How to save my store theme before upgrading in bigcommerce?

Introduction

When it comes to running an online store, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest software and platform updates. These updates can bring new features and improvements that can help you run your store more efficiently and effectively. However, when it comes to upgrading your store, it’s important to make sure that you don’t lose any of the customizations you’ve made to your store’s theme.

In BigCommerce, there are a few steps you can follow to save your store theme before upgrading. By following these steps, you can ensure that your store looks exactly the same after the upgrade as it did before, without losing any of your customizations.

Step 1: Export Your Store’s Theme

The first step to saving your store theme before upgrading in BigCommerce is to export your store’s theme. To do this, log in to your BigCommerce account and navigate to the “Storefront Design” section of the control panel. From here, click on the “Design Options” tab and then select the “Export/Import” option.

On the “Export/Import” page, you’ll see two options: “Export” and “Import”. To export your store’s theme, click on the “Export” button and select the “Export Theme” option. This will download a zip file containing all of the files for your store’s theme, including any customizations you’ve made.

The zip file that is downloaded will contain all of the files and assets for your store’s theme, including any custom CSS or JavaScript that you’ve added, as well as any custom templates or layouts that you’ve created. By exporting your store’s theme, you’ll be able to save all of these customizations and restore them after the upgrade is complete.

Step 2: Make a Backup Copy

Once you’ve exported your store’s theme, it’s a good idea to make a backup copy of the zip file. This way, if anything goes wrong during the upgrade process, you’ll have a copy of your store’s theme to restore from.

To make a backup copy of your store’s theme, simply save the zip file to a safe and secure location on your computer or external storage device. It’s also a good idea to make multiple copies of the file and store them in different locations, just in case one of the copies becomes lost or corrupted.

In addition to making a backup copy of your store’s theme, it’s also a good idea to make a backup of your entire store’s database. This will allow you to restore your store to a previous state if anything goes wrong during the upgrade process. To make a backup of your store’s database, log in to your BigCommerce control panel and navigate to the “Advanced Settings” section. From here, select the “Backup” option and follow the on-screen instructions to create a full backup of your store’s database.

Step 3: Perform the Upgrade

After you’ve exported and backed up your store’s theme and database, it’s time to perform the actual upgrade of your store. This will likely involve downloading and installing new software, as well as making any necessary changes to your store’s settings.

To start the upgrade process, follow the instructions provided by BigCommerce or the software vendor. This will typically involve downloading the latest version of the software and running the installation program. You may also need to make changes to your store’s settings or configurations, so be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided.

During the upgrade process, it’s important to avoid making any changes to your store or its settings. This can prevent conflicts or errors that could

result in data loss or other problems. If possible, it’s best to perform the upgrade during a time when your store is not receiving a lot of traffic, such as late at night or on the weekend. This will minimize the impact of the upgrade on your store and its customers.

After the upgrade is complete, be sure to test your store thoroughly to ensure that everything is working properly. This may include placing test orders, checking that all of your store’s pages are loading correctly, and verifying that your payment and shipping options are still configured correctly.

Step 4: Import Your Store’s Theme

After you’ve completed the upgrade and tested your store, you can import your store’s theme by navigating back to the “Export/Import” section of the “Design Options” tab in your BigCommerce control panel. From here, click on the “Import” button and select the zip file containing your store’s theme.

This will restore all of the customizations you’ve made to your store’s theme, so your store will look exactly the same as it did before the upgrade. You may need to refresh your store’s pages or clear your browser’s cache to see the changes, but your store’s theme should now be restored to its pre-upgrade state.

If you encounter any problems or errors when importing your store’s theme, you can try restoring your store’s database from the backup you created in step 2. This will restore your store to the state it was in before the upgrade, allowing you to try the upgrade again or troubleshoot any problems that may have occurred.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to save your store theme before upgrading in BigCommerce, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your BigCommerce account and navigate to the “Storefront Design” section of the control panel.
2. Click on the “Design Options” tab and then select the “Export/Import” option.
3. Export your store’s theme by clicking on the “Export” button and selecting the “Export Theme” option.
4. Make a backup copy of the downloaded zip file containing your store’s theme.
5. Create a full backup of your store’s database.
6. Perform the upgrade of your store.
7. After the upgrade is complete, navigate back to the “Export/Import” section of the “Design Options” tab.
8. Click on the “Import” button and select the zip file containing your store’s theme to restore your customizations.

By following these steps, you can save your store theme before upgrading in BigCommerce, ensuring that your store looks exactly the same after the upgrade as it did before. This will help you avoid losing any of your customizations and ensure that your store continues to operate smoothly and effectively.