Magento to Shopify Migration Checklist [+5 Bonus Tips]

Shopify is a popular, if not, one of the best and trusted eCommerce platforms that allows individuals and businesses to create and manage their online stores.

It provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features and tools, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced entrepreneurs.

With Shopify, users can easily set up and customize their online stores without the need for extensive technical knowledge or coding skills. The platform offers a variety of professionally designed templates (themes) that can be customized to match the brand identity of the store.

Users can also add products, manage inventory, process orders, and track sales, all within the Shopify admin/dashboard.

What is Magento?

Magento is an open-source eCommerce platform that provides a flexible and robust solution for building and managing online stores.

It was originally developed by Varien Inc. (now Adobe) and was first released in 2008. Since then, it has become one of the most popular and widely used eCommerce platforms globally.

As an open-source platform, Magento is free to use and offers a high degree of customization and scalability. It is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

Magento allows users to create fully functional and feature-rich online stores with extensive product catalogs, multiple payment options, and various shipping methods.

Why This Magento to Shopify Migration Checklist Matters?

A Magento to Shopify migration checklist has its own sets of benefits:

• Save time and effort: Migration apps can help you migrate your data from Magento to Shopify quickly and easily. This can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you have a large amount of data.
• Ensure data accuracy: Migration apps can help you ensure that your data is migrated accurately. This is important to make sure that your products, customers, and orders are all transferred correctly.
• Customize the migration process: Migration apps can help you customize the migration process. This is important if you have specific requirements for how your data is migrated.

How To Migrate From Magento to Shopify? (2023 Checklist Updated)

Migrating from Magento to Shopify can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By following a checklist and using the right tools, you can make the process as smooth as possible.

Step 1: Backup the Magento store

In this critical first step of the migration process, it is crucial to create a backup of your Magento store before proceeding with any data migration or changes. The backup is a safety measure to ensure that you have a copy of all your important data, files, and configurations in case anything goes wrong during the migration.

To backup your Magento store, follow these steps:

• Access Magento Admin Panel: Log in to your Magento Admin Panel using your admin credentials (username and password).
• Navigate to System > Tools > Backup: Once logged in, go to the “System” menu in the top navigation, then select “Tools” from the drop-down menu, and click on “Backup.”

Navigate to the Backup section in Magento Admin Panel

It is crucial to create a backup of your Magento store before proceeding with any data migration or changes:

• Select Backup Type: In the “Backup” section, you’ll see different options to create backups, including Database Backup, Media Backup, and both. For a complete backup, it is recommended to select the “Database and Media” option.

Select Backup types

• Choose Backup File Name and Location: Enter a descriptive name for the backup file, making it easy to identify later. Additionally, specify the backup file’s storage location on your server.
• Start the Backup Process: Click on the “Back Up Now” button to initiate the backup process. Magento will begin creating a backup of your store’s database and media files.
• Monitor Backup Progress: Depending on the size of your store and the amount of data, the backup process may take some time. Monitor the progress to ensure it is completed successfully.
• Download and Store Backup: Once the backup is completed, download the backup file to your local computer or external storage for safekeeping. It’s essential to store the backup in a secure location.

Step 2: Choose the appropriate Shopify pricing plan.

Once you have backed up your Magento store, you need to choose the appropriate Shopify pricing plans. Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs and budget.

Here are the different Shopify pricing plans:

Shopify has three different pricing plans to meet different merchants’ needs

• Basic Shopify: This plan is the most affordable, and it is a good option for small businesses. It includes features such as a free domain name, 24/7 customer support, and basic marketing tools.
• Shopify: This plan is a good option for medium-sized businesses. It includes all of the features of the Basic Shopify plan, plus additional features such as abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, and unlimited product listings.
• Advanced Shopify: This plan is the most expensive, and it is a good option for large businesses. It includes all of the features of the Shopify plan, plus additional features such as real-time shipping rates, advanced reporting, and multi-currency support.

