OpenCart to Shopify Migration: A Detailed Guide
By Sam Nguyen
OpenCart to Shopify migration refers to transferring an online store’s data, design, and functionality from the OpenCart platform to Shopify. This transition is often pursued by e-commerce businesses seeking the user-friendly features and robust infrastructure that Shopify offers.
5+ Benefits When Migrating from OpenCart to Shopify
Businesses often opt to migrate from OpenCart to Shopify for several compelling reasons:
- User-Friendliness: Shopify’s intuitive interface allows merchants to run their online stores seamlessly without deep technical expertise.
- Diverse Payment Options: Shopify supports numerous payment gateways, encompassing major credit cards and platforms like PayPal.
- Superior Customer Support: With an extensive support team, Shopify ensures merchants have timely assistance for queries or challenges.
- Expansive App Ecosystem: A vast range of readily available Shopify apps enhances store functionality and user experience.
- Effective SEO Tools: Built-in Shopify tools, including customizable title tags and URL structures, bolster a store’s online visibility, driving organic sales.
- Enhanced Security: As a hosted solution, Shopify prioritizes the safety of customer data, offering robust security features.
A Step-by-Step Guide to OpenCart Shopify Migration
Migrating from OpenCart to Shopify is straightforward using a Shopify migration tool. In this part, we will explore how to integrate OpenCart with Shopify using service providers such as Cart2Cart. Here is a detailed guide on this migration process:
Step 1: Logging in to Shopify
To start, either sign in to your existing Shopify store or set up a new account for the migration process.
Step 2: Subscribing
Subscribe to a free- trial version for now; however, you can also opt for other subscriptions.
Step 3: Installing Cart2Cart
Install the Cart2Cart plug-in on Shopify App Store.
Step 4: Cart2Cart Log in
Head to Cart2Cart and log into your account.
Step 5: Source Cart Selection
Now, it’s time to set up your stores for migration.
- If you’re transferring from a CSV file, select “CSV” as your source and enter the store URL where you exported the CSV files.
- However, if you’re moving directly from a shopping cart, pick it from the list provided. After that, either input your store’s URL (for open-source carts) or provide the store’s API details (for hosted solutions).
Remember, if you can’t access your original cart or it’s unsupported, importing products via a CSV file is an efficient alternative.
Step 6: Set up the target cart
Step 7: Choose what to migrate
Here, you decide what data entities you move from OpenCart to Shopify or migrate them altogether by clicking on the “Select all box.”
Step 8: Pick the desired additional migration options
While optional, we suggest you consider the following for a smooth transition:
- Select the “Migrate Source Store categories into the Shopify Automated Collections” option to transfer your OpenCart categories seamlessly.
- Consider opting for the “Create 301 redirects on your target store after migration” choice to maintain your SEO performance.
Step 9: Launch Free Demo Migration
Once the demo migration is complete, review the results to ensure they meet your expectations. If satisfied, proceed with the full transfer of your eCommerce data from OpenCart to Shopify. This process won’t disrupt your current store operations, allowing you to carry on with your business and sales seamlessly.
Step 10: Finalization
After the migration, tailor your store to fit your preferences. When you’re content with its setup, launch it to begin taking orders from your clients.
What Data You Can Migrate From OpenCart To Shopify
You can flexibly migrate the following data from OpenCart to Shopify:
- Products: SKU, Name, Description, Manufacturer, Status, Price, Special Price, Tags, Meta Title, Meta Description, Variants, Stock Management, Additional Images
- Product Categories: Name, Description, Image, Meta Title, Meta Description, Status
- Manufacturers: Name
- Customers: First and Last Name, Billing & Shipping Address, Email, Newsletter Subscription
- Orders: Details, Customer Name, Billing Address, Email, Shipping Address
- Coupons: Date, Code
- Reviews: Title, User Name, Date, Rating
- CMS Pages: URL, Title, Date, Description
Shopify OpenCart Migration: FAQs
- Business Size: Shopify’s primary plans include Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus. Select based on your business’s scale and product range.
- Features Required: Each plan provides unique features. Identify the ones crucial for your operations and opt for a corresponding plan.
- Budgetary Constraints: With monthly prices ranging from $29 to $299, it’s essential to pick a plan that aligns with your budget.
- Growth Potential: If you anticipate rapid business growth, leaning towards the Shopify or Advanced plans might be beneficial due to their scalability.
- Transaction Costs: Though Shopify waives transaction fees for its own payment system, using other gateways might incur costs. Factor this into your decision.
- Install the Connection Bridge to link your OpenCart store.
- Download the ‘Migration for Shopify’ app.
- Select the data you wish to transfer and opt for any additional features to ease the migration process.
- Complete the migration to Shopify in a matter of hours.
Bottom Line
Migrating from OpenCart to Shopify streamlines the e-commerce experience, transitioning from an open-source platform to a user-friendly, hosted solution. This shift offers businesses enhanced functionality and a more intuitive interface for their online store operations.
