Shopware to BigCommerce
A Shopware to BigCommerce migration moves your store from self-hosted open-source to a fully managed enterprise SaaS platform. Whether you're eliminating transaction fees, scaling with BigCommerce's built-in features, or tapping into its native multi-channel selling—this guide covers the data mapping, migration steps, and SEO preservation you need.
This technical blueprint helps store owners and developers execute a Shopware to BigCommerce store migration without losing products, customers, orders, or rankings. We cover API structures, field mappings, migration costs, and step-by-step execution.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Shopware?
Shopware is a powerful open-source eCommerce platform, but it often becomes limiting for businesses that need hosted infrastructure and minimal technical maintenance. Moving to BigCommerce opens specific opportunities:
💰 Hosted Infrastructure
The Shopware Pain: Shopware requires self-hosting, server management, and technical maintenance. You're responsible for updates, security, and performance optimization.
The BigCommerce Gain: Fully hosted. No server management. BigCommerce handles updates, security, and scaling.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The Shopware Pain: Shopware has a smaller plugin marketplace compared to major hosted platforms. Limited third-party integrations.
The BigCommerce Gain: Access to thousands of BigCommerce apps. One-click integrations. Extensive app store.
🛠 Ease of Use
The Shopware Pain: Shopware requires technical knowledge for advanced customization. Symfony-based development can be complex.
The BigCommerce Gain: User-friendly admin. Liquid templating. Non-technical users can manage stores easily.
⚡ Quick Launch
The Shopware Pain: Shopware requires you to manage hosting, updates, and technical aspects yourself.
The BigCommerce Gain: Launch quickly. No DevOps. Focus on selling, not infrastructure.
Pre-Migration Audit: Shopware vs BigCommerce
Before migrating from Shopware to BigCommerce, map how your data translates. Shopware (Symfony/Store API) and BigCommerce (REST Admin API) use different structures.
What to Check Before Migration
- Shopware version: Shopware 5 or 6? Database structure differs. Migration tools support both.
- API access: Shopware 6 has Store API. Shopware 5 may need a bridge extension for data extraction.
- BigCommerce setup: Create your BigCommerce store. Configure API credentials for import.
- Product variants: Shopware option groups map to BigCommerce variants. BigCommerce limits 100 variants per product.
- Images: Shopware media must be transferred to BigCommerce CDN.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
This is the most critical section for developers. This is how Shopware entities translate to BigCommerce. We assume the use of an automated migration tool.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Shopware Field (Source) | BigCommerce Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
product.id |
Product ID |
Use SKU for mapping. |
product_translation.name |
Product Name |
Direct transfer. |
product.number |
SKU |
BigCommerce SKU is at variant level. |
product_price.price |
Price |
Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed. |
product_translation.description |
Description |
Re-upload images to BigCommerce CDN. |
product_category |
Category |
Categories → Categories. |
property_group_option, product_configurator_setting |
Variants/Options |
100 variants/product limit on BigCommerce. |
👥 Customers
| Shopware | BigCommerce | Notes |
|---|---|---|
customer.email |
Email |
Unique identifier. |
customer.password (hashed) |
Password (on create) |
Migration tools may convert bcrypt. Otherwise, password reset. |
customer_address |
Address |
Address mapping. |
📦 Orders
| Shopware | BigCommerce | Notes |
|---|---|---|
order.order_number |
Order Number |
Preserve order numbers. |
order_state_machine_state |
Order Status |
Map statuses. |
order.price.totalPrice |
Total |
Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed. |
How to Migrate Shopware to BigCommerce: 3 Options
Choose based on budget and technical skill:
Automated Migration (Recommended)
Shopware Migration Hub, LitExtension, Cart2Cart
Connects Shopware bridge to BigCommerce Admin API. Preserves products, customers, orders, and relationships.
- ✅ Handles API complexity, 301 redirects, image transfer
- ❌ $200–$400 depending on data volume
CSV Import
Shopware Export + BigCommerce CSV Import
Export from Shopware, format for BigCommerce, import manually. Lower cost, more manual work.
- ✅ Low cost, full control
- ❌ Limited to products/categories; no orders/customers
Custom Script
Shopware Store API + BigCommerce Admin API
Build your own migration script. Full control, reusable.
- ✅ Complete control
- ❌ $2,500+ developer time
Shopware to BigCommerce Migration Steps
Using automated migration (recommended for most stores):
Step 1: Prepare BigCommerce
Create your BigCommerce store. Complete setup. Configure API access. Use a subdomain for testing—don't point your domain yet.
Step 2: Prepare Shopware
Install the migration bridge on Shopware. Ensure Store API or database access. Keep Shopware live during migration.
Step 3: Connect & Configure
Generate BigCommerce API credentials. Connect the migration tool to Shopware via bridge. Configure what to migrate.
Step 4: Critical Settings
- 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirect old Shopware URLs to new BigCommerce URLs.
- Product Variants: BigCommerce limits 100 variants/product. Consolidate if needed.
- Images: Migrate from Shopware media to BigCommerce CDN.
- Passwords: Migration tools may convert; otherwise customers reset.
Step 5: Run Migration
Launch the migration. Typical: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders in 2–4 hours.
Step 6: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, variants. Notify customers. Choose a BigCommerce theme.
Shopware to BigCommerce Migration Cost (2025)
Typical costs for ~2,000 products, 10,000 orders, 5,000 customers:
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated
Average
Agency
Starting
Shopware to BigCommerce: SEO & Common Issues
SEO Preservation
301 redirects are critical. Shopware and BigCommerce URLs differ. Automated tools create redirects—verify in BigCommerce admin. Without redirects, you lose rankings.
Common Migration Issues
- Variant limit: BigCommerce allows 100 variants per product. Shopware has no limit—consolidate or split products.
- Images: Re-upload from Shopware media to BigCommerce CDN.
- Passwords: May require customer password reset if tool doesn't support conversion.
- Multi-store: Each Shopware sales channel can migrate to a separate BigCommerce store.
Ready to Migrate Shopware to BigCommerce?
A Shopware to BigCommerce migration gives you zero transaction fees, enterprise features, and native multi-channel selling. Use automated tools to preserve products, customers, orders, and SEO rankings.