EP337:What Role Should An Ecommerce Consultant Play in Website Migrations & How Do You Ensure They Add Value?

"Brands don't know what they don't know. A consultant makes teams think about things in detail. It's an education piece."Francesca Raggio, Ecommerce Consultant, VervauntThis podcast features experts discussing the critical role of consultants in ecommerce website migrations. We share insights on project management, stakeholder engagement, technical discovery and how to avoid common pitfalls in replatforming projects.The episode pools the replatforming experience of James Gurd with senior consultants from Vervaunt, Shamoli Miah (Operations Director) and Francesca Raggio (Ecommerce Specialist).Having worked on a wide range of projects, they understand the real challenge isn’t about the tech; it’s the clarity, co-ordination and governance that enables multiple teams to function coherently together and handle the stresses that come with technology projects.Some of the biggest surprises come from content audits and data structure planning - things that many teams underestimate and leave until it’s too late. When you try to migrate thousands of products or reimagine your digital experience without proper planning, the results can be costly.Consultants are essential not just for technical expertise but for guiding teams through chaotic complexities: setting expectations, managing stakeholder alignment and ensuring you’re not flying blind. The value lies in thorough pre-discovery, continuous education, and the ability to challenge assumptions with honest, evidence-based insights.This isn’t about adding layers of bureaucracy; it’s about making the whole process smoother, more predictable and ultimately more successful.Tune in for an objective view of what the role of an external consultant should be, and how to know whether you need to add one to your project team. Chapters[00:35] Introduction to Ecommerce Consulting and Migrations[03:10] Understanding Replatforming Approaches[06:15] The Importance of Pre-Discovery in Projects[09:15] Common Challenges in Ecommerce Migrations[12:15] The Role of Governance in Project Management[15:10] Stakeholder Management and Accountability[17:40] Content and Data Migration Challenges[20:35] Planning for Successful Ecommerce Projects[30:35] Navigating Technical Discovery[40:00] Understanding User Acceptance Testing (UAT)[49:05] Consultant Skills for Ecommerce Success