Migrating from Magento to Shopify Plus

Over the past few years, you may have noticed a vast increase in the number of ecommerce brands making the move from Magento to Shopify Plus. This is unsurprising because Shopify Plus offers features brands feel they can’t miss out on.

Here, we deep dive into why Shopify Plus is the preferred platform and what a migration from Magento to Shopify looks like…

Why should I migrate to Shopify Plus?

When Shopify Plus launched in 2014, thousands of brands across the globe, including Gymshark, Rebecca Minkoff and our client, Linda Farrow gravitated towards it, moving from Magento in the process. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Shopify Plus is quick to launch

With Shopify Plus your store can be up and running in less than 3 months! For a brand looking for a platform to migrate to quickly and with minimal disruptions, as ecommerce retailers normally are, Shopify Plus is a great option. 

2. Unquestionable security 

Shopify Plus is certified Level 1 PCI DSS compliant. This compliance extends by default to all stores powered by Shopify. From annual on-site assessments validating compliance to continuous risk management, Shopify Plus keeps brands’ and their customers’ data protected.

3. Lightning-fast speed

Shopify Plus’ cloud-based infrastructure means its storefront loads 2.97 times faster than any other platforms on the market. Plus has an amazingly fast page response of 80 milliseconds and can handle 500,000 hits a minute, meaning merchants never have to worry about site speed affecting their bottom line again. 

4. Scalability 

Shopify Plus is built with merchants’ success in mind. Offering 99.9% uptime and unlimited bandwidth, the platform can handle whatever you throw at it. So, no matter how quickly you’re scaling or how complex your operations are, there’s plenty of room to grow with Shopify Plus. 

5. Deep app ecosystem 

Shopify Plus boasts of a world-class app ecosystem. From email marketing and reviews to shipping and inventory management, merchants have unlimited access to the broadest range of third-party technology providers. 

6. Flexible design and functionality

Shopify Plus is totally customisable. Merchants can design and build a store that perfectly represents their brand and business needs. 

7. Ease of use 

Shopify is built to be easy for ecommerce retailers to use. There is no need for you to organise server hosting, find a front-end CMS end and hire the world’s best developer just to add a new product to a Shopify store. Shopify is so easy to use that, once you are migrated, you will be able to pick it up straightaway.

8. Automation made simple

Shopify Plus comes with several in-built features which eliminate time-consuming, repetitive tasks in just a few clicks. For example: 

Shopify Flow

This is an automation engine that allows you to automate tasks and processes easily, including re-ordering stock and tagging customers based on their preferences.

Shopify Launchpad

From product launches to discounts, Shopify’s Launchpad makes scheduling campaigns simple. In particular, brands find this tool useful during big sale events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Shopify Scripts

This allows brands to create personalised shopping experiences for their customers. For example, with Scripts, you can offer bespoke discounts and bundles, and tiered discounts based on customer spend or product quantity in cart.

9. 24/7 hour support

From day one of launching on Shopify Plus store, merchants receive 24/7 support via phone, email and live chat. 

How do I migrate from Magento to Shopify Plus?

It’s clear that there are a lot of benefits when it comes to Shopify Plus, but the process of a migration can seem quite daunting, particularly when you’re a big brand with even bigger ambitions. That’s why it’s important to understand what a migration looks like, and work with a certified Shopify Plus partner agency like Velstar to manage the entire process for you.

Here’s a summary of Velstar’s migration process from Magento to Shopify Plus:

# Stage 1: Data review and planning 

During the initial stage of a migration, our team of Shopify Plus experts learn more about your brand and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your site. Here at Velstar, we use tools like Google Analytics and heat mapping to better understand how your customers are interacting with your store and how well your current Magento site is performing. 

#Step 2: Consultation 

Once we understand your business goals and objectives, we then scope the migration process. We identify areas of the store that are working well and those areas that aren’t, as well as opportunities for improved features and functionalities to drive further growth. 

#Step 2: Design

After a plan for the migration is in place, it’s time to start the re-design process.

Our UX and UI designers will work with you to create a fresh new storefront that will give your customers an exceptional shopping experience and guarantee results. 

#Step 3: Development

We then create a roadmap and use this to build and code a brand new Shopify Plus store,  whilst seamlessly and securely transferring all your data from your original Magento store.

#Step 4: Migration 

Data migration

Using the very best re-platforming tools, we’ll transfer all your data to your new Shopify Plus store. This includes everything from orders and products to reviews and customer loyalty points. 

SEO migration 

We understand SEO is often one of merchants' biggest concerns when it comes to migration. However, with Velstar’s team of Shopify Plus experts managing your migration, you don’t need to worry. From the get-go, we’ll put together a checklist to follow, including monitoring duplicate content, tracking 404 errors, testing site speed, and installing page redirects to minimise the changes to your SEO performance. Throughout the transition process, we work with you to maintain your store’s search rankings. 

Step 6: Test and launch 

Both before and after your site launch, Velstar will review and test every part of your store’s performance – with no stone left unturned. This is because we pride ourselves on providing our clients with world-class websites and want to ensure that every Shopify Plus store we design and build is one that customers love using and drives sales. 

But that’s just the beginning of what we offer. Our team of digital marketing specialists can work with you on an ongoing basis to help you establish your presence online and take your brand to new heights. From PPC and social media management to email and influencer marketing, we know how to drive engaged traffic to your site across all digital channels. 

Your Shopify Plus partner agency

Every day, brands are making the decision to migrate to Shopify, and it’s easy to see why. Shopify Plus comes with a heap of benefits and the migration process is simple (when you know how). At Velstar, we’ve helped hundreds of brands do it successfully. So, if you think Shopify Plus is the platform for you, get in touch with Velstar’s re-platforming experts today! Or in the meantime, check out our Shopify Plus case studies. 

We’re a full-service in-house Shopify Plus Partner agency, headquartered in the UK. Made up of 20+ ecommerce experts, we combine the most effective ecommerce design, development and growth strategies. From Platform Migration, User Experience & User Interface Design, to Digital Marketing, we have a proven track record when it comes to delivering outstanding ecommerce solutions and driving sales for our clients.

Veeqo are also certified Shopify Plus partners.