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IIf you’re reading this, you’re probably seriously considering a WordPress to Shopify migration for your online store. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or eCommerce owner, this guide will walk you through the entire process step by step.
I’ve seen a lot of stores go through this transition, and here’s the good news: with the right plan (and, if needed, the support of Shopify migration experts), moving from WordPress to Shopify doesn’t have to be stressful. In many cases, it’s a turning point—faster site, fewer headaches, better conversion.
In this guide, I’ll share a clear migration workflow, highlight common pitfalls, and show you where Shopify migration services or a Shopify migration agency can save you a ton of time and hassle. Let’s dive in.
Why Migrate from WordPress to Shopify?
Before we jump into the “how”, let’s talk about the “why” behind a WordPress to Shopify migration.
After working with businesses of all sizes, I’ve seen how Shopify can simplify operations and drive more sales compared to a typical WordPress + WooCommerce setup. Shopify gives you:
Fully managed, reliable hosting
Built-in eCommerce tools (no endless plugin chains)
Strong security and automatic updates
24/7 support that actually understands eCommerce
If you’ve ever spent hours fixing plugin conflicts, dealing with security issues, or worrying if your site will crash during a big sale, you’ll feel the difference immediately after migrating.
Shopify’s interface is built for selling: streamlined product management, checkout that just works, and a huge ecosystem of apps built specifically for eCommerce. Whether you handle the migration yourself or work with a Shopify migration agency or Shopify Plus migration agency (for larger, more complex stores), the long-term payoff can be huge.
Now, let’s break down the migration process.
Step-by-Step: How to Migrate from WordPress to Shopify
Migrating from WordPress to Shopify can seem overwhelming, but it’s all about breaking it down into manageable steps. Here’s the process I recommend:
1. Back Up Your WordPress Site
Before any WordPress to Shopify migration work starts, back up everything on your WordPress site. This is absolutely crucial.
Export your database and files (via your hosting panel or backup plugin) so you have a complete copy of:
This backup is your safety net. If anything goes wrong during the migration, you can always roll back. Any reputable Shopify migration experts or Shopify migration services will insist on this step before touching your site.
2. Set Up Your Shopify Store
Next, sign up for a Shopify account. You can start with a free trial to get familiar with the platform.
Once your account is live:
Set your store name, business address, and basic settings
Keep the store password-protected while you work behind the scenes
If you’re working with a Shopify migration agency or Shopify Plus migration services provider, they’ll often help configure these base settings for you as part of their onboarding.
3. Choose a Shopify Theme
Here’s where your new store starts to take shape. Shopify doesn’t let you directly import your WordPress theme, but it offers a library of free and paid themes built specifically for eCommerce.
What to do:
Browse the Shopify Theme Store and choose a theme that fits your brand and product type.
Install the theme and customise it using the Theme Editor:
Upload your logo
Set your colours and typography
Adjust homepage sections, banners, and featured collections
Your goal is either to closely match your old WordPress design or intentionally improve it. Many brands treat their WordPress to Shopify migration as a chance to refresh UX, tighten branding, and improve CRO (conversion rate optimisation).
4. Export Your Data from WordPress
Now it’s time to export the data from your WordPress site. This means your products, customers, orders, and any content you want to keep. Use WordPress’s export tool (under Tools > Export) to download your data in CSV or XML format. You’ll also want to export all your content, including pages and blog posts. Don’t forget your product images, too!
5. Import Your Data into Shopify
With your data exported, it’s time to bring it into Shopify. From your Shopify admin:
Go to Products → Import to upload your product CSV
Go to Customers → Import to upload your customer CSV
Shopify will map the fields and create products and customers for you. If your site is large or complex, you’ll get the most value from a tool or a team:
Use migration apps like LitExtension or Cart2Cart
Or let Shopify migration experts handle this part for you, especially if you have thousands of SKUs, multiple currencies, or complex pricing
These tools and agencies reduce manual work, help avoid format errors, and keep your WordPress to Shopify migration clean and consistent.
