The only Shopify migration checklist you’ll need in 2025: Move without the headaches

Welcome to the world of eCommerce migration. Moving your website to Shopify, one of the most popular and powerful eCommerce platforms, can open new opportunities for growth, but it does come with its challenges.

The process often involves transferring years of data: products, order history, blogs, and more to a completely new system. On top of that, you’ll need to rebuild key functions like workflows, shipping and payment settings, and your entire website design. All of this needs to happen without disrupting your customer experience or damaging your SEO.

With a well-structured plan, your transition to Shopify can be smooth and successful. In this article, I’ve outlined a practical, step-by-step migration checklist based on real-world experience. You’ll also find helpful tips to avoid common mistakes and ensure your store is set up for long-term success.

Whether you're moving from Neto, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or Magento, this guide will help you avoid the most common pitfalls, protect your SEO and data, and launch your new Shopify store with confidence.

With a well-structured plan, your transition to Shopify can be smooth and successful. This practical checklist, based on real-world experience, will walk you through the key stages, from preparation to launch. 

You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes, protect your SEO and data, and set your store up for long-term success, whether you're migrating from Neto, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or Magento.

Find out how Shopify migration experts can take the stress out of your move

Why businesses move to Shopify (and why it might be time for you too)

If your current platform feels clunky, hard to update, or limited in what it can do, you’re not alone. Many Australian business owners I work with feel they’ve outgrown their existing system. Whether it’s slow performance, backend complexity, or relying too much on developers for small updates, the frustrations build up.

Shopify is a popular next step because it’s flexible, scalable, and much easier to manage day to day. The admin dashboard is clean and intuitive, so tasks like managing products, processing orders, and updating content become far more efficient.

Another major strength is Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem. From shipping tools and email marketing to SEO, subscriptions, and accounting, there’s a tool for just about everything, and most of them integrate easily. Shopify also performs well under high traffic and connects with sales channels like eBay, Amazon, and Google Shopping.

Should you DIY or hire help? Shopify migration service vs DIY

One of the first decisions you'll face is whether to handle the migration yourself or work with a Shopify expert. While doing it yourself may seem like a way to save money, there’s more involved than you might expect, even for tech-savvy store owners.

You’ll need to do things like:

• Clean up and restructure your data (e.g. remove outdated products, merge duplicates)
• Recreate customer groups and pricing rules
• Rebuild custom features like forms, blogs, or page layouts in your new Shopify theme
• Set up integrations for payments, shipping, email, and more
• Implement 301 redirects to maintain your search engine rankings

If your store is large, customised, or tied into other systems, DIY may end up being more stressful and time-consuming than it’s worth.

I’ve helped many Australian brands migrate to Shopify smoothly, and in most cases, the investment in expert help pays off through fewer post-launch issues, faster turnaround, and a stronger foundation to grow.

Before you start: choose the right Shopify plan

Before you begin setting up your new store, you’ll need to choose the Shopify plan that best fits your business. Each plan comes with different features and limitations, so it’s important to understand what’s included and what might be worth paying more for as you grow.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Shopify Basic is great for startups and smaller stores. It includes the essentials to get you up and running, including a full online store and standard reporting.
• Shopify Grow is the standard plan and suits most growing businesses. It includes advanced reporting, more staff accounts, and tools that support operational efficiency.
• Advanced Shopify is ideal for more established stores. It includes advanced reports and additional features for scaling, including third-party calculated shipping rates.
• Shopify Plus is designed for high-growth and enterprise businesses with more advanced needs. It offers enhanced automation tools, greater control over the checkout experience, and built-in B2B functionality. It’s a strong option if you're scaling quickly, operating across multiple channels, or managing both retail and wholesale. Plus, you receive priority support from Shopify.

PRO TIP: Shopify charges different transaction fees depending on the plan. If you're running a high-volume store, the savings on transaction fees alone may justify moving to a higher plan, or even Shopify Plus. It's worth doing the maths before you commit.

The ultimate Shopify migration checklist (step by step)

Once you’ve chosen the right Shopify plan, it’s time to get organised and map out your migration. Moving platforms isn’t something you want to do on the fly. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to overlook critical details like SEO redirects, missing or misaligned data, or payment settings that haven’t been properly tested. These kinds of issues can lead to broken links, customer frustration, or lost sales.

