Migration guide
Import BigCommerce Products to Shopify
BigCommerce exports a product row followed by a row for each SKU, with options packed into a single cell. Turn those SKU rows into Shopify variants, move the image URLs across and keep your product URLs as handles.
1. Export your products from BigCommerce
- In BigCommerce admin, go to Products → Export.
- Choose the Default export template and the CSV file format, so options and images come out as separate columns.
- Export and download the file. Keep your BigCommerce store open until Shopify has imported the images.
2. Map BigCommerce columns to Shopify
Shopify's importer only reads its own column names. Copy each BigCommerce column into the matching column of the Shopify product CSV template.
| BigCommerce column | Shopify column | Note |
|---|---|---|
Product URL | Handle | Strip the slashes: /linen-shirt/ becomes linen-shirt |
Product Name | Title | |
Product Description | Body (HTML) | |
Item Type = Product / SKU | Rows with the same Handle | Each SKU row becomes a variant row |
Product Code/SKU | Variant SKU | |
Price | Variant Price | Or Compare At when a Sale Price is set |
Sale Price | Variant Price | Move Price to Variant Compare At Price |
Current Stock Level | Variant Inventory Qty | |
Product Weight | Variant Grams | Convert from your store's weight unit to grams |
Options on SKU rows (e.g. Size=Large) | Option1 Name / Option1 Value | |
Product Image URL - 1, 2, 3… | Image Src | One row per image, with Image Position |
Brand Name | Vendor | |
Category | Tags or Product Category | Then build collections from tags |
Page Title / Meta Description | SEO Title / SEO Description | |
Product Visible? | Status (active / draft) |
3. Import the file into Shopify
- Copy each product row into Shopify's template, then add one row per SKU with the same Handle.
- Split each SKU's option text into Option1, Option2 and Option3 name and value columns.
- Put each extra image URL on its own row with the Handle and Image Position.
- Check the file with a CSV checker, then import it under Products → Import.
- Add 301 redirects from each BigCommerce product URL to /products/{handle} before you move your domain.
4. Common BigCommerce migration problems
- BigCommerce product URLs sit at the root (/linen-shirt/), while Shopify uses /products/linen-shirt. Redirect every one to keep your rankings.
- Retail Price in BigCommerce is the MSRP, not the selling price. Only use it as the compare-at price if you show it as a real reference price.
- Shopify allows 3 options per product. Products with more BigCommerce option types need some merged or moved to tags.
- Option modifiers that change price without creating a SKU have no Shopify equivalent. Create real variants with their own prices instead.
- Custom fields don't map to standard columns. Add them to the description or import them as metafields.
FAQ
BigCommerce to Shopify: FAQ
Still stuck? Email contact@ecomfusion.net.
Can 1Click import BigCommerce products directly?
No. 1Click imports from Amazon, AliExpress, eBay and Shopify stores you manage. To move a BigCommerce catalog, export the product CSV and use Shopify's CSV import with the mapping on this page.
How do BigCommerce SKUs map to Shopify variants?
Each SKU row under a product becomes a Shopify variant row with the product's Handle. The option values on the SKU row (such as Size=Large) go into the Option name and value columns.
Will I lose my SEO moving from BigCommerce to Shopify?
Not if you redirect. Keep the same URL slugs as Shopify handles, copy page titles and meta descriptions into the SEO columns, and add a 301 redirect from every old product URL to its new /products/ URL.
Can I move BigCommerce customers too?
Yes, with Shopify's customer CSV import. Passwords can't be moved, and only customers who opted in should be imported as accepting marketing.
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