Shopware to Shopify migration guide

Moving from Shopware to Shopify involves more than exporting the catalogue. Your team needs to decide how variants, prices, accounts, content and operations will work in the new store. I start with a data sample and a purchase journey everyone involved understands.

Establish the version and exceptions

Record the Shopware version, sales channels, languages and active plugins. Include custom work that may not appear in an app list. A plugin name doesn't explain which of its functions the team actually uses.

In Shopware 6, the export profile determines the fields included. The Shopware import and export documentation explains these profiles. The source export and destination import need deliberate mapping. Saving a file as CSV doesn't make it ready for Shopify.

Test a small data sample first

Choose a product with multiple variants, a different price and variant images. Add a customer with an earlier order. Check these records before processing the full catalogue.

Which SKU identifies each variant?
Which properties become options and which become metafields?
Which images belong to the product or a specific variant?
Which system owns prices and stock after the move?
How will customers remain linked to their earlier orders?

Use the field-mapping worksheet. It contains example data, so replace it with your fields. Compare product, variant and order counts separately. A matching total can hide incorrect relationships.

Customer passwords can't simply be carried over. Agree on the future login method and the information returning customers need. Historical orders also require a suitable migration method. Shopify's migration guide covers transfer options and checks.

Map what features do

A discount rule, customer group or custom shipping process needs a workable equivalent. For each requirement, decide whether Shopify handles it, an established app fits or custom development is needed.

Document each integration's source, destination, owner and an error case. A system that owns stock needs a different handover from one that only receives orders. Test the transfers with warehouse and shipping staff.

Give old URLs useful destinations

Inventory URLs before shutting Shopware down. Use the current store, sitemaps, relevant search landing pages and important external links. Map products, categories and information pages to suitable destinations.

For illustration, /tea/green-tea.html might move to /products/green-tea. A category needs a relevant collection. Redirecting everything to the homepage won't help someone looking for a specific product.

The redirect sample uses Shopify's format. Check whether the source paths qualify before importing. Shopify redirects apply to eligible paths that are no longer active; its redirect guide explains restrictions and reserved paths. After switching, the destination needs to load and match the old content.

Prepare the final switch

After a successful trial migration, plan the last data transfer. Record which changes will still happen in the old store and how orders placed during that period will move. Name the person who approves launch and define a way back if a critical workflow fails.

Acceptance covers a purchase, relevant shipping and payment methods, connected systems and important old URLs. Use the migration checklist for preparation, and see Shopify migration for how I work with the team.