Step 3: Set up your Shopify store

Now that you have successfully migrated your data from Magento to Shopify, it’s time to set up your new Shopify store. This step involves customizing your store’s appearance, configuring essential settings, and adding important information to create a compelling online storefront.

Your Shopify store should reflect your brand’s identity and provide a seamless shopping experience for customers

• Choose a theme. Shopify offers a variety of themes to choose from, so you can find one that matches your brand and style.
• Customize your store. You can customize your store’s colors, fonts, and layout to make it your own.
• Add products. You can add products to your store by uploading product images, descriptions, and prices.
• Set up shipping and payment. You need to set up shipping and payment methods so that customers can purchase your products.

Step 4: Export Data from Magento

In this crucial step, you will need to export all the necessary data from your Magento store. This includes product information, customer details, order history, categories, and other relevant data.

The export process involves creating CSV files or using specific data export tools provided by Magento to ensure that all data is accurately transferred to Shopify.

To export data from Magento, follow these steps:

• Log in to your Magento Admin Panel: Access your Magento backend by entering your admin credentials (username and password).
• Navigate to System > Data Transfer > Export: Once logged in, go to the “System” menu in the top navigation, then select “Data Transfer” from the drop-down menu, and click on “Export.”
• Select Entity Type: In the “Export” section, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Entity Type.” Here, you can choose the type of data you want to export. You can select options such as “Products,” “Customers,” “Orders,” “Categories,” and more, depending on your specific export needs.

• Choose Export File Format: Magento provides various export file formats, including CSV (Comma Separated Values), Excel XML, and XML. Select the appropriate format that suits your needs. CSV is a commonly used format for data migration due to its compatibility with most platforms.
• Define Export Settings: Configure the export settings based on your requirements. You can choose to export all data or apply filters to export specific data, such as a particular product category or customer group.
• Set the Filename and Path: Enter the desired file name for the exported data file. Additionally, you can specify the path where you want to save the exported file on your server.
• Run the Export: After setting up the export parameters, click on the “Continue” or “Export” button to initiate the data export process.
• Download the Exported File: Once the export process is complete, a link to the exported file will be generated. Click on the link to download the exported data file to your local computer.
• Review and Clean Up Data (if needed): Before importing the data into Shopify, review the exported file to ensure that all data is accurate and formatted correctly. Make any necessary adjustments or clean up any inconsistencies that may have occurred during the export.

Step 5: Import Data from Magento to Shopify

After successfully exporting the data from your Magento store, the next crucial step is to import that data into your Shopify store. This process involves transferring all the product information, customer details, order history, and other relevant data from the exported file into your Shopify database.

To import the data into Shopify, follow these steps:

• Log in to your Shopify Admin Panel: Access your Shopify backend by entering your admin credentials (username and password).
• Navigate to Shopify Admin > Settings > Import: Once logged in, go to the “Settings” menu in the bottom-left corner, then click on “Import” under the “Settings” section.
• Choose the Data to Import: In the “Import” section, Shopify offers various options for importing different types of data. Select the appropriate option based on the data you want to import, such as products, customers, or orders.
• Upload the Exported File: Click on the “Upload file” button and select the exported data file from your local computer. Shopify will then process the file and prepare it for import.
• Map Data Fields: After uploading the file, Shopify will prompt you to map the data fields from the imported file to the corresponding fields in your Shopify store. This step ensures that the data is correctly aligned and imported into the right sections of your store.
• Preview and Confirm Import: Once the data mapping is complete, you can preview the imported data to ensure its accuracy. Review the preview carefully and make any necessary adjustments before confirming the import.
• Run the Import: Once you are satisfied with the data mapping and preview, click on the “Import” button to start the data import process.
• Monitor Import Progress: Depending on the size of the data file and the complexity of the data being imported, the process may take some time. Monitor the import progress to ensure it is completed successfully.
• Review Imported Data: After the import is complete, review your Shopify store to ensure that all the data, including products, customers, and orders, has been successfully transferred from Magento.

