If your BigCommerce store is still on the V2 Product Experience, you may be excited about upgrading to V3 or you may be curious about how this upgrade will impact your products. V3 introduces a streamlined interface, improved functionality, and expanded capabilities along with a more efficient and intuitive way to manage your product catalog. However, making the jump from V2 to V3 isn’t simply a matter of clicking a button. This update requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Here are the Top 5 Things to Consider when Updating from BigCommerce V2 to V3 Products
- Not a Direct Upgrade, More of a Migration: Don’t treat this as a simple update. V3 is an entirely new experience, requiring migration of your existing product data. While there are resources to assist those who want to self-upgrade, understanding it’s not an automatic upgrade is crucial.
- Data Differences and Potential Impact: V2 and V3 have structural differences in how they handle product data. Be prepared for adjustments in areas like:
- Options and Variants: V3 introduces shared options sets, offering greater flexibility but requiring you to potentially restructure your existing product configurations.
- Images: V3 separates product images from variants, meaning you might need to reassign images after migration.
- Custom Fields: V3 offers dedicated custom fields, replacing the deprecated configurable fields from V2. This may require data re-formatting.
- Prepare for Downtime and Potential Disruptions: Migrating your entire product catalog involves downtime. Plan in advance and communicate clearly with customers about your temporary store closure. Test your store thoroughly after migration to identify and address any unexpected issues.
- Third-Party App Compatibility: Not all third-party apps you use in V2 will be compatible with V3. Research and update or replace incompatible apps before migration.
- Learning Curve and New Features: V3 brings a new interface and functionality. Prepare to invest time in training your team to navigate the changes and effectively leverage the new features.
Additional Considerations
- Identify Dependencies: Understand how your product data interacts with other aspects of your store, like promotions, orders, and inventory management. Ensure these dependencies are addressed during migration.
- Backup Your Data: Always back up your entire store data before any major update or migration. This ensures you have a safety net in case of any unforeseen issues. At Your Store Wizards, we recommend Rewind Backups, one of the easiest and most popular backup solutions for BigCommerce.
- Test Thoroughly: Rigorously test your store after the migration to ensure everything functions as expected. Test product pages, checkout process, integrations, and other critical aspects.
- Stay Informed: BigCommerce continuously updates V3 with new features and bug fixes. Stay informed about these updates and adapt your store accordingly.
As mentioned previously, migrating your product catalog from BigCommerce V2 to V3 isn’t simply a matter of clicking a button. While BigCommerce offers self-service tools, navigating the complexities of data differences, potential downtime, app compatibility, and a new learning curve can be overwhelming. This is where seeking professional help from our team here at Your Store Wizards can help!
We understand the challenges inherent in BigCommerce V2 to V3 migration. We offer a white-glove service designed to simplify and streamline the process, ensuring a smooth transition while maximizing the benefits of the new product experience. Here’s how we can help:
- Expert Migration Management: Our team of certified BigCommerce developers has extensive experience in V2 and V3, equipped to handle even the most complex product configurations. We meticulously map your existing data, ensuring accurate and efficient migration without compromising data integrity.
- Manual Data Review and Quality Check: Unlike automated app-based solutions, Your Store Wizards uses a manual touch. We meticulously review your product data line by line, identifying and addressing potential issues before migration. This personalized approach ensures your product information transitions seamlessly into V3, minimizing post-migration errors and disruptions.
- Custom Solutions for Unique Needs: Every store is unique, and so is its migration journey. We create a tailored migration plan specific to your store’s setup, considering product complexity, third-party app integrations, and existing workflows. This customized approach ensures a smooth transition that caters to your specific needs and minimizes disruptions.
- Comprehensive Testing and Post-Migration Support: Rigorous testing is crucial after migration. Our team thoroughly tests your store post-upgrade to ensure everything runs smoothly. We also provide ongoing support to address any questions or concerns you may have after the transition.
- Peace of Mind and Time Saved: Let our experts handle the complexities of migration while you focus on running your business. Our white-glove service frees you from the time-consuming and stressful aspects of the process, allowing you to concentrate on growth and optimization.
At Your Store Wizards, we believe in partnership and transparency. We keep you informed throughout the migration process, providing clear communication and regular updates. Our goal is not just to migrate your data, but to ensure you maximize the potential of BigCommerce V3 and gain a competitive edge.
Visit our website to learn more about our V2 to V3 migration services and book a free consultation today.
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.