Moving your online store from Shopify to Magento 2 is a big decision that can transform your ecommerce platform. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about the migration process, from planning to execution.

What Is Shopify to Magento Migration?

Shopify store to Magento migration means transferring your entire online store from the Shopify platform to Magento 2. This includes moving your products, customer information, order history, and other essential data from your Shopify website to a new Magento environment.

Think of it like moving to a bigger house. You’re packing up everything from your current home (Shopify) and setting it up in a new, more spacious place (Magento 2) that better fits your growing needs.

Shopify vs Magento 2: Feature Comparison Table

Understanding the differences between platforms helps you prepare for what changes after your Shopify to Magento 2 data migration. This comparison shows why businesses migrate to Magento for better functionality and customization.

Why Migrate Shopify to Magento 2?

Many businesses start with Shopify because it’s easy to set up. But as your store grows, you might hit some limitations. Here’s why companies choose to migrate to Magento:

More Customization Freedom

Magento 2 is an open-source platform, which means you have complete control over your store’s functionality. Unlike Shopify’s template-based approach, Magento allows for greater customization at every level. You can modify the code, add custom features, and build exactly what your business needs without restrictions.

Better Scalability

As your business grows, Magento grows with you. The platform can handle millions of products and thousands of orders without slowing down. This makes it perfect for medium to large businesses planning for expansion.

Advanced Ecommerce Features

Magento offers sophisticated features that many growing businesses need, including:

• Multi-store management from one admin panel
• Advanced product catalog options
• Complex pricing rules and promotions
• Powerful inventory management across multiple locations
• Built-in B2B functionality

Cost Efficiency at Scale

While Shopify charges monthly fees that increase with your sales volume, Magento 2 can be more cost-effective as you scale. Once set up, you only pay for hosting and development, not a percentage of your sales.

Complete Ownership

With Magento, you own everything. Your data, your code, your store. You’re not tied to any platform’s rules or pricing changes. This gives you ultimate flexibility and control over your ecommerce business.

Magento 2 Migration Process: What Gets Transferred

Before you start the migration, it’s important to know what data moves from Shopify to Magento and what doesn’t.

Data That Migrates Easily

Products: All product information including names, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images, and attributes transfer smoothly to your new Magento store.

Customers: Customer accounts, contact information, billing and shipping addresses move to Magento without issues.

Orders: Complete order history, including transaction details, order status, and customer notes can be migrated.

Product Categories: Your product organization structure transfers to maintain your catalog organization.

What Doesn’t Migrate Automatically

Custom Design: Your Shopify theme won’t transfer. You’ll need to create or purchase a new Magento theme.

Apps and Extensions: Shopify apps don’t work on Magento. You’ll need to find equivalent Magento extensions.

Tax Settings: Tax configurations must be set up manually in Magento.

Shipping Methods: Shipping rules need to be reconfigured in your Magento environment.

Custom Code: Any custom Shopify code will need to be rewritten for Magento.

Three Ways to Migrate from Shopify to Magento 2

You have three main options for your Shopify to Magento 2 migration. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on your budget, technical skills, and time constraints.

Option 1: Automated Migration Using Third-Party Tools

This is the fastest and most popular method for data migration. Tools like LitExtension, Cart2Cart, and Firebear Studio specialize in automated migration services.

How It Works:

1. Connect your Shopify store to the migration tool
2. Select what data you want to migrate
3. Map your data fields (products, customers, orders)
4. Run a demo migration to check everything
5. Perform the full migration

Pros:

• Fast and efficient migration process
• Minimal technical knowledge required
• Lower risk of errors
• Affordable for small to medium stores
• Good for migrating products, customers, and orders

Cons:

• Doesn’t migrate store design or custom features
• Shipping settings and tax rules not included
• May require manual cleanup after migration
• Limited customization during transfer

Best For: Businesses that want to quickly migrate their Shopify store data without technical complexity.

Cost: Typically ranges from $50 to $500+ depending on the number of products and customers you’re migrating.

