VirtueMart often comes up highly recommended when searching for the best e-commercesolution. The Joomla-based plugin is free and open-source, making it remarkably scalable. It also integrates seamlessly with multiple third-party applications, including payment gateways.
VirtueMart comes with a handful of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools. These include customizable URLs, sitemaps, and meta tags, all designed to elevate your store’s online visibility.
Besides, the plugin supports multiple languages and currencies. That’s a significant add-on if your store has clientele spread across several time zones.
And with over 5,000 extensions, it’s unsurprising that VirtueMart enjoys the approval of thousands of e-commerce retailers.
But VirtueMart’s exclusive reliance on Joomla presents several limitations. Notably, the plugin has fewer theme options, is challenging to navigate, and has a less vibrant community.
These drawbacks explain the recent spate of migrations from VirtueMart to BigCommerce.
A VirtueMart-BigCommerce migration provides better scalability and enhanced customization. You also get to unlock more advanced SEO features, among other perks.
Fortunately, the migration process can be surprisingly easy if you follow the right procedure. Here’s how to go about it.
1. Choose a Website Migration Tool
Migrating an e-commerce platform is a delicate procedure. If bungled, you could lose highly sensitive business secrets.
While you may be tempted to go it alone (ostensibly to save on cost), it’s better to hire a professional website migration service.
Look for an agency with a proven track record. Check that the company has been around much longer (at least five years) and enjoys an impressive approval rating from its previousclients.
For a better outcome, choose a service with verifiable experience in VirtueMart to BigCommerce migration. The company should also provide a complete suite of services, from initial planning to post-migration support.
Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. Contact these individuals for their experience working with the website migration service.
And since website migration comes at a cost, compare multiple quotes and choose the most affordable service.
2. Plan Ahead
Planning is a critical part of website migration. Unless you get it right from the get-go, the process could drag on unnecessarily longer.
A reputable website migration service will start by reviewing your VirtueMart content. This ensures only important data is transferred to BigCommerce.
Next, the agency will back up all important data to prevent it from getting lost in transit. This is perhaps the most critical part of the preparation stage.
To efficiently back up your data on VirtueMart, you’ll need to download all files from the plugin. Those include texts, audiovisual content, themes, and client information.
Transfer the downloads to a secure external storage. It’s important to create two backuplayers for extra data security. For instance, you could move the content to a hard drive and copy it to the cloud.
Once you’re done with the files, proceed to back up your database. Your website migration service will recommend the best database management tool.
With your data fully backed up, note down your VirtueMart customization features. You’llneed to replicate these on the BigCommerce Platform.
The final step in the preparation phase is setting up a BigCommerce store. Sign up for a BigCommerce account and implement the necessary settings. Basic configurations include choosing;
• A name
• Store address
• Themes
• Preferred currency
• Payment gateway
• Shipping method
3. Migrate Data One By One
After creating a BigCommerce store and configuring it accordingly, now comes the most important part – the actual migration.
Remember that not every VirtueMart data should be moved to BigCommerce. Besides, compatibility issues can impede the transfer of certain content.
As you’re an e-commerce store, your priority data should be the products.
Be sure to transfer all product information from VirtueMart to BigCommerce. That includes item names, categories, images, and their descriptions.
Ensure the product descriptions are complete. Each page should highlight what the product is, what it does, physical appearance, inventory status, and prices.
Don’t forget product bundles as well as coupons and discounts where applicable.
When done with the products, proceed to migrate your clients’ data. Each dataset should consist of the customer’s name, contact information, and login credentials.
If there are pending or unfulfilled orders, be sure to transfer them too.
4. Review the Process
Congratulations on migrating your data from VirtueMart to BigCommerce! But before celebrating, validate that the information transferred correctly.
First, ascertain that all data was successfully transferred. This basically requires a side-by-side comparison of your backup files against the BigCommerce platform.
Assume that your VirtueMart store had 20 product categories, but your BigCommerce platform surprisingly indicates 12. In that case, eight categories were lost in transit, got mixed up with the others, or failed to transfer altogether.
Fix the problem before moving to the next data set.
Next, test your BigCommerce platform’s functionalities. Those include the log-in details, product searches, and inventory layouts. You could even simulate a real customer to gain first-hand insights into the store’s user-friendliness.
Remember to also test your clients’ log-in details.
5. Double-check the Technical Settings and Launch
It’s advisable to recheck your BigCommerce configurations. Although you implemented these settings while signing up for an account, reassess their functionality in view of the recently imported data.
Next, proceed to the SEO settings.
One key area where BigCommerce outshines VirtueMart is its diverse collection of advanced SEO tools. But to improve the website’s search engine rankings, certain SEO configurations are necessary.
Check that there are no broken links on the incoming content. You may also want to readjust your site’s redirects.
Besides, test your BigCommerce website’s load speed.
If everything checks out, notify all stakeholders (especially your clients) of the recent migration. You’re now all set and can proceed to launch the store.
Choose a perfect platform to launch your BigCommerce store. Also, ensure the launching time coincides with your clients’ most active hours.
Engage with your community for insightful feedback on your new platform’s performance.
Experience Enhanced Scalability and Customization
Migrating from VirtueMart to BigCommerce is a significant step for e-commerce stores that are seeking to boost their online visibility.
Moving to BigCommerce lets you unlock the platform’s nifty collection of built-in features, including thousands of plugins. You also get to experiment with technical SEO tools.
BigCommerce’s platform is clean and intuitive, too. Whether you’re a new or established e-commerce store, you’ll find the website incredibly user-friendly.
However, migrating from VirtueMart to BigCommerce presents inherent challenges. Those include the threats of data loss and system incompatibility issues.
The best way to navigate these challenges is by using a reputable website migration service.