Shopify Transfers: Everything You Need To Know

When discussing Shopify transfers, the conversation often centers around moving inventory between different store locations, particularly for brick-and-mortar stores. But it’s important to note that the scope of data transfer within Shopify is quite broad. 

This article will guide you through all aspects of Shopify data transfers, encompassing not just inventory but also domains, ownership, and even the transfer of entire stores.

What Data Can Be Transferred From Your Shopify Store?

Before embarking on this process, it’s crucial to assess and determine which types of data need to be transferred and the method you choose to transfer them.

Your existing platform likely contains a variety of information essential for your business, and you’ll want to ensure that no critical details are left behind. Some of the data categories you might want to consider migrating include:

• Products and product categories
• Customers
• Historical fulfilled orders
• Gift cards, certificates, and store credits
• Discount codes
• Blogs
• Web pages
• Product reviews

Once you’ve compiled a list of the data you need to transfer, the next step is to determine how you’ll carry out this migration and in what order. You have a few options at your disposal:

• Copy and Paste: For smaller content, manual copy and paste might suffice.
• Apps from the Shopify App Store: Utilize migration apps available in the Shopify App Store for a more automated process.
• Custom App Development: Consider developing a custom app, either in-house or with a partner, that can use the Shopify Admin API for more complex or unique data transfer needs. This is an ideal choice for large enterprises.

Your choice of migration method will depend on factors like the volume of data you have and the technical resources at your disposal. If you’re dealing with a substantial amount of content, opting for a reliable migration app or a custom solution utilizing the Admin API is often the most efficient way to ensure a smooth data transfer process. 

Here is a breakdown of the specific type of each data category you can migrate between Shopify stores and the possible methods you can utilize:

Typical Types Of Shopify Transfers

In this review, we are going to introduce the most typical types of Shopify transfers that merchants can easily do manually by leveraging Shopify’s built-in tools. Just read to get the overall picture of all possible transfers in this platform, and follow several steps to make your store’s processes simpler.

Transfer Inventory

Shopify’s inventory transfer functions encompass a range of administrative procedures that empower you to document, track, and oversee the arrival of inventory, whether it’s transitioning between different store locations or arriving from suppliers. 

You will need this function in the following cases:

• You own multiple physical store locations or multiple online sales channels and want to ensure that your inventory is accurately reflected across all of them
• When setting up a new Shopify store, you will need to transfer your product inventory to make these products available for purchase.
• You’ve confirmed a purchase order with your supplier and want to track and record the incoming inventory specified in this order.

How to

To transfer inventory on Shopify, you can create incoming transfers between different store locations. Follow these steps:

1. Access “Products” and go to “Transfers” in your Shopify admin.
2. Click “Create transfer” to start the process.
3. Select the origin location for the inventory.
4. Choose the destination location for the transfer.
5. Add products and specify quantities.
6. Provide shipment details, including the expected arrival date, tracking number, and shipping carrier.
7. Optionally, add reference numbers or tags for identification.
8. Click “Save” to complete the process.

Note that once a transfer is marked as “pending,” you cannot make further edits. If using a third-party fulfillment service, the standard Shopify inventory transfer function may not be available for managing these transfers.

Transfer Domain

Transferring a domain on Shopify involves moving a domain name from a third-party domain registrar to your Shopify store and vice versa or from one Shopify store to another.

Transfer domain from a third-party domain to Shopify

How to

To transfer a domain from a third-party domain to Shopify, follow these general steps:

1. Connect your domain to Shopify to avoid disruptions during the transfer.

• Go to Settings and access Domains.
• Click “Connect Existing Domain.”
• Enter your desired domain and hit “Next.”
• Click “View Instructions” to access Shopify’s guidance, which may differ based on your domain provider.
• Verify the connection on Shopify by returning to the platform after completing the steps with your domain registrar.

2. Prepare the domain for transfer:

• Ensure your domain account email is up to date and not tied to the domain you wish to transfer.
• Unlock the domain in your domain registrar’s settings.
• Receive a transfer key (EPP code) for the domain.