Step 6: Install Shopify Apps to Boost Your Storefront and Increase Sales

In this step, after successfully importing your data and setting up your basic Shopify store, it’s time to enhance your store’s capabilities by installing relevant Shopify apps. These apps are designed to extend the functionality of your online store, improve user experience, and drive more sales.

Shopify offers a vast selection of apps in the Shopify App Store, each catering to different aspects of e-commerce, such as marketing, customer support, analytics, inventory management, and more. When migrating from Magento to Shopify, it’s crucial to choose the right apps that align with your business goals and meet your specific needs.

To complete the final step in the Magento to Shopify migration checklist, follow the steps below:

• Identify Your Needs: Assess the areas where your online store can benefit from additional features or automation. Determine what aspects of your business could be enhanced with the help of Shopify apps, such as optimizing SEO, integrating with social media, offering personalized product recommendations, or streamlining shipping and fulfillment processes.
• Explore the App Store: Visit the Shopify App Store and browse through the wide array of apps available. Use relevant keywords like “sales boost,” “storefront enhancement,” or “customer engagement” to find apps that cater to your requirements.
• Check App Ratings and Reviews: Before installing any app, review its ratings and read customer reviews. Pay attention to feedback regarding app performance, customer support, and overall satisfaction to ensure you select reliable and effective apps.
• Install and Configure Apps: Once you’ve chosen the apps that suit your needs, click on the “Add app” button to install them to your Shopify store. Follow the setup instructions provided by each app developer to configure the apps according to your preferences.
• Test and Monitor Performance: After installation, test each app’s functionality to ensure they work seamlessly with your store. Monitor their impact on your store’s performance, sales, and customer engagement over time.
• Remove Unnecessary Apps: Periodically review your installed apps and remove any that are no longer relevant or not delivering the expected results. Keeping your app collection tidy ensures optimal performance and avoids unnecessary costs.

Tips To Help You Migrate from Magento to Shopify

Before closing off the Magento to Shopify migration checklist, here are some valuable tips to ensure a smooth and successful transition:

1. Set up 301 redirects

Setting up 301 redirects

When migrating from Magento to Shopify or making significant changes to your website’s URL structure, it’s essential to implement 301 redirects. A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines and browsers that a page has been moved permanently to a new location.

By setting up 301 redirects, you ensure that visitors and search engines are automatically directed to the new URLs, preserving your SEO rankings and user experience.

2. Migrate Blog to Shopify

Migrating your blog from Magento to Shopify is an essential step in the overall migration process. Shopify provides a user-friendly blogging platform that allows you to seamlessly transfer your existing blog content, ensuring that you maintain your valuable blog posts and engage your audience on the new platform.

3. Use the Magento to Shopify migration app

To simplify the process from Magento to Shopify, you can leverage the Magento to Shopify migration app. This app is designed to assist you in seamlessly transferring your product data, customer information, and other essential details from your Magento store to your new Shopify store.

4. Migrate the customers’ data

Ensures that all valuable customer information is transferred to your new Shopify store

Migrating customer data is a crucial aspect of the Magento to Shopify migration process. Transferring customer information ensures that you maintain valuable customer records and provide a seamless experience for your existing customers in your new Shopify store.

5. Post-migration review

After ticking every point of the Magento to Shopify migration checklist, it is essential to conduct a thorough post-migration review to ensure the process was successful and address any potential issues.

The post-migration review allows you to verify the integrity of your new Shopify store, identify any discrepancies, and make necessary adjustments to optimize your online presence.

By following this Magento to Shopify migration checklist and utilizing the Magento to Shopify migration app, you can streamline your migration process and make the most out of the integration, unlocking new growth opportunities for your e-commerce business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the process of migrating from Magento to Shopify can be a game-changer for your e-commerce business.

With this ultimate Magento to Shopify migration checklist, along with the Magento to Shopify Migration App at your disposal, you are equipped to make a seamless transition to Shopify and skyrocket your business.

We wish you the best of luck as you unlock the full potential of your e-commerce venture and thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape!