Making the decision to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify isn’t just about switching platforms—it’s about freeing yourself from constant maintenance, plugin conflicts, and hosting headaches. Thousands of store owners successfully migrate WooCommerce to Shopify every year, eliminating WordPress complications while gaining speed, security, and scalability.

This WooCommerce to Shopify migration guide covers backing up your store, transferring data, redirecting URLs, and testing your new Shopify site. Whether you’re running a 500-product catalog or managing thousands of SKUs, you’ll learn how to migrate products from WooCommerce to Shopify and move customer data to Shopify safely while preserving SEO rankings.

Why Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify

The shift to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify accelerates as store owners realize the true cost of running a WordPress eCommerce site. Between hosting fees, security plugins, developer hours, and constant updates, WooCommerce becomes expensive and time-consuming.

Rising Maintenance Costs of WordPress Hosting

WooCommerce isn’t free once you factor in everything needed to run a professional store. Many businesses migrate WordPress to Shopify to escape these annual costs:

  • Managed WordPress hosting: $300-$3,000+
  • Security plugins and backups: $200-$800
  • CDN services: $200-$1,000
  • Premium plugins: $500-$2,000
  • Developer maintenance: $2,000-$10,000+

Total: $3,200-$17,000 annually before marketing.

Shopify consolidates this into one predictable monthly fee. Hosting, security, SSL, CDN, and basic functionality are included.

Plugin Bloat and Security Concerns

The average WooCommerce store runs 20-30 plugins. Each one is a potential security vulnerability and performance bottleneck. Plugins break after WordPress updates. Extensions conflict with each other.

Security is your responsibility with WooCommerce—WordPress core updates, plugin updates, theme compatibility, database security, SSL renewals, backups, and malware scanning. One overlooked update can expose customer data.

Shopify handles all of this at the platform level with 99.99% uptime and PCI DSS Level 1 compliance.

Shopify’s Speed, Reliability, and App Integrations

Shopify stores load faster out of the box. The platform uses a global CDN, optimized infrastructure, and automatic image compression. The Shopify App Store offers thousands of vetted apps for WooCommerce plugins Shopify equivalents—without security risks or compatibility issues.

Better Scalability for Growing Stores

WooCommerce requires manual scaling—upgrading hosting, optimizing databases, managing performance. Shopify scales automatically. Traffic spikes from ads or viral posts? Shopify handles it without intervention.

Pro Tip: Shopify’s built-in CDN and PCI compliance reduce the need for third-party security plugins.

Want to learn from a real-world example? Read about Fyresite’s own experience breaking up with WooCommerce after 11 years and why we made the switch to Shopify Plus.

How to Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify — Step-by-Step

What Steps Should I Follow for a Smooth WooCommerce to Shopify Migration, Including Product Images and Customer Data Transfer?

The complete process to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify takes 2-6 weeks depending on catalog size. Here’s the proven step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Backup Your WooCommerce Store

Before touching any data, create a complete backup. Export all products, orders, and customer data. Download your WordPress database. Save all product images. Document current SEO performance. Store backups in multiple locations.

Step 2: Export Product, Customer, and Order Data

Products: Use WooCommerce’s built-in CSV export. Include product names, descriptions, prices, SKUs, images, categories, tags, and variants.

Customers: Export customer names, emails, addresses, and account creation dates. Clean the data—remove test accounts and duplicates.

Orders: Export order history with line items, customer information, payment details, and fulfillment status.

Step 3: Choose a Shopify Plan and Install Theme

Select the Shopify plan matching your needs: Basic ($39/month), Shopify ($105/month), Advanced ($399/month), or Plus ($2,300/month). Install a theme that matches your brand. Customize it before importing data.

Step 4: Import Data via App

Choose a migration tool based on store size:

Matrixify: Best for large catalogs. Handles complex product structures and metafields. Requires CSV knowledge.

Cart2Cart: Automated migration with minimal setup. Supports products, customers, orders, categories, and reviews.

LitExtension: Safe automated migration. Preserves SEO data and order history.

Shopify Transporter: Free for Plus merchants. Requires technical expertise.

Step 5: Set Up Payment Gateways and Shipping Rules

Configure Shopify Payments (lowest fees), PayPal, Stripe, or other gateways. Set up tax calculations. Configure shipping: flat rate, weight-based, real-time carrier calculated, free shipping thresholds, and international zones.

Step 6: Redirect URLs and Test Site

Critical for preserving WooCommerce to Shopify SEO. Map every old WooCommerce URL to its new Shopify equivalent:

  • Product pages: /product/product-name/ → /products/product-name
  • Categories: /product-category/category/ → /collections/category
  • Blog posts: /blog-post/ → /blogs/news/blog-post

Implement 301 redirects via Shopify admin or apps like Easy Redirects. Test every redirect.

Test your entire site: place test orders, test checkout, verify payment processing, check mobile responsiveness, test all redirects, confirm email notifications.

Step 7: Launch and Monitor Performance

When ready: switch DNS to Shopify, monitor traffic closely, check Google Search Console for errors, track keyword rankings daily for the first month, address issues immediately.

Step Task Tool / Method
Export data Products, orders, customers WooCommerce CSV export
Import data Upload to Shopify Matrixify / Cart2Cart
Redirects Set up 301s Shopify admin / apps
QA Test checkout & links Staging store

For a complete walkthrough, see The Beginner’s Guide to Shopify Migration and our 10 Top Tips for a Smooth Shopify Migration.

What Happens to Plugins and Extensions

Finding WooCommerce Plugins Shopify Equivalents

One concern when you migrate WordPress to Shopify is losing plugin functionality. The good news: most WooCommerce plugins Shopify equivalents exist, often with better performance. When you migrate products from WooCommerce to Shopify, you’ll also need to replace your existing plugins with Shopify apps.

SEO Plugins: Yoast SEO → SEO Manager, Smart SEO, or Plug in SEO | All in One SEO → SEO Manager | Rank Math → Native Shopify SEO + apps

Marketing & Sales: WooCommerce Subscriptions → Shopify Subscriptions (native) | Mailchimp → Shopify Email + Klaviyo | WooCommerce Bookings → BookThatApp

Analytics: WooCommerce Analytics → Shopify Reports + GA4 | MonsterInsights → Native GA4 integration

Payment & Checkout: WooCommerce Payments → Shopify Payments | Stripe → Native Stripe | PayPal → Native PayPal | Checkout Field Editor → Shopify checkout customization

Customer Service: LiveChat → Shopify Inbox (free) or Gorgias | Help Scout → Re:amaze or Zendesk

Shopify apps are vetted, monitored, and less likely to conflict. You’re not managing dependencies between dozens of plugins.

For WordPress users who want to keep their content site but add eCommerce, check out Shopify’s Official WordPress Plugin for eCommerce.

Preserving SEO During Migration

How Can I Switch from WooCommerce to Shopify Without Losing SEO Rankings and Order History?

SEO preservation is critical when you migrate WooCommerce to Shopify. Here’s how to protect your rankings:

Export All URLs from WooCommerce

Use a crawler like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb to export every URL on your WooCommerce site:

  • All product pages
  • Category pages
  • Blog posts
  • Static pages
  • Any other indexed URLs

Export with status codes, meta titles, meta descriptions, and H1s. This becomes your migration reference.

Map Redirects in Shopify

Create a spreadsheet mapping old WooCommerce URLs to new Shopify URLs:

Old URL (WooCommerce) → New URL (Shopify)

/product/blue-widget/ → /products/blue-widget

/product-category/widgets/ → /collections/widgets

/blog/how-to-use-widgets/ → /blogs/news/how-to-use-widgets

WooCommerce and Shopify use different URL structures. Your redirect map accounts for these differences.

Implement redirects:

  • Small stores (<250 redirects): Use Shopify’s native URL redirect feature
  • Large stores: Use apps like Easy Redirects or Redirect Manager
  • Enterprise stores: Work with Shopify migration services for bulk redirect imports

Retain Metadata and Alt Tags

Don’t let SEO data fall through the cracks:

  • Preserve all meta titles and descriptions
  • Keep image alt text
  • Maintain H1 tags
  • Transfer any custom meta tags

Most automated migration tools skip metadata or import it incorrectly. Manually verify critical pages have proper meta tags post-migration.

