Migrating to Shopify typically takes about 4–6 weeks for small stores, 2–3 months for mid-size stores and up to 6 months or more for large or complex ones. Typical costs range from $300–$1,000 for basic stores and $1,000–$8,000+ for mid-range migrations to over $10,000 for large or custom projects, depending on data, integrations and scope.
[ Key takeaways ]
Small stores take about 4–6 weeks to migrate; large or complex stores can take 6 months or more.
Basic migrations cost $300–$1,000 with native tools; large or custom ones can exceed $10,000.
Protect SEO with 301 redirects, preserved metadata, recreated schema and updated sitemaps in Google Search Console.
Customer logins cannot be moved because passwords are encrypted, so accounts must be recreated.
Some merchants have grown by more than 300% after migrating to Shopify from another platform.
Have a project in mind? Talk to Ruben, our Chief Sales Officer.
Should you migrate your ecommerce store to Shopify's platform?
Moving is super stressful. Just the thought of boxes, lost items, and stuff everywhere can cause us to shutter. What about moving or migrating an eCommerce store? Is it just as stressful? Is it worth it? How much does it cost? How much time does it take? We will answer all of these questions, but first, let's discuss: what is Shopify?
What is Shopify?
Shopping online is more popular than ever, and therefore eCommerce platforms are more important than ever. Shopify is a comprehensive platform both for eCommerce and brick and mortar stores. It has the biggest market share in both the USA and the UK, and for a good reason. Shopify has tools, features, and a digital approach that is second to none.
We are proud to be a eCommerce agency helping many grow their business and reach new heights. Some of our clients and others have grown by more than 300% when migrating to the Shopify platform from another eCommerce platform.
Just like birds migrating south for the winter, these clients saw that better weather awaits them if they were willing to make the journey. The arctic tern can fly almost 70,000 kilometres in one year to bask in the warmth of the sun. Migrating to Shopify might seem like mission impossible but, trust me, it's worth it.
What are the benefits of migrating to Shopify?
What Is Shopify Migration & Why It Matters
Shopify migration refers to the process of transferring your ecommerce store, including products, customer data, orders, content, and SEO assets, from another platform to Shopify. Whether you’re moving from WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, or a custom system, a successful migration to Shopify improves performance, protects SEO rankings, and unlocks scalable growth opportunities. It is one of the most impactful decisions an ecommerce brand can make, and many choose a professional Shopify migration service or Shopify migration company to minimize risk and downtime.
Should I Migrate to Shopify?
Some of the most successful businesses have started with humble beginnings. Amazon and Disney began in a garage, but where are they now? Not in a garage, that's for sure! Ecommerce can start with just an idea and some social media posts. However, a competent platform is vital to growing a business. Some are using eCommerce platforms and are having some success.
Is it worth migrating to the leading eCommerce platform? Yes, is the short answer, but why Shopify? Here are just three reasons why you should migrate to Shopify.
Some of the biggest companies in the world trust Shopify. These companies include up and comers like Kylie cosmetics and legendary luxury brands like Louis Vuitton. Brands like Nestle and Pepsi have dozens of products for sale, and Tesla sells a couple of parts and tequila?? Major brands look for reliability, dependability, and the possibility to expand when choosing an ecommerce platform.
Growing a business depends partly on SEO and Google rankings. Shopify has powerful marketing tools that give your product exposure. People often worry that migrating to another platform will mean that they will lose their Google page ranking. With a seamless migration process, you will not lose your ranking and, in time, will improve it.
Shopify works. Here are some figures. More than 1,000,000 businesses use Shopify. From 2019 to 2020, there was a 52 per cent increase in the number of merchants using Shopify. Companies hosted on Shopify saw 50 per cent growth in online sales. Brand loyalty increased, which is evidenced by the fact that, on average, a customer buys 3.8 times from the same store. Shopify email marketing really works with a 4.29 per cent conversion rate. Finally, Shopify is available in 175 countries and added over 235 billion pounds sterling to global commerce.
There are many reasons to choose Shopify, but…
there could still be some reservations. They say moving is the second most stressful event in a person's life. However, a professional moving company can expedite the process and actually save money in the long run. How much time and money does it take to migrate to Shopify?
How Long Will it Take?
There is a big difference in the time it takes to move a one-bedroom flat and a mansion. The more stuff, the longer it takes. The same applies to migrating an online store to another platform. There are a lot of moving parts, and therefore having a Shopify expert can make a world of difference.
Estimated Shopify migration timelines based on store complexity:
Small stores: ~4–6 weeks
Mid‑size stores: ~2–3 months
Large or complex stores: up to 6 months or more
Time depends on data volume, customizations, third‑party integrations, and whether you use Shopify migration service
After partnering with Shopify for some time, we have developed a process that is efficient and doesn’t sacrifice quality for speed. Here is the step by step process, and each step is detailed afterwards.
