BigCommerce to Shopware
A BigCommerce to Shopware migration moves your catalog, customer accounts, order history, and content to Shopware without losing data or search visibility. Below: field mappings, tool options, costs, and a step-by-step process.
Migrating from BigCommerce to Shopware moves your store from hosted SaaS to a Symfony-based e-commerce solution. Whether you're seeking Symfony architecture, Store API flexibility, or Shopware's modern frontend—this guide covers the data mapping and migration steps you need.
BigCommerce → Shopware Migration at a Glance
- Average cost: $69–$400 (automated) vs $2,500+ (custom)
- Typical duration: 2–4 hours (automated) vs weeks (manual)
- Recommended method: Automated cloud migration (Cart2Cart, LitExtension)
- Password migration: Supported with migration tool
- SEO preservation: 301 redirects required—automated tools create them
Benefits of Migrating BigCommerce to Shopware
If BigCommerce is holding you back, moving to Shopware can address specific pain points:
💰 Hosted Infrastructure
The BigCommerce Pain: API rate limits. Stencil theme lock-in. Limited headless options.
The Shopware Gain: Hosted or managed. Reduced server management. Focus on selling.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The BigCommerce Pain: App Marketplace vs. Shopware plugins. Different ecosystem.
The Shopware Gain: Broader app ecosystem. One-click integrations. More third-party options.
🛠 Ease of Use
The BigCommerce Pain: Stencil vs. Shopware Twig. Different template system.
The Shopware Gain: User-friendly admin. Modern UX. Non-technical users can manage stores.
⚡ Quick Launch
The BigCommerce Pain: Hosted SaaS. No Symfony control.
The Shopware Gain: Launch fast. Focus on selling, not infrastructure.
Who Should Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopware?
BigCommerce to Shopware migration suits merchants seeking Symfony architecture, Store API for headless, or Shopware's modern frontend. Shopware has higher hosting requirements and a steeper learning curve than BigCommerce.
BigCommerce to Shopware: Platform-Specific Considerations
Before migrating, be aware of BigCommerce to Shopware specifics:
- BigCommerce variants map to Shopware property groups and options—naming and structure may differ.
- Shopware media system differs from BigCommerce CDN—image paths require transformation.
- Shopware order state machine is more complex—map BigCommerce status to Shopware workflow.
BigCommerce to Shopware Pre-Migration Checklist
Audit your BigCommerce store and set up Shopware before migrating. Correct mapping between BigCommerce and Shopware prevents missing or corrupted data.
Source vs. Target: What Differs
BigCommerce and Shopware use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
- BigCommerce Plan: Check API access.
- Shopware Setup: Install Shopware 6 on PHP hosting.
- Product Structure: BigCommerce variants map to Shopware options.
- Images: BigCommerce CDN to Shopware media.
BigCommerce to Shopware Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate mapping preserves product options, customer accounts, and order data. Field mappings for BigCommerce → Shopware:
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| BigCommerce Field (Source) | Shopware Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
Product.id |
product.id |
Shopware generates new IDs. Use reference for mapping. |
Product.name |
product_translation.name |
Direct string transfer. |
Product.sku |
product.number |
Direct mapping. |
Product.price |
product_price.price |
Direct price transfer. |
Product.description |
product_translation.description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading. |
Product.categories |
product_category |
BigCommerce categories map to Shopware. |
Product.variants |
property_group_option |
BigCommerce variants map to Shopware options. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| BigCommerce Field | Shopware Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
Customer.email |
customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
Customer.password |
customer.password |
Password migration supported with module. |
Address |
customer_address |
BigCommerce addresses map to Shopware. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| BigCommerce Field | Shopware Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
Order.id |
order.order_number |
Preserve BigCommerce order number. |
Order.status |
order_state_machine_state |
Map BigCommerce status to Shopware. |
Order.total_inc_tax |
order.price.totalPrice |
Direct mapping. |
BigCommerce to Shopware Migration Tools
Your BigCommerce to Shopware options: cloud-based automation, manual CSV, or custom development. See migration tool comparison for details.
Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)
Tools: Cart2Cart, LitExtension
Specialized tools that connect via BigCommerce API and Shopware API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Shopware automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200–$400).
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: BigCommerce Export + Shopware Import
Export from BigCommerce Admin, format for Shopware, and import manually.
- ✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
- ❌ Cons: Manual work required. Limited to products and categories.
Option C: Custom Development
Tools: BigCommerce API + Shopware API
Build a custom script using BigCommerce API and Shopware API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming.
How to Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopware: Step-by-Step
Step-by-step process for migrating BigCommerce to Shopware. Planning guide for more detail.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Shopware):
Create your Shopware store. Complete setup. Configure API access. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Don't point your domain yet.
1.2. Prepare Source (BigCommerce):
Ensure API access. Keep your BigCommerce store live during migration.
Phase 2: Connection Setup
2.1. BigCommerce Access:
Configure API credentials in BigCommerce Admin. Or install migration app if using automated tools.
2.2. Shopware Access:
Provide API credentials. Migration tool connects to Shopware.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
Select what to move. Critical settings:
- Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirects from BigCommerce URLs to Shopware URLs.
- Migrate Product Variants: BigCommerce variants map to Shopware variants.
- Migrate Images: Images from BigCommerce CDN uploaded to Shopware media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool. Customer passwords converted.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, variants. Notify customers. Choose a Shopware theme.
BigCommerce to Shopware Migration Cost (2025)
Rough costs for a mid-size catalog (2K products, 10K orders, 5K customers):
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
BigCommerce to Shopware: Troubleshooting & SEO
Typical hurdles for BigCommerce → Shopware:
- Variant Mapping: BigCommerce variants map to Shopware variants. Check variant limits (e.g., Shopify 100/product).
- API Structure: BigCommerce REST API differs from Shopware. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: BigCommerce CDN images need re-uploading to Shopware media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO
BigCommerce URLs differ from Shopware URLs. Create 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. Automated tools create redirects—verify in target admin.
BigCommerce to Shopware: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common BigCommerce → Shopware migration questions.
Why migrate BigCommerce to Shopware?
Shopware offers Symfony-based architecture, Store API for headless, and strong German/European adoption. BigCommerce is simpler; Shopware suits headless and complex integrations.
Does Shopware support BigCommerce-style variants?
Yes. BigCommerce product variants map to Shopware property groups and options. Migration tools handle the mapping.
Ready to Migrate from BigCommerce to Shopware?
A BigCommerce to Shopware move unlocks different hosting, integrations, and flexibility. Validate with a free demo before going live.