Submit New Sitemap to Google Search Console

After launch:

  1. Generate your Shopify sitemap (automatically created at yourstore.com/sitemap.xml)
  2. Submit to Google Search Console
  3. Request indexing for your highest-priority pages
  4. Monitor coverage reports for errors
  5. Submit to Bing Webmaster Tools

Monitor Keyword Rankings Post-Launch

Track rankings daily for the first month:

  • Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or SERanking
  • Monitor your top 50 keywords
  • Watch for significant drops
  • Address ranking losses immediately with technical fixes

Expect minor fluctuations as Google recrawls your site. Rankings should stabilize within 2-4 weeks.

Pro Tip: Keep your old URLs active until 301 redirects are verified. Test redirects in an incognito browser before switching DNS to catch any errors.

For comprehensive SEO guidance during and after migration, see Fyresite’s Guide to Mastering Your Shopify Search Engine Optimization and How to Optimize eCommerce for SEO.

Tools for WooCommerce to Shopify Migration

Which Tools Offer a Seamless Migration from WooCommerce to Shopify for an Online Retail Business?

The right WooCommerce to Shopify migration tools depend on your catalog size, technical expertise, and budget. Here are the best options to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify:

Cart2Cart – Automated, Minimal Downtime

Cart2Cart specializes in automated platform migrations. The tool handles:

  • Products with variants and images
  • Customers and order history
  • Categories and product tags
  • Product reviews and ratings
  • SEO metadata and URLs
  • Blog posts and CMS pages

Best for: Store owners wanting hands-off migration without technical knowledge.

Pricing: Volume-based. Starts at $69 for small stores, scales to $500+ for large catalogs. Free demo migration available.

Pros: Fast setup, minimal downtime, preserves SEO data, migrates customer passwords (hashed).

Cons: Limited customization, some manual cleanup needed post-migration.

LitExtension – Supports Bulk Orders and Customers

LitExtension provides safe automated WooCommerce to Shopify migration with focus on data integrity.

Handles:

  • Complete product catalog
  • Customer accounts with order history
  • Abandoned carts
  • Coupons and discount codes
  • Multi-store migrations

Best for: Mid-sized stores needing reliable data transfer with order history preservation.

Pricing: $119-$1,199 depending on data volume and features.

Pros: Strong customer support, detailed migration reports, preserves SEO elements.

Cons: Pricing can add up for stores with large order histories.

Matrixify – Advanced CSV Import/Export

Matrixify (formerly Excelify) is the most powerful Shopify import tool. It handles complex data structures other tools can’t:

  • Unlimited product variants
  • Custom metafields
  • Multi-location inventory
  • Customer tags and notes
  • Order history with line items

Best for: Large catalogs, stores with complex data structures, users comfortable with spreadsheets.

Pricing: $10-$35/month depending on plan.

Pros: Most flexible tool, handles any data structure, great for custom migrations.

Cons: Steeper learning curve, requires CSV formatting knowledge.

Shopify Transporter (Plus) – For Large Stores

Shopify’s official migration tool for Plus merchants. Open-source Ruby scripts that transform data before import.

Handles:

  • Custom data transformations
  • Bulk product and customer imports
  • Complex attribute mapping

Best for: Developers or agencies with Ruby experience handling enterprise migrations.

Pricing: Free (Plus membership required).

Pros: Full control, highly customizable, no data volume limits.

Cons: Requires technical expertise, no GUI, time-consuming setup.

For detailed scoping and tool selection, see Migrating to Shopify: Project Scoping & Discovery Expectations.

Migrating Customer and Order Data Securely

When you move customer data to Shopify, security and compliance are paramount. Here’s how to transfer sensitive information safely:

How to Safely Transfer Customer Details and Order History

Customer data includes personally identifiable information (PII): names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and order history. Handle it carefully:

  1. Export from WooCommerce: Use the built-in customer export or the WooCommerce Customer CSV Export plugin. Include all relevant fields.

  2. Clean the data: Remove test accounts, spam registrations, and incomplete records. Verify email addresses are valid.

  3. Encrypt sensitive files: If sending CSVs via email or cloud storage, encrypt them. Use password-protected ZIP files or secure file transfer services.

  4. Use secure migration tools: Reputable migration services (Cart2Cart, LitExtension) encrypt data during transfer and don’t store it permanently.

  5. Test with sample data: Import a small batch first to verify data maps correctly before migrating your entire database.

