Big Cartel to Shopify
Migrating from Big Cartel to Shopify moves your store from a simple platform to a full eCommerce solution. In 2025, merchants choose Shopify for more features, scalability, and migrations run from Shopify admin using apps like Cart2Cart. No technical setup on the Big Cartel side beyond connecting the app.
This guide covers Big Cartel data, how it maps to Shopify, and a step-by-step migration path using Shopify apps run from your new store.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Big Cartel?
Features and Scalability
The Big Cartel Pain: Big Cartel is built for small catalogs and simple stores. Advanced checkout and multi-channel are limited.
The Shopify Gain: Full eCommerce feature set and multi-channel. Migration runs from Shopify admin.
Customization and Themes
The Big Cartel Pain: Theme and design options are limited compared to Shopify.
The Shopify Gain: Large theme store and full checkout customization. Run migration and store from one admin.
Payments and Checkout
The Big Cartel Pain: Fewer payment options and limited international selling.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify Payments and multiple gateways. Migration apps connect to Big Cartel and run from Shopify.
Support and Ecosystem
The Big Cartel Pain: Smaller ecosystem; fewer integrations.
The Shopify Gain: Large app and developer ecosystem. Migrate using a Shopify app.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Big Cartel has a simple structure; migration apps typically connect via API.
- Big Cartel plan: Confirm API access for your plan.
- Product options: Big Cartel options (e.g. size) map to Shopify variants.
- Categories: Big Cartel categories map to Shopify collections.
- Customers: If you have customer accounts, plan password reset if required.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
Big Cartel products, options, and orders map to Shopify when using a migration app run from Shopify admin.
Product Data Mapping
| Big Cartel (Source) | Shopify (Target) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| product id | id | Use SKU for mapping. |
| name | title | Direct transfer. |
| sku / option sku | variants[].sku | SKU at variant level. |
| price / option price | variants[].price | Per variant. |
| description | body_html | HTML; images re-hosted. |
| categories | collections | Big Cartel categories to Shopify collections. |
| options | options and variants | Options become Shopify variants. |
Customer and Order Data
| Big Cartel | Shopify | Logic |
|---|---|---|
| customer email | email | Unique identifier. |
| order id / total | name, total_price | Preserve order ID; map statuses. |
4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle
Option A: Shopify App Migration (Recommended)
Cart2Cart and similar apps in the Shopify App Store
Install the app in Shopify and run the migration from Shopify admin. The app connects to Big Cartel via API, maps data, and creates redirects.
- Pros: No coding; runs from Shopify admin; products, orders, SEO redirects.
- Cons: Cost scales with data.
Option B: Custom Integration
Big Cartel API + Shopify Admin API
- Pros: Full control.
- Cons: Developer time.
5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Shopify):
Create your Shopify store; enable password protection during migration if desired.
1.2. Prepare Source (Big Cartel):
Ensure your Big Cartel store is accessible and API is available if required by the app.
Phase 2: Connection from Shopify Admin
2.1. Install the migration app (e.g. Cart2Cart) from the Shopify App Store and open it from your Shopify admin.
2.2. Connect Big Cartel as source. Enter store URL and credentials as instructed.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
- Run from Shopify admin: Select products, orders (and customers if applicable); start migration.
- Create 301 redirects: Use the app to map old Big Cartel URLs to new Shopify URLs.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
4.1. Customer communication: If you migrated customers, notify them; password reset may be required.
4.2. Verify data: Check products, collections, and orders in Shopify admin.
6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)
Custom Development
Developer Cost
Shopify App (e.g. Cart2Cart)
Typical Range
Agency Service
Starting Cost
7. Troubleshooting and SEO Preservation
Common Challenges
- Product options: Big Cartel options map to Shopify variants; verify in the app.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Use the migration app from Shopify admin to map old Big Cartel URLs to new Shopify URLs and preserve SEO.
Ready to Move to Shopify?
Migrate from Big Cartel to Shopify using an app run from your Shopify admin. No coding required. Get products, orders, and SEO redirects in one flow.