How to transfer domain from WooCommerce to Shopify?

Unlock your domain name in WooCommerce settings. In Shopify admin, go to Online Stores > Domains > Connect Existing Domain > Transfer in your domain.

WooCommerce to Shopify Migration: Step-by-Step Guides to Reduce Risks

Have you found that making changes or implementing marketing campaigns in your current WooCommerce-powered store is a time-consuming process for low-tech users? If so, you may be considering a switch from Woocommerce to Shopify.

Although Shopify provides a user-friendly interface, migrating from WooCommerce can be quite complex. You’ll need to consider how to transfer products, customers, orders, and maintain your SEO rankings.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This blog post will guide you through a seamless migration from WooCommerce to Shopify, ensuring you minimize risks and maintain the integrity of your online store. We’ll explore different migration methods, delve into the nitty-gritty of data migration, and provide essential post-migration tips to help you hit the ground running on Shopify.

Is it worth moving from WooCommerce to Shopify?

But before going into the migrating process, we want to ensure your decision is worth it.

Absolutely yes, if:

You prioritize ease of use and a user-friendly interface.
You want a hosted solution with managed security and updates.
You need 24/7 customer support.
You prefer an extensive app ecosystem for added functionality.
You are looking for a platform that can easily scale with your business.

No, if:

You are looking for a cost-effective solution with no monthly fees.
You need extensive customization and flexibility.
You are comfortable managing your own hosting, security, and updates.
You value the integration with WordPress for powerful content management.

If you answer “yes,” stay tuned! We will walk you through everything in the below sections, from backup data to moving data and launching your new store on Shopify.

5 Steps to Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify

Step 1: Decide Your Migrating Methods

But before you dive in, let’s talk about migrating methods your store data. We understand you looking for:

Time-Saving: No one wants to be stuck in the migrating process.
Risk-Free: Data is pivotal to your store – let’s avoid losing it at all costs.
Budget-Friendly: We know you’re saving your budget for further plans.

So, which migration method is the perfect match for you? Let’s explore your options:

Method	Description	Recommendation	Best For
Manual Copy-Paste	Copy content manually. Time-consuming and error-prone.	Not Recommended	Tiny Stores Only
CSV Import	Export to CSV, then import. Some data may not migrate.	Limited Use	Simple Stores (Free)
Third-Party Apps &Services	Use apps from the Shopify App Store and services going along for seamless migration.	Highly Recommended	Most Stores (Automation & Flexibility)

For most stores, a third-party migration app and service offers the perfect balance between convenience, budget, and data security. In the next steps, we will guide you a full process of migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify with the 2 main methods which are using CSV files and using third-party apps and services.

Step 2: Plan and Prepare to Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify

1. Data Backup

Use a reliable backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to create a complete backup of your WooCommerce store.
Ensure the backup includes your database, files, themes, plugins, and media uploads.
Store the backup in a secure location such as cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) or an external hard drive.
Verify the integrity of the backup by restoring it to a test environment if possible.

woocommerce to shopify, export data in bulk

2. Product Catalog

Navigate to WooCommerce > Products and use the built-in export tool.
Select the columns that you want to export.
Export your product data in CSV format “WooProductDownload.csv”

export products in woocommerce to shopify

Review and Clean Data:
- Open the CSV file in a spreadsheet application (like Excel or Google Sheets) and review the data for accuracy.
- Clean up any inconsistencies or errors, such as missing images, incorrect pricing, or duplicate entries.
- Validate the data to ensure it meets Shopify’s import requirements.

Shopify’s sample product CSV file

Details: Ensure the CSV file includes all essential information such as product titles, descriptions, images, SKUs, variants, pricing, inventory levels, and categories.
Tools: Consider using plugins like WP All Export for more advanced export options.

3. Customers and Orders Data

Exporting Customer Data:
- Go to WooCommerce > Customers and use the export tool to export customer data in CSV format ‘WooCustomerDownload.csv”

Ensure the CSV file includes customer names, email addresses, shipping and billing addresses, and order history.