Shopify’s GDPR Compliance for Data Imports

Shopify is GDPR compliant, but you’re responsible for handling data transfers lawfully:

  • Get customer consent for data migration (if required in your jurisdiction)
  • Update your privacy policy to reflect Shopify as your new platform
  • Notify customers of the platform change and new data processor
  • Provide opt-out options if required by law

Encrypt CSVs and Verify API Permissions

When using API-based migration tools:

  • Review the app’s data access permissions
  • Only grant necessary access (read/write products, customers, orders)
  • Revoke access after migration completes
  • Change API keys if you suspect any security issues

For order history, ensure transaction data maps correctly:

  • Order numbers
  • Line items and quantities
  • Payment status (paid, pending, refunded)
  • Fulfillment status
  • Shipping addresses
  • Order notes

Test the checkout experience post-migration. Place test orders to confirm everything processes correctly.

Redirecting URLs from WooCommerce to Shopify

URL redirects are make-or-break for WooCommerce to Shopify SEO. Get this wrong and you’ll lose traffic and rankings.

How to Implement 301 Redirects Manually or via App

WooCommerce and Shopify use different URL structures:

WooCommerce:

  • Products: /product/product-name/
  • Categories: /product-category/category-name/
  • Tags: /product-tag/tag-name/

Shopify:

  • Products: /products/product-name
  • Collections: /collections/collection-name
  • No product tags in URL

Manual redirect setup (small stores):

  1. Go to Shopify Admin > Online Store > Navigation > URL Redirects
  2. Add each redirect: /product/blue-widget/ redirects to /products/blue-widget
  3. Test each redirect in a browser

App-based redirects (large stores): Use apps like Easy Redirects, Redirect Manager, or Traffic Control. These allow:

  • Bulk CSV uploads
  • Wildcard redirects
  • 404 monitoring and auto-redirect creation

Redirecting Product and Category Pages

Map every product and category URL. Example redirect file:

/product/mens-t-shirt/ → /products/mens-t-shirt

/product/womens-jeans/ → /products/womens-jeans

/product-category/mens-clothing/ → /collections/mens-clothing

/product-category/accessories/ → /collections/accessories

 

Create this mapping before migration. Most migration tools don’t handle redirects automatically.

Handling Dynamic URLs and Blog Posts

WooCommerce blog URLs typically follow WordPress structure: /blog-post-name/

Shopify blogs use: /blogs/blog-name/blog-post-name

If you have only one blog, map all posts to /blogs/news/:

  • /10-tips-for-better-seo/ → /blogs/news/10-tips-for-better-seo

For complex sites with multiple WooCommerce tags, categories, or custom post types, work with an agency to map these correctly.

Pro Tip: Test redirects before going live. Use tools like Screaming Frog to crawl your old sitemap and verify all URLs return proper 301 redirects to correct Shopify pages.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even with the best WooCommerce to Shopify migration tools, mistakes happen. Watch for these issues:

Missing Order Data or Mismatched SKUs

Order history migration often fails partially. Common issues:

  • Line items missing product details
  • SKUs not matching between platforms
  • Order status incorrect (marked fulfilled when pending)
  • Customer notes or gift messages lost

Solution: Validate a sample of orders post-migration. Compare WooCommerce and Shopify order records manually for accuracy.

Losing SEO Metadata

Migration tools often skip or incorrectly import:

  • Meta titles and descriptions
  • Image alt text
  • H1 tags
  • Custom meta fields

Solution: Export metadata separately and manually verify critical pages have correct tags post-migration.

Forgetting to Test Redirects

The most common mistake: assuming redirects work without testing. Broken redirects kill SEO and frustrate customers.

Solution: Crawl your old sitemap with redirects in place. Verify every URL returns a 301 status and lands on the correct Shopify page.

Unlinked Apps or Payment Gateways

After migration, you need to reconnect:

  • Email marketing platforms (Klaviyo, Mailchimp)
  • Accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero)
  • Shipping apps
  • Inventory management systems
  • CRM tools

Solution: Make a list of all integrated tools pre-migration. Reconnect and test each one post-migration.

Pro Tip: Always run a staging environment test before switching DNS. Shopify development stores are free and perfect for testing migrations before going live.

For launch day preparation, see Migrating to Shopify: Launch Day Expectations.

Migration Timeline and Cost Overview

Hire an Expert to Migrate My WooCommerce Store to Shopify with Minimal Downtime—What Are My Options?

