Whether you're upgrading your eCommerce platform or switching due to performance issues, rebranding, or business growth—store migration is a big move. And like any big move, the key to success lies in planning ahead. This article breaks down everything you need to know before starting an online store migration so that your transition is smooth, secure, and strategic.

Why Migrate in the First Place?

Before diving into how to prepare, let’s quickly go over the common reasons store owners choose to migrate:
  • Platform limitations – Your current platform may lack key features like mobile optimization, SEO tools, or integrations.
  • Scaling issues – As your store grows, your platform should handle increased product catalogs, traffic, and order volume.
  • Better design and UX – A new platform might offer better themes or customization options.
  • Performance and speed – Faster load times can directly boost conversions.
  • Lower maintenance or costs – SaaS platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce can reduce tech headaches and ongoing costs.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Store

Start by auditing your existing store. This gives you a clear picture of what data needs to be moved and what should be left behind. ✔️ What to evaluate:
  • Total number of products, categories, and variants
  • Customer database and order history
  • CMS content (pages, blog posts, images)
  • SEO structure (URLs, metadata, alt text)
  • Payment and shipping settings
  • Third-party integrations and apps
Ask yourself: What’s working well, and what isn’t? Use this to define your must-have features on the new platform.

Step 2: Choose the Right Destination Platform

Selecting your new platform depends on your business goals. Consider:
  • Ease of use – Do you want a platform that’s beginner-friendly like Shopify or Wix?
  • Customization – Do you need open-source flexibility from Magento or PrestaShop?
  • Cost – Factor in licensing fees, extensions, themes, and developer costs.
  • Scalability – Choose a platform that can grow with your sales and inventory.
  • Features – Ensure the platform supports SEO tools, mobile optimization, multi-language, and currency options.
Popular picks in 2025: Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Wix, Magento 2, and PrestaShop.

Step 3: Back Up Everything

Before doing anything, back up your store data. Even with automated tools, things can go wrong. A complete backup ensures you can restore your store if needed. ✅ Backup checklist:
  • Product catalog and images
  • Customer data and passwords
  • Orders and transaction history
  • Blog content and CMS pages
  • SEO metadata and custom URLs
  • Themes and custom code
Most platforms offer backup plugins or allow you to export data manually. Cloud backups are recommended for extra safety.

Step 4: Clean Your Data

Now is the perfect time to clean your data and get rid of clutter.
  • Remove outdated or duplicate products
  • Delete inactive customer accounts
  • Archive or delete orders that no longer need to be stored
  • Optimize product names and images for SEO
This step makes the migration process faster and improves performance on the new store.

Step 5: Plan for SEO

One of the biggest concerns during migration is SEO ranking loss. But with careful planning, you can preserve your traffic. SEO Tips:
  • Use 301 redirects to map old URLs to new ones
  • Maintain meta titles and descriptions
  • Replicate image alt tags and header structure
  • Avoid duplicate content during transfer
  • Test for broken links after migration
Cart2Cart supports SEO migration for many platforms, ensuring your ranking foundation stays intact.

Step 6: Decide What to Migrate

Every store is different, so choose what to migrate based on your business needs. Typical data to migrate:
  • Products (including variants, SKUs, and stock)
  • Categories and collections
  • Customer accounts and passwords (if supported)
  • Order history
  • Coupons and discounts
  • Reviews and testimonials
  • Blog and page content
  • SEO metadata
Some data may require custom handling—such as loyalty programs, subscriptions, or custom fields.

Step 7: Choose a Migration Method

You have a few options for carrying out the migration: Manual migration: Export and import CSV files manually. This is time-consuming, error-prone, and not ideal for large stores. ‍ Developer-assisted migration: Hire a developer or agency. This is costly and may delay timelines, but it's a hands-free option. ⚙️ Automated migration with Cart2Cart: The most efficient and cost-effective method. Cart2Cart automatically transfers your data between 85+ platforms, with no tech expertise needed. Benefits of using Cart2Cart:
  • No store downtime
  • Flexible data mapping
  • 24/7 support
  • Free demo migration
  • Optional migration insurance and customization

Step 8: Test Everything on a Staging Site

Before making your new store live, test everything on a staging environment. What to check:
  • Product display and categories
  • Payment and shipping methods
  • Mobile responsiveness
  • Functionality of third-party apps
  • SEO elements (URLs, tags, links)
  • Site speed and performance
Once you’re confident everything looks and works as expected, it’s time to go live!

Step 9: Post-Migration Checklist

After your new store is live:
  • Set up Google Analytics and Search Console
  • Submit your sitemap
  • Double-check redirects and test pages
  • Announce the migration to your customers
  • Monitor traffic, conversions, and page errors
  • Continue testing and optimizing for performance

Final Thoughts

A successful eCommerce migration starts with preparation. By backing up your data, choosing the right platform, planning for SEO, and using a reliable migration tool like Cart2Cart, you can make the transition smooth and stress-free. Ready to move your store? Start with a Free Demo Migration and preview how your data will look on your new platform in minutes—no risks, no downtime. Try Cart2Cart now