Option 2: Manual Migration

Manual migration means exporting data from Shopify as CSV files and importing them into Magento yourself. This gives you complete control but requires more effort.

How It Works:

1. Export products from Shopify to CSV file
2. Export customers and orders separately
3. Format CSV files to match Magento’s requirements
4. Import each CSV file into Magento
5. Manually verify and fix any issues

Pros:

• Free (no tool costs)
• Complete control over the process
• Good learning experience
• You can clean up data during migration

Cons:

• Very time-consuming
• High risk of errors
• Requires technical knowledge of both platforms
• Easy to miss important data
• Steep learning curve

Best For: Small stores with limited products and someone with technical skills on the team.

Cost: No direct costs, but significant time investment (days to weeks of work).

Option 3: Hire a Professional Magento Development Agency

This is the most comprehensive option. A Magento development company handles everything from planning to post-migration support.

How It Works:

1. Agency analyzes your Shopify store
2. They create a detailed migration plan
3. Set up your Magento environment
4. Migrate all data including customizations
5. Recreate design and features
6. Test everything thoroughly
7. Provide post-migration support

Pros:

• Everything handled by experts
• Custom features can be rebuilt better
• Design optimized for Magento
• Less risk and stress
• Ongoing support available
• Fastest path to a fully functional store

Cons:

• Most expensive option
• Need to choose the right agency
• Requires clear communication of your needs

Best For: Medium to large businesses that want a seamless transition with minimal disruption.

Cost: Typically $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on store complexity, custom features, and design requirements.

Magento to Shopify Migration Checklist: Essential Steps

Before you migrate, proper preparation is crucial. These steps will make your migration smoother and help avoid problems later.

1. Audit Your Current Shopify Store

Take a complete inventory of what you have:

• Number of products and variations
• Customer accounts and their order history
• Active orders and their status
• Content pages and blog posts
• Custom features and apps you rely on
• Performance benchmarks (load times, conversion rates)

2. Backup Everything

Create complete backups of your Shopify store data:

• Export all products to CSV
• Export customer database
• Export order history
• Download all product images and media
• Save copies of important content pages
• Document your current settings and configurations

Keep these backups safe. You’ll need them during migration and as a safety net.

3. Choose Your Magento Hosting

Unlike Shopify’s hosted solution, Magento requires you to choose your own hosting. Consider:

• Server performance requirements for your traffic
• Storage space for products and images
• Bandwidth for your monthly visitors
• Technical support availability
• Scalability options for growth

Popular hosting options include dedicated servers, cloud hosting (AWS, Google Cloud), or managed Magento hosting services.

4. Plan Your New Store Structure

Decide how you want to organize your Magento store:

• Product categories and subcategories
• Website structure and navigation
• Checkout flow improvements
• Mobile experience enhancements
• Customer account features

This is your chance to improve on your Shopify setup.

5. Identify Required Extensions

Research Magento extensions you’ll need to replace Shopify apps:

• Payment gateways
• Shipping calculators
• Marketing tools
• Customer service features
• Analytics and reporting

Make a list and budget for these extensions.

6. Set Migration Timeline

Create a realistic schedule:

• When to start the migration
• Testing period duration
• Launch date for the new store
• Buffer time for unexpected issues

Plan for at least 4-8 weeks for a complete migration, depending on your store’s complexity.

Step-by-Step Migration Guide: Complete Process

Now, let’s walk through the actual migration process step by step. This guide to migrating from Shopify covers everything from setup to launch.

Step 1: Set Up Your Magento 2 Environment

Before you can migrate, you need a working Magento installation.

Server Setup:

1. Choose and configure your hosting environment
2. Install required software (PHP, MySQL, Apache/Nginx)
3. Ensure your server meets Magento 2’s system requirements
4. Configure server settings for optimal performance

Install Magento:

1. Download the latest Magento 2 version
2. Run the installation wizard or use command line
3. Set up your admin account
4. Configure basic settings (timezone, currency, language)

Verify Installation:

• Access your Magento admin panel
• Check the storefront loads correctly
• Test basic functionality

If you’re not technical, consider working with Magento developers or a Magento consulting service to handle this step properly.

