If you’re planning to migrate from Wix to Shopify, the good news is your store does not need to go offline during the process. You can build and test your Shopify store in the background, migrate your data, set up redirects, and only switch your domain when everything is ready.
This Wix to Shopify migration guide walks you through the complete migration process: what data moves, what doesn’t, the exact Wix to Shopify migration steps, SEO protection, and a post-migration checklist.
Can You Migrate from Wix to Shopify Without Downtime?
Yes, your Wix store stays live during the entire migration. You build your Shopify store in the background, import data, recreate the design, and set up redirects before switching the domain. The final domain switch typically takes only a few minutes, meaning customers experience little to no disruption.
Quick Steps to Migrate from Wix to Shopify
- Back up your Wix store
- Set up a Shopify store
- Export products and customers
- Import data into Shopify
- Rebuild design and navigation
- Install equivalent apps
- Set up 301 redirects
- Test checkout and functionality
- Connect the domain
- Monitor SEO after launch
What Actually Migrates from Wix to Shopify
When you migrate from Wix to Shopify, you’re not just copying files from one folder to another. Wix and Shopify are entirely different platforms with distinct architectures, URL structures, and data formats. Understanding what transfers cleanly, what needs manual handling, and what cannot transfer at all prevents the surprises that catch most people off guard.
What Can Be Migrated
| Data Type | Migrates? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Products (titles, descriptions, images, pricing, SKUs) | Yes | Via CSV or migration app |
| Product variants (size, color, etc.) | Yes | Shopify supports a maximum of 3 options, 2,000 variants per product |
| Product categories → Shopify collections | Yes | Needs remapping to the Shopify collection structure |
| Inventory levels | Yes | Verify post-import |
| Customer records (name, email, address) | Yes | Passwords do NOT transfer |
| Order history | Partial | Requires migration app or third-party tool; not via CSV |
| Coupons and discount codes | Partial | Requires migration app; may need reconfiguration |
| Blog post content (text, images) | Manual only | Wix has no blog export; must be manually copied |
| SEO metadata (meta titles, descriptions) | Partial | Requires migration app; verify each post-import |
| SEO URLs / 301 redirects | Yes | Must be manually mapped and configured |
| Product reviews | Partial | Requires migration app + Shopify review app |
Wix to Shopify Migration Summary
Products: Yes
Customers: Yes
Orders: Partial
Blog posts: Manual
Design: No
Apps: No
SEO URLs: Must redirect manually
What Cannot Be Migrated Automatically
| Data Type | What To Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Customer passwords | Cannot transfer due to security restrictions. Send account activation emails post-launch |
| Wix theme/site design | Must choose a new Shopify theme and rebuild storefront |
| Wix apps and custom functionality | Find equivalent Shopify apps |
| Blog posts and pages | Must be manually copied and pasted into Shopify’s editor |
| Digital products | Wix does not support exporting digital products; must re-upload manually |
| URL structures | All URLs change; every page needs a 301 redirect |
| Payment gateway configurations | Must be reconfigured from scratch in Shopify |
| Wix-specific custom fields | May need to be recreated as Shopify Metafields |
Wix vs Shopify: Key Differences That Impact Migration
| Feature | Wix | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly website builder | eCommerce-focused, slightly steeper learning curve |
| Product Variants | Limited flexibility | Scalable and robust variant handling |
| Apps & Integrations | ~800 apps | 10,000+ ecommerce apps |
| SEO Control | Basic SEO features | Advanced SEO control and customization |
| Multichannel Selling | Limited capabilities | Built-in integrations (Amazon, Instagram, etc.) |
| Checkout Customization | Limited customization options | Highly optimized and customizable checkout |
| Scalability | