Planning your store
How do you migrate an existing store to Shopify?
Begin with a list of what must survive the move: products, customer information, useful content and the links people already use.
What to settle before the domain changes
Choose a small sample containing variants and several images, migrate it and compare the result with the original. Separately list pages and older links; they may need different handling from products. Agree when the old system stops receiving updates and how stock will be reconciled. Keep the original exports securely. The move is not finished until real customer routes work and the team can process orders in the new setup.
Make a migration inventory
List products, variants, images, customers, pages and important historical records. Identify which items can be transferred through the chosen method and which need separate handling. Shopify’s migration guidance distinguishes types of store data; do not assume every field or historical record will move automatically.
Preserve important destinations
Collect URLs receiving search traffic, links or campaign visits and map them to relevant new pages. Test redirects with real examples rather than sending every old URL to the homepage. Keep page intent and product identity consistent where possible, and document URLs that cannot be preserved.
Plan the cutover
Agree when stock and order changes stop being copied from the old system. Reconcile inventory, payment configuration and shipping before switching the domain. Keep the original exports securely and define who will handle exceptions after launch. Review the new store’s key journeys before considering the move complete.
Rehearse a small migration
Move a small sample first: a product with options, a content page and an old URL. Check the result with the people who manage orders and content. Agree on what happens to orders received during the final move; migration is not complete just because products appeared in a new admin.
Official references
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Considering Shopify for your business? Request a free call to discuss your products and priorities. We agree the scope before work starts.
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