Migrating from OpenCart to Big Cartel is a strategic move from a self-hosted open-source platform to a simple e-commerce platform. In 2025, with OpenCart's complexity, and Big Cartel's simplicity and artist-focused features, the case for migration has never been stronger.

This comprehensive technical blueprint is designed for store owners, developers, and decision-makers. We will bypass the marketing fluff and dissect the database structures, the exact field mappings, the cost analysis, and the step-by-step execution required to move your data to Big Cartel without losing a single byte.

1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave OpenCart?

OpenCart is a powerful open-source eCommerce platform, but it often becomes limiting for businesses that need simplicity and artist-focused features. Moving to Big Cartel opens specific opportunities:

💰 Simplicity

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart requires self-hosting, server management, and technical maintenance. You're responsible for updates, security, and performance optimization.

The Big Cartel Gain: Simple, clean interface. Perfect for artists and small stores.

🚀 Artist-Focused

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart has a smaller extension marketplace compared to major platforms. Limited third-party integrations.

The Big Cartel Gain: Designed specifically for artists and creators. Built-in features for creative businesses.

🛠 Easy Setup

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart requires technical knowledge for advanced customization. Limited built-in features compared to hosted solutions.

The Big Cartel Gain: Quick setup and easy management. No technical knowledge required.

⚡ Affordable

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart requires you to manage hosting, updates, and technical aspects yourself.

The Big Cartel Gain: Low-cost plans perfect for small businesses and artists.

2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit

Before touching any data, you must map the terrain. OpenCart and Big Cartel speak different data languages.

A. Understanding the Platform Disconnect

OpenCart uses MySQL database with REST API for export. Big Cartel uses API for data import.

OpenCart Version: Are you on OpenCart 2.x, 3.x, or 4.x? Database structure may differ. Migration tools handle all versions.
Database Access: OpenCart requires MySQL database access or bridge extension. Migration tools use bridge extension for safe data extraction.
Big Cartel Setup: Ensure Big Cartel is set up and ready. Configure API access if required.
Product Structure: OpenCart products with options map to Big Cartel products. OpenCart's unlimited options may need mapping to Big Cartel's structure.
Images: OpenCart images are in image/ directory. Need to be transferred to Big Cartel's media system.

3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint

This is the most critical section for developers. This is how OpenCart entities translate to Big Cartel. We assume the use of an automated migration tool.

🛍 Product Data Mapping

OpenCart Field (Source)	Big Cartel Field (Target)	Notes & Logic
`product_id`	`Product ID`	Big Cartel generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping.
`name` (oc_product_description)	`Product Name`	Direct string transfer.
`sku`	`SKU`	Direct mapping. OpenCart SKU at product level.
`price`	`Price`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.
`description` (oc_product_description)	`Description`	HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Big Cartel's media system.
`category_id` (oc_product_to_category)	`Category`	OpenCart categories become Big Cartel categories.
`product_option` and `product_option_value`	`Attributes/Variants`	OpenCart's unlimited options map to Big Cartel attributes/variants. May need consolidation if Big Cartel has limits.

👥 Customer Data Mapping

OpenCart Field	Big Cartel Field	Critical Logic
`email`	`Email`	Unique identifier.
`password` (hashed)	`Password` (on create)	Password migration depends on Big Cartel support. OpenCart uses bcrypt. Migration tool handles conversion if supported, otherwise customers must reset passwords.
`oc_address`	`Address`	OpenCart addresses map to Big Cartel customer addresses.

📦 Order Data Mapping

OpenCart Field	Big Cartel Field	Mapping Logic
`order_id`	`Order ID`	Preserve OpenCart order number in Big Cartel order ID or custom field.
`order_status_id`	`Order Status`	Map OpenCart order statuses to Big Cartel order statuses.
`total`	`Total`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.

4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle

You have three vectors of attack for this migration. Choose based on budget and technical capability.

Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)

Tools: Shopping Cart Mover, LitExtension, Cart2Cart

Specialized tools that connect via OpenCart bridge extension and Big Cartel API.

✅ Pros: Handles database complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Big Cartel automatically.
❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $400). Requires bridge extension on OpenCart.

Option B: CSV Import

Tools: OpenCart CSV Export + Big Cartel CSV Import

Export from OpenCart, format for Big Cartel, and import manually.

✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
❌ Cons: Manual work required, may lose some data relationships. Limited to products and categories.

Option C: Custom Development

Tools: OpenCart REST API + Big Cartel API

Build a custom script using OpenCart REST API and Big Cartel API.

✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming. Must handle OpenCart's MySQL structure and Big Cartel's data format.

5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step

We will proceed using the Automated Cloud Migration method as it is the industry standard for minimizing downtime.

Phase 1: Environment Preparation

1.1. Prepare Target (Big Cartel):
Set up your Big Cartel store. Complete Big Cartel setup wizard. Configure API access if required. Do not point your domain there yet. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Use password protection or maintenance mode to prevent public access during setup.

1.2. Prepare Source (OpenCart):
Install migration bridge extension on OpenCart. Ensure MySQL database access is available. Keep your OpenCart store live during migration.

Phase 2: The Connection Setup

2.1. Big Cartel Access:
Configure API access in Big Cartel. Generate API credentials or set up connection method as required.

2.2. OpenCart Access:
Bridge extension connects to OpenCart MySQL database. Migration tool authenticates via bridge extension API.

Phase 3: Migration Execution

Select what to move. Be careful with these specific settings:

Create 301 Redirects: Check this box if using custom domain. It creates redirects from OpenCart URLs to Big Cartel URLs. Without this, your SEO dies.
Migrate Product Options: OpenCart supports unlimited options. May need to consolidate if Big Cartel has variant limits.
Migrate Images: Images are downloaded from OpenCart image directory and uploaded to Big Cartel's media system automatically.
Password Migration: Depends on Big Cartel support. Customer passwords may be migrated if Big Cartel supports it, otherwise customers must reset passwords.

Phase 4: The Full Migration

Launch the process. The migration tool handles OpenCart MySQL extraction and Big Cartel API import automatically.

Time Estimation: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders usually takes 2-4 hours. Large catalogs migrate efficiently via automated tools.

Phase 5: Post-Migration Cleanup

5.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the migration. They may need to reset passwords depending on Big Cartel password migration support.

5.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify images, prices, and product options. Note any variant limitations in Big Cartel.

5.3. Design & Customization:
Choose or customize Big Cartel theme. OpenCart themes cannot be migrated, but Big Cartel offers its own theme options.

6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)

What does it actually cost? Here is a realistic breakdown for a medium-sized store (2,000 Products, 10,000 Orders, 5,000 Customers).

Custom Script

$2,500+

Developer Time

Automated Cloud

$249

Average Cost

Agency Service