Step 2: Back Up Your Shopify Store Data

Safety first. Create complete backups before any migration work:

From Shopify Admin:

1. Go to Settings → Files
2. Export products to CSV
3. Export customers to CSV
4. Export order history to CSV

Additional Backups:

• Download all product images (bulk download tools can help)
• Save copies of page content
• Screenshot important settings
• Document custom code and integrations

Store these files in multiple locations (cloud storage + local drive).

Step 3: Configure Your Magento Store Settings

Set up the foundation of your new Magento store:

Basic Configuration:

• Store name and contact information
• Default currency and language
• Timezone settings
• Email addresses for notifications

Store Design:

• Install and activate your chosen theme
• Set up logo and branding
• Configure homepage layout
• Set up navigation menus

Payment and Shipping:

• Configure payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
• Set up shipping methods and zones
• Configure tax rules for your locations
• Set up SSL certificate for secure checkout

Step 4: Migrate Your Data to Magento

This is the core migration step. The method depends on your chosen approach:

Using Automated Tools (LitExtension, Cart2Cart):

1. Create an account with your migration service
2. Connect your Shopify store (you’ll need API credentials)
3. Connect your Magento store
4. Select entities to migrate (products, customers, orders)
5. Map data fields between platforms
6. Run a free demo migration (usually 10-20 items)
7. Review demo results and fix any issues
8. Run the full migration
9. Wait for completion (can take hours for large stores)

Manual Migration Process:

1. Export Shopify data to CSV files
2. Download sample Magento CSV from System → Data Transfer → Import
3. Format your Shopify CSV to match Magento’s structure
4. Pay attention to required fields and data types
5. Import products first (System → Data Transfer → Import)
6. Import customers next
7. Import order history last
8. Verify each import for errors

Key Fields to Map Correctly:

• Product SKUs (must be unique)
• Product types (simple, configurable, bundle)
• Customer emails (must be unique)
• Order statuses
• Image URLs or file paths

Step 5: Migrate Product Images and Media

Images often need special attention during the migration:

Image Migration:

1. Download all product images from Shopify
2. Organize images by product SKU or ID
3. Upload to Magento media storage
4. Assign images to products in Magento
5. Set featured images for each product

Best Practices:

• Optimize images before uploading (compress for web)
• Maintain consistent naming conventions
• Keep original filenames when possible
• Create multiple image sizes for responsiveness

Some migration tools handle this automatically, but verify all images display correctly.

Step 6: Set Up Products and Categories

After data migration, configure your product catalog:

Product Configuration:

• Set up product attributes (size, color, material)
• Configure product variations (configurable products)
• Set inventory quantities and stock status
• Configure product relationships (related, upsell, cross-sell)
• Set up product reviews if migrating those

Category Setup:

• Create category structure
• Assign products to categories
• Set category images and descriptions
• Configure category display settings
• Set up category-specific SEO

Pricing and Promotions:

• Verify all product prices
• Set up tier pricing if needed
• Configure special prices and date ranges
• Create customer group pricing
• Set up promotional rules

Step 7: Migrate Customer Data

Your customers are your most valuable asset:

Customer Migration:

• Import customer accounts with contact information
• Preserve customer addresses (billing and shipping)
• Migrate customer groups if applicable
• Import order history per customer
• Set up customer account features

Important Notes:

• Customer passwords don’t migrate (security feature)
• Customers will need to reset passwords on first login
• Consider sending welcome emails to all customers
• Notify customers about the platform change

Step 8: Configure SEO Settings

Don’t lose your search rankings during migration:

URL Redirects:

• Map old Shopify URLs to new Magento URLs
• Set up 301 redirects for all product pages
• Redirect category pages
• Redirect important content pages
• Test all redirects before launch

SEO Configuration:

