Did you know that 130,044 live websites use Magento? Its robust features and extensive customization options have made it a choice for millions of store owners.
However, merchants started looking for other options due to the higher costs involved, the complexities of adding extensions, and the need to edit code to build and customize a store.
If you are considering Magento to Shopify migration service, you are probably worried about losing your existing data. Worry not; we have got you covered.
In this blog, we will walk you through how to migrate from Magento to shopify. By the end, you understand how to export data from Magento, import it into Shopify, and set up your new store.
So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Why Migrate From Magento to Shopify?
- What to Consider Before Moving to Shopify From Magento?
- List Of Data You Can Migrate From Magento To Shopify
- Different Methods of Migrating Products From Magento to Shopify
- Magento to Shopify Migration Apps
- Bonus Tips For Migration
- Common Issues and Fixes
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Why Migrate From Magento to Shopify?
Magento, now Adobe Commerce, announced it would stop supporting Magento 1 in 2020 and introduced Magento 2. This platform is pricey for small to medium businesses.
You can take a look at the pricing of Magento below:-
| Expense | Minimum Cost | Average Cost |
| Magento Open Source License | $0 | $0 |
| Managed Magento Hosting(1 year) | $720 | $10000 |
| Domain Name | $20 | $200 |
| Custom Development | $0 | $6000 |
| Theme | $100 | $500 |
| Extensions | $350 | $2000 |
| Marketing, PPC, and SEO | $300 | $5000 |
| Total Upfront Cost | $1490 | $23,700 |
There are also various reasons to consider Magento to Shopify migration.
- Shopify is an affordable solution that charges monthly.
- Setting up a store with Shopify requires no coding, while Magento requires coding knowledge.
- You get access to customized and mobile-friendly themes on Shopify. Magento, on the other hand, requires changes in coding.
- The Shopify app store has 9000+ apps. Magento, on the other hand, has complex e-commerce extensions.
- Shopify also provides 24/7 customer support, which Magento needs to improve as it has a community of developers available at certain times.
- With Shopify, you do not need to worry about hosting and maintaining your site. You only have to pick the right plan.
What to Consider Before Moving to Shopify From Magento?
Magento to Shopify migration involves a few simple steps that are easy to understand and follow. However, you must consider a few factors while Magento to Shopify product migration. Here are a few of them:-
SEO Rankings: Shopify and Magento have different URL structures. Your rankings might be affected during the migration process. To avoid this, you must use 301 redirects for all your pages. Also, you must replicate metadata and alt tags on your new store.
Theme and Design Compatibility: Migrating the same design to your new Shopify store might be challenging. Hence, consider choosing a new theme before making the migration.
Extensions, Plugins, and App Compatibility: You may face compatibility issues with extensions as both platforms offer different applications. However, Shopify has alternatives that you can integrate easily. Hence, list other options available on the Shopify app store.
Costs: To add functionalities to your new store, you might need to install apps from the Shopify app store. While some apps are free, others require subscriptions and in-app purchases. If you’re looking for custom development, this could be much costlier. Hence, factor in the costs involved and plan your budget accordingly.
List Of Data You Can Migrate From Magento To Shopify
Below is the data for migration from magento to shopify using the migration app Matrixify.
Products
- Name, SKU, full description, status, manufacturer
- Price, special price, URL, meta title, meta description
- Product images, product tags, weight
Customers Data
- First name, Last name, email, newsletter
- Billing addresses
- Shipping addresses
Order Information
- Order date, status, and order product info (such as name, SKU, price, quantity, discount price, total price, tax price, etc.).
- Shipping addresses (Company address, Country, State, Zip Code, Telephone, First Name, Last Name).
- Customer names, email, and billing addresses.
And
- Pages
- Blog Posts
- Redirects
- Discounts
- Draft Orders
- Collections
To import anything other than Products, Collections, and Orders, you must create a file using the Matrixify template.
| NOTE: The type of data you can migrate from Magento to Shopify also depends on your chosen app. Ensure to pick an app that suits your needs. |
Now, let’s go ahead with the step-by-step migration process.
Different Methods of Migrating Products From Magento to Shopify
There are three ways for Migration from Magento to Shopify. In this section, we will explore two different methods of migrating products from Magento to Shopify.
- The first method is a manual process.
- The second is migrating products from Magento to Shopify using an app, which is an automated method. Here, we are using the Matrixify app to demonstrate the migration process.
- Lastly, you can hire a developer to complete the migration process.
Prerequisites For the Migration Process
1. Create an account on Shopify.
- Choose a pricing plan:
Shopify Pricing Plans include:
Basic Shopify ($25/month)
Shopify ($65/month)
Advanced Shopify ($399/month)
Shopify Plus($2300/month)
- In the Shopify settings, fill in the basic information like store name, address, and contact information.
- Set up your payment gateways. Find out if you’re eligible to use Shopify Payments.
- Define your tax rates based on your location and the regions you serve.
- Choose a Shopify theme and personalize it according to your brand style.
- Configure shipping zones, rates, and options for accurate delivery.
