1. Customization
PrestaShop offers great opportunities for your store customization. However, it is highly recommended to customize your store after data migration. Please, don’t install any extensions or modules before you start a migration process. It will help to avoid inconveniences during and after data transferring. A universal migration checklist can help.
2. Redirects
In order to ensure that a Connection Bridge works properly, it is highly recommended to turn off site redirects on your VirtueMart and PrestaShop stores. There are different ways to do that:
- Enter your shopping cart maintenance mode and make changes in a source code (turn off redirects).
- You will also be able to check if there are redirects on your VirtueMart and PrestaShop stores using .htaccess file. Usually, you just have to add several lines or make changes in a name of .htaccess file.
3. Firewall/Whitelist
During VirtueMart to PrestaShop migration, Cart2Cart sends and receives a huge amount of information. Your firewall, which controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic may recognize such actions as not assumed to be secure and trusted. As a result, it can block a connection with Cart2Cart server and migration will be interrupted. In order to avoid this situation you should turn off a firewall for the time of migration or add Cart2Cart’s IPs to the whitelist. You can find more detailed information on how to do that here.
4. Store Location
Before you start migration, make sure your VirtueMart and PrestaShop stores are located in different folders or subfolders at FTP. Single shopping cart has to be located in a single folder. It will help Cart2Cart to recognize each of them and perform accurate migration.
So, these are 4 things you should think about before starting VirtueMart to PrestaShop migration. If you still have some question, feel free to contact our Support Team.
Monthly Update – November 2025
As we navigate late 2025, a critical aspect of any successful e-commerce migration, particularly from a system like VirtueMart to PrestaShop, is rigorous post-migration testing and validation. The digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with heightened user expectations for seamless experiences and personalized interactions. Beyond simply verifying data integrity, it's essential to perform comprehensive functional testing across all store features – from product browsing and checkout flows to customer account management and third-party integrations. Consider the impact of emerging AI-driven tools and advanced analytics on your new PrestaShop store; ensuring all data points are accurately captured and reflected will be crucial for leveraging these technologies effectively. A thorough testing phase, including user acceptance testing (UAT) with real customer scenarios, is indispensable for identifying and rectifying potential issues before launch, guaranteeing a smooth transition and preserving your hard-earned SEO rankings and customer trust.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
