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Quick answer: Most stores migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify (from $39/mo) for its larger app ecosystem and simpler day-to-day management. The safe path: export your products/customers/orders from BigCommerce, import into Shopify (via the Store Importer app or a migration tool), set up redirects to preserve SEO, then test before switching DNS.
Migration steps at a glance
- Audit current store (products, customers, orders, URLs).
- Export data from BigCommerce; import to Shopify (Store Importer / migration app).
- Recreate theme, navigation, and key pages.
- Set 301 redirects from old URLs to new to keep rankings.
- Test checkout, then point your domain to Shopify.
Pricing verified against 2026 sources incl. Jetfuel Agency. Confirm current prices on each vendor’s site.
How we review: total real cost (subscription + apps/hosting + fees), ease of use, scalability, and real user feedback — see our methodology. Last updated July 2026.
Moving a live store sounds scary — products, customers, orders, and your hard-won SEO all have to survive the jump. The good news: with a clear sequence and the right tools, a BigCommerce-to-Shopify migration is routine. This guide walks it start to finish, with the one step most people skip (redirects) called out so you do not lose rankings.
Why merchants switch to Shopify
Most stores move for three reasons: Shopify’s far larger app ecosystem (almost any feature is a plugin away), its simpler day-to-day management and checkout, and broader payment/multichannel options. BigCommerce bundles more in by default, but many owners find Shopify easier to run and customize. If you are still weighing it, our Shopify vs BigCommerce comparison covers the trade-offs (including BigCommerce’s zero transaction fees) before you commit to moving.
Before you migrate: prep
Back up everything. Export your BigCommerce products, customers, and orders to CSV and store copies safely — this is your safety net. Pick the right Shopify plan for your catalog size and volume. Choose a theme and shortlist apps to replace any BigCommerce built-ins you rely on (reviews, currency, etc.), keeping the list lean so the new store stays fast. Crucially, export your full list of current URLs now — you will need it for redirects.
Migration tools and options
You have three routes. Shopify’s free Store Importer handles basic product/customer/order imports and is fine for simple catalogs. Automated migration apps — Cart2Cart and LitExtension — move products, customers, orders, and even SEO URLs with a free demo run first, ideal for most stores with minimal technical work. Matrixify (CSV/Excel) is best for large or complex catalogs where you want full control over data mapping.
Step-by-step migration
1. Connect the stores (or export/import CSVs). 2. Select what to transfer — products, customers, orders; skip clutter. 3. Run a demo migration first and check how products, prices, and orders land in Shopify. 4. Map products to Shopify products and categories to collections, fixing variants and descriptions. 5. Configure payments and shipping and test them. Note: Shopify cannot import customer passwords for security reasons, so customers will reset on first login.
The step people skip: 301 redirects
This is the one that protects your traffic. BigCommerce and Shopify use different URL structures, so without redirects every ranked page 404s and your SEO tanks. Map each old BigCommerce URL to its new Shopify equivalent and set up 301 redirects (Shopify’s built-in URL Redirects tool or a bulk-redirect app). Do this before you switch DNS, and spot-check your top pages after launch.
After migration
Test thoroughly — product pages, images, a real checkout, taxes, and shipping — before going live. Point your domain to Shopify and confirm SSL is active. Notify customers to reset passwords with clear instructions. Then make manual fixes to any variants, collections, or formatting that did not transfer cleanly, and confirm your apps and integrations work.
Cost and time
A simple store can migrate in a few days; a large, complex one takes weeks. Costs range from near-free (DIY with Store Importer) to a few hundred dollars for a migration app, up to a few thousand if you hire experts for a big catalog or custom design. DIY saves money if you have the time and comfort; experts reduce risk on complex stores.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify better than BigCommerce?
Shopify wins on app ecosystem, ease of use, and checkout, which is why most migrations go this direction. BigCommerce has strong built-in features and zero transaction fees. “Better” depends on your priorities — see our Shopify vs BigCommerce comparison — but for app flexibility and simplicity, Shopify leads.
How do I keep my SEO when migrating to Shopify?
Set 301 redirects from every old BigCommerce URL to its new Shopify URL before switching DNS — this is the single most important step. It passes ranking signals to the new pages and prevents 404s. Migration apps like Cart2Cart and LitExtension can transfer SEO URLs to make this easier.
Will I lose customer data or passwords?
Products, customers, and orders transfer fine with the right tool, but Shopify cannot import customer passwords for security reasons — customers reset them on first login. Always keep a full CSV backup of your BigCommerce data before migrating as a safety net.
How much does it cost to migrate to Shopify?
Anywhere from near-free (DIY with Shopify’s Store Importer) to a few hundred dollars for an automated migration app, up to $500–$5,000+ if you hire experts for a large or complex store. Cost scales with catalog size, data complexity, and whether you want custom design.
The bottom line
A BigCommerce-to-Shopify migration is very doable if you follow the sequence: back up, import with the right tool, set 301 redirects, test everything, then switch DNS. Use Shopify’s Store Importer for a simple store, Cart2Cart/LitExtension for most, or Matrixify for large catalogs — and never skip the redirects.