Shopify Migration Checklist for WooCommerce & BigCommerce Brands

Switching to Shopify can boost performance, simplify management and unlock powerful apps. But a seamless migration requires careful planning. Use this comprehensive checklist to move your WooCommerce or BigCommerce store to Shopify without losing data, SEO equity or sales.

1. Pre‑Migration Planning

Define Goals & Timeline

• Identify the primary reason for the move (speed, scalability, app ecosystem, etc.).
• Set a realistic migration window (usually 2‑4 weeks for small catalogs, 1‑2 months for large).
• Assign internal owners for data, design, SEO and testing.

Audit Your Existing Store

• Export product list, variants, SKUs, inventory levels.
• Compile customer data (emails, purchase history, loyalty points).
• Gather all URLs, meta titles, meta descriptions and 301‑redirect needs.
• List third‑party integrations (payment gateways, fulfillment services, email marketing).

2. Shopify Store Setup

Create the Shopify Account

• Choose the appropriate plan (Basic, Shopify, Advanced) based on expected sales volume.
• Configure store settings – currency, taxes, shipping zones, payment providers.

Select a Theme & Structure

• Pick a responsive theme that matches your brand (Shopify Theme Store or custom).
• Map existing navigation (main menu, footer links, collection pages).
• Set up essential pages – About, Contact, FAQ, Return Policy.

3. Data Migration

Products & Collections

• Use Shopify’s native CSV import or an app like "Excelify" to upload products.
• Verify that variant options, images, and inventory sync correctly.
• Re‑create collections (manual or automated) to mirror existing categories.

Customers & Orders

• Import customers via CSV; preserve passwords if possible (Shopify can request a reset).
• Migrate order history for reporting—use an app or third‑party service for full order import.

Content & Media

• Transfer blog posts using the "Export/Import" feature or an RSS import tool.
• Upload static assets (images, PDFs) to the Shopify Files library.

4. SEO Preservation

URL Mapping & Redirects

• List every legacy URL from WooCommerce/BigCommerce.
• Create 301 redirects in Shopify (Online Store > Navigation > URL Redirects) to point to the new equivalents.

Meta Data & Structured Data

• Ensure each product retains its original meta title, description and alt‑text.
• Install an SEO app (e.g., "Plug in SEO" or "Smart SEO") to generate JSON‑LD schema for products and articles.

Canonical Tags & Sitemap

• Verify Shopify automatically adds canonical tags.
• Submit the new sitemap (yourstore.com/sitemap.xml) to Google Search Console.

5. Integrations & Apps

• Connect your payment gateways (Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal).
• Set up fulfillment services or dropshipping apps (ShipStation, Oberlo, etc.).
• Install email‑marketing integrations (Klaviyo, Mailchimp) and map existing subscriber lists.
• Re‑create any loyalty or referral programs using Shopify apps.

6. Testing & Quality Assurance

Functional Tests

• Place test orders using each payment method.
• Check cart, checkout, and thank‑you page flows on desktop & mobile.
• Verify tax calculations and shipping rates for all zones.

Content Checks

• Spot‑check product pages for correct info, images and inventory.
• Confirm all redirects work (use Screaming Frog or a redirect checker).
• Review site speed with Google PageSpeed Insights; aim for >80 score.

7. Launch & Post‑Launch

• Switch DNS to point the custom domain to Shopify (update A record & CNAME).
• Monitor orders for 48‑72 hours; keep the old store in maintenance mode for fallback.
• Review analytics (Google Analytics, Shopify Reports) for traffic drops.
• Send a launch email to customers announcing the new Shopify experience.

8. Ongoing Optimization

• Run A/B tests on product page layouts using Shopify’s built‑in experiments or apps.
• Continuously add apps that improve upsells, reviews and loyalty.
• Audit SEO quarterly; update redirects if new URLs are added.

FAQ

Will my existing SEO rankings be affected?

If you set up proper 301 redirects and keep meta data intact, rankings should remain stable. Expect minor fluctuations during the crawl‑update period.

Can I migrate without a developer?

Yes. Shopify’s CSV import and migration apps handle most stores under 2,000 SKUs. Larger catalogs may need a specialist.

What happens to my Shopify theme custom code?

Custom Liquid code is developed after the data migration. Keep a backup of the old theme files and test changes in a duplicate theme.

Do I need to cancel my WooCommerce/BigCommerce subscription?

Wait until sales are consistently flowing through Shopify and you’ve verified all data is present. Then you can safely close the old account.

How long does a typical migration take?

Small stores (under 500 products) often finish in 1‑2 weeks. Medium to large stores can take 4‑6 weeks, depending on customizations.

Ready to make the switch? Download our free, printable Shopify Migration Checklist template and start your move today.