• Set up meta titles and descriptions for products
• Configure URL keys (clean, SEO-friendly URLs)
• Set up XML sitemap generation
• Configure robots.txt
• Set up rich snippets/structured data
• Optimize page titles and headings

Content Migration:

• Move blog posts if applicable
• Migrate static pages (About, Contact, etc.)
• Update internal links
• Check for broken links

Step 9: Test Everything Thoroughly

Never launch without comprehensive testing:

Functional Testing:

• Test product pages load correctly
• Verify images display properly
• Test add to cart functionality
• Complete test orders with different payment methods
• Test checkout process end-to-end
• Verify email notifications work
• Test customer account creation and login
• Check mobile responsiveness

Data Verification:

• Spot-check product information accuracy
• Verify customer data transferred correctly
• Confirm order history is complete
• Check inventory quantities
• Verify pricing is correct

Performance Testing:

• Test page load speeds
• Check server response times
• Test with expected traffic levels
• Identify and fix bottlenecks

Browser Testing:

• Test in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
• Test on mobile devices (iOS and Android)
• Check different screen sizes
• Verify all features work across browsers

Step 10: Launch Your New Magento Store

When testing is complete, it’s time to go live:

Pre-Launch Checklist:

• Final backup of both stores
• Prepare customer communication
• Set up monitoring tools
• Have support team ready
• Schedule low-traffic launch time

Launch Process:

1. Put Shopify store in maintenance mode
2. Run final data sync if needed
3. Update DNS settings to point to Magento
4. Wait for DNS propagation (can take 24-48 hours)
5. Remove maintenance mode from Magento
6. Monitor closely for issues

Post-Launch:

• Send announcement to customers
• Monitor traffic and conversions
• Watch for error reports
• Be ready to fix issues quickly
• Keep Shopify store accessible temporarily as backup

Post-Migration Checklist: Essential Tasks After Going Live

The work doesn’t stop at launch. These post-migration tasks are crucial:

Week 1: Immediate Monitoring

Daily Checks:

• Monitor website traffic
• Track conversion rates
• Watch for error logs
• Check email deliverability
• Monitor server performance
• Read customer feedback

Quick Fixes:

• Address broken links immediately
• Fix missing images
• Correct pricing errors
• Resolve checkout issues
• Handle customer service inquiries

Week 2-4: Optimization Phase

Performance Tuning:

• Enable caching mechanisms
• Optimize database queries
• Configure CDN for images
• Fine-tune server settings
• Implement full-page caching

SEO Maintenance:

• Monitor search rankings
• Submit new sitemap to search engines
• Fix any crawl errors
• Verify redirects working
• Check for duplicate content issues

User Experience:

• Review user behavior analytics
• Identify friction points
• Optimize conversion funnel
• Improve page load times
• Enhance mobile experience

Ongoing: Long-Term Success

Regular Maintenance:

• Install security patches
• Update Magento and extensions
• Monitor and optimize performance
• Back up regularly
• Review analytics monthly

Continuous Improvement:

• Add new features based on customer feedback
• Optimize for better conversions
• Expand product catalog
• Improve search functionality
• Enhance customer experience

Consider Magento support and maintenance services to keep your store running smoothly.

Common Migration Challenges and How to Solve Them

Every migration faces challenges. Here’s how to handle the most common ones:

Challenge 1: Data Inconsistencies

Problem: Product information doesn’t match between platforms or has errors.

Solution:

• Clean your data before migration
• Use data validation during import
• Spot-check random products after migration
• Have a systematic review process

Challenge 2: Image Migration Issues

Problem: Images don’t transfer correctly or are broken.

Solution:

• Verify image URLs before migration
• Bulk download all images as backup
• Use proper image import tools
• Check image file formats and sizes
• Test image display on different devices

Challenge 3: Customer Login Problems

Problem: Customers can’t log in after migration.

Solution:

• Expect this (passwords don’t migrate for security)
• Set up password reset functionality
• Send mass email with reset instructions
• Provide clear guidance on first login
• Have support ready to help customers

Challenge 4: SEO Ranking Drops

Problem: Search rankings drop after migration.

