Shopify Migration Checklist: A Guide to Switching Platforms

Shopify Migration Checklist: The key to a smooth transition of your existing online store to Shopify.
Many merchants eventually face the question: Is my current platform still the right one?

Scaling issues, complicated usability, or missing integrations can make day-to-day operations harder. This is exactly where Shopify comes in—as a flexible and powerful solution for growing e-commerce businesses.

However, switching platforms is no small project. Migration means that you not only have to transfer your product data, but also customer information, orders, content, SEO settings, and in some cases even processes such as payments and shipping into a new system. Mistakes during this process can cost revenue, search rankings, and customer satisfaction.

This makes a clear structure all the more important. In this guide, we show you step by step how to avoid risks, what preparations are necessary, and how to make the transition a success. You’ll also get practical tips on which tools can help and which common mistakes you should avoid.

What does a Shopify migration mean?

A Shopify migration is more than a technical move—it’s a strategic step that affects the foundation of your e-commerce business and plays a key role in your long-term competitiveness.

In e-commerce, migration refers to switching from an existing platform (e.g. WooCommerce, Magento, Shopware, or BigCommerce) to Shopify. This involves transferring data, optimizing processes, and often modernizing business models.

Here you’ll find detailed comparisons between Shopify and other leading e-commerce platforms:

• WooCommerce vs Shopify
• Magento vs Shopify
• Shopware vs Shopify
• BigCommerce vs Shopify

Which areas are affected?

• Product data: SKUs, variants, descriptions, images, categories—important because Shopify requires clear structures.
• Customer data: Profiles, order histories, newsletter subscribers, transferred in compliance with GDPR.
• Orders: Open and completed orders, important for customer service and accounting.
• Content: Blog posts, pages, media.
• SEO data: URLs, redirects, and meta information to protect your rankings.
• Design & functionality: Themes, apps, integrations—often modernized during the process.
  

Two migration routes:

• Manual migration: Exporting and importing data, rebuilding the design; suitable for smaller stores.
• Tools or agency: Solutions such as Matrixify or LitExtension; for complex stores, an agency is recommended to handle planning and implementation.

A migration is also an opportunity to clean up databases, modernize SEO, and make your store future-proof in a sustainable way.

 

Such a process therefore means far more than just a system change. It is the opportunity to take your data, processes, and design to the next level. With the right planning, suitable tools, or an experienced agency, you can minimize risks and use the migration to make your store stable, flexible, and ready for the future in the long term.

Shopify Migration Checklist

Below you’ll find the checklist with all the steps you should consider for a successful project. Each point is explained in a practical way and helps you keep an overview.

1. Preparation

Before you start the actual migration, thorough preparation is essential. It lays the foundation on which all further steps can be built safely.

• Define goals & project plan:
  Before starting the migration, you should define clear goals. Is the primary objective better performance, a more modern design, or international expansion? Based on these goals, create a plan that includes a timeline, responsibilities, and milestones. Also note which key metrics (e.g. conversion rate, loading times, or SEO rankings) should improve after the migration. This gives you concrete success criteria to measure the process against.
• Analyze the existing store:
  Take a close look at your current platform. Which data should be migrated? Are there incorrect product details or duplicates? A small data checklist can help here, covering everything from SKUs to categories. Also consider outdated plugins or integrations that may need to be replaced.
• Backups & data security:
  Create complete backups of your store. This includes databases, product images, customer lists, and content. This ensures you always have a fallback and take no risks if unexpected issues arise during the migration.
• Responsibilities & timeline:
  Define who is responsible for which areas—IT, marketing, external partners. A realistic timeline is crucial, as a migration typically takes several weeks or even months. Be sure to include small buffer periods so you can respond flexibly to delays.

Structured planning saves time, prevents chaos, and gives your team clear direction. This is how you lay the groundwork for a successful migration.

2. Data migration

Data migration is one of the most critical phases when moving to Shopify. This is where it’s decided whether your new store can seamlessly continue from the old one—without data loss, gaps, or chaos. The more structured your approach, the smoother this step will be.

