BigCommerce pitches itself as the enterprise alternative to Shopify, with built-in features, no transaction fees, and a polished platform that scales. The reality for most growing merchants is that the value-to-cost ratio has shifted. Monthly fees scale sharply with sales, the platform’s app marketplace is smaller than WordPress’s plugin ecosystem, and the level of customization available is limited compared to running on a self-hosted WooCommerce store.
If you’re weighing a move to convert from BigCommerce to WordPress (and WooCommerce), you’re trading a closed SaaS commerce platform for the most flexible open-source ecommerce stack on the web. This guide walks through what’s involved, what migrates cleanly, what doesn’t, and how to make the transition without losing data, customers, or sales.
Why WordPress and WooCommerce are the right move after BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a closed SaaS platform. You pay monthly fees, your store runs on BigCommerce’s infrastructure, and customization is bounded by what BigCommerce’s themes and apps allow. WordPress paired with WooCommerce flips that. You own your store, you choose your hosting, you control your code, and you have access to the largest ecommerce plugin ecosystem on the web.
A WooCommerce store gives you everything BigCommerce offers, plus the freedom that comes with self-hosted open-source software. You’re not locked into monthly tiers, you’re not bounded by app marketplace gaps, and you can customize the user experience, the checkout, and the back end as deeply as your business needs.
A few real differences when you move from BigCommerce to WooCommerce:
- No monthly platform fees – Pay for hosting and tools you actually use, not revenue-based subscription tiers
- Full ownership of your store – Your data, your hosting, your code, your roadmap
- Massive plugin ecosystem – Tens of thousands of WordPress plugins covering every feature a store could need, with deep WooCommerce extensions for subscriptions, memberships, bookings, and more
- Unlimited customization – Custom WordPress themes, page builders, and full code access for the front end and the back end
- Better long-term economics – As sales grow, costs stay flat instead of scaling with revenue
- Strong SEO out of the box – WooCommerce inherits WordPress’s SEO strength, with Yoast SEO and Rank Math giving you tight control over search and indexing
- A bigger talent pool – Finding a WooCommerce developer is dramatically easier than finding a BigCommerce specialist
If your BigCommerce store has started to feel like the platform is collecting a tax on your growth, the move to WooCommerce is the smart consolidation.
WordPress + WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce comparison
Here’s how the two platforms stack up once you start weighing whether to keep your BigCommerce store or migrate to a new WooCommerce setup:
| Category | BigCommerce | WordPress + WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Monthly fees that scale with sales volume | One-time setup plus hosting; no platform fees |
| Ownership | Hosted SaaS; you rent the platform | Self-hosted; you own the entire site |
| Customization | Limited to BigCommerce themes and apps | Full WordPress themes, page builders, and custom code access |
| App/plugin Front-end back-end front-end ecosystem | BigCommerce app marketplace, smaller selection | Largest plugin ecosystem in open source, including deep WooCommerce extensions |
| Hosting | Bundled with BigCommerce | Choose any hosting provider, including managed WooCommerce hosting |
| Front end and back end control | Themes constrained by BigCommerce’s framework | Complete control over front-end and back-end, through WordPress themes and PHP |
| Coding flexibility | Limited; no direct server access | Full coding flexibility, plugin development, theme customization |
| Best fit | Merchants who want a hands-off platform | Merchants who want full control, lower long-term costs, and unlimited extensibility |
Ready to move? Talk to our migration team and we’ll map out your BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration with a structured plan that protects your data and sales.
How do you convert your website from BigCommerce to WordPress?
The path to convert from BigCommerce to WordPress involves moving an entire ecommerce operation: products, customers, orders, sales data, categories, and integrations. BigCommerce supports CSV export through its admin dropdown menus, plus an API for deeper data access, but the migration still requires careful planning to handle relational data correctly.
Here’s the high-level path:
- Audit your BigCommerce store – Build a complete inventory: product data, customer accounts, order data, categories, attributes, custom fields, payment gateways, shipping zones, and active apps
- Set up a new WordPress site – Install WordPress on your chosen hosting provider, install the free WooCommerce plugin, and run the WooCommerce setup wizard to configure currency, location, and basic settings
- Pick a WooCommerce-optimized theme – Choose a WooCommerce-compatible theme from the WordPress themes ecosystem (Astra, Kadence, Storefront, Flatsome) or commission a custom build
- Export data from BigCommerce – Use BigCommerce’s admin dropdown to export products, customers, orders, and categories as CSV files. Note that BigCommerce limits product variants to 250 per product during export
- Choose your migration approach – Three main paths: an automated migration tool like LitExtension or Cart2Cart (both offer a free demo migration), manual CSV-based import through WooCommerce’s built-in importer, or a custom migration script using BigCommerce’s API and WooCommerce’s REST API
- Run a free demo migration first – Most automated tools offer a free demo migration so you can validate field mapping and catch attribute issues (like BigCommerce’s “Brand” attribute not having a native WooCommerce equivalent) before running the full migration
- Migrate data into WooCommerce – Import products with attributes, filters, variants, and product images; import customers; import order data with status mapping; import categories
- Re-host product media – Download images from BigCommerce’s CDN and re-upload to the WordPress media library so nothing depends on BigCommerce’s infrastructure post-launch
- Configure payment gateways and checkout – Set up Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, Square, or any other payment apps your store uses; configure the WooCommerce checkout for purchasing flows; enable any free or premium WooCommerce extensions for additional features
- Configure shipping and tax – Set up shipping zones, methods, and rates; configure tax rules to match your existing setup
- Set up redirects – Map every old BigCommerce URL to its new WooCommerce URL to preserve search rankings and customer bookmarks
- Connect your custom domain – Update DNS settings to point your custom domain to the new WordPress hosting, then transition the live site
- Launch and monitor – Watch sales, conversion rates, and site performance closely in the first 30 days
The size of the lift depends on the volume of products, the depth of customer data, the number of orders to migrate, and how many integrations your existing store relies on.
The BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration process
Most online articles oversimplify the BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration as a CSV-and-import job. For small stores with a few dozen products, that’s roughly true. For real BigCommerce stores with hundreds of products, customer purchasing history, complex attributes, and high-volume sales, the migration is significantly more involved.
Here’s what actually happens during a serious BigCommerce migration.
What can be migrated automatically through tools like LitExtension or Cart2Cart:
- Products with names, descriptions, SKUs, prices, and product images
- Product attributes and filters
- Customer accounts (passwords typically don’t transfer; customers reset on first login)
- Order data with status, line items, and customer associations
- Categories and category structure
- Reviews and ratings (with the right migration tool tier)
- CMS content pages
- Customer reviews and product feedback
What needs manual work or rebuilding:
- Themes and design (rebuild in a new WooCommerce-compatible theme)
- BigCommerce apps (replace with WooCommerce plugins)
- Payment gateways (reconfigure from scratch in WooCommerce)
- Shipping zones, rates, and methods (rebuild based on existing store configuration)
- Tax configurations (configure fresh in WooCommerce)
- Custom checkout fields or attributes specific to BigCommerce
- Front-end customizations and any custom code in BigCommerce’s Stencil framework
A complete BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration project covers:
- Discovery and migration plan – Full audit of your existing store, including product data, customer entities, order data, and active apps
- Hosting and WordPress installation – Install WordPress on a hosting provider tuned for WooCommerce, configure the WordPress dashboard, and prepare the foundation
- WooCommerce setup wizard – Configure currency, location, payment methods, and shipping defaults to match your existing BigCommerce setup
- Theme installation – Pick a WooCommerce-compatible theme or build a custom one to match (or improve on) your BigCommerce design
- Free demo migration – Run a small-scale test migration with an automated tool to catch field mapping issues
- Full data migration – Move products, customers, orders, categories, attributes, and reviews; transfer money-related data carefully so historical sales records stay intact
- Product image migration – Download and re-upload product images to ensure the new WooCommerce store doesn’t depend on BigCommerce’s CDN
- Payment gateway and checkout setup – Connect Stripe, PayPal, Square, or any other payment provider; configure the WooCommerce checkout flow
- Shipping and tax configuration – Set up shipping zones and methods, configure tax rules
- App and plugin replacement – Install free or paid WordPress plugins to replace BigCommerce apps for things like email marketing, loyalty programs, subscriptions, and inventory management
- Custom domain transition – Update DNS to point your custom domain to the new WordPress hosting
- Redirect map – Build 301 redirects from every old BigCommerce URL to its new WooCommerce URL
- SEO transfer – Migrate meta titles, meta descriptions, schema, and structured data through Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- Testing on staging – Full end-to-end QA: create test accounts, place orders, trigger emails, verify checkout works, validate filters and search
For an established BigCommerce store with serious sales volume, real customer relationships, and significant SEO equity, a DIY migration is rarely the right answer. Data loss, broken purchasing flows, dropped orders, and lost search rankings are the most common failure modes.
You’ve completed your migration. What’s next?
Migration is the starting line. Once your BigCommerce data is fully imported into your new WooCommerce store, work through this post-launch checklist:
- Verify imported data end-to-end – Walk through every product, customer record, order, and category to confirm data imported cleanly with no data loss
- Spot-check product attributes and variants – Variable products are the most common edge case; test that filters, dropdown menus, and quantity selectors work
- Test the full purchasing flow – Create test customer accounts, place real test orders, verify payment gateways process correctly, and confirm order confirmation emails arrive
- Confirm cross-sells, up-sells, and product recommendations work – Validate that cross-sells and related products display correctly on product pages
- Validate the front end and back end – Make sure customers see a polished store and your team has full access to the WooCommerce admin
- Reset customer passwords – Email your customers to let them know they need to reset passwords on first login, since passwords don’t transfer between platforms
- Verify redirects are live – Confirm every old BigCommerce URL redirects cleanly to its new WooCommerce URL
- Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console – Help search engines re-crawl the site under the new structure
- Monitor sales and conversion rates – Track sales, conversions, and any drop-offs in the first 30 to 60 days
- Configure backups and security – Set up daily backups, security plugins, and monitoring to protect your store going forward
- Cancel BigCommerce subscription – Once the new WooCommerce store is stable, deactivate your BigCommerce plan to eliminate the recurring cost
Lock in managed hosting, security hardening, and ongoing WordPress maintenance so the new store stays fast, secure, and supported long-term.
