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. For post-migration best practices, refer to our post-migration tips. If you still have some question, feel free to contact our Support Team.
Monthly Update – March 2026
As we move further into 2026, the complexity of e-commerce migrations, particularly from platforms like VirtueMart to PrestaShop, necessitates a heightened focus on post-migration data validation and performance testing. Many store owners overlook the critical step of thoroughly verifying all migrated entities – products, customers, orders, and attributes – against their source data. This isn't just about ensuring data presence; it's about checking accuracy, completeness, and integrity. For instance, product prices, stock levels, and customer order histories must be precisely replicated. Furthermore, website performance, including page load times and mobile responsiveness, can significantly impact user experience and SEO. A common trend among successful migrations involves setting up comprehensive staging environments for exhaustive testing before going live. This allows for identifying and rectifying any discrepancies or performance bottlenecks without affecting the live store. Leveraging automated testing tools in addition to manual checks can streamline this process, ensuring that your new PrestaShop store not only functions correctly but also offers an optimal experience from day one. Investing time in meticulous validation will safeguard your business reputation and customer trust, making your migration truly successful.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