- Connect your existing domain or buy a new one through Shopify.
2. Ensure up-to-date product information on your Magento Store.
3. A Migration App: Pick an app that suits your business needs. For the demonstration, we used the Matrixify app. We will use the app in the automated method(Method 2).
Method 1: Manual Process of Migration
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Go to your Magento store → Admin sidebar → select ‘System’ → select ‘Tools’ → ‘Backups.’
You will see the following options:-
- System Backup: A complete backup of your database and file system.
- Database and Media Backup: Your customer information, product photos, etc.
- Database Backup: This option will save your store’s database only.
After choosing the backup type, give your backup a name.
Source – Mageplaza
Check the maintenance mode option to put your site in maintenance mode until the backup process is completed.
Tick the Exclude checkbox if you wish not to back up the media folder.
Click Ok.
Step 2: Add the Migration App
We have chosen the Matrixify app for this method, which is an automated process.
Go to the Shopify app store and type ‘Matrixify’ in the search bar at the top, or click here to install the app.
Click ‘Install’ and follow the instructions.
Step 3: Export Your Data from Magento
Go to Magento Store → Admin sidebar → Click ‘System’ → ‘Data Transfer’ → ‘Export.’
In the Export Settings, select your Entity Type:
- Products
- Customers Main File
- Customer Addresses
For migrating products from Magento to Shopify:-
In the Export menu, choose Product as the Entity Type and CSV as the Export File Format.
Source – Mageplaza
Step 4: Import From Magento to Shopify
Under ‘Upload Files’ → click ‘Add file’ → select your exported file from Magento.
Then click ‘Continue import’ and then ‘Import’.
Source – Mageplaza
Source – Mageplaza
You can download the sample CSV template to check out Shopify’s CSV format.
Check the box next to “Overwrite any current products that have the same handle. Existing values will be used for any missing volumes” if you want to overwrite your product details.
Click ‘Upload and Continue.’
Review your import list and hit Import products.
| NOTE: Ensure your CSV files are compatible with Shopify’s CSV format.The CSV file’s maximum size is 15 MB.Upload your image URLs, as you can’t export images.Follow the path below to get URLs for your images:Go to Shopify admin > Settings > files > upload your pictures and get your image URLs in the Link column. |
Step 5: Review Your Imported Data
Please review whether all the products and data have been imported successfully.
If anything is missing, you can add it manually from the ‘Products’ or ‘Customers’ option on the admin page, depending on what you need to add.
That’s it. We have successfully migrated products from Magento to Shopify.
Let’s go to the second method now.
Method 2: Automated Method Using a Migration App
The steps for migrating products from Magento to Shopify using an app are the same as those from Steps 1 to 3, as shown in the manual method. In step 4, which is ‘import from Magento to Shopify,’ follow the process shown below:
Automatic Migration From Magento To Shopify Using a Migration App
Go to your Shopify admin → click ‘Apps’ → ‘Matrixify.’
Under ‘Import’ –> click ‘Add file’ –> select your exported files.
With the Matrixify app, you do not need to worry about the migration process; you need to upload the file exported from Magento and clean up your data with easy-to-understand Excel sheets.
The app is built in a certain way to understand Magento files, so the migration happens automatically.
Let’s move on to exploring migration apps that help store owners migrate products from Magento to Shopify.
Magento to Shopify Migration Apps
When choosing the app, ensure the app meets the features like:
- Customer Support
- User-friendly Interface
- Integration Capabilities
- Reliability and Security
- Flexibility and Customization
- Comprehensive Data Coverage
List of Apps to Migrate Products From Magento To Shopify:
Matrixify
Matrixify is a migration app available on the Shopify app store. It enables you to import and export data for small to large enterprises. You can export or import data for Products, Collections, Customers, B2B Companies, Discounts, Draft Orders, Orders, Payouts, Pages, Blogs, Redirects, Activities, Files, and Metafields.
With this migration tool, you can:
- Import and export data using Excel sheets, Google Sheets, or CSV files.
- This app allows you to migrate from Magento, WordPress/WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Lightspeed, and others.
- Additionally, it supports you in backing up and restoring your data.
Rating: 4.8 ⭐(484)
Pricing:
This app has a free plan. Pricing starts from $20/month to $200/month.
LitExtension Store Migration
LitExtension is an automated migration tool that helps you migrate data from 140+ e-commerce stores. You can import data from Magento, WooCommerce, and others to the Shopify store. This app automatically allows you to import products, customers, orders, categories, reviews, CMS pages, and blog posts.
With LitExtension, you can:
- Start the migration process in 3 simple steps without any technical skills.
- Ensure the security of your data.
- Access customer support 24/7.
Rating: 4.8 ⭐ (252)
Pricing:
This app is free for stores with 200 orders, 200 customers, 200 products, etc.
Cart2Cart Store Migration App
Cart2Cart is an e-commerce migration tool that allows you to import entities such as customers, orders, reviews, products, and more. This app speeds up your migration process and guarantees data accuracy.
