moving to shopify in 2026, the checklist that protects revenue
A move rarely fails on launch day. Problems often appear later when an old page leads nowhere or a customer cannot find their account.
Moving to Shopify is not only about moving information. The parts people forget cost revenue later, including old pages, customer access and emails after an order. This is the order that prevents that.
what needs to be finished before you go live?
All products must arrive with the correct options, stock and prices. Customers and orders must remain findable and every important old page must send visitors to the correct new page. If one of these is missing, the problem often appears in the weeks after launch.
how much time do old page addresses require?
More than most schedules allow. First list every page that receives visitors or links from other sites. Connect each old address to the right new page and check a sample of the results. Do not send everything to the homepage because visitors and visibility will still be lost.
how do you protect existing positions in google?
Keep the same page addresses where possible. When an address changes, the title, description, product information and new destination should be at least as clear as before the move.
how do you test before launch without customers noticing?
Build the new store in a private copy, place separate test orders and check the order confirmation and shipping notice with a test account. Only launch the new store once ordering, payment and emails work correctly.
| phase | what you check | risk if you skip it |
|---|---|---|
| before launch | products, stock, customers and old page addresses | revenue loss at the moment of launch |
| launch | payment, ordering and emails | orders that never arrive or never get confirmed |
| after launch | visitors from google, missing pages and support questions | gradual revenue loss that only shows up weeks later |
the core steps at a glance
- ✸Export and verify all products, variants and stock before importing
- ✸Carry over customer accounts and order history, or communicate clearly upfront if that isn’t possible
- ✸Give every important old page a suitable new destination
- ✸Test payment and emails with real, separate test orders
- ✸Watch visitors from Google and missing pages closely during the first weeks
frequently asked questions about moving to shopify
how long does an average move take?
For a store with a few hundred products, plan for four to eight weeks. The amount of work depends on the parts made especially for your store and the other systems that must move with it.
will I lose my positions in google?
The risk grows when old pages lead nowhere or send people to the wrong place. With a complete and tested overview, the impact is usually limited to a temporary drop.
can I bring my customer reviews along?
Usually yes, via an export from your current platform and an import into whichever Shopify review app you use, though this varies by provider.
do I have to move my whole catalogue at once?
Not necessarily. Some stores move one category at a time, although that makes old addresses and visibility harder to manage.
what’s the most underestimated step?
Testing emails sent after an order. They often look correct during practice and only fail with the first real order because the sender or layout is wrong.
“The move itself feels tense. The three weeks after, when nobody is watching anymore, are where it actually goes wrong.”