PrestaShop to Big Cartel
A PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration transfers your store's products, customers, orders, and content from PrestaShop to Big Cartel—preserving data integrity, SEO rankings, and customer access. This guide covers data mapping, migration tools, cost, and step-by-step execution.
Migrating from PrestaShop to Big Cartel moves your store from self-hosted open-source to Big Cartel. Whether you're reducing server management, consolidating platforms, or seeking Big Cartel's features—this guide covers the data mapping and migration steps you need.
PrestaShop to Big Cartel Migration: Quick Facts
- 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
Why Migrate from PrestaShop to Big Cartel? Key Benefits
PrestaShop has served its purpose, but limitations hold you back. Moving to Big Cartel opens specific opportunities:
💰 Hosted Infrastructure
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Server management. Module conflicts.
The Big Cartel Gain: Hosted or managed. Reduced server management. Focus on selling.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The PrestaShop Pain: PrestaShop Addons. Module conflicts. Limited integrations.
The Big Cartel Gain: Broader app ecosystem. One-click integrations. More third-party options.
🛠 Ease of Use
The PrestaShop Pain: Back Office learning curve. Smarty templates.
The Big Cartel Gain: User-friendly admin. Modern UX. Non-technical users can manage stores.
⚡ Quick Launch
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Updates. Security patches.
The Big Cartel Gain: Launch fast. Focus on selling, not infrastructure.
Who Should Migrate from PrestaShop to Big Cartel?
PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration suits merchants wanting Big Cartel, reducing server management, or consolidating with an existing Big Cartel ecosystem. PrestaShop offers full control; Big Cartel offers hosted or integrated simplicity.
PrestaShop to Big Cartel: Platform-Specific Considerations
Every migration path has unique nuances. For PrestaShop to Big Cartel, pay attention to:
- PrestaShop ps_ schema differs from Big Cartel structure—migration tools map entities.
- Product combinations map to target variants or options—verify mapping coverage.
- PrestaShop img/p/ paths differ from target media system—re-upload or transform URLs.
PrestaShop to Big Cartel Pre-Migration Checklist
Before migrating from PrestaShop to Big Cartel, audit your PrestaShop data and prepare your Big Cartel environment. PrestaShop and Big Cartel use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
Understanding the Platform Disconnect
PrestaShop uses MySQL with ps_ prefix and Web Service API. Big Cartel uses its own data structure.
- PrestaShop Version: Check your version.
- Big Cartel Setup: Create target store. Configure API.
- Product Structure: PrestaShop combinations map to target variants.
- Images: img/p/ to target media system.
PrestaShop to Big Cartel Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate data mapping from PrestaShop to Big Cartel preserves product combinations, customer history, and order relationships. Below are the field mappings developers need.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field (Source) | Big Cartel Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_product.id_product |
product_id / id |
Big Cartel generates new IDs. Use reference for mapping. |
ps_product_lang.name |
name / title |
Direct string transfer. |
ps_product.reference |
sku / model |
Direct mapping. |
ps_product.price |
price |
Direct price transfer. |
ps_product_lang.description |
description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading. |
ps_category_product |
categories |
PrestaShop categories map to target. |
ps_product_attribute |
variants / options |
PrestaShop combinations map to target variants. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Big Cartel Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_customer.email |
email |
Unique identifier. |
ps_customer.passwd |
password |
Password migration supported with tool. |
ps_address |
address |
PrestaShop addresses map to target. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Big Cartel Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_orders.reference |
order_id |
Preserve order number. |
ps_order_state |
status |
Map PrestaShop states to target. |
ps_orders.total_paid |
total |
Direct mapping. |
PrestaShop to Big Cartel Migration Tools
Choose your PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration method: automated cloud migration (recommended), CSV import, or custom development. Compare PrestaShop migration tools for features and pricing.
Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)
Tools: Cart2Cart, LitExtension
Specialized tools that connect via PrestaShop Web Service API or database and Big Cartel API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Big Cartel automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200–$400).
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: PrestaShop Export + Big Cartel Import
Export from PrestaShop Back Office, format for Big Cartel, and import manually.
- ✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
- ❌ Cons: Manual work required. Limited to products and categories.
Option C: Custom Development
Tools: PrestaShop Web Service API + Big Cartel API
Build a custom script using PrestaShop Web Service API and Big Cartel API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming.
How to Migrate from PrestaShop to Big Cartel: Step-by-Step
Follow this PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration process using automated cloud migration. See the full PrestaShop migration guide for detailed planning.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Big Cartel):
Create your Big Cartel store. Complete setup. Configure API access. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Don't point your domain yet.
1.2. Prepare Source (PrestaShop):
Ensure Web Service API or database access. Keep your PrestaShop store live during migration.
Phase 2: Connection Setup
2.1. PrestaShop Access:
Enable Web Service API in PrestaShop Back Office. Or install migration module if using automated tools.
2.2. Big Cartel Access:
Provide API credentials. Migration tool connects to Big Cartel.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
Select what to move. Critical settings:
- Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirects from PrestaShop URLs to Big Cartel URLs.
- Migrate Product Combinations: PrestaShop combinations map to Big Cartel variants.
- Migrate Images: Images from PrestaShop img/p/ uploaded to Big Cartel media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool. Customer passwords converted.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, combinations. Notify customers. Choose a Big Cartel theme.
PrestaShop to Big Cartel Migration Cost (2025)
For a medium-sized store (2,000 products, 10,000 orders, 5,000 customers):
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
PrestaShop to Big Cartel: Troubleshooting & SEO
Common Challenges
- Combination Mapping: PrestaShop combinations map to Big Cartel variants. Check variant limits (e.g., Shopify 100/product).
- Database/API Structure: PrestaShop ps_ tables differ from Big Cartel. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: PrestaShop img/p/ images need re-uploading to Big Cartel media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO
PrestaShop URLs differ from Big Cartel URLs. Create 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. Automated tools create redirects—verify in target admin.
PrestaShop to Big Cartel: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about migrating from PrestaShop to Big Cartel—cost, duration, password migration, and SEO preservation.
How long does PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration take?
Automated PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration typically takes 2–4 hours for medium catalogs. Run a demo migration first to validate data mapping.
Can PrestaShop customer passwords transfer to Big Cartel?
Migration tools often support password transfer when hashing is compatible. Check tool documentation—otherwise customers reset passwords.
Will SEO survive PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration?
Yes, with 301 redirects from PrestaShop URLs to Big Cartel URLs. Automated tools create redirect rules. Submit the new sitemap to Google Search Console.
Ready to Migrate from PrestaShop to Big Cartel?
A PrestaShop to Big Cartel migration unlocks hosted infrastructure, broader app ecosystem, and reduced server management. Run a free demo to verify your data maps correctly.