This checklist gives you a big-picture view of what needs to happen during a Shopify migration. It outlines the key stages so you know what to expect and what to prepare for. Whether your store setup is straightforward or more complex, having a high-level plan helps you stay on track and move forward with confidence.

Step 1 – Create a migration plan

Start by reviewing your current platform and store performance:

• Identify what’s working well and worth keeping
• Note what needs improvement or simplifying
• List any features or processes you want to replicate or enhance in Shopify

Set clear goals for what success looks like post-migration:

• What are your top priorities (conversion, speed, management ease)?
• How will you measure success after the move?

Build your migration team:

• Assign internal roles such as project manager, content editor, and developer
• Consider hiring external support like Shopify experts if needed

Define your migration timeline and budget:

• Break down the migration into key milestones
• Schedule the launch outside of peak sales periods
• Estimate one-off and ongoing costs (themes, apps, Shopify subscription, transaction fees)

Step 2 – Set up your Shopify store

Choose and design your theme:

• Choose a theme that aligns closely with your brand from the start, especially if you want to limit the need for customisations that usually require a designer or developer.
• Look for high ratings, strong reviews, and reliable support.
• Preview themes using your actual products to see how they’ll look in action.
• Adjust colours, fonts, layout sections, and imagery to make the design uniquely yours and consistent with your brand experience.

Configure store settings:

• Set up payment options including credit cards, mobile wallets, and Buy Now Pay Later services
• Define shipping zones and rates, and consider free shipping thresholds
• Use Shopify’s tax features to configure tax rules by region
• Add required legal pages like returns policy, privacy policy, and terms of service

Enhance your checkout experience:

• Enable Shopify’s one-page checkout for a faster customer journey
• Customise the checkout with your logo and brand colours for consistency

Install essential apps:

• Product filter and search
• Reviews (e.g. Judge.me)
• Email marketing (e.g. Klaviyo)
• Google Shopping Feed (e.g. Simprosys)
• Upsell and cart drawer apps (e.g. Upcart)

PRO TIP: It's crucial to test apps to see if they integrate well with your existing processes. Some apps may slow down your site's loading speed, so it's a good idea to evaluate which apps are essential and keep only those.

Step 3 – Migrate your data

Prepare your data:

• Back up all product info, images, customer records, and order history
• Decide what content you want to move (products, customers, orders, blogs, pages)

Choose a migration method:

• Manual transfer for smaller setups
• CSV import for product and customer lists
• Migration apps for automated transfers (e.g. Matrixify, LitExtension, Cart2Cart)
• API integration for highly customised or large-scale migrations

Import in the correct sequence:

• Products first, followed by customers, then historical orders
• Run a sample test import to catch any issues early

Post-import checks:

• Verify that product details, inventory, customer data, and orders are accurate
• Set up 301 redirects from old URLs to your new Shopify URLs to maintain SEO and avoid broken links
• Fix any mismatches or errors before going live

PRO TIP: The sequence of importing data matters. Import your products first, then customers, then any historical orders so everything connects correctly. Other data can be imported in any order.

Step 4 – Test your new setup

Test store functionality:

• Product browsing and filtering
• Add-to-cart process
• Checkout flow
• Confirmation emails and post-purchase notifications

Test user experience:

• Review layout and navigation on desktop and mobile
• Make sure it aligns with your brand and is easy to use

Place test orders:

• Walk through the full order process to catch potential friction points

Run a soft launch:

• Allow a small group of trusted customers to test the live site before full launch
• Collect feedback and make adjustments

Step 5 – Plan your launch

Final checks:

• Schedule your domain switch and update DNS records
• Use an under-construction page during downtime if needed

Go live:

• Monitor performance closely in the first few hours
• Check for issues with checkout, app performance, and customer experience

Reconnect with customers:

• Announce your new store to existing customers
• Invite them to reactivate accounts and explore the new features
• Ask for feedback to support ongoing improvement

Launching on Shopify is a big step forward, and with the right planning, it can be a smooth and rewarding one.

