Are you ready to make the switch to WooCommerce? We explain how to migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce in this step-by-step guide.

Previous
Next

WooCommerce is the most popular e-commerce platform, powering 28.19% of all online stores.

Built on WordPress, WooCommerce offers unrivalled customization. The plugin allows you to build and promote the website of your dreams.

Yet many first-time store owners choose Shopify as their go-to e-commerce system.

With its attractive interface and simple setup, Shopify looks like the clear winner to sell online. However, if you need to work outside its walled garden, you’ll soon discover its limitations and costly price plans.

This article looks at how to migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce.

Discover how to import Shopify to WooCommerce and the steps required for a successful migration. Learn how to access your older orders and full data through Shopify API. Then see why hiring an expert is the best way for a fast migration from Shopify to WooCommerce.

Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to convert Shopify to WooCommerce.

Why Move From Shopify to WordPress WooCommerce?

Shopify is marketed as the easiest way to sell your products online and in many ways that’s true.

Its clear and simple user interface (UI) lets first-time traders add products, upload images, set prices, and sell within a few hours. Payment processing comes as part of the monthly price and a POS system is available for offline stores.

The problems begin when you need to customize your customers’ shopping experience.

Although Shopify has an app store, those plugins offer limited flexibility and get charged a premium. They can’t compare to WordPress’s library of 55,000+ plugins, most of which are free.

Shopify also likes to think its pricing structure is simple. But if you need an extra store or any type of customization, fees can triple each month.

Shopify to WooCommerce Migration Process

WooCommerce is open-source which means it’s flexible, low-cost, and easy to manage. That’s why many business owners flock to the platform when they realize Shopify cannot meet their needs.

The question is, how?

A fast migration from Shopify to WooCommerce involves several steps, the chief of which is planning. For example, at Blaze Commerce, we follow a strict formula for a successful WooCommerce website launch:

  1. Research – prepare a project scope document to assess your specific requirements
  2. Design – implement a responsive WooCommerce theme
  3. Development – migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce
  4. Testing – ensure everything works correctly
  5. SEO and Launch – final search engine optimization tweaks then go live

Setting up an effective WooCommerce store is our bread and butter but so too is data migration. That particular process may sound like a simple step but it’s far from easy.

How to Transfer Shopify Store to WooCommerce

Imagine moving house to Melbourne.

You need to carefully pack all of your things and document everything so nothing gets lost in the transition. Then there’s the loading and offloading of your furniture, fragile items, and personal things. Unpacking is just as important as is setting them in your new home until you’re happy.

Moving e-commerce stores work in a similar way.

Migrating your existing data needs to take into account:

  • Site menus and navigation
  • Converting Shopify’s collections to WooCommerce categories
  • Copying existing product data and images
  • Converting pages and blog posts into WordPress format
  • Migrating comments, product reviews, and users

The list above doesn’t include SEO techniques like migrating slug tags and handling 404 redirects. If those terms make little sense then you’re not alone. Most website owners have no idea what goes on ‘under the hood’ of a website.

WooCommerce Plugins for Fast Migration

Isn’t there an easy way to copy your existing Shopify content to WooCommerce? Surely there’s a plugin that handles everything?

Plugins like Shopify Connector for WooCommerce claim to make this process simple. You enter your store id and clicking ‘Migrate’. Unfortunately, real life is more complicated.

Stores with a large product catalog will take time to port. Most plugins only import ten records at a go. Orders that stretch past 30 days won’t be accessible from Shopify by default either.

There is no out-of-the-box solution that ensures all of your data, pages, and posts are successfully migrated. It takes an expert with experience in Shopify to WooCommerce migration to achieve the best results.

Exporting Using Shopify API

Shopify has an application programming interface or API that you can use to download your existing data.

Developers with knowledge in REST or GraphQL can create queries to retrieve each data element. They can then loop those records and import them into WooCommerce by matching them with WC’s structure.

As you can imagine, this approach isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Not only must you understand JSON and paging techniques but Shopify requires you to create your own app. That takes time to set up and you’ll need an extra agreement to access all of your past orders.

How to Convert Shopify to WooCommerce the Right Way

Moving to WooCommerce makes financial and practical sense.

Over time, the e-commerce platform offers huge cost reductions compared to Shopify. You can add and tweak the system as you like. You can even integrate the backend database with other software. There are no limits.

All business owners see these benefits but are hesitant to make the jump because of the migration process.

The issues highlighted above make what appears as a simple procedure to be quite complex. Managing the transition yourself could become problematic. Not to mention taking up your precious time.

The fastest way to ensure a problem-free Shopify to WordPress WooCommerce migration is to call the experts. They will oversee the project and ensure the transition remains smooth.

Migrate From Shopify to WooCommerce With the Experts

Deciding to migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce isn’t something to be taken lightly.

Like moving house, it requires planning and careful oversight. Your new website should reflect your brand while still retaining your SEO links in Google. All of your products and orders should be available on launch and you’ll need ongoing support to iron out the bugs.

Blaze Commerce specializes in Shopify to WooCommerce migration as well as new WooCommerce site builds.

We ensure your customers retain their account details without hassle. We see to it that your staff can still check orders. All of your existing details will remain available during the transition.

If you’re based in Australia and have a Shopify site then reach out and contact us.

We can guide you on the process and share why moving to WooCommerce is your best decision.

 Want to find out more? 

See how we’ve helped on of our clients Premium Vape move from Shopify to WooCommerce.

Unleash the Full Potential of Your WooCommerce Store in 2024

Get the top trends, threats, and growth opportunities based on hundreds of hours of research and data and 14 years working exclusively in ecommerce.

Click The Button Below To Schedule A Demo