Decision guide
BigCommerce to Shopify migration
BigCommerce and Shopify are both hosted commerce platforms, so the move is more like-for-like than leaving a website builder. The work lies in the details: how products and options are modelled, which features came from BigCommerce apps, and whether you use B2B features.
This page explains how to decide and what to plan, using BigCommerce's own export documentation and Shopify's migration guidance.
Illustrative diagram
Should you move from BigCommerce?
Stay on BigCommerce
Suits you when
- Your B2B or customer group pricing works well
- Built-in features cover your needs
- Your team is settled with the admin
Watch out for
- Compare app ecosystems and channel options periodically
Move to Shopify
Suits you when
- You need apps or channels better supported on Shopify
- You want to consolidate with other Shopify stores
- Your team prefers Shopify's admin
Watch out for
- B2B features may need a different plan or apps
- Options and modifiers need remapping
Getting data out of BigCommerce
From BigCommerce's support documentation.
| Data | Where in BigCommerce | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Products › Export | Bulk Edit template recommended; large exports can be saved to WebDAV |
| Customers | Customers › Export | Passwords cannot be exported via CSV |
| Orders | Orders › Export | Selected or all orders |
Shopify then imports products and customers by CSV, and historical orders through migration apps or its APIs.
Mapping options and modifiers
BigCommerce distinguishes variant options, which create stock-tracked variants, from modifiers such as text fields or add-ons that do not. Shopify supports up to three options per product for variants. Variant options usually map across; modifiers often become personalisation fields or need an app.
Products with more than three variant options need restructuring. We list these during planning, along with every modifier, so nothing a customer could choose on BigCommerce silently disappears.
Check B2B and customer group features first
If you use customer groups, price lists or other wholesale features, confirm how Shopify would handle them before committing. Depending on your needs, this may involve a particular Shopify plan or apps. It is the decision most likely to change whether the move makes sense.
We list the B2B behaviours you rely on, such as group pricing or restricted catalogues, and check each against Shopify's current documentation for your plan.
Before migrating from BigCommerce
Export and keep
- Products, customers and orders exports
- List of BigCommerce apps and what each does
- All product, category and page URLs
Decide
- How B2B or group pricing will work in Shopify
- How much order history to import
- How modifiers will be handled
Replacing BigCommerce apps and built-in features
Some features you use on BigCommerce may be built in, while others come from BigCommerce apps. In Shopify the split is often different: a feature that was built in may need an app, and vice versa. List what each feature does for your customers rather than the app's name, then find the Shopify equivalent.
This list is also where hidden costs appear. A handful of app subscriptions on Shopify can change the running-cost comparison, so it is worth completing before deciding to move.
A BigCommerce migration in outline
Export and inventory
Products, customers, orders, apps and URLs exported or listed.
Output: Inventory
Map
Options, modifiers, customer groups and features mapped to Shopify equivalents.
Output: Mapping document
Import and verify
Products, customers and orders imported in order and reconciled.
Output: Verified data
Switch
Redirects imported, domain moved and old URLs checked.
Output: Live Shopify store
Questions about BigCommerce to Shopify migration
Can BigCommerce customer passwords be moved?
No. BigCommerce documents that passwords cannot be exported via CSV, and Shopify cannot import them either. Customers set new passwords.
How are BigCommerce modifiers handled?
They usually become personalisation fields, line item properties or app features in Shopify, decided product by product.
Can large BigCommerce catalogues be exported?
Yes. BigCommerce recommends saving very large exports to WebDAV rather than downloading them directly.
What about my BigCommerce B2B features?
They need checking against Shopify's current options for your plan before deciding to move.
Will my category URLs change?
Yes. BigCommerce and Shopify use different URL structures, so redirects are needed.
Can I run both stores in parallel for a while?
Yes. BigCommerce keeps trading while Shopify is built, with a final data update before switching.
Does BigCommerce limit export size?
BigCommerce recommends saving large exports, such as more than 1,000 products or customers, to WebDAV rather than downloading directly.
Will my BigCommerce product reviews transfer?
Reviews are usually exported from the review tool and imported with a Shopify review app. We confirm which fields carry over.
Is BigCommerce to Shopify easier than other migrations?
Often, because both are commerce platforms with structured exports. The effort depends on options, modifiers, B2B features and apps.
Can BigCommerce custom fields be kept?
Custom fields usually become structured product data in Shopify, so the information can still be displayed and, where useful, filtered.
Sources referenced
Platform features, guidance and rules change. We check the current versions before committing to an approach. This page is general information, not legal advice.
- BigCommerce Support: Importing and Exporting Products (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-10-22
- BigCommerce Support: Importing and Exporting Customers (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-10-22
- Shopify Help Center: Migrating to Shopify (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-10-22
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