Don't make these mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Even well-planned migrations can run into trouble if common pitfalls are overlooked. I’ve seen these issues firsthand while migrating dozens of stores to Shopify, and I want to help you avoid them. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to stay clear of them:

• Inadequate planning: Misjudging the scope of work can lead to rushed decisions and delays. Start with a clear plan that outlines each phase, assigns roles, and sets realistic timelines.
• Data migration issues: Data can be lost or corrupted during the transfer. Always back up your data, test migrations on a small scale first, and use reliable migration tools.
• SEO disruptions: Forgetting to implement redirects or transfer SEO metadata can damage your rankings. Set up 301 redirects and make sure key metadata and structured data are carried over.
• Design and UX inconsistencies: Changing too much at once can confuse returning customers. Retain familiar elements that work well, and ensure the new design is clean, mobile-friendly, and consistent with your brand.
• Customer communication gaps: Not informing customers about the migration or new login process can lead to confusion. Let them know what to expect, especially if they need to reactivate their accounts or use a new login method.

Taking a bit of extra time to plan ahead and test thoroughly can make all the difference. If you want a more detailed breakdown, check out my guide to Shopify migration mistakes and how to avoid them.

How to preserve your SEO during migration

Keeping your SEO intact during a migration is essential if you want to maintain your visibility and traffic. Shopify makes it possible to manage this, but it takes attention to detail.

Best practices to protect your SEO:

• Transfer metadata: Migrate all existing page titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text to maintain consistency and context for search engines
• Use canonical tags: Avoid duplicate content issues by ensuring that canonical URLs are properly applied across your store
• Submit your sitemap: Once your store is live, submit your updated sitemap.xml to Google Search Console so your new URLs get indexed quickly
• Monitor post-launch SEO: Use tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs to track how your pages are ranking after launch

Shopify 301 redirects

Setting up 301 redirects is one of the most important steps in your Shopify SEO migration. It ensures that anyone visiting an old URL is automatically sent to the correct page on your new store, preserving your search rankings and customer experience.

To do this in Shopify:

• Go to Online Store > Navigation > URL Redirects
• Add the old URL and the new Shopify URL it should point to
• Repeat for all key pages, including products, collections, and blog posts

You can also upload redirects in bulk using a CSV file or use an app if you're dealing with a high number of pages.

Final prep: Shopify launch checklist

As you approach launch day, it’s important to double-check the essentials. These final steps will help ensure everything runs smoothly once your store goes live.

• Test your checkout: Make sure the checkout process works across devices and payment types. Try discount codes and simulate failed transactions to see how the store responds.
• Confirm tracking and analytics: Verify that Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, conversion tracking, and any custom scripts are properly installed and firing.
• Update DNS settings: Prepare your domain for go-live by updating DNS records in line with Shopify’s guidance. 
• Prepare launch emails and announcements: Draft and schedule your email and social media announcements so customers know the new store is ready. If you’re using Shopify’s new customer accounts, explain the login process.
• Check integrations: Review key integrations like shipping apps, email marketing, and CRMs to make sure everything is still connected and functioning.

Once this checklist is complete, your store should be ready for the spotlight.

Conclusion

Migrating to Shopify can sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right plan in place, it can become a powerful step forward for your business. From choosing the right plan and designing a user-friendly store, to ensuring your SEO and data are protected, every step you take contributes to a smoother launch and a stronger foundation.

If you’ve made it this far, you now have a clear roadmap to follow. Avoid the common pitfalls, take your time with testing, and don’t underestimate the importance of communication and customer experience.

Need a hand? If you’re looking for extra support or simply want peace of mind, I invite you to work with trusted Shopify migration experts. Whether you're coming from Neto (by Maropost), Magento, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce, I can help make the switch as seamless as possible.

You don’t have to do it alone, and you shouldn’t have to.

Explore more on Shopify migration topic

• Best ecommerce platform for small business: Shopify vs BigCommerce vs Magento vs WooCommerce
• Shopify plan comparison: which option is right for your business
• Why move to Shopify? 8 compelling reasons to make the switch
• Top 8 common Shopify migration mistakes (and how to avoid them)