3. Transfer the domain

• In your Shopify admin, go to Settings and access Domains.
• Choose “Transfer domain,” and it will lead to the Transfer an existing domain page
• Enter the domain (without “www.”) and click “Next.”
• Provide the authorization code from your domain provider and click “Verify domain.”
• Review and approve the domain charge, and select auto-renewal if desired.
• Confirm contact information and read policies.
• Click “Approve” and follow the email instructions for transfer approval.

4. Data use consent preferences

• After the transfer, manage your data use consent preferences by following the email instructions from Shopify.
• Access advanced domain settings and configure various domain-related options in your Shopify dashboard.

The domain transfer process can take up to 20 days but is often faster. Once completed, you’ll have full control over your domain settings in your Shopify store.

Transfer your Shopify-managed domain to another domain provider

How to

• From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
• In the Domains section, click the name of the domain that you want to transfer.
• Click Domain settings > Transfer to another provider.
• Review the information, and then click Confirm. The domain authorization code is displayed on your domain’s information page.
• Give the domain authorization code to your new domain provider to verify the transfer.

If you don’t complete the domain transfer within 30 days, then your domain will be locked again. To complete a transfer after 30 days, you need to cancel the existing transfer and start the transfer process again.

Transfer your Shopify-managed domain to a different Shopify store

If you’re using a domain managed by Shopify and decide you no longer want to use it with your Shopify store, then you can transfer your domain to another Shopify store. Here is how:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
• In the Domains section, click the name of the domain that you want to transfer.
• Click Domain settings > Transfer to another Shopify store.
• Click Send transfer link.
• When you receive the transfer email message, click the transfer link in the email text and log in to the Shopify store where you want to transfer the domain.

For the domain transfer to succeed, the store owner or staff member with the appropriate permission must log in to the Shopify store directly from the transfer link in the email message. After the transfer is accepted, it can take up to 24 hours for the domain transfer to complete.

Customer Lists

Transferring customer lists is moving your existing customer data from one Shopify store to another. This involves exporting customer information, such as names, contact details, purchase history, and other relevant data, and then importing it into the new store.

There are several reasons you may need to transfer customer lists on Shopify:

• Store migration: You’re switching from one Shopify store to another or migrating from a different eCommerce platform to Shopify,
• Multi-store management: You have multiple Shopify stores and want to centralize your customer data or share customer information between them.
• Rebranding or restructuring: You’re rebranding or restructuring your business and need to consolidate or segment your customer lists accordingly.

How to:

If you already have a store with an existing customer list, you can export the list and import it to your destination store using a CSV file.

To export your customer lists from an existing store:

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Customers.
2. Click Export.
3. Choose the export option: current page, all customers, selected customers, or customers matching specific filters.
4. Select the format: CSV for spreadsheet programs or plain CSV for plain text.
5. Click Export customers.

To import the customer lists to the new store:

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Customers.
2. Click Import.
3. Add your customer’s CSV file.
4. Optionally, check to overwrite existing customer profiles with the same email or phone number.
5. Optionally, tag customers from the CSV list and create a segment.
6. Click Import customers.

Please note that Shopify exclusively records customer activity related to their orders and spending on your online store. Importing customer data for orders and expenditures on another store or eCommerce platform is not supported.

Ownership

Transferring ownership of your Shopify store involves changing the administrative control and ownership of a Shopify store from one person or entity to another. This process allows the new owner to take charge of the store, including its products, customer data, and settings.

You may need to transfer ownership on Shopify for various reasons, including:

• Selling a business: If you’re selling your business, which includes your Shopify store, you need to transfer ownership to the buyer.
• Change in management: When there’s a change in the management or ownership structure of your business, the Shopify store’s ownership should reflect this.
• Succession planning: In cases of retirement, estate planning, or business handover, transferring ownership ensures a smooth transition.

How to 

Typically, as a normal ownership transfer between merchants, you must start by discussing the terms and details with the prospective new owner to ensure mutual agreement. And then follow the simple steps:

1. Go to your Shopify admin dashboard, access “Settings,” 
2. Select “Users and Permissions” and click “Transfer ownership.” 
3. Enter the email address of the new owner, assign them the owner or administrator role, and they will receive an email invitation to accept ownership.