6. Migrate Content Pages and Blog Posts
Shopify doesn’t have a direct tool for importing WordPress pages or blog posts, so you’ll need to manually recreate them. You can create new pages in Shopify via the Online Store > Pages section. As for your blog, Shopify has its own blogging platform, so you’ll need to copy over your posts manually or use a script to speed things up.
Make sure that all the images and media from your WordPress posts are uploaded into Shopify (you can do this through Settings > Files).
7. Organise Your Data
Once your data is in:
Create Collections in Shopify (Shopify’s version of categories)
Assign products to the right collections so browsing feels intuitive
Review:
Product titles, descriptions, and pricing
Variants (sizes, colours, etc.)
Stock levels and SKUs
Images and alt tags
This is the QA stage of your WordPress to Shopify migration. Look for missing images, formatting issues, or incomplete data and fix them now, before launch.
8. Configure Your Shopify Settings
Shopify has built-in settings for things like shipping, taxes, and payments, so you don’t need to worry about installing multiple plugins as you did with WordPress. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings to configure your shipping zones and rates, tax settings, and payment gateways (such as Shopify Payments, PayPal, or Stripe).
9. Set Up Domain and Redirects
When you’re ready to launch, point your domain to Shopify. To do this, you’ll need to update the DNS records at your domain registrar to point to Shopify’s servers. You’ll also want to set up 301 redirects from your old WordPress URLs to the new Shopify URLs to maintain your SEO rankings. Shopify’s URL Redirect tool makes this process straightforward.
10. Test and Launch Your Store
Before going live, test your Shopify store thoroughly. Preview the site, click through products, add items to your cart, and run a test checkout. Shopify lets you use a “Bogus” payment gateway for testing purposes, so you can ensure everything works smoothly.
Once everything is set, disable the password protection and launch your site. Congratulations, you’ve officially migrated to Shopify!
Common Problems and Challenges
As with any migration, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems I’ve encountered and how to solve them:
1. Data Loss or Missing Content
Sometimes not all your data will come over during the migration. For instance, product images or descriptions might be missing. Don’t panic—this is why backups are crucial. Double-check that all product details, customer data, and content have transferred correctly, and manually re-upload anything that’s missing.
2. SEO and URL Changes
Shopify’s URL structure is different from WordPress’s, so you’ll need to set up 301 redirects for all your old pages. Without these redirects, you risk losing SEO rankings. The redirects should map every old WordPress URL to its new Shopify equivalent.
3. Missing Features and Plugins
Some features or plugins you were using in WordPress might not have an exact equivalent in Shopify. For instance, if you were using a specific form plugin or advanced shipping calculator, you may need to find a new app on Shopify. Fortunately, Shopify’s App Store has a wealth of options to replace almost any WordPress plugin.
4. Customer Account Passwords
One thing to note is that customer passwords do not migrate. This means your customers will need to reset their passwords when they first log in to your Shopify store. I recommend sending an email to your customer base after the migration, explaining the change and asking them to reset their passwords.
Key Technical Insights for a Smooth Migration
To avoid any major headaches, here are some technical insights based on my experience with migrations:
Use a Migration Tool: If your store is large or complex, don’t try to do everything manually. A migration tool can save you tons of time and effort. Look into LitExtension or Cart2Cart to handle the heavy lifting.
SEO Preservation: Pay close attention to SEO. Record your meta titles and descriptions from WordPress, and ensure you re-enter them in Shopify. Use 301 redirects for every old URL to the new one.
Third-Party Integrations: Make sure all your third-party tools (like email marketing, analytics, or CRM systems) are reconnected to your new Shopify store.
Conclusion
On paper, migrating from WordPress to Shopify can look like a long checklist—and yes, it is detailed. But with a clear plan (and optionally support from Shopify migration experts, a specialist Shopify migration agency, or Shopify Plus migration services for larger stores), it’s absolutely manageable.
At Fourmeta, we’ve helped countless businesses make the switch, and we’re here to help you too. If you’re looking for expert guidance or a smooth transition, feel free to reach out to us for your Shopify migration.
Don’t wait—get started on your migration today. Your new Shopify store is waiting, and it’s going to be great.
