Checklist
Shopify Migration Checklist: Move Without Losing Data or Rankings
Use this list to plan a move from WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Wix or a custom platform to Shopify.
In short
A safe Shopify migration starts with a crawl of every old URL and an inventory of data and features, continues with data mapping, a trial import and a full 301 redirect map, and ends with a final data sync, launch-day checks and close monitoring of Search Console, analytics and orders for several weeks.
The checklist
Before, during and after the move.
- Crawl the old site and export every URL
- Export Search Console and analytics benchmarks
- List products, variants, customers, orders, reviews and content to move
- List plugins or extensions and their Shopify equivalents
- List integrations: payments, shipping, ERP, email, accounting
- Map data fields to Shopify products, metafields and customers
- Run a trial import and check a sample by hand
- Build the theme and key pages
- Recreate titles, meta descriptions and structured data
- Build the 301 redirect map for every old URL
- Set up payments, shipping and taxes and test orders
- Plan customer account invitations (passwords can’t be migrated)
- Run a final sync of new orders and customers
- Switch the domain and check SSL
- Test redirects and key journeys on launch day
- Submit the sitemap in Search Console
- Monitor rankings, traffic, 404s and orders for several weeks
Where migrations usually go wrong
Treating redirects as the last task
Shopify uses fixed URL patterns such as /products/ and /collections/, so most stores moving from another platform will have changing URLs. Export every important URL early, including those that earn traffic or backlinks, and test the redirects before launch.
Importing messy data
A migration is a good time to clean your catalogue. Merge duplicates, standardise options and remove dead products first. Moving messy data simply transfers the problem to a new platform.
Forgetting what plugins and extensions were doing
Old stores often rely on hidden behaviour, such as a plugin that sends a feed or applies a tax rule. List every plugin or extension, and who depends on it, then decide how each job will be handled on Shopify.
Not rehearsing the cut-over
Run at least one test import, then check a sample of products, customers and orders by hand. Plan a final delta import for anything created during the build, and agree who does what on launch day.
Not communicating with customers
Passwords do not transfer, so existing customers need to activate new accounts. Plan a clear message, and keep support ready for questions about old orders and accounts.
Measuring the result
Before you migrate, save a baseline of traffic, conversion rate and top landing pages. Compare the same periods afterwards, allowing for seasonality and for rankings to settle.
FAQ
How do I migrate to Shopify without losing SEO?
Crawl every old URL, keep page content and metadata, build a 301 redirect map to the new Shopify URLs, and monitor Search Console after launch.
Can customer passwords be migrated to Shopify?
No. Passwords can’t be transferred between platforms, so customers receive an invitation to set a new one.
What is a delta migration?
A final sync of the orders and customers created on the old platform after the main import, run just before you switch the domain.
Prefer to hand the migration over?
We handle every item on this list, with SEO protection built in.