How to Migrate WooCommerce to Shopify: Complete Step by Step Guide
By Braincuber Team
Published on May 19, 2026
Shopify and WooCommerce are the two leading solutions for building ecommerce websites. They both come with a variety of powerful and handy features but each is more suitable for different needs of merchants. If you are considering making a switch from WooCommerce to Shopify, this complete tutorial walks you through an A to Z guide on how to do it. This step by step guide and beginner guide covers every detail you need to migrate your store successfully without losing any critical data.
What You'll Learn:
- Three migration methods with pros and cons analysis
- How to set up your Shopify store from scratch
- Backing up your WooCommerce store before migration
- Step by step LitExtension migration process
- Post-migration checklist to verify and finalize your store
Step 1: Decide the Most Optimal Way to Migrate
Currently, there are three ways to migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify. Before jumping into the step by step instruction, let us analyze each option and decide which way is the most optimal for your situation.
Manual Migration
Export and import data files yourself. Security is high since no third party accesses your data, and it costs nothing. However, it takes significant time and effort with a high chance of unexpected errors.
Hire an Agency or Freelancer
Save time and effort with expert support. However, costs range from $50 to $80 per hour, and you cannot fully control the migration progress or guarantee perfect data structure understanding.
Automated Migration Solution
Only three simple steps and a few hours to complete. Built by data migration experts, affordable pricing starting from $49, and 24/7 professional support. The recommended approach for most merchants.
High Security Guarantee
Automated solutions need your permission to access the database and disconnect immediately after extracting only the data you requested to migrate. No data leakage risk.
| Migration Method | Cost | Time Required | Expert Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Migration | Free | Days to weeks | None |
| Hire Agency/Freelancer | $50-$80/hour | Variable | Yes, limited |
| Automated Solution | From $49 | Few hours | 24/7 support |
After this analysis, using an automated shopping cart migration solution is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable solution. The rest of this complete tutorial shows you the whole process of moving your store from WooCommerce to Shopify with the help of LitExtension automated solution.
Step 2: Set Up Your Shopify Store
To perform a migration, you need a target store set up in advance. In order to start using Shopify, all you need to do is sign up for an account. Go to the Shopify website and click Start Free Trial. After that, fill in your desired email address, password, and store name.
Important Store Name Requirement
You will need to choose a unique store name, otherwise Shopify will not allow you to purchase the domain. Make sure your desired name is available before proceeding.
Click Create your store, and you will then be asked to tell a little about yourself and your business. Click Next when you finish, and the following page will ask you to fill in personal information such as your name, address, and phone number. All of this information is used to configure currencies and tax rates for your store.
Click on the Enter My Store button, and you will be navigated to the admin screen for your new website. Your Shopify store is now ready to receive migrated data from WooCommerce.
Step 3: Back Up Your WooCommerce Store
Data on your source store will stay unchanged before, during, and after the migration with LitExtension. However, it is strongly recommended that you backup everything before you perform any major changes. There are three ways to backup data on a WooCommerce store:
Manual Backup
Export your database and files directly through your hosting control panel or using command line tools. This gives you full control over the backup files.
Backups via Web Host
Many hosting providers offer automated backup services. Check with your host to see if they provide scheduled backups and one-click restore options.
Backups Using WordPress Plugin
Install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Duplicator to create complete site backups including database, themes, plugins, and media files.
Step 4: Migrate Data from WooCommerce to Shopify with LitExtension
It only takes four simple steps and a few hours to perform a migration with LitExtension. Here is the complete step by step guide:
4.1 Create a LitExtension Account
Register an account or sign in on the LitExtension site. You can also login easily using your existing Google or Facebook account for faster access.
4.2 Enter WooCommerce Store Information
On the Migration Page, click Create New Migration at the top right button on the screen. Select WooCommerce as your Source Cart Type and fill your store URL into the blank. Then click the LitExtension Connector to download the connector, extract the zip file, and upload the connector to your WooCommerce root folder.
