Big Cartel to PrestaShop
A Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration transfers your store's products, customers, orders, and content from Bigcartel to PrestaShop—preserving data integrity, SEO rankings, and customer access. This guide covers data mapping, migration tools, cost, and step-by-step execution.
Migrating from Bigcartel to PrestaShop is a strategic upgrade to a modern, open-source e-commerce solution. In 2025, with Bigcartel's limitations and PrestaShop's Web Service API, product combinations, and PrestaShop Addons ecosystem, the case for migration has never been stronger.
Bigcartel to PrestaShop 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 PrestaShop migration module
- SEO preservation: 301 redirects required—automated tools create them
Why Migrate from Bigcartel to PrestaShop? Key Benefits
Bigcartel has served its purpose, but limitations hold you back. Moving to PrestaShop opens specific opportunities:
💰 Cost Control
The Bigcartel Pain: Legacy or limited architecture. Scaling constraints. Limited customization.
The PrestaShop Gain: Open-source. No platform fees. PrestaShop Addons for modules. Lower hosting costs.
🚀 Full Control & Customization
The Bigcartel Pain: Limited customization. Vendor or platform constraints.
The PrestaShop Gain: PHP/Smarty templates. Web Service API. Full access to Back Office. PrestaShop Addons ecosystem.
🛠 Product Combinations
The Bigcartel Pain: Product options structure can be rigid.
The PrestaShop Gain: Flexible product combinations. Attribute groups. Streamlined catalog management in Back Office.
⚡ Back Office & Multi-Store
The Bigcartel Pain: Dated or limited admin.
The PrestaShop Gain: Intuitive PrestaShop Back Office. Multi-store. Multi-language. Built-in SEO tools.
Who Should Migrate from Bigcartel to PrestaShop?
Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration suits merchants on Big Cartel artist stores seeking open-source control, unlimited products, PrestaShop Addons modules, and a dedicated e-commerce Back Office. PrestaShop offers lower total cost of ownership and full data ownership.
Bigcartel to PrestaShop: Platform-Specific Considerations
Every migration path has unique nuances. For Bigcartel to PrestaShop, pay attention to:
- Bigcartel data structure differs from PrestaShop ps_ schema—migration tools map entities.
- Product variants or options require mapping to PrestaShop combinations.
- Image paths and media storage differ—re-upload or transform URLs in descriptions.
Bigcartel to PrestaShop Pre-Migration Checklist
Before migrating from Bigcartel to PrestaShop, audit your source data and prepare your PrestaShop environment. Bigcartel and PrestaShop use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
Understanding the Platform Disconnect
Bigcartel uses its own data structure. PrestaShop uses MySQL with ps_ prefix and Web Service API.
- Bigcartel Version: Check your version. Structure may differ.
- Database/API: Ensure access for data export.
- PrestaShop Setup: Install PrestaShop 8 on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+).
- Product Structure: Source variants map to PrestaShop combinations.
- Images: Export from source. Upload to PrestaShop img/p/.
Bigcartel to PrestaShop Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate data mapping from Bigcartel to PrestaShop preserves product variants, customer history, and order relationships. Below are the field mappings developers need.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Bigcartel Field (Source) | PrestaShop Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
product_id / id |
ps_product.id_product |
PrestaShop generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
name / title |
ps_product_lang.name |
Direct string transfer. |
sku / model |
ps_product.reference |
Direct mapping. |
price |
ps_product.price |
Direct price transfer. |
description |
ps_product_lang.description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading. |
categories |
ps_category_product |
Source categories map to PrestaShop. |
variants / options |
ps_product_attribute |
Source variants map to PrestaShop combinations. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| Bigcartel Field | PrestaShop Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
email |
ps_customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
password |
ps_customer.passwd |
Password migration supported with module. |
address |
ps_address |
Source addresses map to PrestaShop. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| Bigcartel Field | PrestaShop Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
order_id |
ps_orders.reference |
Preserve order ID in PrestaShop. |
status |
ps_order_state |
Map source statuses to PrestaShop. |
total |
ps_orders.total_paid |
Direct mapping. |
Bigcartel to PrestaShop Migration Tools
Choose your Bigcartel to PrestaShop 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 Bigcartel database/API and PrestaShop Web Service API or migration module.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for PrestaShop automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200–$400). Requires PrestaShop migration module installation.
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: Bigcartel CSV Export + PrestaShop Back Office Import
Export from Bigcartel, format for PrestaShop, and import manually.
- ✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
- ❌ Cons: Manual work required. Limited to products and categories.
Option C: Custom Development
Tools: Bigcartel DB/API + PrestaShop Web Service API
Build a custom script using Bigcartel database or REST API and PrestaShop Web Service API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming.
How to Migrate from Bigcartel to PrestaShop: Step-by-Step
Follow this Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration process using automated cloud migration. See the full PrestaShop migration guide for detailed planning.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (PrestaShop):
Install PrestaShop 8 on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+). Install migration module if using automated tools. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Use maintenance mode to prevent public access during setup.
1.2. Prepare Source (Bigcartel):
Ensure database or API access. Keep your Bigcartel store live during migration.
Phase 2: Connection Setup
2.1. PrestaShop Access:
Install migration module on PrestaShop. This provides API endpoints for migration tools.
2.2. Bigcartel Access:
Provide database credentials or API access. Migration tool connects to Bigcartel data source.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
Select what to move. Critical settings:
- Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirects from Bigcartel URLs to PrestaShop URLs.
- Migrate Product Combinations: PrestaShop supports flexible combinations. Bigcartel variants map automatically.
- Migrate Images: Images downloaded from Bigcartel and uploaded to PrestaShop img/p/.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration module. Customer passwords converted to PrestaShop format.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, combinations. Notify customers. Choose a PrestaShop theme from PrestaShop Addons.
Bigcartel to PrestaShop 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
Bigcartel to PrestaShop: Troubleshooting & SEO
Common Challenges
- Combination Mapping: PrestaShop supports flexible product combinations. Bigcartel variants map automatically.
- Database/API Structure: Bigcartel structure differs from PrestaShop. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: Bigcartel images need re-uploading to PrestaShop img/p/.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration module.
- Multi-Store: PrestaShop supports multi-store natively.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO
Bigcartel URLs differ from PrestaShop URLs. Create 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. Automated tools create redirects—verify in PrestaShop Back Office.
Bigcartel to PrestaShop: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about migrating from Bigcartel to PrestaShop—cost, duration, password migration, and SEO preservation.
How long does Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration take?
Automated Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration typically takes 2–4 hours for medium catalogs. Run a demo migration first to validate data mapping and entity relationships.
Can I migrate Bigcartel customer passwords to PrestaShop?
Migration tools often support password transfer when hashing is compatible. Check tool documentation—otherwise customers reset passwords post-migration.
Will my SEO survive Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration?
Yes, with 301 redirects from old URLs to new PrestaShop URLs. Automated tools create redirect rules. Submit the new sitemap to Google Search Console.
Ready to Migrate from Bigcartel to PrestaShop?
A Bigcartel to PrestaShop migration unlocks open-source control, PrestaShop Addons, and full Back Office customization. Run a free demo to verify your data maps correctly.