Sample Customer CSV Export Formats

Export Order History (Optional)
- Install an export plugin for WooCommerce.
- Navigate to WooCommerce > Import/Export.
- Choose “Orders” and configure export options (columns, format).
- Click “Export” to download your order data “WooOrdersDownload.csv”

Use plugins like WP All Export for more detailed customer data export.

Data Privacy Compliance:
- Ensure that the export and handling of customer data comply with data privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA.
- Inform customers about the migration and how their data will be handled.
- Document the steps taken to ensure compliance for future reference.

As eCommerce experts, we highly recommend utilizing third-party migration services such as LitExtension, Matrixify App & Service for a hassle-free transition from WooCommerce to Shopify. These services offer automated, reliable solutions that simplify the migration process, ensuring a smooth and efficient transfer of your store’s data and content.

Steps to Use LitExtension:

Sign Up: Create an account on LitExtension.
Select Carts: Choose WooCommerce as your source and Shopify as your target. Provide necessary URLs and API details.
Choose Data: Select the data types (products, customers, orders) you wish to migrate.
Start Migration: Initiate the migration. Duration depends on the data volume.
Verify Data: After migration, check your Shopify store to ensure all data is correctly transferred.

4. Theme Selection

Research and Selection:
- Browse the Shopify Theme Store to find a theme that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and functional requirements.
- Evaluate factors such as design, layout, mobile responsiveness, and customization options.
- Compare free and paid themes to determine which best fits your needs.

Free vs. Paid Themes:
- Start with free themes if you have a limited budget. Shopify offers several high-quality free themes.
- Consider paid themes for more advanced features and customization options. Paid themes typically range from $150 to $320 one-time.

Preview and Test:
- Use the preview feature to see how the theme will look with your content.
- Test the theme’s functionality, including navigation, product display, and checkout process, to ensure it meets your expectations.

Create A Shopify Account for Free and Test Themes

5. Tax Calculation Based on Location

Tax Settings:
- Familiarize yourself with Shopify’s built-in tax calculation features.
- Plan the configuration of tax settings to automatically calculate taxes based on the customer’s location.

Learn more about Shopify Tax Calculation Here!

Shopify Shipping offers discounted rates with the following carriers directly through the Shopify admin:

The United States: USPS, UPS, DHL Express
Canada: Canada Post, UPS
Australia: Australia

Shopify also integrates with various third-party shipping providers through apps available in the Shopify App Store. Some popular third-party shipping providers include:

FedEx, DHL eCommerce (international shipping), Aramex (Middle East and Asia), Australia Post, Royal Mail (UK domestic and international services), Hermes (UK and Europe), DPD (Europe), GLS (Europe and US), Purolator (Canada), PostNL (Netherlands), SF Express (China and international).

7. Payment Methods

Shopify offers a variety of payment methods (over 100+) including Shopify Payments, third-party providers like PayPal and Stripe, alternative methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, manual options like bank deposits and COD.

Step 3: Importing Data to Shopify

1. Import Data to Shopify

Products:

Go to Shopify admin > Products.
Click on “Import” in the top right corner.
Upload the edited product CSV file.
Click “Upload and continue” and follow the prompts to complete the import.

Customers:

Go to Shopify admin > Customers.
Click on “Import” in the top right corner.
Upload the customer CSV file.
Click “Upload and continue” and follow the prompts to complete the import.

Orders (Optional):

Shopify does not natively support order imports via CSV. Use third-party apps to import orders.
Browse the Shopify App Store for migration apps like LitExtension, Matrixify, or Ablestar WooCommerce Importer.

Import Customer Reviews (Optional):

While Shopify doesn’t currently allow direct transfer of reviews from WooCommerce, you can easily import them using a trusted app from the Shopify App Store. These apps will help you showcase customer feedback and build trust with potential buyers:

Judge.me
Loox
Yotpo

2. Verify and Organize Data

After importing, verify that all data has been correctly imported.
Organize products into collections and ensure all customer and order data is accurate.