The cost to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify varies based on catalog size, customization needs, and whether you DIY or hire professionals.

Migration Type Cost Range Duration
Manual (small stores) $500–$1,000 1–2 weeks
Automated (tools) $800–$2,000 2–3 weeks
Full-service agency $3,000–$7,000 4–6 weeks

Manual Migration (Small Stores)

For stores with under 500 products, manually migrate WooCommerce to Shopify using free tools:

  • Export data manually
  • Use free tools like Matrixify
  • Set up Shopify yourself
  • Handle redirects via Shopify admin

Cost: Mostly your time, plus ~$500-$1,000 for apps, theme, and setup help.

Best for: Small stores, tech-savvy owners, tight budgets.

Automated Migration (Tools)

Mid-sized stores benefit from automated tools like Cart2Cart or LitExtension:

  • Automated data transfer
  • Some manual configuration required
  • Professional theme setup
  • Redirect app for URL mapping

Cost: $800-$2,000 total (tool fees + apps + theme + minor dev work).

Best for: Stores with 500-5,000 products, standard configurations.

Full-Service Agency Migration

Large or complex stores need professional Shopify migration services:

  • Complete data migration and validation
  • Custom theme development or customization
  • Full SEO preservation (redirects, metadata)
  • Integration setup (ERP, CRM, shipping)
  • Testing and QA
  • Launch support and post-migration monitoring

Cost: $3,000-$7,000+ depending on complexity.

Best for: Stores with 5,000+ products, custom functionality, high revenue, or complex integrations.

What Are the Best Services to Help Me Migrate My WooCommerce Store to Shopify with All Products and Customer Data Intact?

When looking for professional migration help, evaluate agencies on:

Experience with WooCommerce migrations: Not all Shopify developers understand WooCommerce’s data structure. Choose agencies with proven WooCommerce to Shopify experience.

SEO expertise: Migration breaks SEO if done poorly. Your agency should prioritize redirect mapping, metadata preservation, and post-launch monitoring.

Data integrity focus: Customer and order data must migrate completely and accurately. Ask about data validation processes.

Post-launch support: Issues surface after launch. Ensure 30-60 day support is included for troubleshooting and optimization.

Fyresite specializes in WooCommerce to Shopify migrations. We’ve successfully moved stores like State Forty Eight and Loot n Booty from WooCommerce to Shopify Plus while maintaining traffic and improving performance.

Our migration process includes:

  • Complete data migration (products, customers, orders)
  • SEO preservation with comprehensive redirect mapping
  • Custom theme development or theme customization
  • App selection and integration setup
  • Thorough testing before launch
  • 60 days of post-launch support

Need expert help? Contact our Shopify Plus developers for a customized migration plan. Or if you need ongoing support after launch, check our Complete Shopify Redesign services. For B2B stores, see our Shopify B2B services.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Successfully migrating WooCommerce to Shopify transforms how you run your online store. You’ll spend less time on maintenance and more time on growth. The platform handles security, performance, and scalability—freeing you to focus on marketing and customer experience.

The key to a successful migration is proper planning, choosing the right WooCommerce to Shopify migration tools, and preserving SEO through careful redirect implementation. Whether you manually migrate WooCommerce to Shopify or work with an agency, the process requires attention to three critical areas:

Data Integrity: Every product, customer record, and order must be transferred completely and accurately. Missing data damages customer trust and creates operational headaches post-launch.

SEO Preservation: Proper URL redirects and metadata transfer protect your organic traffic. A poorly executed migration can tank your rankings and revenue overnight.

Testing & Validation: Thorough testing before launch catches issues while they’re easy to fix. Test checkout flows, payment processing, redirects, mobile experience, and all integrations.

Don’t go through migration alone. Professional guidance ensures you avoid the common pitfalls that cost businesses time, money, and traffic.

Ready to leave WooCommerce behind? Contact Fyresite for expert migration services that protect your traffic and preserve your customer data. Our team has successfully migrated hundreds of WooCommerce stores, including State Forty Eight and Loot n Booty, with zero downtime and improved performance.

Post-Migration Resources

Once you’ve completed your migration, optimize your new Shopify store with these resources:

With the right preparation, tools, and expert support, you can complete your WooCommerce to Shopify migration with minimal downtime and zero SEO loss. The result? A faster, more secure, and easier-to-manage store that scales with your business.