Solution:

• Set up proper 301 redirects before launch
• Maintain URL structure when possible
• Submit new sitemap immediately
• Monitor rankings closely
• Fix any redirect issues quickly

Challenge 5: Custom Features Don’t Work

Problem: Special features from Shopify don’t transfer.

Solution:

• Plan replacements before migration
• Find equivalent Magento extensions
• Consider custom development if needed
• Test all features thoroughly before launch
• Have alternatives ready

Challenge 6: Performance Issues

Problem: New Magento store is slower than Shopify.

Solution:

• Choose quality hosting
• Implement caching properly
• Optimize images and code
• Use a CDN
• Consider managed Magento hosting

Cost Breakdown: What to Budget for Migration

Understanding the cost of migration helps you plan properly. Here’s what to expect:

Migration Tool Costs

Automated Tools: $50 – $500+

• Based on number of products and customers
• One-time fee for migration
• Some tools offer unlimited re-migrations

Hosting Costs

Monthly Hosting: $20 – $500+/month

• Shared hosting: $20-50/month (small stores)
• VPS hosting: $50-200/month (medium stores)
• Dedicated/Cloud: $200-500+/month (large stores)
• Managed Magento hosting: $100-1000+/month

Development Costs

Theme/Design: $0 – $10,000+

• Free themes: $0
• Premium themes: $100-300
• Custom design: $2,000-10,000+

Custom Development: $1,000 – $50,000+

• Basic customizations: $1,000-5,000
• Custom features: $5,000-20,000
• Complex integrations: $20,000+

Extension Costs

Magento Extensions: $0 – $5,000+

• Free extensions: $0
• Premium extensions: $50-500 each
• Multiple extensions needed: $500-5,000 total

Professional Services

Agency Migration: $5,000 – $50,000+

• Small store migration: $5,000-10,000
• Medium store migration: $10,000-25,000
• Large/complex migration: $25,000-50,000+
• Enterprise migration: $50,000+

Total Investment Range

For most businesses, expect to invest:

• Small Store: $2,000 – $10,000
• Medium Store: $10,000 – $30,000
• Large Store: $30,000 – $100,000+

Magento 2 vs Shopify: Key Differences After Migration

Understanding these differences helps you adjust after migration:

Ownership and Control

Shopify: Platform-hosted, limited access

Magento: Full ownership, complete control

Impact: You’re responsible for everything, but you can customize anything.

Pricing Model

Shopify: Monthly subscription + transaction fees

Magento: Hosting + development + extensions

Impact: Costs shift from monthly fees to upfront investment and hosting.

Customization

Shopify: Template-based with limitations

Magento: Unlimited customization possible

Impact: More flexibility but requires technical skills or developers.

Scalability

Shopify: Limited by plan tier

Magento: Scales with your infrastructure

Impact: Better for high-growth businesses, but you manage scaling.

Technical Requirements

Shopify: No technical knowledge needed

Magento: Requires technical expertise

Impact: You’ll need ecommerce developers or technical staff.

App Ecosystem

Shopify: App store with easy installation

Magento: Extension marketplace, more technical

Impact: More powerful extensions but harder to install and configure.

When Is the Right Time to Migrate?

Timing your migration properly is crucial. Consider migrating when:

Your Business Is Growing Fast

If you’re hitting Shopify’s limits on products, traffic, or sales volume, it’s time to consider Magento’s scalability.

You Need Custom Features

When Shopify’s app ecosystem can’t provide the functionality you need, Magento’s flexibility becomes necessary.

Transaction Fees Are Hurting

As your sales volume increases, Shopify’s transaction fees can add up significantly. Magento eliminates these ongoing costs.

You Want Multi-Store Management

If you’re running or planning multiple stores, Magento’s multi-store functionality is much more powerful than Shopify’s.