Step 4: Setting Up Shopify Stores

Setting up the Shopify store is crucial in migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify. We will walk you through setting up every single component of a store in these sections below:

1. Store Configuration

General Settings:

Go to your Shopify admin panel, navigate to Settings (in the left corner) > Store Details, and configure your store details.
Enter your store name, address, contact information, and time zone.

setting up payment shipping, currency on shopify

Payment Gateways:

Navigate to Settings > Payments.
Enable Shopify Payments or integrate with other payment gateways like Stripe.
Connect your PayPal account to accept payments via PayPal.
Set up manual payment methods like bank transfers if needed.
Test each payment method by placing test orders to ensure they work correctly.

Shipping Settings:

Navigate to Settings > Shipping and Delivery.
Define shipping zones based on regions or countries you ship to.
Set up shipping rates for each zone, including flat, weight-based, or carrier-calculated rates.
Integrate with shipping carriers like DHL, UPS, or FedEx for real-time shipping rates.
Test the shipping settings by placing test orders from different locations to ensure the correct rates are applied.

Read This Article For More Details: How To Set Up Your Shopify Store in ONLY 4 Parts

Tax Settings:

Navigate to Settings > Taxes.
Enable automatic tax calculation based on customer location.
Set up tax overrides for specific products or regions if needed.
Test the tax settings by placing test orders from different locations to ensure taxes are calculated correctly.

Currency Settings:

Navigate to Settings > Payments and enable multiple currencies if using Shopify Payments.
Configure the currencies you want to support and set up rounding rules if needed.
Test the currency settings by browsing your store from different regions to ensure prices are displayed correctly.

2. Theme Customization

Select a Theme:

Go to the Shopify Theme Store and select a theme that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and functional requirements.
Use the preview feature to see how the theme will look with your content.

Customize the Theme:

Navigate to Online Store > Themes and click on Customize.
Customize the header and footer sections to include your logo, navigation menu, and contact information.
Customize the homepage layout, including banners, featured products, and promotional sections.
Customize the product page layout to highlight product images, descriptions, and reviews.
Customize the collection page layout to display product categories and filters.
Adjust the typography and colour scheme to match your brand’s identity.
Preview the customized theme on different devices to ensure it looks and functions correctly.

3. App Integration

Install Essential Apps: Go to the Shopify App Store and install apps that enhance your store’s functionality.

Configure Apps:

Follow the setup instructions for each app and configure them according to your store’s requirements.
Ensure the apps are integrated with your product catalogue, checkout process, and other relevant areas.
Test each app to ensure it functions correctly and enhances the customer experience.

4. Product and Collection Setup

Create Collections:

Navigate to Products > Collections and create collections to organize your products.
Manually add products to collections based on categories, themes, or promotions.
Set up automated collections using conditions like product tags, types, or prices.

Product Organization:

Ensure all products are assigned to the appropriate collections.
Browse the collections on your store to ensure products are displayed correctly.

5. Navigation and Menus

Set Up Navigation Menus:

Navigate to Online Store > Navigation and create navigation menus for your store.
Set up the main menu with links to key pages like Home, Shop, About Us, Contact, and Collections.
Set up the footer menu with links to policies, FAQs, and social media profiles.
Test the navigation menus to ensure all links work correctly and provide a seamless browsing experience.

6. Legal Pages and Policies

Create Legal Pages:

Navigate to Online Store > Pages and create legal pages for your store.
Draft a privacy policy that outlines how you collect, use, and protect customer data.
Draft terms of service that outline the rules and regulations for using your store.
Draft a refund policy that outlines your return and refund procedures.
Draft a shipping policy that outlines your shipping methods, rates, and delivery times.

