Moving to Shopify doesn’t have to disrupt your business operations. With proper planning, expert technical execution, and proven migration methodologies, you can transition your eCommerce platform while maintaining performance, preserving SEO rankings, and ensuring zero data loss. This guide outlines everything you need to know about professional Shopify migration services, from initial planning through ongoing optimization.
The Shopify Migration Process with Atwix
Step 1: Feature Mapping
We start by mapping the features of your old platform, as well as any customizations and third-party modules, to Shopify’s capabilities. We identify what can be handled natively, where we need to add modules to gain the required functionality, and perhaps even root out some legacy features or customizations that are no longer needed.
Atwix’s experts conduct a detailed audit of your existing platform to identify:
- B2B-specific functionality requiring custom development
- ERP integration touchpoints for real-time data synchronization
- Third-party dependencies that impact migration complexity
- Performance bottlenecks in the current implementation
- Security vulnerabilities requiring immediate attention
Feature Mapping Deliverables:
- Current platform functionality audit (150+ checkpoints)
- Shopify capability gap analysis
- Custom development requirements specification
- Integration complexity assessment
- Migration timeline and resource allocation
Common B2B Features Requiring Custom Development:
- Customer-specific pricing and catalogs
- Quote-to-order workflows
- Approval hierarchies and purchase limits
- Advanced inventory management
- Multi-location shipping calculations
Step 2: Data Mapping
In the next step of our Shopify migration service, we examine your data’s current structure and then create a map to Shopify’s data structure. This may involve customizing or adding core concepts to Shopify to make a happy home for your old data in the new platform. Our primary focus is on three core data types: product data, customer data, and order data. We also take steps to preserve SEO (search engine optimization) data, like meta descriptions, to prevent drops in rankings and reduce marketing headaches.
Data Mapping Process:
| Current Platform Data | Shopify Equivalent | Complexity Level | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer hierarchies | Customer tags/metafields | High | Manual audit + automated scripts |
| Product variants | Shopify variants/options | Medium | Automated matching algorithms |
| Order history | Shopify orders API | Medium | Transactional reconciliation |
| Inventory levels | Multiple locations | High | Real-time ERP sync validation |
| Pricing rules | Shopify Scripts/Functions | High | Business logic testing |
| Content/SEO data | Pages/blogs/redirects | Medium | URL mapping, and 301 setup |
Critical Success Factor: Atwix maintains virtually 100% data accuracy across migrations through automated validation scripts and manual quality assurance protocols.
Step 3: Custom Apps
If Shopify natively provides all the functionality required for your store, we can proceed to step 4. Otherwise, we need to develop custom features and install third-party apps to ensure that everything is in place before we migrate any data.
Custom Development Areas:
ERP Integration Apps:
- Real-time inventory synchronization
- Customer-specific pricing imports
- Order status updates and tracking
- Financial data reconciliation
B2B Workflow Apps:
- Quote generation and approval systems
- Purchase order management
- Multi-level user permissions
- Bulk ordering interfaces
Performance Optimization:
- Custom caching solutions
- Database query optimization
- Third-party API management
- Mobile responsiveness enhancement
Atwix’s Development Quality Standards:
- Industry-aligned coding practices
- Security-first development approach
- Automated testing coverage >95%
- Performance benchmarking against industry standards
Step 4: Data Transfer
With a detailed map in hand and a customized home waiting for your data in Shopify, we next perform the actual data migration from your old platform. As mentioned above, eCommerce providers don’t allow easy, direct transfers between platforms, so this process involves downloading data from the old store, making any necessary alterations to the data structure, and then uploading the data to Shopify. We leave a copy of the data behind in the old platform so that your site continues operating during the migration process, eliminating one potential source of downtime.
Three-Phase Transfer Protocol:
Phase 1: Historical Data Migration
- Customer accounts and purchase history
- Product catalogs and inventory levels
- Content pages and SEO elements
- Order archives and transaction records
Phase 2: Real-Time Sync Establishment
- ERP integration activation
- Live inventory updates
- Customer data synchronization
- Payment gateway configuration
Phase 3: Final Cutover Preparation
- Domain DNS preparation
- SSL certificate installation
- CDN configuration
- Performance optimization
Data Validation Metrics:
- Customer Data: 100% account transfer verification
- Product Information: SKU-level accuracy confirmation
- Order History: Transaction-by-transaction reconciliation
- Inventory Levels: Real-time ERP sync validation
Step 5: Verification
One crucial but oft-forgotten step in the Shopify migration process is verifying that all the data that was just transferred over looks correct in the new system. We review all of your customer, product, order, and SEO data to ensure it moved over successfully and looks correct in Shopify. Another step we can take during this process is to organize all of your products into categories, a feature that Shopify provides to make management easier and give customers a more orderly shopping experience.
