When businesses seek to transition their online storefront from a different platform to BigCommerce, they often face uncertainty regarding the process. BigCommerce provides a service facilitating the migration of certain aspects of client websites. For a more thorough migration, it is advisable to engage in the process personally or with the assistance of a BigCommerce SEO expert. Below is a detailed checklist for a seamless migration experience.
**Pre-Migration Preparation**
Preparation prior to migrating to a new platform is critical, as it helps avoid unexpected surprises and panic.
**Collecting Data**
Before launching the new site, gather all relevant data from the current site. Utilize tools like Screaming Frog to perform a full crawl and export the site’s HTML pages into a single spreadsheet. Organize this data manually to create a structure that is intuitive for ease of use. Utilize Screaming Frog’s advanced xpath parameters to generate a sitemap for the old domain, focusing on the most relevant and active pages. Benchmark the old site’s performance and page load speed using tools like Pingdom.
**Prepare Your Redirect Strategy**
Ensure that the Screaming Frog spreadsheet contains all relevant pages for the new site. Include all pages from the old site intended for the new site in the spreadsheet for future 301 redirects. Conduct another crawl of the new site and export a spreadsheet with all new URLs. Match URLs from the old and new pages to ensure correct redirection.
**Prepare for Site Restructure**
Align your site structure with BigCommerce’s available themes to simplify the migration process. Maintain the same URL structure to minimize page value loss and ease redirect creation. Collaborate with a BigCommerce expert to ensure existing site navigation is considered in the design process.
**The Migrating Process**
Upon commencing the transition, follow these steps:
1. Build your new website in the BigCommerce staging site.
2. Create and implement your redirect strategy.
3. Prepare a Robots.txt file.
4. Create HTML and XML sitemaps.
**Build the New Site**
Utilize BigCommerce’s staging space to construct your new site. Import and QA content for product pages, category pages, and other canonical content in descending order of importance.
**Implement Your Redirect Strategy**
In the BigCommerce admin, navigate to Server Settings > 301 redirects. Add redirects by specifying the old URL and the new URL. Choose between manual or dynamic redirects, ensuring the correct destination URL is provided.
**Create a Robots.txt File**
Direct search engine crawlers to index desired pages and indicate the path they should follow using the XML sitemap.
**Prepare an HTML and XML Sitemap**
BigCommerce automatically generates an HTML sitemap, which should be linked in the footer. Additionally, create an XML sitemap that ideally contains only HTML pages, testing for broken links before launch and submitting it to search engines.
**Post Migration Checks and Fixes**
After completion, perform checks and fixes for issues such as broken links and duplicate content.
**Push Your Site Live**
Ensure all settings are correctly configured, including payment methods, shipping methods, tax settings, analytics code, and perform a test purchase. Click the Launch button to go live.
**Monitoring Your Site After Going Live**
If the domain name was changed, register and verify both the old and new domains with Google Webmaster Tools. Submit the old sitemap, fill out the Change of Address form, and monitor search engine results.
**Check the Redirect Strategy**
Verify that all URLs are redirecting correctly using Screaming Frog.
**Manual Checks**
Inspect for problems such as Robots.txt issues, meta robots tags, 302 redirects, and check for errors in Webmaster Tools and sitemaps.
**Monitor Crawl Errors**
Regularly check Google Webmaster Tools and Bing Webmaster Tools for crawl errors.
**Update Inbound Links**
Contact webmasters of valuable sites to request URL updates for improved link juice.
**Eliminate Internal Linking Errors**
Fix internal links with 3xx, 4xx, and 5xx category errors.
**Getting Backup**
Leverage BigCommerce’s extensive guide, built-in tools, and third-party tools to ease the transition and maintain SEO value.
