Converting from Recharge Checkout on BigCommerce to the BigCommerce Checkout Integration

The BigCommerce Checkout Integration offers a host of benefits such as a native checkout that supports subscription orders, better checkout conversion tracking, and the ability to use native BigCommerce functionality like store credit and gift certificates for checkout orders.

This guide provides an overview and additional resources to ensure your business’s transition to the BigCommerce Checkout goes smoothly.

Conversion overview

If you're a Recharge Checkout on BigCommerce user and want to switch before your scheduled conversion date to the BigCommerce Checkout Integration, the Recharge conversion team can help. 

There are some key changes when converting, how subscription information for products are handled and the checkout process:

• Subscription options as product modifiers which are product options that can be added on a product that do not track inventory. Instead of adding subscription information via a local storage cart, Recharge subscription information will now be stored as modifiers on a product, meaning that there’s more native functionality that’s supported out of the box on BigCommerce. This also means a much lighter front end, with little to no need for custom classes or custom Javascript.
• Unified checkout allows your store to have one single checkout experience. Customers are now able to check out on the BigCommerce native checkout page with subscription items instead of going to the Recharge checkout.

Converting your Recharge Checkout on BigCommerce store to the BigCommerce Checkout integration consists of 2 major processes:

• Store assessment by Recharge conversion team.
• Prepare for date of conversion. 

Use the following conversion checklist to keep track of the conversion process:

Step 1 - Store assessment 

If you are a current Recharge Checkout on BigCommerce merchant, you should have received an email notifying you of the conversion, and outlining a date. If you have not received an email and would like to convert, you can submit the request to convert form.

The assessment team will respond as soon as they are able. The assessment process may take a couple of business days but sometimes may require more time if your store has a lot of customizations. The conversion considerations taken into account during the assessment are not disqualifiers for conversion, but rather considerations taken to ensure proper functionality. 

After the conversion team has completed your store assessment, they will reach out with recommendations and notes on any store settings that may be incompatible with the BigCommerce Checkout Integration. During this time, the conversion team will work with you to provide guidance on customizations your store requires.

Step 2 - Prepare for date of conversion

After the conversion team has completed your store assessment and helped to address customization needs, they will upgrade your Recharge store to the BigCommerce Checkout Integration. If you do not have any custom code, you do not need to do anything.

If you have custom code, the conversion team will coordinate a specific time slot for you to duplicate theme files and any custom code you may need to switch over.

The installation will affect the following:

• Subscription products will have modifiers added to them on BigCommerce.

• The Recharge subscription widget will be updated.

• The checkout will no longer redirect to Recharge checkout.

• Subscription orders will take place in the BigCommerce checkout.

Post conversion and migration checklist

After completing both the BigCommerce Checkout Integration conversion and existing customer migration, the conversion team will complete the following tests to confirm that everything behaves as expected.

It is recommended to complete the post-conversion to test the following functionality on your store once conversion is complete. 

FAQ

How long will the conversion process take and at what time will it occur?

The conversion process may take up to an hour to allow time for the conversion and proper quality assurance following the conversion. You will receive an email confirmation when the conversion is complete, and be notified the day before with the time your conversion will occur.

How will customers experience my site during the update period?

The product page subscription widget may not load for about 5 minutes as it gets updated. Customers who are actively shopping and have a subscription item in the cart will have that item turn into a one time product. There will be no disruptions to recurring orders and in the merchant portal.

Will I run into any complications converting my store? 

These issues may add complexity around conversions:

• Product Page Widget: Stores that have custom work in their theme files or front end work may need to clear and update it to be compatible with the new front end functionality - this would be regarding the custom classes that get added to elements, or any customization you may have done to the product page widget.

• Third Party Checkout: If your store uses a third party checkout and NOT the BigCommerce checkout, you may need to discuss technical implementation with a member of the Conversions team.

• Comparing V2 and V3 Product Experiences and Considerations: If your store is on the v2 Products version of BigCommerce, and uses shared options on products, those shared options may be turned into individual options on the products - meaning they will not be able to be managed in one place. If this is the case, we highly recommend upgrading to v3 Products before the Conversion. You can reply to the Conversion notification email with any additional questions.

Are there any additional benefits to converting?

The following lists features that are supported once you've converted to the BigCommerce Checkout Integration:

• Lighter, more performant front-end functionality.

• BigCommerce Promotions (automatic and coupon promotions) for checkout subscription orders.

• Gift certificates, BigCommerce store credit in the checkout, and wishlists.

• Coupon codes for checkout subscription orders.

• Customer conversion analytics.

• Having 2 of the same product at 2 different subscription frequencies in the cart.

Will I lose any functionality once conversion is complete?

You can refer to the BigCommerce Checkout Integration feature status for a full list of features that are compatible or incompatible on the BigCommerce Checkout Integration.