Migration from WooCommerce to Shopify: a comprehensive guide and checklist
Figuring out Shopify so you don't have to: a bit about me
I'm Kat, the director of a team that built a Shopify product management automation tool. I'm also setting up my own Shopify store to gain first-hand experience in day-to-day operations. While I've heard plenty from our customers about their Shopify pain points, my own hands-on experience as a store owner is proving invaluable. I love to learn everything about everything and get it right, so I'm sharing what I've learned -- best practices and how I've implemented them. I hope this helps other Shopify store owners on their journey.
Thinking about migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify? Well, you've come to the right place. Moving an online store between platforms sounds pretty daunting, but with the right plan it doesn't have to be. In this guide, I'll break down migration from WooCommerce to Shopify step by step. I'll go over preparation and data transfer, and post-migration optimisations. Everything is covered in an easy-to-follow way so you can complete your migration from WooCommerce to Shopify with confidence (and without losing your SEO or your sanity!).
Table of contents
- Deciding on a migration method
-
WooCommerce to Shopify migration checklist
- 1. Back up and prepare your WooCommerce store
- 2. Set up your Shopify store basics
- 3. Export data from WooCommerce
- 4. Import data into Shopify
- 5. Migrate additional data (orders, reviews, etc.)
- 6. Design and functionality adjustments in Shopify
- 7. Test and launch your new Shopify site
- WooCommerce to Shopify data mapping guide
- Post-migration optimisation tips
- Conclusion & next steps
Deciding on a migration method
Before you begin migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify, you need to decide how you want to approach the migration process. There are a few different approaches for your migration from WooCommerce to Shopify, each with its own time and cost implications:
| Method | Speed | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual entry | Slow | Free | Copy-paste content manually (tedious, for very small stores only). |
| CSV export/import | Moderate | Free | Export data to CSV and import to Shopify. Requires some editing; not all data can be moved via CSV. |
| Third-party app | Fast | £20--£50 (typical) | Use an app or service to automate migration (e.g. Cart2Cart). Saves time and transfers most data automatically. |
| Hire an expert | Fastest | £300+ | Professionals handle everything for you. Great for complex migrations or busy owners. |
Most store owners choose between doing a CSV-based migration themselves or using a migration tool for convenience. I'll cover both options in this guide for your migration from WooCommerce to Shopify. (Hint: you can even mix approaches -- for example, import products via CSV and use an app for orders or reviews.)
Tip: Shopify has a Store Importer app (currently in early access) that can import WooCommerce products with just a few clicks. It's a free Shopify tool worth checking out if available for your migration from WooCommerce to Shopify, though it has some limitations (for instance, Shopify allows only up to 3 product options/variants per product -- anything beyond that won't import without help from apps or metafields).
WooCommerce to Shopify migration checklist
Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify involves several stages. Use this checklist as a plan to ensure you cover everything important during your migration process. I'll cover planning, transferring data, and setting up your new Shopify store.
1. Back up and prepare your WooCommerce store
Before any big move, back up all your data. In WooCommerce (which runs on WordPress), this means:
- Backup your database and files: Make a full backup of your WordPress site (database, uploads, themes, plugins). You can use a WordPress backup plugin or your web host's backup service.
- Audit and clean your data: Take the opportunity to clean up your store's data. Delete any test products, old plugins or extensions, and unused customer accounts.
- Note current URLs and SEO info: Make a list of important page URLs from your WooCommerce store. You'll need this list later to set up redirects on Shopify.
2. Set up your Shopify store basics
Next, get your new Shopify store ready for migration from WooCommerce to Shopify:
- Create a Shopify account and store: Sign up for Shopify if you haven't already. You can start on a free trial.
- Configure basic settings: In your Shopify admin, go to Settings and configure key details: store name, currency, time zone, payment gateway, and shipping settings.
- Install a theme: Pick a Shopify theme that will serve as the design foundation for your site.
- Password-protect your Shopify store: Enable password protection in Online Store > Preferences so you can work on it privately until launch.
3. Export data from WooCommerce
Now it's time to retrieve your data from WooCommerce. Typically, you'll want to migrate products, customers, orders, and possibly reviews:
- Export Products: In your WordPress admin, go to WooCommerce > Products. Click the Export button and choose all columns, all products, and all categories.
- Export Customers: WooCommerce doesn't have a built-in customer export, so use a plugin like the official WooCommerce Import/Export Suite.
- Export Orders (optional): If you need to migrate past order history, export orders using the same plugin.
- Export Reviews (optional): If you want to carry over product reviews, you can export reviews via a plugin.
4. Import data into Shopify
With your WooCommerce data in hand, the next step is to bring it into Shopify:
- Prepare product CSV for Shopify: WooCommerce's CSV format is different from Shopify's expected format, so you may need to adjust column headers.
- Import products CSV: In your Shopify admin, go to Products > Import and upload the edited product CSV file.
- Verify products and organise: After import, spot-check a few items and assign products to collections.
- Import customers: Format the WooCommerce customer CSV to match Shopify's template and import via Customers > Import.
Note: Passwords cannot be migrated for security reasons. Customers will need to create new passwords on Shopify.
5. Migrate additional data (orders, reviews, etc.)
Some data from WooCommerce isn't handled by Shopify's native import/export:
- Orders: Historical orders typically cannot be imported via Shopify's admin directly. Consider using a third-party app or migration service.
- Product reviews: Shopify doesn't natively import product reviews. Use a product review app that supports CSV import.
- Coupons/discounts: WooCommerce coupon codes won't automatically transfer. Recreate important discount codes in Shopify's Discounts section.
- Pages and blog posts: Manually recreate WordPress pages and blog posts in Shopify's Pages/Blog section.
6. Design and functionality adjustments in Shopify
At this point, your core store data is on Shopify. Now let's make sure your new Shopify storefront looks and functions how you want:
- Choose and customise your theme: Install your chosen theme and use the Theme Editor to start customising.
- Set up navigation menus: Recreate your store's main menu and footer menu in Online Store > Navigation.
- Install necessary apps: Think about any functionality your WooCommerce site had via plugins, and find Shopify apps that provide those features.
- Test store functionality: Click around your new Shopify site as if you were a customer and ensure everything flows correctly.
Streamline with automation
Meldeagle is an example of a tool that can streamline your product management tasks on Shopify. If you have large catalogues or need to sync data automatically, an automation tool like Meldeagle can save you time by bulk uploading or updating product info without manual work.
7. Test and launch your new Shopify site
You're almost there! The final checklist before you go live:
- Double-check settings: Ensure your payment gateway is working and shipping rates are correct.
- Set up URL redirects: Create redirects for old URLs to their new Shopify equivalents in Online Store > Navigation > View URL Redirects.
- SEO and metadata check: Review SEO metadata on important pages and ensure each page has unique, descriptive meta descriptions.
- Final pre-launch QA: Disable password protection and do one more thorough test.
- Switch the domain: Point your domain's DNS to Shopify via Settings > Domains.
- Launch! Remove the password page so the site is live to the public.
WooCommerce to Shopify data mapping guide
One of the trickiest parts of a DIY migration from WooCommerce to Shopify is making sure that the data from WooCommerce goes into the right places in Shopify. Here's a quick mapping guide for key fields:
Product fields mapping
| WooCommerce Product Field | Shopify Product Field |
|---|---|
| Name | Title |
| Description | Body (HTML) |
| Short description | (Consider appending to Body or use metafield) |
| Categories | (Use Collections in Shopify) |
| SKU | Variant SKU |
| Regular price | Variant Price |
| Sale price | Variant Compare at Price |
Customer fields mapping
| WooCommerce Customer Field | Shopify Customer Field |
|---|---|
| first_name | First Name |
| last_name | Last Name |
| user_email | |
| billing_address_1 | Address1 (Default Address) |
| billing_city | City (Default Address) |
Post-migration optimisation tips
Hooray, your store is running on Shopify! 🎉 Now the focus shifts to fine-tuning and optimising the new store. Here are some key post-migration optimisation tips:
SEO checks and URL redirects
One of the most important tasks after migrating is to safeguard your SEO so you don't lose organic traffic:
- Set up 301 redirects for old URLs to new URLs using Shopify's URL redirect tool
- Verify redirects are working by testing old URLs in your browser
- Update your sitemap and reindex by submitting your new sitemap to Google Search Console
- Meta titles and descriptions: Review key pages and ensure SEO metadata is optimised
Performance and speed testing
A fast site means a better user experience and potentially better SEO:
- Test page load speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights
- Optimise images by compressing or resizing large files
- Monitor app performance and remove unused apps that might slow down your site
Design tweaks and UX improvements
Now that your store has been live for a bit, gather feedback and refine the user experience:
- Fine-tune your theme design with small adjustments for better usability
- Mobile optimisation: Thoroughly check your site on mobile devices
- Content audit: Review all site content for accuracy and consistency
- Add Shopify-specific features like product recommendations and accelerated checkout options
App integrations and marketing tools
Make sure you leverage the tools that will help you market and run your store effectively:
- Marketing and analytics apps: Set up email marketing, social media integrations, and tracking pixels
- Automation tools: Consider apps that can automate repetitive tasks
- Customer service and loyalty: Implement live chat, reviews widgets, or loyalty programs
Conclusion & next steps
Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify is a significant step, but as we've outlined, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With careful planning, a solid WooCommerce to Shopify migration checklist, and the help of the right tools, you can transition your store smoothly and set yourself up for success on Shopify's platform.
In this guide, we covered everything from pre-migration prep to post-migration optimisation. Now it's time to take action: backup your WooCommerce data, follow the steps, and launch your new Shopify store. As you go through the process, refer back to the data mapping guide and tips to avoid common pitfalls. And remember, you have options -- whether doing it all manually, using apps like Meldeagle to automate parts of the journey, or hiring an expert if needed.
Once your Shopify store is live, don't stop there. Continue improving your site, refining SEO, and adding features that delight your customers. The migration is not just a one-time move; it's a chance to level up your e-commerce game. Shopify's tools will help your store scale without the headaches that might have prompted you to leave WooCommerce in the first place.
Ready to make the leap? With your new knowledge (and this handy guide by your side), you have everything you need to migrate to Shopify and hit the ground running. Good luck with your store migration, and welcome to your new Shopify home! 🚀