With Cart2Cart, you can:
- Migrate products from popular e-commerce platforms.
- Migrate an extensive type of data compared to other tools.
- Get a preview of your data on the new platform.
Rating: 3.9 ⭐ (242)
Pricing: This app is free to install.
Bonus Tips For Migration
Here are some essential tips to ensure a smooth and hassle-free migration process. We highly recommend that you implement the following list.
Update DNS Setting: After migration, update the DNS settings if you’re using a custom domain. This will direct traffic to the updated platform.
Test Your Shopify Store: Inspect all aspects of your new Shopify store, including the products, checkout process, and others.
Implement 301 Redirects: Plan 301 redirects to migrate from the old Magento URLs to new Shopify URLs. This step is crucial as it maintains SEO rankings and ensures users are directed to the correct pages, preserving search engine visibility.
Update Marketing and Analytics Tools: Adjust settings for third-party tools to integrate seamlessly with Shopify.
Announce the Migration: It is time to make it official and communicate about the migration process and the hurdles they might experience; this maintains customer trust.
Monitor Post-Migration Work: Monitor the store’s performance closely and address any issues promptly.
Seek Professional Assistance: Even after careful steps and checks, if something unusual happens when migrating products from Magento to Shopify, you can always get help. Consider consulting e-commerce professionals or Shopify experts to reduce errors and complications.
Common Issues and Fixes
You will be on track if you follow the process and implement the tips. However, below are a few issues you might encounter after migration.
Data Loss or Inaccuracies: It’s natural that you observe a few data losses and inaccuracies. But you have a store backup to manually enter the data if anything is missed.
Slower Page Loading Time: To avoid this issue:
- Compress image files
- Enable the Shopify built-in caching
- Delete the unused data and apps
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
Inconsistent Terminologies: Different platforms might use varying terminologies for identical product attributes or functionalities, leading to confusion during migration. To prevent this, it’s crucial to understand the terminology of both platforms and ensure accurate data mapping during the migration process.
Below are the terminologies used in Magento and Shopify.
| Magento | Shopify |
| Category | Collection |
| Product Attribute | Product Option |
| Configurable Option | Product Variant |
| Long Description & Short Description | Description |
| Custom Field | Meta field |
| Website | Sales Channel |
| CMS page | Web page |
| Configurable Product | Product Variant |
| Cron Job | Scheduled Task |
| Admin Panel | Dashboard |
Shopify’s Product Variant Limitations: Shopify restricts products to a maximum of 100 variants and 3 options (attributes) per product. Suppose a product exceeds 100 variants or has more than 3 options; not all of them will transfer to Shopify. This can pose a challenge for businesses that depend heavily on offering multiple product variants to their customers.
| NOTE: You can edit the imported information manually by clicking View items on your import summary. |
Conclusion
Migrating products from Magento to Shopify is a huge and important decision. We hope this blog helped you understand how to migrate from Magento to Shopify. Ensure you follow the step-by-step process and know that it is common to encounter issues while migrating products from Magento to Shopify. Hire a developer for customizations and experience a seamless migration process.
FAQs
How do I export products from Magento to Shopify?
There are three ways to migrate products from Magneto to Shopify. The first method involves using a third-party app, the second involves a manual migration process, and the third involves hiring a developer to complete the process for you.
Here’s the process of migrating products from Magento to Shopify using the Matrixify app. First, create a backup of your Magento store. Next, Install the Matrixify App. Export data from Magento onto an XML or CSV file. Add the file to your Shopify store. Next, review the imported data for any errors or missing products, and finally, design your new Shopify store.
Why migrate from Magento to Shopify?
Magento is a free, open-source platform. However, it doesn’t offer hosting, and other costs add up quickly, making it more expensive than Shopify and Shopify Plus. Other reasons include taking longer to build a store, not offering a user-friendly interface, and not offering support assistance.
How do I import products from another website to Shopify?
Export product from your current website into a CSV file. Now, from your Shopify admin, go to Products. Click Import. Click Add file, then select the CSV file you want to import.
Is Shopify better than Magento?
Yes, Shopify is better than Magento in terms of costs, user-friendly interface, customer support, additional apps, and so on.
How do I prepare my Magento store for migration to Shopify?
Have a backup of your store. Go to System, then click Backups under the Tools section. Select your backup style. Click OK to back up your Magento store data.
Are there any tools or services available to assist with the migration?
Yes, there are various tools to help you in migrating products from Magento to Shopify. A few of them are Cart2Cart, LitExtension, Matrixify, and others.
How do I ensure my store’s design and functionality are preserved in Shopify?
You can hire a professional to customize your Shopify store to retain the same design and functionalities as the Magento store.
What happens to my existing Magento extensions and customizations?
You can find alternative extensions on Shopify and hire a professional for custom development.
How do I test my Shopify store before going live?
Ensure old URLs are redirected correctly. Confirm all the products, descriptions, and images are displaying correctly. Test the navigation and ensure the menu links and categories are working properly. Verify the checkout process using different payment methods.