As your eCommerce business evolves and expands, you may need to update and reconsider your online store’s platform choice. Indeed, many eCommerce platforms allow entrepreneurs to sell their products online. Still, after a certain point, you must reevaluate your platform’s choice to stay ahead in the competitive curve.
There are many choices, and if you are using Drupal for your online store and want to migrate, Shopify is the highly recommended option, offering modern functionality and some extra features.
Switching between platforms can bring certain benefits, so don’t think twice before considering migrating your store operations.
In the detailed blog below, WebyKing offers a step-by-step guide on successfully migrating Drupal to Shopify and some handy tips to overcome minor errors when moving from Drupal to Shopify.
An Overview of Drupal and Shopify
Drupal is a well-known open-source content management system (CMS) for building and managing websites. The platform is developed and written in PHP. It is widely used for its scalability and flexibility, making it suitable for various applications, from personal blogs to large-scale enterprise websites.
Being an open-source framework, Drupal motivates users to develop their websites using free themes, core code, plugins, etc. The Economist, BBC News, NBC, etc., are the big partners of Drupal as they use its back-end to develop and maintain their official websites.
On the other hand, Shopify is the most-used subscription-based eCommerce solution entrepreneurs use to develop, run and manage their online store. If you are just an amateur in programming skills, this platform is for you as it boasts appealing themes, plugins, extensions, and much more to develop your store.
Now, it’s high time to dive deeper into the migration process, but before that, let’s explore why we migrate from Drupal to Shopify.
Why Should You Migrate from Drupal to Shopify?
If you have been watching the eCommerce trends, you have noticed that Shopify dominates the eCommerce market – from mom-and-pop stores to big brands, everyone is gaga over Shopify. In fact, many big brands using Shopify have successfully scaled their businesses, proving its reliability and effectiveness.
But why has this platform been growing without showing any down curve while other older platforms like Drupal seem to be …………..outdated?
If you are still running your store on Drupal, it might be time to migrate to Shopify. After all, there are many reasons behind it. Let’s look at the compelling reasons that make Shopify a powerhouse in eCommerce.
1. No Tech Skills? No Problem!
As said earlier, Shopify’s user-friendly interface makes it a breeze for anyone to design and develop their store. Whether a tech whiz or a newbie, you don’t need to hire a developer to set up and run your shop.
Whereas Drupal requires a lot more technical knowledge. It’s like comparing your toy car to a race car; one is easy to handle and requires constant fine-tuning.
2. eCommerce Focused, All the Way
Shopify was developed and designed specifically for eCommerce. It’s like a tailor-made suit for your online store, with all the tools and equipment you need to operate it.
With Drupal, while you can set up an eCommerce store, it’s not the platform’s primary goal. You will need to use add-ons and integrations to run it smoothly.
If you’re considering making the switch from one platform to another, it’s crucial to understand the process involved. Our Ecommerce Platform Migration Guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to migrate your online store without compromising performance or customer experience. It’s packed with tips and insights to ensure a smooth transition tailored to your business needs.
3. Responsive Design, All the Time
Shopify themes are mobile-responsive by default, so your store will look great on any device—no extra coding is needed.
With Drupal, you might have to dig into the code to ensure your site is optimised for mobile users. In an era where mobile shopping is king, Shopify ensures your site always looks sharp and performs well.
4. Developed for Speed and Scalability
Shopify is designed to scale effortlessly, whether you’re just starting or have millions of products in your catalogue. It handles traffic spikes like a pro, so you can focus on growing your business.
While powerful, Drupal requires more effort when scaling and managing high-traffic stores.
5. Security is a Top Priority
Shopify takes security seriously, with built-in features like SSL certificates and PCI compliance.
With Drupal, you’ll need to handle updates and security patches manually. In a world where online security breaches are common, Shopify’s proactive approach ensures your data and customers stay safe.
The bottom line? Shopify is the future of eCommerce; if you own an online store and want to migrate to Shopify, don’t hesitate to move. Time is money, and Shopify website development helps you save both by offering a streamlined, scalable and robust solution that lets you focus on what matters – expanding your business.
For a detailed look at why this move is worth considering, check out our blog on Why You Should Migrate to Shopify.
Indeed, Shopify migration is easy and has many benefits, but does it affect your SEO performance or rankings? Find the answer to this in our next section.
“A custom Shopify storefront is an investment in your brand’s growth, blending design with functionality to create an engaging, optimised shopping experience. It’s more than just a store—your brand’s digital presence.” |
Does Shopify Migration Affect SEO?
SEO is always a top concern when migrating your website from one platform to another. The short answer is YES; migrating to Shopify can temporarily affect your SEO rankings if not done correctly.
After all, search engines like Google take time to reindex your site and adjust rankings based on your changes. There are a lot of moving parts to consider, such as :
- URL Structure
- Metadata
- Redirects
- And Content updates
Without a solid strategy, these changes can negatively impact your search visibility and traffic. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s essential to understand how to migrate a website without losing SEO.
The key to a smooth transition is planning and execution.
- Setting up 301 redirects from your old Drupal URLs to the new Shopify URLs ensures that users and search engines are sent to the correct pages.
- It’s also crucial to preserve essential on-page SEO elements like titles, meta descriptions, and headings.
- Shopify has built-in SEO tools that allow you to optimize these elements easily during migration.
