eCommerce Website Migration: How to Succeed and Not Die Trying

An eCommerce website migration can be really scary. Not only can it turn into a stressful process for online merchants requiring them to learn the new system and carry on multiple migration tasks, but most importantly, it can impact on natural organic search rankings that you’ve worked so hard to maintain.

However, don’t let it frighten you. Our SEO experts help hundreds of organizations to develop and launch their new NetSuite eCommerce websites, half of them being migrations from other shopping carts (ie, Magento, Shopify, Volusion, homegrown systems, and even from older NetSuite technologies like NetSuite Site Builder). At a minimum, efforts need to be allocated to work on the following:

Planning

An eCommerce website migration involves going live with new web pages as well as with new URLs, within a new website architecture. Then there’s website copy, heading tags, metadata, and probably a different website navigation.

By Taking the time to analyze the impact of the new website architecture along with its pages, it is vital to understand what needs to be kept in the new site and what can be discarded.

As website development kicks off (way sooner than go-live) we recommend putting together an analysis report that outlines the old website findings, considerations for the new website, and a game plan for go-live.

Go-live

Ideally, the above-mentioned report will serve as a guide during website development making sure all considerations are well taken care of by the time of going live.

Performing the right tasks during go-live it is critical to ensure not losing search engine rankings. Some of the go-live tasks are 301 re-directs, tracking tools implementation (ie, Google Analytics with eCommerce conversion tracking, Adwords), Google Search Console configuration, and submitting the new sitemap to Google.

Monitoring

It’s important not to take things for granted thinking that once 301 re-directs are done we will be safe and sound. The only way we make sure there are no surprises (and that if any, tackle them on time) is to be on top of website metrics, at least for the following 2-3 weeks after go-live.

It’s key to have historical data to be able to benchmark online revenue and users (organic, referral, and direct channel). Take a look at historical trends and identify any significant changes. Also, keep an eye on website errors reported in Google Search Console.

As we mentioned, we have a team of NetSuite eCommerce experts who have done several migrations and can ensure it will go as smoothly as it can. Contact us today and let’s get started!

Learn more about our NetSuite integrations and eCommerce growth strategy services here: