wix dashboard under Store Management > Products. Note that customer data and order history will need to be manually exported or recreated, as Wix has limited bulk export options for this information.

Choose Your BigCommerce Plan

Select a BigCommerce plan based on your needs: Standard ($39/mo) for basic stores, Plus ($105/mo) for growing businesses, or Pro ($399/mo) for advanced features. Consider that BigCommerce's built-in features may eliminate the need for paid apps you used on Wix.

Set Up Your BigCommerce Store

Create your BigCommerce account and configure basic store settings including payment gateways, shipping zones, and tax settings. Take advantage of BigCommerce's built-in features like abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation that may have required third-party apps on Wix.

Import and Expand Your Product Catalog

Upload your Wix product CSV to BigCommerce and enhance your listings with additional variants if needed. BigCommerce supports up to 250 product variants compared to Wix's 100 limit, allowing you to offer more size, color, and style combinations.

Recreate Customer Accounts and Order History

Manually export customer information from Wix and import it into BigCommerce using the customer import tool. While order history cannot be directly transferred, you can create customer accounts with their contact information and purchase preferences.

Configure Domain and Launch

Point your existing domain to BigCommerce by updating DNS settings or transfer domain management directly to BigCommerce. Test all functionality including checkout, payment processing, and email notifications before making your new store live.

Complete Migration Guide: Wix to BigCommerce

A comprehensive 12-step process to migrate your online store from Wix to BigCommerce, designed for growing businesses seeking advanced built-in features and zero transaction fees. This guide covers everything from data export to go-live testing.

Audit Current Wix Store and Plan Migration

2-4 hours

Conduct a thorough inventory of your Wix store including all products, variants, customer data, orders, and custom content. Document your current Wix apps and integrations to identify BigCommerce equivalents. Create a migration timeline and backup strategy since Wix has limited export capabilities compared to other platforms.

Tips:

• Screenshot your Wix dashboard settings for reference
• List all third-party apps currently in use
• Document custom code snippets from Wix Code/Velo

Important:

• Wix doesn't export order history - save reports manually
• Custom Wix apps won't transfer and need BigCommerce alternatives

Export Products and Data from Wix

3-6 hours

Use Wix's limited CSV export functionality to download your product catalog, though this will require significant manual work. Export customer contact information if available, and manually save important order data and analytics reports. Note that Wix's export capabilities are restrictive, so you'll need to supplement with manual data collection.

Tips:

• Export products in small batches to avoid timeout issues
• Save all product images separately as URLs may not export
• Use Wix's contact export feature for customer emails

Important:

• Wix product exports often miss critical data like variants and SEO fields
• Customer passwords cannot be exported and will need to be reset

Set Up BigCommerce Account and Store

1-2 hours

Create your BigCommerce account and select an appropriate plan based on your product count and expected traffic. Configure basic store information including store name, address, currency, and timezone. Set up your temporary BigCommerce domain while keeping your main domain pointed to Wix during migration.

Tips:

• Choose BigCommerce Pro or Enterprise for advanced B2B features
• Enable BigCommerce's built-in multi-channel selling from the start
• Set up your store timezone to match your business location

Important:

• Don't point your main domain to BigCommerce until migration is complete
• BigCommerce trial period is limited - plan your migration timeline accordingly

Select and Customize BigCommerce Theme

4-8 hours

Browse BigCommerce's theme marketplace and select a responsive theme that matches your brand and supports your product types. Install the theme and begin basic customization including logo upload, color scheme, and typography. Configure theme settings to optimize for your target audience of growing businesses and B2B customers.

Tips:

• Choose themes optimized for B2B features like bulk ordering
• Test theme responsiveness on multiple devices
• Use BigCommerce's Page Builder for easy customization

Important:

• Some theme features may require additional apps or custom development
• Free themes have limited customization options compared to premium ones

Import and Configure Products

6-12 hours

Format your Wix product data to match BigCommerce's CSV import requirements, expanding from Wix's 100 variant limit to BigCommerce's 250 variants per product. Upload product images to BigCommerce and update image URLs in your import file. Import products in batches and configure product options, custom fields, and inventory tracking.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's sample CSV template to format your data correctly
• Take advantage of increased variant limits for complex products
• Set up product categories and filters for better navigation

Important:

• Large product catalogs may require multiple import attempts
• Verify all product variants and pricing after import

Import Customer Data

2-4 hours

Format and import your customer contact information using BigCommerce's customer import feature. Since Wix doesn't export comprehensive customer data, you'll need to manually compile customer information from various sources. Set up customer groups and pricing tiers if you're targeting B2B customers who may need wholesale pricing.

Tips:

• Create customer groups for B2B vs B2C pricing
• Import customers in small batches to avoid errors
• Set up customer account creation emails

Important:

• Customers will need to reset passwords after migration
• Customer order history cannot be imported from Wix

Configure Payment Gateways

2-3 hours

Set up BigCommerce's built-in payment processing or configure your preferred payment gateways without worrying about transaction fees that Wix charges. Enable multiple payment options including credit cards, PayPal, and B2B-friendly options like purchase orders or net terms. Configure currency settings and tax-inclusive pricing if needed.

