01
Getting the content out
On WordPress, content leaves through WXR XML export, REST API (/wp-json), direct MySQL access and WP-CLI. We script the extraction so it can be re-run for a final delta just before launch.
CMS migration plan
WordPress to Shopify Migration: the complete plan
Short answer
To migrate from WordPress to Shopify, export your content through WXR XML export, map it to the Shopify content model, import it with repeatable scripts, and 301-redirect every old URL before switching DNS. For a mid-size site this takes 8–13 weeks and typically costs CA$30,500–$66,500. DoodleWeb Canada plans and runs the whole move from Surrey, BC.
Get a free plan: WordPress to Shopify Migration
A senior engineer reads every message and replies within one working day.
- Enterprise CMS specialists
- Surrey, BC · Canada
- Senior engineers only
How the migration works
Five stages take your site from WordPress to Shopify without downtime or lost search traffic.
Why teams move from WordPress to Shopify
- Teams usually leave WordPress because of plugin overhead, security patching or scaling limits.
- Hosted, PCI-compliant checkout with no servers to patch
- Markets for CAD and USD pricing, duties and bilingual storefronts
- An app ecosystem for subscriptions, reviews, loyalty and ERP
- A clear upgrade path to Shopify Plus as you scale
Key considerations before you migrate
These are the questions that decide scope, cost and risk. We answer each one in the free audit.
02
Getting the content in
On Shopify, we load content with Admin GraphQL API, Matrixify, native CSV import for products and customers. Scripts are idempotent, so we can wipe and re-import on staging as often as needed.
03
Content model differences
WordPress stores content as posts, pages, custom post types, taxonomies and custom fields (acf or native meta). Shopify uses products, variants, collections, pages, blog articles and metaobjects/metafields. The gap between the two decides how much transformation and manual clean-up is needed.
04
URLs and SEO
WordPress URLs typically follow /%postname%/ or /blog/%postname%/ permalinks, category and tag archives, while Shopify uses fixed prefixes: /products/handle, /collections/handle, /pages/handle, /blogs/news/handle. URL prefixes cannot be removed, so every legacy URL needs a Shopify URL redirect. Customer passwords cannot be migrated in plain form.
05
Features and extensions
WordPress relies on 60,000+ plugins in the wordpress.org directory; Shopify offers 8,000+ apps in the shopify app store. Each feature in use is listed, then mapped to a native feature, an app or custom code, or retired.
06
Running cost after launch
Expect US$39–$2,300+/month plan plus apps and payment fees on Shopify, compared with CA$30–$600/month hosting plus plugin licences on WordPress. We include this in the scope so the business case is complete.
07
Accessibility and bilingual content
We rebuild templates to WCAG 2.2 AA and, for Canadian organisations with French content, plan language switching and hreflang before import.
Content mapping
How each part of your WordPress site lands in Shopify.
| WordPress | Shopify | How we handle it |
|---|---|---|
| Pages and posts | Products, pages and blog articles | Each source type is mapped field by field in a signed-off content model before any data moves. |
| Categories and tags | Collections, tags and metafields | Terms are de-duplicated and merged where the old site accumulated near-identical tags. |
| Media library and images | Shopify asset CDN | Files are downloaded, renamed, compressed and re-linked, with alt text carried over or written. |
| SEO titles, descriptions and schema | Shopify SEO fields and JSON-LD | Titles, descriptions and schema usually live in Yoast or Rank Math meta fields, which must be extracted separately from post content. |
| URLs | Fixed prefixes: /products/handle, /collections/handle, /pages/handle, /blogs/news/handle | Every indexed URL gets a one-to-one 301 redirect; pattern rules cover the long tail. |
| Forms and integrations | Native forms or CRM embeds | CRM, email and analytics connections are rebuilt and tested with real submissions. |
| Customers and orders | Shopify customers and historical orders | Passwords cannot move in readable form, so customers receive an account activation email at launch. |
| Users and roles | Shopify team roles | Editor accounts are recreated and permissions reviewed rather than copied blindly. |
The step-by-step plan
1. Discovery and audit
Crawl the WordPress site, export analytics and Search Console data, and inventory every template, feature and integration.
- URL inventory with traffic
- Feature and plugin map
- Fixed-price scope
2. Content model and design
Design the Shopify content model and templates, then approve designs for each page type.
- Field-level mapping sheet
- Approved designs
- Redirect strategy
3. Build and scripted migration
Build Shopify templates and run repeatable import scripts onto staging, checking counts and spot-checking content.
- Staging site
- Migration scripts and logs
- Content parity report
4. QA, redirects and training
Test accessibility, speed, forms and integrations; validate every redirect; train editors.
- WCAG 2.2 AA report
- Redirect test results
- Editor training session
5. Launch and 30-day monitoring
Final delta import, DNS cutover in a quiet window, sitemap submission and daily Search Console checks for 30 days.
- Launch checklist
- Search Console sitemap submitted
- 30-day performance report
- Discovery and audit
- Content model and design
- Build and scripted migration
- QA, redirects and training
- Launch and 30-day monitoring
Week 0 → 12
WordPress to Shopify migration cost in Canada
Ranges come from our migration cost calculator and include a design refresh, redirects, accessibility QA and launch monitoring. Your fixed price follows the audit.
| Site size | Approx. pages | Cost (CAD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small site | 30 | CA$25,000–$55,500 | 7–11 weeks |
| Mid-size site | 150 | CA$30,500–$66,500 | 8–13 weeks |
| Large site | 600 | CA$45,000–$95,500 | 12–19 weeks |
Try the migration cost calculator for your own numbers.
Risks and how we remove them
| Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Lost rankings from broken URLs | High | One-to-one 301 map for every indexed URL, tested with a crawler before and after launch. |
| Content lost or mangled in transit | Medium | Scripted imports with record counts, rollback and side-by-side parity checks. |
| Missing features after launch | Medium | Feature map signed off during discovery, so nothing is dropped by surprise. |
| Customers unable to log in | Medium | Account activation emails and clear messaging at launch; orders kept as history. |
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Ready to plan your WordPress to Shopify move?
A senior engineer reviews your site and replies within one working day. DoodleWeb Canada · Surrey, BC · +1-425-359-0168
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