1. Download LitExtension Connector zip file
2. Extract the zip file on your computer
3. Upload connector folder to WooCommerce root directory
4. Connector installation is automatically verified
The Connector Installation will be automatically checked and informed on the screen without manual checking, ensuring everything is properly configured before proceeding.
4.3 Enter Shopify Store Information
Select Shopify as Target Cart Type and provide your source store URL into the blank bar. Follow the brief instruction to get your API info from Shopify and fill them in the form. You will need to create a custom app in your Shopify admin to generate the API credentials required for the migration.
4.4 Select Entities to Migrate
Choose the entities you want to migrate. You can select all of them together or certain data types. For example, you might choose to migrate only Products, Customers, and Orders. LitExtension can migrate almost every data including orders, customers, products, and other related entities from WooCommerce to Shopify.
LitExtension also provides additional options to extend your migration possibilities such as creating 301 redirects or preserving order IDs. Languages, order statuses, and customer groups will be matched together to be displayed correspondingly in the new Shopify store.
4.5 Perform the Migration
After you finish configuring your migration, you can try the LitExtension free demo first to check whether the platform will work as you expected. Or you can skip it and run the full migration immediately.
Try Free Demo
Start your demo migration with a limited number of entities to verify the migration works correctly before committing.
Perform Full Migration
Click on Skip Demo Migration button to perform full migration immediately. You do not need to keep your browser open during the process.
When running migration with LitExtension, you do not need to leave your browser or internet working. Just turn off everything or do other tasks. When the migration is complete, you will receive an email from the LitExtension system confirming the process is finished.
Post-Migration Checklist: Six Essential Tasks
After the migration is complete, follow this checklist to finish setting up your Shopify store. There are six tasks you need to complete:
Check Data Migration Accuracy
Verify that all products, customers, orders, and other entities have been migrated correctly. Compare record counts between WooCommerce and Shopify.
Design and Set Up Shopify Store
Choose a theme, customize your store layout, configure navigation menus, and set up your homepage to match your brand identity.
Change DNS and Switch Domain
Update your DNS settings to point your custom domain to Shopify. This ensures customers reach your new store when visiting your existing URL.
Set Up Shipping Configuration
Configure shipping zones, rates, and methods in Shopify. Set up free shipping thresholds, flat rates, or carrier-calculated shipping as needed.
Establish Payment Methods
Activate Shopify Payments or connect third-party payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or other regional payment providers.
Test by Placing Orders
Try placing test orders to ensure the checkout process, payment processing, and order confirmation emails are all working correctly.
Migration Summary Table
| Migration Phase | Key Action | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Choose Migration Method | Compare manual, agency, and automated options | 15-30 minutes |
| Set Up Shopify Store | Create account and configure basic settings | 10-15 minutes |
| Backup WooCommerce | Export database and files via host or plugin | 30-60 minutes |
| Configure LitExtension | Enter store URLs, install connector, select entities | 15-20 minutes |
| Run Migration | Start automated transfer and wait for completion email | Few hours |
Re-platforming Is Important
Re-platforming is a complicated and very important process that needs to be taken care of carefully. This process can be tedious or pleasant depending on which way you do it. Always backup your data before starting any migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify?
Using LitExtension, the migration takes only a few hours after configuration. Setup takes about 30-45 minutes, and the automated transfer runs in the background while you do other tasks.
Will my WooCommerce data be safe during migration?
Yes. Your source store data remains unchanged before, during, and after migration. LitExtension only reads and copies data without modifying your WooCommerce database. Always backup before starting.
What data can be migrated from WooCommerce to Shopify?
LitExtension can migrate products, customers, orders, categories, and other related entities. You can select specific data types or migrate everything at once.
How much does WooCommerce to Shopify migration cost?
LitExtension pricing starts from $49 for automated migration. Costs vary based on the volume of data being transferred. A free demo migration is available to test the service first.
Do I need to keep my browser open during migration?
No. Once you start the migration, you can close your browser or do other tasks. LitExtension runs the process server-side and sends you an email notification when complete.
Need Help Migrating Your Store?
Our experts can help you migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify, set up your new store design, and optimize your product listings. Get personalized guidance for your migration journey.