BigCommerce to Shopify
Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify represents a move from one hosted SaaS platform to another, but with significant differences in flexibility, app ecosystem, and pricing structure. In 2025, Shopify's larger app marketplace, more flexible theme system, and competitive pricing make it an attractive alternative for many BigCommerce merchants.
This comprehensive technical blueprint covers the migration from BigCommerce's REST API to Shopify's Admin API, including data mapping, cost analysis, and step-by-step execution.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave BigCommerce?
💰 Pricing & Transaction Fees
The BigCommerce Pain: BigCommerce charges transaction fees on certain plans and has higher monthly costs for advanced features. Pricing can escalate quickly as you grow.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify offers competitive pricing with no transaction fees when using Shopify Payments. More predictable cost structure with better value at scale.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The BigCommerce Pain: BigCommerce has a smaller app marketplace (~1,000 apps) with fewer options for specific integrations.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify's App Store has 8,000+ apps, offering more solutions for marketing, fulfillment, customer service, and integrations.
🛠 Theme Flexibility
The BigCommerce Pain: BigCommerce themes are more rigid, with limited customization options without developer intervention.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify's Liquid templating system offers more flexibility. Larger theme marketplace with more design options.
⚡ Developer Community
The BigCommerce Pain: Smaller developer community means fewer resources, tutorials, and third-party solutions.
The Shopify Gain: Massive developer community, extensive documentation, and more available talent for custom development.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Both platforms are SaaS with REST APIs, making migration more straightforward than self-hosted platforms.
- BigCommerce API Access: Ensure you have API credentials (OAuth token) with read permissions for products, customers, orders.
- Custom Fields: BigCommerce custom fields map to Shopify metafields.
- Product Options: BigCommerce product options become Shopify product variants.
- Categories: BigCommerce categories become Shopify collections.
- Stencil Themes: If using Stencil, note that Shopify uses Liquid (similar but different syntax).
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| BigCommerce Field (Source) | Shopify Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
id |
id (Product API) |
Shopify generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
name |
title |
Direct string transfer. |
sku |
variants[].sku |
BigCommerce SKU is at product level, Shopify at variant level. |
price |
variants[].price |
Price per variant in Shopify. |
description |
body_html |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Shopify CDN. |
categories |
collections |
BigCommerce categories become Shopify collections. |
variants |
variants |
Both platforms use variants, but structure differs slightly. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| BigCommerce Field | Shopify Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
email |
email |
Unique identifier. |
password |
password (on create) |
Requires password reset. Different hashing algorithms. Customers must reset passwords. |
addresses |
addresses[] |
Similar structure, direct mapping possible. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| BigCommerce Field | Shopify Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
id |
name (order number) |
Preserve BigCommerce order ID in Shopify name field. |
status |
financial_status, fulfillment_status |
Map BigCommerce statuses to Shopify's dual status system. |
total_inc_tax |
total_price |
Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed. |
4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle
Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)
Tools: Migration Shop, LitExtension, Cart2Cart
- ✅ Pros: Handles API complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($150 - $500).
Option B: Custom Script
Tools: BigCommerce API + Shopify Admin API
- ✅ Pros: Full control, can customize mapping.
- ❌ Cons: Requires developer ($100-$200/hr), 30+ hours.
5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Shopify):
Create Shopify store. Enable password protection during migration.
1.2. Prepare Source (BigCommerce):
Generate API credentials in BigCommerce admin (Advanced Settings > API Accounts). Create OAuth token with read permissions.
Phase 2: The Connection Setup
2.1. Shopify API Access:
Create private app in Shopify with read/write permissions.
2.2. BigCommerce API:
Use OAuth token from BigCommerce. Migration tool authenticates via OAuth.
Phase 3: Entity Configuration
- Map Custom Fields: BigCommerce custom fields to Shopify metafields.
- Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.
Phase 4: The Full Migration
Launch migration. Both platforms use REST APIs, making this faster than database migrations.
Time Estimation: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders takes 2-3 hours.
6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
7. Troubleshooting & SEO Preservation
Common Errors
- API Rate Limits: Both platforms have rate limits. Migration tools handle this automatically.
- Product Variants: BigCommerce and Shopify handle variants similarly, but verify mapping.
- Custom Fields: Ensure BigCommerce custom fields map correctly to Shopify metafields.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
BigCommerce and Shopify URL structures differ. Automated migration tools create redirects, but verify in Shopify admin.
Ready to Switch Platforms?
Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify opens access to a larger app ecosystem and more flexible customization options. Both platforms use REST APIs, making migration straightforward.