Shopify Migration Checklist (Step‑by‑Step)
Audit your current store data and platform access
Plan your data map: products, customers, orders
Export all data and media
Import into Shopify and verify field mapping
Setup your domain and basic Shopify store settings
The process starts with setting up basic administrative settings, including address, account information, and staff access. Afterwards, we import all content and data from your previous store. There are different ways to do that, and Shopify apps ensure nothing is lost. After all the data is migrated over, it must be organised and categorised.
Next comes the creative part, where the frontend or the website's look is enhanced with the user in mind. The interface attracts a customer, and the experience helps that customer follow through on a purchase. There are many themes and layouts to choose from. Also, a new domain is established, and you can buy it directly from Shopify.
Now comes the not so creative part but also vital: configuring sales tax and setting up shipping. It may seem insignificant, but these are essential cogs in a functional eCommerce store. This all leads to setting up a payment provider, which can be Shopify or other forms of payment. To make sure everything is working properly, it is wise to do a few test orders and iron out the kinks.
The final stage of migration includes creating new customer accounts and setting up URL redirects. Passwords are encrypted, and therefore customer login information cannot be moved over to Shopify. Shopify and Shopify plus have tools to make this process stress free. URL redirects ensure all your existing and new customers find your new site.
All these steps and details may seem daunting and may cause some not to want to migrate their store. No need to worry! As Shopify partners, we have helped many through this process and are happy to help you. Now comes the big question.
Protecting SEO During Your Shopify Migration
A critical part of any Shopify migration is maintaining search visibility. Best practices include:
Mapping and implementing 301 redirects for old URLs
Preserving metadata (titles, descriptions)
Recreating structured data/schema
Retaining product URLs where possible
Submitting updated sitemaps to Google Search Console
Without these steps, organic rankings can drop significantly.
How Much Will it Cost?
As with all things money, this is not a cut and dry answer. The cost of migrating to Shopify depends on which platform, if any, you are moving from; the amount of content, pages, media that is being moved; which plan you choose in Shopify.
Typical Shopify migration costs (benchmark):
Basic stores: $300–$1,000 (using native tools)
Mid‑range migrations: $1,000–$8,000+
Large or custom migrations: can exceed $10,000 depending on scope, ERP integration, and design work.
These include data migration, testing, SEO preservation, theme work, and QA.
They say time is money, and this is another factor when it comes to calculating the cost to migrate. To prevent downtime while migrating your eCommerce store, hiring an eCommerce agency to expedite the process may be prudent. This way, your new online store will be up and running, bringing customers in and driving sales.
The cost cancels itself out over time. When your new Shopify eCommerce site is functional, you will make more sales, have more customers and have better conversion rates. You will not regret your initial investment!
Conclusion
Yes, moving or migrating can be stressful, but it can also be rewarding. We are proud to partner with Shopify and can establish an eCommerce platform that is tailored to your needs and wants. The user interface will appeal to the eye and attract new customers. The user experience will be flawless with integrated plugins and apps. After some time, you will totally forget the time and money it took to migrate and fully focus on the present. Move into the future of ecommerce by migrating your online store to Shopify!
It depends on store complexity: small stores take around 4–6 weeks, mid-size stores 2–3 months, and large or complex stores up to 6 months or more. Time also depends on data volume, the amount of custom work, third-party integrations and whether you use a professional Shopify migration service to handle the process.
How much does it cost to migrate to Shopify?
Cost depends on the platform you are moving from, how much content, pages and media you move, and which Shopify plan you choose. Typical benchmarks are $300–$1,000 for basic stores using native tools, $1,000–$8,000+ for mid-range migrations, and over $10,000 for large or custom migrations involving ERP integration and design work.
What are the steps in a Shopify migration?
Audit your current store data, plan a data map for products, customers and orders, then export all data and media. Import into Shopify and verify field mapping, set up the domain and store settings, organise products, collections and navigation, and implement SEO-safe redirects. Test checkout, tax, shipping and payments, launch and monitor, then add channels such as POS and marketplaces.
Will I lose my Google rankings when migrating to Shopify?
Not if the migration is handled carefully. Map and implement 301 redirects for old URLs, preserve titles and descriptions, recreate structured data, keep product URLs where possible and submit updated sitemaps to Google Search Console. Without these steps organic rankings can drop significantly; with a seamless migration you keep your ranking and can improve it over time.
Can customer accounts be moved to Shopify?
Customer login information cannot be moved over, because passwords are encrypted, so new customer accounts have to be created in the final stage of migration. Shopify and Shopify Plus have tools to make this process stress free, and URL redirects set up at the same stage ensure existing and new customers find your new site.
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