Migration Guide — Step by Step

How to Migrate from Shopify to LaunchStore

5 steps to move your store without losing your Google rankings or customer data. Most stores complete the migration in 2–4 hours.

Migrating your ecommerce store can feel daunting. But with the right approach — export first, import second, redirect before you switch — most merchants complete the full migration without any downtime or loss of Google rankings.

1

Export your data from Shopify

  • ✓Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Export.
  • ✓Export Products (CSV) — includes all variants, images, inventory, descriptions.
  • ✓Export Customers (CSV) — includes email, shipping addresses, order history.
  • ✓Export Orders (CSV) — for historical order reference.
  • ✓Download your product images separately if you want to host them locally.
2

Set up your LaunchStore account

  • ✓Start a free trial at launchstore.io.
  • ✓Enter your store name, currency, and timezone.
  • ✓Set up your payment gateway (Stripe, PayPal, or your local gateway).
  • ✓Configure your shipping zones and rates to match your Shopify setup.
3

Import products and customers

  • ✓Go to LaunchStore → Products → Import and upload your Shopify product CSV.
  • ✓LaunchStore maps Shopify CSV columns automatically.
  • ✓Review imported products — check variant prices, stock levels, and images.
  • ✓Import customers via Customers → Import.
4

Set up 301 redirects (important for SEO)

  • ✓Map your Shopify product URLs (/products/slug) to LaunchStore URLs.
  • ✓Add redirects in LaunchStore → Settings → Redirects.
  • ✓Your old Shopify /collections/ URLs should redirect to LaunchStore categories.
  • ✓Test all redirects before switching your domain.
5

Switch your domain DNS

  • ✓In your domain registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.), update DNS to point to LaunchStore.
  • ✓LaunchStore provides the exact DNS records to add in Settings → Domains.
  • ✓DNS propagation typically takes 24–48 hours.
  • ✓Keep your Shopify store live until DNS has fully propagated.
  • ✓Cancel your Shopify subscription once the migration is confirmed working.

⚠️ Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Don't cancel Shopify before your DNS has propagated — keep both active until you confirm your new store is live.
  • • Don't forget redirects for collection pages — /collections/ URLs get significant Google traffic.
  • • Don't import with images missing — verify your product images load correctly before going live.
  • • Do test the full checkout — place a real test order on your new LaunchStore before switching DNS.

Ready to Switch?

Start your free LaunchStore trial and set up your store before switching your domain. No credit card required.

Start Free Trial →LaunchStore vs Shopify

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to migrate from Shopify to LaunchStore?

For most stores with under 1,000 products, the full migration takes 2–4 hours. This includes exporting your Shopify data, importing products and customers into LaunchStore, setting up your new store settings, configuring domain DNS, and testing before going live.

Will I lose my Google rankings when migrating from Shopify?

Not if you set up 301 redirects correctly. Before you cancel Shopify, map all your old product URLs to new LaunchStore URLs and set up redirects. With proper redirects in place, most stores retain 90–100% of their organic traffic within 2–4 weeks.

Can I migrate my Shopify customer order history?

Yes. You can export your full order history from Shopify as a CSV and import it into LaunchStore. Customer accounts, email addresses, purchase history, and shipping addresses are all included in the export.

What happens to my Shopify reviews when I migrate?

If you use Loox or Yotpo on Shopify, you can export your review data as a CSV. LaunchStore's import tool supports review migration so your existing social proof carries over to your new store.

Can I run Shopify and LaunchStore at the same time during migration?

Yes. You can set up your entire LaunchStore store, test it, and only switch your domain DNS over when everything is ready. This zero-downtime approach means your current Shopify store stays live throughout the migration process.