Thinking Of Ecommerce Store Migration? Then Read This First
Choosing a new ecommerce platform is a challenging task. Multiple reasons influence your decision to stay more on your current platform and decide to migrate to a new e-commerce platform. BigCommerce is a well-known e-commerce platform to choose and build your new online store.
Additionally, its features make it the best choice for today’s digital brands. So, to create a store or migrate from your current platform, you can get help from a BigCommerce migration service provider to migrate to your new e-commerce platform easily.
Thus, in this blog, we will explore the reasons why you choose to migrate from your current platform, different types of ecommerce platforms, and what you need to know before moving to a new platform. First, let’s begin with the basics of e-commerce migration.
What Is Ecommerce Migration?
Ecommerce migration means moving your online store, either parts or the whole thing, from one platform to another. It’s also called ecommerce replatforming, and the terms can be used interchangeably. This can involve shifting your backend, frontend, or the entire solution to a new platform.
Businesses often opt for this, but there are other options, like switching from one SaaS partner to another or moving from outsourced to in-house solutions. For example, you might switch from Ship4Shop to BigCommerce, requiring new software and a new host.
Whatever the case, re-platforming includes transferring all your assets, including media, images, blog posts, products, customer and internal user accounts, and metadata, to the new platform. Despite seeming simple, it’s usually complex and time-consuming.
A successful ecommerce data migration strategy demands careful planning and execution. Before diving in, let’s explore why you might want to migrate to a new platform.
Why Online Shops Switch To New Platforms
Every online store is different, but there are common reasons why they decide to move their website to a new platform.
Poor Website Performance:
The website is like a storefront for online businesses. If it’s not working well, it’s bad for business. Especially for newer companies, the current platform might not be able to handle the growth, holding them back.
Limited Scalability:
Growing is crucial for online stores. If the platform is slowing down the company’s growth because it can’t handle expansion quickly and efficiently, it’s time for a change.
High Costs:
Some older platforms can be more expensive than newer ones that are simpler and more efficient. If a lot of resources are being used just to keep the site running, it’s not leaving much room for innovation.
Missing Features:
Customer needs change all the time. If the current platform can’t keep up and add new features, like offering different ways to sell online, it might be time to look for a platform that can adapt.
These are the reasons why businesses choose to transfer their store to a new online platform. Now, we will move toward the types of ecommerce platforms.
Different Types Of Ecommerce Platforms
There are different types of online shopping platforms to consider, each with its own pros and cons. Your choice depends on what you need and what technology you’re already using.
SaaS (Software as a Service):
- These platforms are like subscriptions from outside companies.
- Good for growing businesses that want a quick and easy platform without a lot of resources.
- The security and upkeep responsibilities are mostly on the company you subscribe to, but you have less control.
Cloud:
- Cloud options are a mix of SaaS and on-premise.
- They are frequently hosted by independent cloud providers like Amazon or Google and adhere to the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) paradigm.
- You build the main platform internally, but hosting and security are taken care of externally.
On-Premise:
- These solutions are made and maintained within your own company.
- You use your own resources and often your own employees build it.
- You have complete control, but it requires a lot of effort for maintenance and skilled employees.
Headless:
- Headless systems can be any of the above but have the front and back ends separated.
- Most subscription-based systems are headless.
Thus, these are the different types of ecommerce platforms, you can choose the one according to your business needs and requirements. Now, its time to know the important things before moving to a new platform.
Ten Things To Think About Before Changing E-Commerce Platforms
Thinking about switching your online store platform? These ten points are crucial to remember:
Think about how it affects your business:
Before changing your online store platform, consider how it will impact your business in terms of making it better in performance, design, and efficiency. Make sure the move is worth it and will bring clear benefits.
Consider all costs:
It’s not just about the new platform’s price. Factor in migration costs, potential downtime, and ongoing maintenance. Don’t forget to budget for staff training and a possible dip in performance during the transition.
Check integrations:
Your current system probably uses tools to boost marketing, sales, and communication. Ensure the new platform supports these integrations without losing performance. Do a technical audit before making any moves.
Evaluate your team’s skills:
Consider your team’s technical skills. Can they handle the switch, and how quickly can they adapt? Sometimes, paying a bit more for a tool that’s easier to set up can save time and effort in the long run.
Look at the features:
The reason for switching is often to get better features. Compare what the new platform offers to what you have. Choose one that gives you the features your business needs to grow and improve.
Think long-term:
Replatforming is an investment. Look beyond immediate needs and consider how well the platform can adapt to changes in the market or new technology.
Consider customer service:
Your chosen solution should have good customer service. Whether it’s your team or a full-service platform providing support, you need help solving issues quickly to keep your store running smoothly.
Pick the right time:
Plan the migration for when your site has the least traffic to minimize disruptions to conversions and revenue.
Crawl your site:
Before migrating, thoroughly check your site to make sure you don’t miss any content. This ensures a smoother transition.
Transfer only what you need:
Review all your content and transfer only what’s relevant and current. Use this opportunity to get rid of outdated or unnecessary content, saving you from cleanup later on.
Switching ecommerce platforms is a big decision, and considering these factors will help ensure a smoother transition for your business.
Conclusion
Therefore, in this blog, we have explained the basics of eCommerce migration and the factors that make you migrate from the current platform to a new e-commerce store. Additionally, we discussed different things you need to consider and multiple types of e-commerce platforms.
Consequently, you can hire an eCommerce migration services provider agency and MakkPress Technologies is the best e-commerce marketing company, providing exceptional e-commerce-related services to all kinds of businesses. MakkPress Technologies has over 10 years of experience migrating stores from one platform to another.