• Export and check product data:
  Start by exporting your product data from the old system. Shopify supports CSV imports.
  
  Pay clos attention to:
• Prices & Discount Rules
• Variants (e.g. sizes, colors)
• Product descriptions including HTML formatting
• Product images & image URLs
• Categories, tags & internal IDs

3. Shop configuration

After the data migration comes the setup of your new Shopify store. This is where you establish the foundations so everything runs smoothly and your business is professionally set up from day one.

• Choose the right Shopify plan:
  • Compare the available plans and check which one fits your business model.
  • Take a close look at Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus. For larger companies, Shopify Plus is often the better choice thanks to higher API limits, automations, and greater scalability.
• Set up core settings:
  • Set language, currency, and time zone correctly
  • Define tax and VAT rules
  • Add legal texts (imprint, privacy policy, terms & conditions, withdrawal/cancellation policy)
• Set up payment providers & shipping methods:
  • Connect your preferred payment provider (e.g. PayPal, Stripe, Klarna, Shopify Payments).
  • Set up shipping methods for both domestic and international orders.
  • Test all payment methods before the store goes live.
• Use Shopify Markets for international expansion:
  • Enable Shopify Markets if you want to sell in multiple countries.
  • Add country-specific pricing, languages, and tax rates.
  • Configure currencies and domains so customers get a localized shopping experience.

Careful configuration is the key to a stable foundation. The more precisely you handle plans, settings, payments, and internationalization, the fewer issues you’ll face later in day-to-day operations. Take your time here—it pays off.

4. Design & Functionality

Good design is far more than just “looking nice”—it builds trust, provides orientation, and ultimately leads to more sales. Equally important are the features that make life easier for your customers and increase your conversion rate. This checklist helps ensure that your store impresses from the very beginning.

Design & Functionality Checklist:

Area	To-dos	Notes / Tips
Select theme	• Choose a Shopify theme from the store • Have a custom theme developed	For complex requirements: Collaboration with Shopify Plus Development Services
Navigation & Structure	• Build a clear menu structure • Arrange categories logically • Optimize filters & search	Shorter click paths = better conversion
Install apps & plugins	• Add SEO, marketing, and review apps • Use only relevant tools	Test each app to avoid compromising loading time and design.
Customize checkout	• Add payment methods • Set up shipping options • Integrate upsells	Shopify Checkout is optimized, but customizable.

A well-thought-out design and a clear structure are the heart of your store. They determine whether visitors turn into buyers. Take your time with this step—it pays off in the form of higher revenue and happier customers.

5. SEO & Marketing

After the technical migration, SEO and marketing determine whether your store remains visible and continues to reach customers. Without careful redirects and correct data transfer, you risk losing rankings. At the same time, you can use the migration as an opportunity to rebuild your marketing tools and work in a more professional way.

SEO & Marketing Checklist:

Area	To-dos	Notes / Tips
URL mapping & 301 redirects	• Capture old URLs • Set up 301 redirects to new pages	Prevents ranking loss & broken links (404 pages)
Metadata & structured data	• Import title tags & meta descriptions • Adopt schema markup & alt text	Essential for SEO ranking & better click-through rate in search results
Setting up tracking tools	• Connect Google Analytics / GA4 • Set up Facebook Pixel &, if applicable, TikTok Pixel	This is how you ensure that no data gaps occur after the go-live.
Newsletter & Marketing Tools	• Import email lists in compliance with GDPR • Activate automations (e.g., welcome sequences).	Check that opt-ins have been transmitted correctly to avoid legal risks.
Other marketing channels	• Customize Google Ads, Shopping Feeds & Merchant Center • Relaunch remarketing campaigns	Check feed URLs to ensure product ads are delivered correctly.

A successful Shopify migration does not end with the go-live. Only when SEO data and marketing tools are transferred cleanly will your store remain visible and continue to grow. With a clear structure, you ensure that rankings, traffic, and conversions not only stay stable, but increase in the long term.

6. Testing

Before your Shopify store goes live, you need to test it thoroughly. Small issues can quickly lead to abandoned checkouts or frustrate your customers. That’s why it’s essential to take enough time to review orders, payments, performance, and technical details.