Remember that upon completion, you’ll lose access, and the new owner gains control over the store, including permissions, payment information, and store management.

Transfer A Development Store

This is when you want to transfer ownership and control of a Shopify store that was used for development and testing to a new owner or client. This transfer allows the new owner to take over the store for live business operations.

How to

As a Shopify partner, you are the owner of the development store. You can grant your client access as a staff member while you’re working. Upon completing the project, you transfer ownership via the Partner Dashboard. 

1. In your Partner Dashboard, locate the development store you want to transfer and click “Stores.”
2. Click “Actions,” then move to “Transfer ownership.”
3. In the “Transfer store ownership” dialog, select the new owner from the eligible owner’s list. If the client isn’t a staff member yet, create a staff account for them first.
4. Click “Transfer Store.” The store appears under the “Managed” tab in your Partner Dashboard. The new owner receives instructions via email to create their account and select a plan.
5. Until the client accepts the transfer, the store will be paused. You start receiving recurring commissions once the client begins paying for a Shopify subscription plan.

Once ownership of a development store is transferred, it’s listed on the Partner Dashboard’s Managed tab. 

Note that development store transfers can’t be canceled, so ensure the client has access to the transferred email address and that your work on the store is completed.

Stock Transfer (for POS)

Stock transfer for point of sale refers to the process of moving inventory or stock items from one location or store to another within a physical retail setting. It is used to manage and track the movement of products between different physical outlets or point-of-sale terminals.

Stock transfers in a POS system are necessary when

• If one store or location is running low on certain products, stock transfers allow you to restock items from another store with surplus stock.
• Balancing inventory levels across multiple stores, ensuring that no location has excess or insufficient stock.
• Stores change locations, or new stores are opened. 

How to

In this scenario, Shopify recommends using its built-in inventory management app, Stock by Shopify, which is included with the Shopify POS Pro. With this, you can keep track of stock transfers between your locations.

Installing the app from the Shopify App Store and then running it to create a stock transfer:

1. In the Stocky app, navigate and initiate a “New Stock Transfer” under the Inventory section by specifying the locations involved and adding products with quantities. 
2. When ready to send the products, click “Send” to decrease inventory at the origin location. 
3. Upon the inventory’s arrival at the destination, click “Receive” to increase inventory levels at that location.

Transfer A Store From Another Platform To Shopify

When you decide to choose Shopify as your alternative for the current website, migrating your ecommerce store from the current platform to Shopify is necessary. This involves moving products, customer data, settings, and other essential information to establish the store on Shopify.

There could be various motives prompting the transfer of a store from a different platform to Shopify:

• Platform migration: If you’re dissatisfied with your current e-commerce platform and want to leverage Shopify’s features, scalability, and user-friendliness.
• Business expansion: Your business is growing, and you need a more robust and flexible eCommerce solution than Shopify can provide.
• Consolidation: You’re managing multiple online stores on different platforms and want to consolidate them into one unified Shopify store for streamlined management.
• Rebranding or Redesign: During a rebranding or website redesign effort, you might choose to switch to Shopify for a fresh start.
• Better features: You require specific features, apps, or integrations that are readily available on Shopify to enhance your e-commerce operations.

How to

This is a brief overview of the process for transferring your store to Shopify from a different platform, serving as an initial roadmap to ensure no crucial setup tasks are overlooked in the migration process.

1. Sign up for a Shopify account.
2. Export data from your current platform.
3. Import this data into your new Shopify store.
4. Customize your Shopify store’s design and settings to match your brand and business needs.
5. Update domain and DNS settings to point to your Shopify store.
6. Set up other crucial tools, such as shipping, tax, and payment providers.
7. Test your new Shopify store thoroughly to ensure everything functions as expected.
8. Once satisfied, make your Shopify store live for customers to access.

This is such a hard and burdensome process for merchants, especially for businesses with large inventories and large-scale enterprises. It is better to rely on third-party apps or hire Shopify experts for a seamless migration.

