It seems like your WordPress store has been working out for you, but recently you may feel like you’re spending more time troubleshooting your plugins, managing updates and worrying about performance than you are selling. At this point, most online shop owners realize that they need to change their system from WordPress to Shopify. Hence they choose with WordPress to Shopify migration
There’s no need to panic, because migrating your online business from WordPress to Shopify can be quite easy if you have a clear strategy. Follow this step-by-step guide on how to migrate your store from WordPress to shopify migration, and you will do it seamlessly.
Why Are US Store Owners looking for WordPress to Shopify Migration?
However, there are rarely only a single reason behind switching to Shopify. In most cases, it will be a combination of those:
- Too many plugins. In WordPress, even basic functions require additional plugins that you have to use. In turn, it means another thing to go wrong.
- Reduced maintenance. Shopify provides you with everything you need – hosting, security, and updates.
- Faster speed. Hosting from Shopify is made specifically for online stores, meaning that you don’t have to do anything about caching or any server plugins.
- Easier checkout. The payment system, including Shop Pay, is made to make purchases easier.
- Growth potential. You can always move to Shopify Plus when you need to.
What Should You Do Before WordPress to Shopify Migration
Most of the issues related to migrating can be prevented through good preparation. Be sure not to omit the following actions.
Step 1: Backup Everything on Your WordPress Website
Before doing anything else, create a full backup of everything on your website, both in terms of your files and database. It can be done using a hosting control panel or a reliable backup plugin. Save a copy somewhere secure (for instance, in the cloud).
Step 2: Create a List of Everything to Migrate
Identify everything you have on your existing website:
- Products, their variations (by size, color), images and inventory information;
- Product categories (they will be collections in Shopify);
- Customer accounts and orders history;
- Blog entries, pages (About Us, Contact Form, FAQ, policies).
This list will be used later when you will be testing the transferred data.
Step 3: Export Your SEO Information
Create a list of all URLs of your website, especially those which generate the most traffic. You can see the number of views from Google Search Console and Google Analytics. Additionally, export metadata (titles, descriptions and image alt texts) of all these pages.
How Do You Set Up Your New Shopify Store?
Step 4: Select Your Plan and Setup Your Essentials
Select your Shopify plan according to the size of your store and then add the basic requirements for your US customers:
- Your payment methods: Shopify Payments, PayPal and Shop Pay
- Set up US sales tax for the states where sales tax applies
- Sales shipping rates and zones
- YOUR STORE POLICIES (refund policy, privacy policy, shipping policy and terms & conditions
Step 5: Select and Customize Your Theme
Since Shopify does not support WordPress themes, you will have to rebuild your website from scratch. It is the perfect opportunity for you to update your current design or go for a completely different one. The theme should be mobile-friendly because many buyers shop using their mobiles.
How Do You Move Your Data From WordPress to Shopify?
Step 6: Migration of Products, Customers and Orders
Products and customers can be moved either via CSV files or a migration tool. Ensure that all products are imported correctly with the proper variants, prices, images, and inventory.
One thing to keep in mind: customer passwords cannot be moved to Shopify. Customers will have to create a new password for their account. You may want to draft a gentle reminder email.
Step 7: Import Blog Posts and Pages
Blog content cannot be migrated as part of the standard product CSV import in Shopify, so you need to use either a migration tool or do it manually. It is crucial that blog titles, content, images, authors, and publication dates remain the same.
Step 8: Substitute Plugins With Shopify Applications
Make a list of all the plugins used in WordPress such as reviews, emails subscriptions, etc. Try to substitute all plugins by finding an equivalent in Shopify applications. Some of the functionalities, which required plugins in WordPress, are already included in Shopify.
How Do You Protect Your SEO During the Migration?
This is when most DIY migrations get messed up, so don’t rush.
Step 9: Set Up 301 Redirects for All Your Old URLs
Shopify uses its own format, such as /products/ and /collections/. This means that a lot of your old WordPress links will become different. When a 301 redirect is set up, the users and Google will be automatically forwarded from the old link to the new page. It can be done in Shopify by using URL redirects.
Step 10: Transfer Your Meta Titles, Descriptions, and Alt Text
Utilize the SEO data collected in Step 3 and transfer your meta titles, descriptions, and image alt text to your new Shopify pages.
How Do You Test and Launch Your New Store?
Step 11: Test It All Before Launching
• Create several test orders to examine the entire process
• View each web page on both mobile and desktop versions
• Check your old URLS to ensure redirects are functioning correctly
• Complete testing of contact forms, email subscription form and applications
Step 12: Add Your Domain Name and Launch
Finally, once everything has been tested and confirmed, connect your domain to the Shopify site by changing the DNS settings. Your domain name may remain with your existing domain registrar, or it may be moved to Shopify.
Step 13: Closely Monitor the Launch
Add your sitemap to Google Search Console. For the next few weeks, look out for 404 errors, dead links and changes in traffic.
Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a WordPress to Shopify Migration Company?
A small shop with minimal products and basic pages could be easily shifted manually by the owner. However, when there are hundreds of products, years of blog posts, custom functionality, or good Google ranking, there will be a high likelihood of making errors during such a migration process.
WordPress to Shopify migration services come in handy in such scenarios, offering a professional way of moving your website with ease. A reputable WordPress to Shopify migration agency will plan, map all URLs, redesign your shop and test everything prior to going live.
In case your website is running on WooCommerce and WordPress, you might want to check our WooCommerce to Shopify migration solution. Our Shopify Plus development team can assist with large businesses.
Ready to Make the Move?
Moving from WordPress to Shopify is easier when you follow a clear plan: back up, list your content, save your SEO data, set up Shopify, move your data, redirect every URL, test, launch and keep watching. Follow these 13 steps and your new store will be ready to sell from day one.
Want experts to handle it for you? Get a free consultation with eBizTrait’s Shopify team and start your migration with confidence.
