A Roadmap for Ecommerce Replatforming Success

As leaders in enterprise software development, we know selecting the right ecommerce platform is a crucial driver of digital growth. But replatforming away from legacy or outdated systems can feel daring and risky.

Based on a comprehensive replatforming guide from BigCommerce, here is an expanded walkthrough of the key steps software teams should take to ensure a smooth, successful migration:

1. Set a Clear Project Timeline

One of the first critical steps is to establish a firm timeline and target launch date. Work backwards from any immutable deadlines like hard platform end-of-life shutdowns or major seasonal sales events already on the calendar. Build in buffers for inevitable hiccups or delays. From the go-live date, work back to map out a logical sequence of all the tasks and milestones leading up to launch. This includes migration, development, testing, and final cutover. Having fixed phases keeps all stakeholders accountable to the schedule. Avoid dreaded scope creep by tying requirements directly back to the established timeline.

2. Define Detailed Goals and Requirements

Conduct intensive requirements gathering across teams. Document all the fine details of your existing commerce ecosystem and business processes. Outline requirements for integrated systems like ERP and OMS, payment and tax processes, content migration, and more. Prioritize each requirement as must-have, nice-to-have, or wishlist. Trace detailed order and product lifecycles end-to-end. Interview individual teams to uncover needs. Enlist senior leaders to definitively resolve conflicts and set clear priorities. Continually align requirements to timeline and goals.

3. Select the Right Ecommerce Platform

With requirements established, thoroughly vet potential new ecommerce platforms. Look for an API-first, headless-capable platform with composability, flexibility, and enterprise scalability. This modern foundation future-proofs your tech stack. Seek out platforms with a robust partner ecosystem, marketplace of integrated apps, and proven expertise in your industry. Longtime enterprise leader BigCommerce excels on all dimensions. Get demos to experience required capabilities firsthand.

4.Choose an Implementation Partner

In parallel, research and select an implementation partner. Find an agency thoroughly certified and experienced in your chosen ecommerce platform. Deep platform expertise is critical. Opt for a solutions provider that understands your specific business processes and requirements. Validate their experience successfully managing large, complex replatform projects end-to-end. Cultural fit also matters greatly.

5. Plan for Internal Resources

A common stumbling block is underestimating the heavy internal staff involvement required. Replatforming touches many departments for content migration, testing, approvals, and more. For each project phase, create realistic time estimates of the cross-functional resources needed. Schedule around other competing initiatives and priorities like holidays and vacations. Avoid internal resource bottlenecks that can delay progress.

6. Migrate Data Methodically

Product information, customer data, order history, and content require thoughtful mapping and migration across systems. Enlist experts like BigCommerce’s migration team to ensure seamless, secure data porting. Have a plan for keeping migrated data in sync with your legacy systems prior to final launch. Turn off legacy system transaction processing at the cutover point for full continuity. Take special care when migrating PCI-regulated payment data.

Replatforming is not simply about giving your website a makeover it’s about having the right tech stack to future-proof your business in the face of change. Amid economic headwinds and evolving consumer behaviours, adopting a future-fit strategy is crucial to remaining relevant in a competitive landscape.

However, we’d be naive to say that replatforming doesn’t come with its own challenges. In many cases, migrating away from a legacy platform can be time-consuming and expensive. But with the help of this comprehensive guide, you and your team will be well on your way to replatforming success. From establishing your timeline and identifying key goals, to ranking requirements and selecting your ecommerce platform, all the way to implementation, BigCommerce and our team will work with you every step of the way.

With a trusted team of ecommerce experts, including our Data Migration and Solutions Architecting teams, BigCommerce is here to assist by providing the safest, fastest and most efficient transition possible.

The process of replatforming can be daunting; however, we believe the benefits of modernizing your tech stack will far outweigh the challenges. With BigCommerce as your platform, you’ll have a trusted partner that will enable you to deliver cutting-edge commerce experiences now — and into the future.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule time with our team to explore the advantages of migrating your store to BigCommerce.