You’re Ready to Invest

Migrating to Magento requires upfront investment in development, hosting, and setup. Make sure you have the budget.

You Have Technical Resources

Whether in-house or outsourced, you need access to technical expertise for Magento.

Best Practices for a Smooth Migration

Follow these best practices to ensure success:

1. Start with a Clear Plan

Don’t rush into migration. Create a detailed plan covering:

• Timeline with milestones
• Budget allocation
• Team responsibilities
• Testing procedures
• Contingency plans

2. Clean Your Data First

Before migration:

• Remove duplicate products
• Update outdated information
• Organize categories logically
• Clean up customer data
• Archive old orders if needed

3. Communicate with Customers

Keep customers informed:

• Announce the migration in advance
• Explain benefits to them
• Provide clear instructions for any changes
• Offer support during transition
• Send follow-up after launch

4. Test Extensively

Never skip testing:

• Test all functionality
• Verify data accuracy
• Check mobile experience
• Test under load
• Have users test before launch

5. Keep Shopify Store Accessible

For at least 2-4 weeks after migration:

• Keep Shopify store active as backup
• Monitor both stores initially
• Use Shopify data to verify Magento
• Be ready to rollback if needed

6. Monitor Performance Closely

After launch:

• Watch analytics daily
• Track conversion rates
• Monitor page speed
• Check for errors
• Gather customer feedback

7. Document Everything

Create documentation for:

• Custom features
• Extension configurations
• Server settings
• Common procedures
• Troubleshooting steps

Alternative Platforms to Consider

While this guide focuses on migrating to Magento 2, here are other options worth considering:

WooCommerce

Good for WordPress users who want ecommerce functionality. More flexible than Shopify but simpler than Magento.

BigCommerce

Similar to Shopify but with more built-in features and fewer limitations. Good middle ground between Shopify and Magento.

Adobe Commerce (Magento Enterprise)

Enterprise version of Magento with additional features, support, and cloud hosting included.

Custom Solution

For unique business needs, consider custom web development to build exactly what you need.

Final Thoughts

Successful migration requires proper planning, execution, and ongoing maintenance. Whether you migrate yourself, use automated tools, or hire professionals depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical capabilities.

For most medium to large businesses, working with experienced Magento developers ensures a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your business.

Ready to start your migration? Begin with the pre-migration checklist, carefully evaluate your options, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed. Your new Magento store will open up possibilities that can take your ecommerce business to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a possibility to migrate review ratings from Shopify to Magento?

Yes, you can migrate your reviews and ratings. Most migration tools support transferring customer reviews along with your products. You’ll just need to make sure the tool you choose specifically includes review migration in its features. Some reviews might need manual adjustment if you’re using specific review apps on Shopify.

What Is the Best Way to Migrate from Shopify to Magento?

The best approach depends on your technical skills and store size. For most people, using a dedicated migration tool or service like Cart2Cart or LitExtension is the safest bet. If you have a developer on your team, they can do a custom migration for more control. Either way, always test the migration on a staging site first before going live.

What Should I Do After Shopify to Magento Data Migration?

After migration, you should verify that all your data transferred correctly by checking products, customer accounts, and order histories. Set up your payment gateways and shipping methods, configure your tax settings, test the checkout process thoroughly, and set up 301 redirects from your old Shopify URLs to your new Magento URLs to preserve SEO. Don’t forget to test everything before launching.

What are the benefits of migrating from Shopify to Magento?

Magento gives you much more flexibility and control over your store. You can customize practically anything, handle unlimited products without performance issues, and have more advanced SEO capabilities. It’s also better for complex B2B operations and multi-store setups. The main benefit is that you own your platform completely and aren’t limited by Shopify’s restrictions.

What is the Shopify to Magento migration process?

The basic process involves backing up your Shopify data first, then setting up your Magento store and choosing a migration method. You’ll map your data fields between the two platforms, run the migration, and check that everything transferred properly. After that, you configure your Magento settings, set up redirects, and thoroughly test everything before switching over your domain and going live.