If you need technical help, expert digital marketing services can help you navigate the process without risking your SEO performance. With expert help, you can ensure your store remains optimized throughout the transition and avoid long-term SEO setbacks.
Let’s Talk about Shopify Migration!
Contact us, and We will introduce you to the massive world of Shopify and its customisation capabilities
How to Migrate from Drupal to Shopify?
Migrating from Drupal to Shopify might sound daunting, but it can be a smooth process with the right approach. Now, without wasting much time, let’s go through the steps you must take for successful migration – without missing any critical details.
Download Our Comprehensive Website Migration Checklist!
Whether you’re upgrading technology, improving performance, or rebranding your business, this checklist ensures a smooth and successful migration every step of the way. Get Your Free Checklist Now!
Preparation and Backup
Before diving into the migration process, it’s essential to back up your Drupal site. This will safeguard your content, data, and configurations so you can always restore your site if anything goes wrong.
Backing up your old website includes much more, from exporting databases to media files to creating complete backups; there is much more to do. You should also prepare a document defining your site’s SEO structure, including meta title, meta description, images, URL structure, and more.
Moreover, take some time to evaluate your content and decide what you want to achieve from Shopify. You may not want to add outdated products, articles, or categories. A well-documented migration is much easier than importing bulky and unnecessary data that creates chaos in your new store.
Choose a Migration Method
There are generally two methods for migrating your site from Drupal to Shopify:
- Manual migration
- Automated migration tool
Alternatively, you may
choose an automated migration tool or service, which is faster and requires less effort. Automated data transfer tools like LitExtension or Cart2Cart can migrate the product catalog, customer data, and other order history between Drupal and Shopify.Export Data from Drupal
Once you’ve decided upon a migration method, it’s time to export your data in Drupal. That would be all your desired content, including product data, images, customer information, and order history.
Depending on your site structure, you can use Drupal export tools or custom queries for product data, images, customers, orders, and their history.
Ensure you export fields you wish to migrate to Shopify, like product descriptions, images, SKUs, prices, and the inventory level. Remember information about customers and order history if you wish that data to be in Shopify ready for use in future marketing or reporting.
Set Up Your Shopify Store
Source: Shopify
Before importing your data into Shopify, you need to set up your store.
- Start by choosing the best Shopify pricing plan that fulfils your business requirements; whether you are a small store owner or selling thousands of products, select the plan that aligns with your business goals.
- Then, choose a theme that fits your brand image and has many modern features and functionalities.
- Next, all the store settings, such as business information, shipping details, taxes, and payment gateways, must be configured.
- Shopify lets you choose from multiple payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, or Shopify Payments.
- Set up your tax rates and shipping settings based on your location and business model (e.g., flat-rate shipping, weight-based rates, or real-time carrier rates).
Import Data to Shopify
Now, it’s time to import your data to Shopify. If you are using a migration tool, this is an automated process where the tool imports or transfers your product data, customer details and order information to your Shopify store.
If you are handling the migration manually, you must formulate your exported data into a CSV file and import it into Shopify using its in-built import feature.
Setup URL Redirects
This would be the most critical migration setup: URL redirects.
Shopify uses a different URL structure from Drupal, confusing search engines and clients unless appropriately handled.
To avoid 404 errors, you must set up a 301 redirect from your old Drupal URLs towards the new Shopify URLs to retain SEO rankings.
This lets search engines know that your content has migrated permanently to a new location, which will help maintain your search engine rankings. Shopify offers a user-friendly URL redirect tool in its admin panel where you can easily create and manage these redirects.
Test and Launch
You must thoroughly test your store before you hit the “go live” button. Check that everything looks correct, from product images and descriptions to payment processing and checkout functionality.
Test your redirects to ensure all old URLs point to the correct new pages, and check for any broken links. Verify that your customer data, product inventory, and order history have been accurately imported.
Run a report in the next couple of weeks to ensure everything has stayed the same, is working fine, and that none of your SEO efforts has been altered.
By following the above steps, you can ensure a smooth Drupal to Shopify migration process while minimising the disruptions to your store. A successful migration requires careful planning and execution, but with a detailed approach, you can enjoy the benefits of the Shopify ecosystem without missing a beat.
Will WebyKing Help Migrate From Drupal To Shopify?
Sure! At WebyKing, we are experts in seamless website migration from Drupal to Shopify. With years of experience and a team of professionals on both platforms, we ensure your migration process will be smooth and hassle-free.
We have covered everything from moving your product categories to customer data to ensuring your SEO performance is preserved throughout the migration process. Whether you are looking for a fully managed migration or need help with certain aspects, WebyKing has the expertise to handle it quickly, so you can focus on your business growth without getting concerned about technical aspects.
So what are you waiting for? Let us help you make the switch to Shopify with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does it take to migrate to Shopify?
It depends on the website size and complexity of the project. Small to medium-sized sites will take a few days to weeks, whereas large and complex websites take several weeks.
Can I import products from Drupal to Shopify?
Yes. You can import products from Drupal to Shopify.
Is it worth moving from Drupal to Shopify?
Your unique business demands and objectives will determine whether you switch from Drupal to Shopify.
Generally speaking, Shopify offers many benefits over Drupal. These include more functionality, quicker online speed, simpler administration, and user-friendly design.