Tips:

• Take advantage of BigCommerce's zero transaction fees
• Enable PayPal Express Checkout for faster conversions
• Set up purchase order payments for B2B customers

Important:

• Test all payment methods in sandbox mode first
• Ensure PCI compliance requirements are met

Set Up Shipping Configuration

3-5 hours

Configure BigCommerce's advanced shipping options including real-time carrier rates, flat rate shipping, and free shipping thresholds. Set up shipping zones for different regions and configure B2B shipping options like freight or local delivery. Integrate with shipping carriers for automated rate calculation and label printing.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's built-in shipping calculator for accuracy
• Set up shipping promotions to encourage larger orders
• Configure dimensional weight for accurate B2B shipping

Important:

• Test shipping calculations for all product combinations
• Verify international shipping restrictions and duties

Configure Tax Settings

2-4 hours

Set up BigCommerce's built-in tax engine or integrate with tax automation services like Avalara for complex B2B tax requirements. Configure tax zones, rates, and exemptions based on your business locations and customer base. Enable tax-inclusive pricing display if required for your market, and set up tax exemption handling for B2B customers.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's automatic tax calculation for accuracy
• Set up tax exemption certificates for B2B customers
• Configure nexus settings for multi-state compliance

Important:

• Verify tax calculations match your previous Wix setup
• Ensure compliance with local tax regulations

Migrate Content and Set Up Pages

4-8 hours

Manually recreate your Wix pages in BigCommerce including About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service pages. Use BigCommerce's Page Builder or HTML editor to recreate your content and maintain SEO elements like meta descriptions and page titles. Set up your blog if you had one on Wix, though content will need to be manually transferred.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's Page Builder for easy content creation
• Maintain consistent branding and messaging from your Wix site
• Optimize content for BigCommerce's built-in SEO features

Important:

• Wix blog content must be manually copied
• Custom Wix applications and widgets won't transfer

Set Up URL Redirects and SEO

3-5 hours

Create 301 redirects from your old Wix URLs to new BigCommerce URLs to preserve SEO rankings and prevent broken links. Configure BigCommerce's built-in SEO features including meta tags, structured data, and XML sitemaps. Set up Google Analytics and Search Console for your new BigCommerce store.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's built-in redirect manager for easy setup
• Maintain URL structure where possible to minimize redirects
• Submit new sitemap to search engines

Important:

• Wix uses complex URL structures that may require many redirects
• Monitor for 404 errors after going live

Test Store and Go Live

4-6 hours

Conduct comprehensive testing of your BigCommerce store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, and payment processing. Test B2B features like customer groups, wholesale pricing, and bulk ordering if applicable. Once testing is complete, point your domain to BigCommerce and monitor for any issues during the first 24-48 hours.

Tips:

• Test checkout process with small real transactions
• Verify all BigCommerce built-in features are working correctly
• Have a rollback plan ready in case of critical issues

Important:

• Monitor site performance closely after going live
• Be prepared for temporary SEO ranking fluctuations

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Wix supports 100 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.

Common challenges and solutions

Key questions and solutions for businesses migrating from Wix to BigCommerce, covering technical hurdles, cost considerations, and operational concerns.

How long does it typically take to migrate from Wix to BigCommerce?

A complete migration usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on your store size and complexity. The process involves manual export of some data from Wix, setting up your BigCommerce store, and thorough testing before launch.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when migrating from Wix to BigCommerce?

You can preserve most of your SEO value by implementing proper 301 redirects from your old Wix URLs to your new BigCommerce URLs. Plan your URL structure carefully and submit an updated sitemap to search engines after migration.

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

Yes, but it requires careful planning since Wix only offers CSV export with some manual extraction needed. You'll need to format your customer data and order history to match BigCommerce's import requirements, though some historical data may need manual reconstruction.

How do BigCommerce's costs compare to my current Wix pricing?

BigCommerce Standard ($39/mo) costs more than Wix Business plans ($27-59/mo) upfront, but you'll save on transaction fees and app costs due to BigCommerce's built-in features. Most businesses find the total cost of ownership lower with BigCommerce despite higher base pricing.

What built-in features does BigCommerce offer that I'm currently paying for as Wix apps?

BigCommerce includes advanced SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, product reviews, real-time shipping quotes, and multi-channel selling built-in. These features often require paid apps on Wix, potentially saving you $50-200+ monthly in app fees.

How much downtime should I expect during the migration?

With proper planning, you can minimize downtime to just a few hours for DNS propagation. Build your entire BigCommerce store while your Wix site remains live, then switch over during low-traffic hours for the smoothest transition.

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

Yes, customers will need to reset their passwords since Wix's encrypted password data cannot be transferred to BigCommerce for security reasons. Plan to communicate this change to customers and consider offering incentives for account recreation.

How do BigCommerce themes compare to my current Wix design flexibility?

BigCommerce has fewer themes than Wix but offers more customization depth for e-commerce functionality. While you may have less drag-and-drop simplicity, you'll gain more professional e-commerce features and better mobile optimization.

Can I test my new BigCommerce store before making it live?

Yes, BigCommerce provides a preview URL during setup that lets you fully test your store functionality, payment processing, and design. Use this staging environment to train your team and resolve any issues before switching your domain.

How should I handle my business operations during the migration?

Continue processing orders on Wix until migration day, then temporarily pause new orders during the switch. Prepare your team with BigCommerce training beforehand and have a rollback plan ready in case of unexpected issues.

Will my product reviews transfer from Wix to BigCommerce?

Product reviews may not transfer automatically and often require manual export and reformatting. Since BigCommerce has built-in review functionality, you'll need to map your Wix review data to BigCommerce's format or consider starting fresh with their integrated system.

Is BigCommerce suitable for my business size and industry?

BigCommerce excels for growing businesses, B2B operations, and multi-channel retailers who need robust built-in features without transaction fees. If you're outgrowing Wix's e-commerce limitations and want enterprise-level features, BigCommerce is an excellent fit.