Verification Checklist:
| Data Category | Verification Method | Pass Criteria | Remediation SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Accounts | Automated scripts + spot checks | 99.95% accuracy | 24 hours |
| Product catalog | SKU matching algorithms | 100% SKU integrity | 48 hours |
| Pricing structures | Business rule validation | All rules functional | 24 hours |
| Order history | Financial reconciliation | Zero discrepancies | 72 hours |
| SEO elements | URL redirect testing | All redirects working | 24 hours |
| Integration data | End-to-end testing | Real-time sync confirmed | 48 hours |
Step 6: Theme Customization
Shopify provides themes that you can use to configure the look and feel of your site, but customization can be difficult even for experienced programmers because Shopify uses a proprietary programming language called Liquid for its front end. However, since our developers are seasoned Liquid experts, we can customize your theme to deliver a completely unique Shopify storefront that really helps you stand out from the competition.
Core Customization Elements:
- Brand Integration: Logo placement, color schemes, and typography that reflect your corporate identity
- B2B Functionality: Customer-specific pricing, bulk ordering interfaces, and quote request systems
- Mobile Optimization: Responsive design tested across devices (mobile commerce accounts for 45% of B2B research activity)
- Performance Optimization: Code streamlining, image compression, and CDN integration
Atwix Advantage: With our deep Shopify expertise, we customize themes that maintain sub-3-second load times while supporting complex B2B workflows. Our industry-aligned development practices ensure code quality that scales with your business.
B2B Theme Customization Comparison:
| Feature | Standard Shopify Theme | Atwix B2B Customization | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Pricing | Basic tiered pricing | Dynamic, account-specific pricing | Personalized buyer experience |
| Bulk Ordering | Limited quantity controls | Advanced bulk order management | 25% faster ordering processes |
| Product Catalogs | Standard product display | Custom catalog views by customer type | Relevant product visibility |
| Mobile Experience | Basic responsive design | B2B-optimized mobile interface | 40% better mobile conversion |
Step 7: Payment Configuration
Our next step is to configure your payment provider so that you can securely accept credit card and digital payments. This can be done with Shopify’s native payment system, though there are some limitations, such as only being available in certain countries. More likely, we’ll configure integrations with your third-party payment provider to ensure a seamless and secure experience.
Critical Payment Elements:
- Multiple Gateway Setup: Primary and backup payment processors for redundancy
- B2B Payment Methods: Purchase orders, net terms, bank transfers, and corporate credit cards
- Security Compliance: PCI DSS compliance, fraud prevention, and secure tokenization
- Currency Management: Multi-currency support for international clients
Integration Considerations: Payment systems must sync seamlessly with your ERP for accurate financial reporting. Misaligned payment data causes many post-migration accounting discrepancies.
Atwix’s Payment Security & Compliance Features:
- PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance: Industry-standard security protocols
- Advanced Fraud Detection: Machine learning algorithms identify suspicious transactions
- Secure Tokenization: Customer payment data protection
- SSL Encryption: End-to-end transaction security
Step 8: Integrations
You likely have a lot of different enterprise software that needs to connect to your eCommerce platform, such as CRM (customer relationship management), PIM (product information management), and ERP (enterprise resource planning). We handle all of your Shopify integrations to ensure seamless connections, even developing custom integrations as needed to provide a unified experience.
ERP Integration (Mission-Critical):
- Real-time inventory synchronization
- Automated order processing
- Customer data consistency
- Financial reporting alignment
Supporting System Integrations:
- CRM platforms (customer data sync)
- Marketing automation tools
- Warehouse management systems
- Analytics and reporting platforms
Atwix Integration Expertise: Our specialized ERP integration solution connects Shopify with Infor, NetSuite, Epicor, and SAP systems. Unlike generic integration tools, our custom-built solution ensures real-time data flow with 99.9% accuracy rates.
Step 9: Quality Assurance
You don’t want your customers to discover bugs in your live site after launch, which is why we have a dedicated quality assurance (QA) team that combs through your new Shopify store’s data, settings, and theme customizations to root out any issues beforehand. We meticulously test the functionality, performance, and usability of your new Shopify store to ensure an uneventful launch.