Link Legal Pages:

Navigate to Settings > Legal and link the legal pages to the appropriate sections.
Ensure the legal pages are accessible from the footer menu and during the checkout process.

7. SEO Power Up for Your Store

To use your existing domain, follow these steps:

Navigate to Settings > Domain
Click on “Connect existing domain” > paste your domain

For More Details: How To Add A New Domain Or Connect An Existing Domain

To safeguard your SEO rankings, consider setting up redirects for your key pages. Once your store is operational, assess which pages draw the most traffic and ensure they redirect to your Shopify site. Redirects can be easily managed using a CSV file for bulk import.

How to Set Up Redirects:

In your Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store > Navigation.
Select View URL Redirects.
Click Create URL redirect.
Input the original URL in the Redirect from field.
Enter the new destination URL in the Redirect to field. For the homepage, use “/”.
Save your changes by clicking Save redirect.

Craft Compelling Meta Descriptions:

These short snippets displayed in search results are crucial for attracting clicks.

Edit unique meta descriptions for each page using clear and concise language in your Shopify admin.
Optimize your store title and description, product search displays, blog listings, and regular page descriptions.

Boost with SEO Apps (Optional):

Take your SEO to the next level with apps from the Shopify App Store. Explore apps that optimize images, improve site speed, and identify broken links.

Step 5: Going Live with Your Shopify Store

1. Final Testing

Place Test Orders:

Place several test orders to ensure the checkout process works smoothly.
Test all payment methods (credit card, PayPal, bank transfer) to ensure they process correctly.
Test shipping rates for different locations to ensure they are calculated accurately.
Test tax calculations for different regions to ensure they are applied correctly.

Review Store Functionality:

Thoroughly review your store’s functionality.
Check product displays, navigation menus, search functionality, and app integrations.
Test the store on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure a responsive design.

Fix Issues:

Address any issues or errors identified during testing.
Retest the store to ensure all issues have been resolved.

2. Customer Communication

Launch Announcement:

Announce your store’s launch to your existing customers and subscribers.
Use email, social media, and your website to communicate the launch.
Highlight key features, promotions, and reasons to visit your new store.

Customer Support:

Ensure your customer support channels are set up and ready to handle inquiries.
Use tools like Shopify Chat, Zendesk, or Gorgias to provide customer support.
Make sure support is available during your store’s launch period to address any issues or questions.

3. Launch Day

Go Live:

Make your store live by removing any password protection or maintenance mode settings.
Ensure your store is accessible to the public and that all features are functioning correctly.

Monitor Performance:

Monitor your store’s performance closely during the launch period.
Use Google Analytics, Shopify Analytics, and other tools to track traffic, sales, and user behaviour.
Be prepared to make quick adjustments based on performance data and customer feedback.

4. Post-Launch Activities

Collect Feedback: Collect feedback from customers about their shopping experience.

Analyze Data: Analyze your store’s performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Plan Future Campaigns: Plan future marketing campaigns to maintain momentum after the launch.

So, you have completed the switch process from woocommerce to Shopify. This process is complex, so please be patient and follow our instructions. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments section.

The Bottom Line

Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify represents not just a shift in platforms but a strategic move towards scalability, user-friendliness, and enhanced customer experience. While the migration process may seem daunting at first, the long-term benefits of Shopify’s robust ecosystem, comprehensive support, and seamless integrations far outweigh the initial effort.

Remember, the goal is not just to move your store but to transform your online presence, opening doors to new opportunities and growth. Embrace the change, and let Shopify be the catalyst for your eCommerce success.

The FAQs

Can I convert WooCommerce to Shopify?

Yes, you can convert your store from WooCommerce to Shopify using Shopify’s Store Importer app or third-party migration tools to transfer products, customers, and order data.

Can I connect WooCommerce with Shopify?

Yes, you can connect WooCommerce with Shopify by using third-party integration apps or custom API connections, allowing you to sync inventory, orders, and products between the two platforms.

How to transfer a domain from WooCommerce to Shopify?