Shopify Migration Checklist: Seamless Step-by-Step Guide
A Complete Shopify Migration Checklist for Seamless Transfers¶
Migrating your website to Shopify?
Let’s make sure you don’t lose your hard-earned SEO, site speed, or valuable customer data along the way.
Moving to Shopify can seriously level up your online store — but only if you handle the migration properly. A messy migration can wreck your rankings, slow your site down, and even lose customer orders. No one wants that.
This step-by-step Shopify migration checklist is here to help you nail the process and ensure a smooth, seamless transfer.
Why Migrate to Shopify?¶
Shopify is the go-to e-commerce platform for a reason. It’s scalable, secure, easy to use, and packed with features to grow your business.
Whether you’re moving from WooCommerce, Magento, or even Wix — Shopify gives you the power to build and manage a store that’s fast and future-proof.
👉 Related: Top Benefits of Hiring a Shopify Agency for Your E-Commerce Success
Pre-Migration Checklist: Get Prepared¶
Before you dive into the migration, it’s crucial to get your ducks in a row.
✅ Backup Your Current Website
Don’t move a pixel without a full backup. This is your safety net.
✅ Run a Full SEO Audit
You need to know what’s working now so you can protect it later. Tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console are great for this.
✅ Map Out Your URL Structure
Changing URLs? Make sure you map old URLs to new ones properly to avoid broken links.
✅ Check Your Site Speed
Migration is a great chance to speed up your store.
👉 Related: How to Boost Website Speed
The Shopify Migration Process: Step-by-Step¶
Here’s your Shopify migration game plan:
Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store¶
Create your Shopify account and choose a theme that aligns with your brand. Make sure your new structure supports all the pages you’re migrating.
Step 2: Migrate Your Data¶
Move your products, customer info, order history, and content across. You can do this manually, with an app, or using a professional migration service.
👉 Shopify’s Migration Guide is a solid resource here.
Step 3: Set Up 301 Redirects¶
Make sure every old URL points to its new home. This protects your SEO and keeps visitors on track.
Step 4: Rebuild Your Design & Functionality¶
Recreate your existing design (or go for a new one) and ensure all key functionality (like payment gateways and shipping settings) are working correctly.
Step 5: Test Everything¶
Before going live, rigorously test your store. Check links, test checkout, confirm mobile responsiveness — no shortcuts.
SEO Considerations During Shopify Migration¶
One of the biggest risks during migration is losing your SEO rankings. Here’s how to protect them:
✅ 301 Redirects Are Non-Negotiable
This is the #1 SEO lifesaver during migration.
✅ Retain Metadata
Make sure your page titles, meta descriptions, and H1s carry over.
✅ Update and Submit Your XML Sitemap
Submit your new sitemap to Google via Google Search Console ASAP.
✅ Monitor Site Speed
Keep your Shopify store lightweight and fast.
👉 Related: How to Boost Website Speed
✅ Track Rankings Post-Launch
Even if you’re not aiming to rank this blog, keeping an eye on your primary service keywords post-migration is smart.
Post-Migration Testing & Launch Checklist¶
Before you pop the champagne, make sure you’ve covered:
✅ Test site functionality on all devices
✅ Verify redirects
✅ Check site speed
✅ Submit sitemap
✅ Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors
✅ Test payment, shipping, and checkout flows
Common Shopify Migration Mistakes (and How to Dodge Them)¶
We’ve seen a few migration horror stories. Here’s what to avoid:
🚫 Broken redirects
🚫 Missing or changed metadata
🚫 Lost customer data
🚫 Forgotten images and files
🚫 Overlooked page speed issues
Why Partner with a Shopify Migration Expert?¶
Sure, you can migrate on your own. But if you want to protect your SEO, speed, and customer experience — working with a Shopify migration specialist can save you a lot of stress (and revenue).
👉 Learn more about our Shopify Migration Services
👉 Ready to move? Start Your Project
We’ve helped countless businesses migrate seamlessly to Shopify — and we’d love to help you next.
Final Thoughts¶
Migrating to Shopify doesn’t have to be scary. With the right checklist, a solid plan, and the right team behind you, you can make the switch without losing momentum.
We’ve pulled together some frequently asked questions to help you tackle your Shopify migration like a pro.
📚 Frequently Asked Questions¶
1. What is the Shopify migration process?¶
The Shopify migration process involves backing up your current website, setting up a Shopify store, migrating your data (products, customers, orders), setting up 301 redirects, recreating your design and functionality, and thoroughly testing everything before you launch.
2. How do I migrate to Shopify without losing SEO?¶
To migrate to Shopify without losing SEO, you need to set up proper 301 redirects from your old URLs to your new Shopify URLs, retain all metadata (like page titles and descriptions), keep your content consistent, submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console, and monitor your rankings closely after launch.
3. Can I migrate to Shopify myself?¶
You can migrate to Shopify on your own using migration apps or manual import tools, but there’s a risk of data errors, broken redirects, or SEO drops if you miss critical steps. Working with a Shopify migration expert can save you time and protect your store’s performance.
4. How long does a Shopify migration take?¶
A Shopify migration can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. It depends on the size of your store, the amount of data you need to move, and whether you’re building a new design or recreating your current one.
5. What should I check after migrating to Shopify?¶
After migrating, you should check that all redirects work, all products and pages display correctly, your checkout process is fully functional, your website loads quickly, and Google Search Console doesn’t flag any crawl errors.
6. Will my website speed change after migrating to Shopify?¶
Your website speed might actually improve after moving to Shopify because it’s a fully hosted platform with fast servers. However, large unoptimised images or too many apps can still slow things down, so you’ll want to monitor performance carefully.
7. Do I need a Shopify expert to help with migration?¶
Hiring a Shopify migration expert isn’t essential, but it’s highly recommended if you want to protect your SEO, customer data, and user experience. An expert can handle all the tricky parts like redirects, testing, and speed optimisation — and save you from expensive mistakes.