Hire Freshy to manage your WordPress site migration
A BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration is a real ecommerce migration with real money on the line. Freshy handles the full BigCommerce to WordPress migration for you, from initial discovery through post-launch support, so you can focus on running the business instead of debugging CSV imports.
A typical engagement covers:
- Discovery and migration plan – Full audit of your BigCommerce store, every product, customer, integration, and connection
- Custom WordPress theme design or theme selection – New theme built around your brand, optimized for WooCommerce
- Full data migration – Products, customers, order data, categories, reviews, and CMS content moved cleanly into your new WooCommerce store
- Product image migration – Every image downloaded from BigCommerce and uploaded to the WordPress media library
- Payment gateway and checkout setup – Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, Square, and any other payment apps configured cleanly
- Shipping and tax configuration – Shipping zones, methods, rates, and tax rules set up to match your existing setup
- App replacement – Every BigCommerce app mapped to a WordPress plugin equivalent
- Custom domain transition – Update DNS and transition the live store with no downtime
- Complete redirect map – Every old BigCommerce URL pointed to its new WooCommerce URL
- SEO setup – Yoast SEO or Rank Math, schema, sitemap submission, search engine optimization, and Google Analytics
- Mobile-first responsive build – Optimized for every device
- Performance optimization – Caching, image optimization, CDN, and database tuning
- Managed hosting, SSL, and security – Ready for traffic from day one
- Training and ongoing support – So your team can confidently manage the new store
If you’re ready to leave BigCommerce behind and build on a platform with no monthly platform fees and unlimited flexibility, get in touch with our team to scope your migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a BigCommerce to WordPress migration take?
A typical BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration takes 6 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch. Smaller stores with limited products and basic customer data can move in 4 to 6 weeks. Larger stores with thousands of products, deep order history, and complex integrations can run 12 to 20 weeks.
Will I lose SEO when I convert from BigCommerce to WordPress?
Not if the migration is handled properly. Building a complete redirect map from every old BigCommerce URL to its new WooCommerce URL is the most important step. Done well, most stores stabilize within 4 to 8 weeks and often see search visibility improve thanks to stronger SEO control in WooCommerce.
Can I keep my BigCommerce store running during the migration?
Yes. Professional migrations build the new WooCommerce store in a separate environment, so your BigCommerce store keeps accepting sales while the new site is built and validated. The final cutover happens in a single planned window when you switch the domain.
What tools handle the BigCommerce to WooCommerce migration?
The most common automated tools are LitExtension and Cart2Cart. Both support full data migration, including products, customers, orders, and categories, and both offer a free demo migration. For complex stores, custom migration scripts using BigCommerce’s API and WooCommerce’s REST API give you more control.
What about customer passwords?
Customer passwords typically don’t transfer between platforms because BigCommerce and WooCommerce use different password hashing methods. Existing customers will need to reset their passwords on their first login after the migration. A clear email to your customer base ahead of the cutover keeps the support load manageable.
Will my BigCommerce apps work in WooCommerce?
No, BigCommerce apps don’t transfer directly. The good news is that the WooCommerce plugin ecosystem is significantly larger than BigCommerce’s app marketplace, so for nearly every BigCommerce app you depend on, there’s an equal or better WooCommerce plugin available.
Can I migrate product attributes like ‘Brand’ from BigCommerce?
Yes, but with mapping decisions. BigCommerce’s “Brand” attribute doesn’t have a direct WooCommerce equivalent, so you’ll need to decide whether to map it to a custom attribute, a taxonomy, or a custom field during the migration plan. Catching this in the free demo migration prevents issues during the full run.
Will my BigCommerce order history transfer to WooCommerce?
Yes, with the right migration tool. Order data, line items, customer associations, and order status all transfer through automated migration tools like LitExtension or Cart2Cart. The mapping has to be configured carefully to preserve the customer-to-order relationships your business depends on.
Do I need coding knowledge to migrate from BigCommerce to WordPress?
For small stores, no. The free WooCommerce plugin, CSV imports, and automated migration tools can be used by anyone comfortable with WordPress basics. For larger stores with complex data, real coding knowledge or a migration team is recommended to handle edge cases, custom features, and SEO transfer.
Can I use a free migration tool to move my BigCommerce store?
Partially. The free demo migration from LitExtension and Cart2Cart will give you a feel for what gets transferred, but the full migration is a paid service. The free WooCommerce plugin handles the WooCommerce side of the setup, including basic CSV imports for smaller stores.
Ready to convert from BigCommerce to WordPress?
BigCommerce had a real moment as the enterprise SaaS commerce platform. For most growing merchants today, the math has shifted, and the move to WordPress and WooCommerce is the smart consolidation onto a platform with no monthly fees, full ownership, and the largest ecommerce ecosystem on the web.
We’ve helped merchants across the country complete the conversion from BigCommerce to WordPress without losing data, customers, or sales. If you’re ready to leave BigCommerce behind and build on a platform you actually own, we’d love to help.
