Jason Hendricks (B2B – Platform Owner)
Industry
Location
Project Scope
Project Duration
Jason manages a large base of customers using StoresOnline, a proprietary ecommerce platform built on Java and Oracle.
With StoresOnline nearing shutdown, the requirement was not just to migrate one site — but to create a scalable system that could migrate hundreds of independent client stores efficiently.
“This project focuses on building a scalable migration system rather than one-off transfers. We developed a custom XML processing layer to map legacy StoresOnline data into WordPress and WooCommerce. Using Multisite and templated setups, we follow a repeatable workflow: clone, configure, import, and validate. A hybrid approach combines automation with manual fixes for edge cases, ensuring reliable, scalable migrations while maintaining full business functionality.”
Akshay Jain
Tech Lead, WisdmLabs
Client Journey
With StoresOnline nearing shutdown, the requirement was not just to migrate one site — but to create a scalable system that could migrate hundreds of independent client stores efficiently.
The goal:
The Challenge
StoresOnline data was exported in multiple XML files, not directly compatible with WordPress. This required a deep understanding of how data like users, products, and orders were structured.
Since no direct migration tools were available, the entire data layer had to be reinterpreted and mapped manually before import.
Each store contained essential data such as customer accounts, products, categories, orders, and payment configurations. Many also had unique layouts and integrations.
The challenge was to ensure that all functional aspects of the business continued to work post-migration, not just the frontend design.
The requirement was to migrate hundreds of independent client stores efficiently without repeating the process from scratch each time.
This meant building a system that could be reused, documented, and eventually handled by the client’s internal team.
We’re approaching the project in two layers: first, putting the migration framework in place; second, applying that framework across live sites and refining it wherever site-specific differences require adjustments.
1
We accessed the backend, identified the available backup and export path, and confirmed that site data could be downloaded from StoresOnline in XML format.
That gave us the raw data source needed to understand how the legacy system stored users, products, orders, and related records before planning the migration logic.
Result: We established a workable extraction path from a proprietary platform that did not natively support WordPress migration.
2
From the exported files, we identified the core modules that could be migrated into WordPress and WooCommerce with the highest reliability, including user accounts, products and categories, and completed orders linked to products and users.
We also flagged edge cases around older order states such as PreAuth, Unknown, and Voided, since those could not simply be imported without deciding how they should behave in the new system.
Result: The migration scope became more precise and business-safe, instead of assuming every legacy record should be copied over as-is.
3
Because the StoresOnline exports were not directly usable inside WordPress, we developed a custom migration script to parse the XML files, transform the data, and map it into the correct WordPress and WooCommerce structures.
This included handling file processing logic, field mapping, and the preparation needed to move the data into an import-ready format.
Result: We created the core automation layer now being used to reduce manual migration effort across live projects.
4
To avoid building each new site from scratch, we put forward a WordPress Multisite-based approach supported by a small set of base templates for different site types, such as ecommerce, lead generation, and informational sites.
The intention was to start from the closest matching template, then customize it for the individual domain before importing the migrated data.
Result: This created a more scalable site setup model and reduced repeated setup work across migrations.
5
To make the process more repeatable, we incorporated a duplication workflow using tools such as NS Cloner, allowing new sites to be cloned from a base setup and then adjusted for domain, branding, and site-specific settings.
Result: The process moved closer to a practical rollout model of clone, customize, import, and test rather than rebuilding each site manually.
6
The migration analysis also accounted for the operational features many sites would still need after the move, including WooCommerce, payment gateways such as PayPal and Authorize.net, and newsletter tools such as MailChimp or ActiveCampaign.
This was important because the goal was not just to move records, but to re-establish functional business websites inside WordPress.
Result: The migration process was shaped around business continuity, not just data transfer.
6
As actual migration projects started coming in, it became clear that the script could handle a strong portion of the repeatable migration work, but not every site followed the same structure.
Some sites needed additional manual development, design adjustments, or targeted fixes beyond what the base script could cover.
Result: The process has evolved into a more realistic hybrid model: automate the repeatable core, then layer in controlled manual work where site-specific differences require it.
Result
Where the platform stands today
👉Established a working migration approach for moving StoresOnline data into WordPress/WooCommerce
👉 Put a repeatable framework in place for handling migrations across a large set of client sites
👉 Reduced part of the manual migration effort through a custom XML-processing script
👉 Created a scalable setup model using Multisite, base templates, and cloning workflows
👉 Found through active migration work that some site-level differences still require manual development and customization
👉 Evolved the delivery model into a more practical hybrid approach: automation for the repeatable core, manual work for site-specific needs
👉 Continued using and refining the process as more migration projects come in
Impact
The project improved migration efficiency while ensuring business continuity across multiple stores.
Faster setup with templates and cloning
Reduced effort via automated XML processing
Scalable system for bulk migrations
Reliable migration of core business data
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