A Step by Step Guide to Migrating Products to Your Shopify Store

Are you thinking about migrating your products to a new Shopify store? Then you have landed in the right place and there is a good chance you are wondering where exactly to start. We have got you covered, in this comprehensive guide, we walk you through each step of the migration process.

Step 1: Prepare Your Data

Well-organized, clean data is the foundation of successfully migrating products to your Shopify store. Investing time in completing this initial step will save you time by reducing the need for manual corrections and troubleshooting later in the process.

Preparing your data begins by gathering and compiling all of your product information. This information includes (But is not limited to):

• Product names
• Product type (battery, shirt, jet-ski, etc.)
• Descriptions
• Prices
• Images
• SKUs (Stock Keeping Units)
• Variants (sizes, colors, etc.)
• Inventory levels
• Categories or collections
• Tags (Best seller, category, etc.)
• Vendor information (e.g., the company that makes the product such as Nike, Apple, FLIR, etc.)
• Product weight and dimensions (For shipping calculations)

The next step is to clean up your data to ensure accuracy. This will involve removing duplicate entries and ensuring all information is in the same standard formats. This is also the stage where you will want to remove outdated information, such as no longer sold products. During this process, you may find missing details that need to be added as well. Once all of your data is accurate and organized, you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Choose a Migration Method

The next step is to select a method for migrating your products to Shopify. There are three common ways to approach this:

• You can use Shopify's built-in import tools which requires creating a specially-formatted CSV file of your products. This requires more technical knowledge, particularly for variable products with custom pricing (think of a product with different options that affect price, shipping costs, and so on).
• There are third-party apps that can assist with transferring products from another platform (e.g., Magento, WooCommerce) to Shopify. These are typically semi-automated, and require careful checking during- and post-transfer to for accuracy.
• Some hire a professional service or agency. While typically the most expensive method, it can also be the most hands-off and thorough as it allows one to take advantage of the experience of that service’s team.

Each method has pros and cons, and choosing the method depends on factors such as your internal team's level of technical expertise. The complexity of your product catalog is another factor to consider. Although we are biased, at New Theory, we often recommend that organizations consult with a trusted website agency to understand better which choices best meet their needs.

It is important to note that the next steps in the migration process may vary depending on whether you use a third-party migration app or add data manually. For the purposes of this article, we will explain what happens next after using Shopify's import tools.

Step 3: Export Your Product Data

The next step is to export your product data from your current platform. Most e-commerce platforms allow you to export product data in CSV (Comma-Separated values) format, which is compatible with Shopify's import tool. However, not all platforms offer comprehensive export options. In this situation, you may need to export different aspects of your product data separately (Basic product info, variants, and images) and combine them later using Excel or Google Sheets to craft your final CSV file for import.

Step 4: Import Your Products to Shopify

With your data prepared and exported, you can import your products into Shopify. If you're using Shopify's built-in import tool, you can start the process by logging into your Admin panel, navigating to the “Products” section, and initiating the import process. After uploading and before you can proceed Shopify will provide a preview so you can verify that the data is in the correct columns. After completion, Shopify summarizes the results, including any errors or issues encountered. It's important to review this summary carefully and address any problems.

If you're using a third-party app or professional service, follow their specific instructions for the import process, as the steps will differ from Shopify's tool.

It is also worth noting that this portion of the process can become significantly more complex for organizations with large product catalogs. In such cases, working with an experienced website agency can help ensure the migration is completed efficiently. An experienced, proven agency can help your business navigate potential pitfalls, handle large-scale data imports, and implement best practices to streamline the process.

Step 5: Review Your Post-migration Product Data

The final step in the migration process is to thoroughly review your product data, ensuring accuracy and correcting errors or gaps. This involves checking product descriptions, collections have the right products in them, configuring product variants, and testing pricing and shipping calculation.

If you are moving from an older website to Shopify, also be sure to add in redirections for your product page URLs. Shopify’s product pages may be different, so we use the Google-recommended method of 301 redirects for changed URLs to ensure folks are sent to the right page, and search results page rankings are maintained. Beyond that, there is the other pre-site-launch checklist items such as testing third-party integrations, and closely monitoring your store's performance. Address any issues and make necessary adjustments.

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Are you migrating products to your Shopify store?

Migrating products to your Shopify store marks an exciting step towards launching a new website. The key to a smooth transition is preparation, particularly in organizing and cleaning your product data before proceeding. This groundwork streamlines the entire process, reducing potential hurdles and improving accuracy. While some migration projects can be managed independently others may require assistance from a third party. Partnering with an experienced website agency like New Theory can save time and provide peace of mind.

Their expertise can help you navigate complex scenarios, implement best practices, and make sure that your new Shopify store is optimized for success from day one. With the right preparation and support, your product migration can set the stage for a more powerful and effective e-commerce presence. Are you interested in learning more about migrating products to your Shopify store? Chat with the New Theory team.

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