Transfer A Store From Shopify To Another Platform

Conversely, when Shopify cannot satisfy your business’s needs, it’s possible to transfer the current Shopify store to another platform. The process involves migrating your entire e-commerce store, including products, customer data, and settings, from the Shopify platform to a different eCommerce platform or system.

How to

Follow this brief roadmap to make it clear what you need to do to operate the process:

1. Export data from Shopify, including products, customers, and orders.
2. Set up an account on the new platform.
3. Import your data to the new platform.
4. Customize your store’s appearance and layout.
5. Update domain settings if needed.
6. Thoroughly test the new store.
7. Notify customers and stakeholders about the platform change.

As mentioned above, this is a whole transfer. Thus, you must carefully consider the most optimal method in order to ensure the flow, accuracy, and efficiency of the process.

Troubleshooting and Support

Common Issues And Solutions

Transferring your eCommerce store to a new platform can bring about several challenges that need to be addressed for a successful migration. Here, we’ll explore common issues that might arise during the transfer process and provide practical solutions to overcome them.

Data loss or corruption

Data is the lifeblood of your business, and losing or damaging it can be catastrophic. To mitigate this risk, it’s crucial to backup data on both the old and new platforms before initiating the transfer. After migration, thoroughly verify data integrity to ensure nothing vital was lost or corrupted.

Data mapping errors

Data fields and attributes may not map correctly between the old and new platforms, resulting in data misalignment. To address this, review and adjust data mapping configurations to match the requirements of the new platform. Any misaligned data should be manually corrected to ensure accuracy.

Custom functionality loss 

Custom features or functionalities unique to the old platform may not transfer seamlessly to the new one. To resolve this, identify essential custom functions and seek platform-specific alternatives or consider custom development to recreate them.

Overlooked SEO impact 

Platform changes can lead to URL alterations, potentially affecting SEO rankings and traffic. Implement 301 redirects to preserve SEO authority and make updates to meta tags, sitemaps, and robots.txt files for the new platform.

Broken links and images 

During migration, links and images may break, resulting in a poor browsing experience. Carefully check and fix broken links and images, updating file paths and URLs as necessary.

Functionality compatibility 

Certain apps, integrations, or functionalities on the old platform may not be available on the new one. To address this, research and install compatible apps or develop custom solutions to maintain essential functions.

Testing oversights

Testing oversights can lead to undiscovered issues post-migration. It’s essential to create a comprehensive testing plan, covering functionality, user experience, and data validation, to ensure a smooth transition.

Customer communication

Customer communication is often underestimated but vital. Customers may be unaware of the platform change, causing confusion. Communicate the transition through emails, website banners, and social media to keep customers informed and minimize disruption.

Downtime and accessibility 

Downtime during migration can disrupt business operations. To mitigate this, schedule the transfer during off-peak hours and closely monitor accessibility. Have a backup plan in case of extended downtime.

Where To Find Help

When you’re in the process of transferring your eCommerce store, it’s essential to know where to find help and support in case you encounter any challenges. 

• Shopify provides 24/7 customer support. You can reach out to their support team via live chat, email, or phone. They have a reputation for responsive and helpful customer service, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need assistance or encounter issues.
• The Shopify Community Forums are a valuable resource where you can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from other merchants and experts. It’s a great place to seek advice, troubleshoot problems, and connect with the Shopify community.
• The Shopify Help Center is a vast repository of articles, guides, and tutorials that cover a wide range of topics related to the platform. You can search for specific information and step-by-step guides to assist you during the transfer.
• If you prefer professional assistance, consider hiring a Shopify Expert. These are individuals or agencies with expertise in various aspects of Shopify, including migration. They can provide tailored solutions and support based on your specific needs.

Or else, you can consult with peers and other merchants in other forums or channels. Reach out to fellow Shopify store owners and peers who have experienced platform transfers. They may offer insights, share best practices, and provide guidance based on their own experiences.

Bottom Line

With Shopify, you’re not just transferring your internal or external issues to your store; you’re elevating your business to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned merchant or just starting your e-commerce journey, Shopify’s comprehensive platform offers the tools and resources you need to thrive in the dynamic world of online commerce. 

So, take the leap, embrace the change, and let Shopify empower your e-commerce dreams. Your success story begins now.

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