• Conduct test orders:
• Create test products
• Simulate multiple orders with different scenarios
• Also test returns and cancellation processes.
• Check payments & shipping:
• Try all payment methods (credit card, PayPal, Klarna, etc.)
• Simulate shipping methods and shipping costs
• Check if taxes are calculated correctly.
• Test the checkout function:
• Try out guest orders & customer accounts
• Redeem discount codes & vouchers
• Ensure a smooth process up to order confirmation.
• Mobile View & Performance:
• Check display on smartphones & tablets
• Measure loading times with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights
• Ensure mobile-first optimization
• Sources of errors & 404 pages:
• Use tools like Screaming Frog to check broken links and redirects
• Fix broken URLs immediately

Thorough testing is the last major step before going live. The better you test all functions, processes, and displays, the lower the risk of problems after launch. This ensures you go online with a stable and reliable shop.

7. Go-Live

Now it gets serious: your new Shopify store is ready to launch. The go-live is the decisive moment that shows whether your preparation and testing were successful. With this checklist, you can ensure that the launch runs smoothly.

Go-Live Checklist:

Area	To-dos	Notes / Tips
Switch domain to Shopify	• Connect domain to Shopify • Activate SSL certificate • Check subdomains	Make sure you have clean redirects so that no pages lead to dead ends.
Switch shop to "live"	• Remove password protection • Final test checkout, payments & shipping • Plan the launch date	Start outside of peak hours to minimize the risk.
Monitoring in the first few days	• Monitor traffic, conversions & abandonment rates • Check Google Search Console for errors • Monitor 404 pages	Intervene early if rankings or user flows are affected.
Communication to customers	• Send out newsletters about the relaunch • Use social media • Publish blog articles highlighting the advantages of the new shop	Use the go-live as a marketing opportunity and strengthen customer loyalty.

The launch of your Shopify store is a major milestone. With structured preparation, active monitoring, and targeted communication, you ensure that your new store not only runs stably but also delights customers successfully from the very beginning.

Tools & resources for a successful migration

A Shopify migration doesn’t have to be complicated if you use the right tools and partners. They help you transfer data reliably, avoid errors, and save time. Depending on the scope of your project, you can draw on different resources.

• Official Shopify import tools:
  • CSV import/export: Ideal for smaller data volumes and manageable product catalogs.
  • Store Importer app: Imports data from platforms such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Magento.
  • Shopify Transporter app (for Shopify Plus): Optimized for large data sets and complex migrations.
    
• Apps for complex migrations:
  • Matrixify: Powerful solution for large data volumes and custom structures.
  • LitExtension: User-friendly, automates the migration of products, customers, and orders.
  • Cart2Cart: Supports many platforms; ideal for stores migrating from Magento, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce.
• Agencies & Experts:
  • For larger projects, working with an agency is recommended.
  • Specialists with experience in Shopify Plus consulting develop a strategy, handle the technical migration, and support the launch.
  • Advantage: They also take care of design, apps, integrations, and legal requirements.

Whether it’s a small DIY solution or a complex enterprise project, the right tools and partners are crucial for a smooth Shopify migration. Evaluate which option fits your business and invest in tools or experts that provide reliability and speed.

Conclusion: Shopify Migration Checklist

A migration is not a small project, but with the right structure and a clear checklist, it is absolutely manageable. From careful preparation and data migration to testing and go-live, you now have all the key steps you need to carry out the transition in a planned and professional way.

Don’t see the migration as just a technical move, but as an opportunity: clean up old data, optimize processes, modernize your design, and take your marketing strategy to the next level. With Shopify, you gain a platform that offers flexibility, scalability, and powerful tools to support your growth.

If you’re looking for support: we at datora.de are an official Shopify partner and help you implement your migration successfully and individually. From strategy and technical data transfer to a tailored design, we support you on the path to your new Shopify store.

With good planning, the right tools, and—if needed—a strong partner at your side, your Shopify migration will be a complete success.