Testing Protocol Phases:
Functional Testing:
- Order processing workflows
- Payment gateway functionality
- Integration data accuracy
- User account management
Performance Testing:
- Page load speed optimization
- Concurrent user capacity
- Mobile device performance
- Database query efficiency
Security Testing:
- Vulnerability assessments
- Data encryption validation
- Access control verification
- Payment security compliance
User Acceptance Testing:
- Staff training and feedback
- Customer journey validation
- Admin interface usability
- Mobile experience testing
Quality Assurance Checklist:
- Order Processing: End-to-end order workflows tested across customer types
- Payment Processing: All gateways verified with test transactions
- Integration Accuracy: ERP data sync validated with sample orders
- Mobile Optimization: Cross-device functionality confirmed
- Performance Benchmarks: Sub-3-second page loads achieved
- Security Validation: PCI compliance and vulnerability scans completed
Step 10: Domain Transfer
Pointing your current store’s domain name (a.k.a., URL) to your new Shopify site effectively launches your store, so we take all the necessary precautions to ensure your DNS (domain name system) records are correct and all links are updated to follow Shopify’s folder structure before finalizing the change.
Pre-Transfer Preparation:
- DNS record documentation
- TTL reduction (48 hours before transfer)
- SSL certificate preparation
- Backup domain testing
Transfer Execution:
- Coordinated DNS updates
- Real-time monitoring
- Immediate issue resolution
- Performance validation
Post-Transfer Monitoring:
- Search engine crawl verification
- SSL certificate activation
- Email delivery testing
- Customer access confirmation
Atwix’s SEO Protection Measures: Our domain transfer process includes 301 redirect mapping, XML sitemap updates, and search console verification to maintain your organic search rankings.
Step 11: Ongoing Maintenance & Support
While we take numerous measures to ensure a bug-free launch and leave you with an easy-to-manage Shopify store, we understand that you might have questions or run into issues after the go-live date. That’s why our engagement doesn’t need to end at launch – we can continue supporting and maintaining your site for as long as you need us.
What’s Included in Atwix’s Ongoing Maintenance & Support:
Technical Monitoring & Performance Optimization
- 24/7 uptime monitoring with automated alerts
- Weekly performance audits and optimization recommendations
- Monthly security vulnerability scans and patches
- Quarterly technical health reports with actionable insights
- Database optimization and cleanup procedures
- CDN management and image optimization services
Business Continuity Support
- Priority access to Atwix’s senior development team
- Dedicated account manager for strategic guidance
- Regular backup verification and disaster recovery testing
- Integration maintenance for ERP, PIM, and third-party systems
- Compliance monitoring for PCI DSS, GDPR, and industry regulations
- Strategic consultation on platform upgrades and feature additions
Growth-Focused Enhancements
- A/B testing setup and analysis for conversion optimization
- New feature development aligned with business objectives
- Seasonal readiness assessments and capacity planning
- Integration of new payment methods, shipping options, and marketing tools
- Mobile optimization and progressive web app enhancements
- Analytics setup and custom reporting dashboards
Frequently Asked Questions About Atwix’s Shopify Migration Service
How much does a professional Shopify migration cost?
Migration costs typically range from $15,000 to $75,000+, depending on complexity, data volume, custom integrations, and ERP connections. B2B merchants with complex catalog structures and real-time ERP sync requirements usually invest $35,000-$100,000 in comprehensive migration services.
How long will my site be down during migration?
With proper planning, downtime can be limited to 2-4 hours for the final domain transfer. Most migration work happens in a staging environment, allowing thorough testing before going live.
Will I lose my SEO rankings during migration?
Professional migrations preserve SEO value through proper URL mapping, 301 redirects, and metadata transfer. Temporary ranking fluctuations are normal but typically recover within 4-6 weeks.
Can you migrate complex ERP integrations?
Yes. Atwix specializes in ERP-powered migrations for Infor, NetSuite, Epicor, and SAP systems, ensuring uninterrupted real-time data synchronization after the migration.
What happens to my existing custom features?
Custom functionality is recreated using Shopify’s native capabilities or custom apps. Complex features may require rebuilding, which is factored into migration planning and timelines.
Why Choose Atwix’s Shopify Migration Service?
Atwix is an experienced Shopify development company with over 15 years of proven excellence. We have worked with businesses across every industry, including B2B and B2C retail, biotechnology, manufacturing and industrial, logistics, and more. Our large portfolio of successful projects demonstrates our ability to deliver powerful, innovative eCommerce solutions that have the potential to transform your business. Reach out today to discuss our Shopify migration services with an expert.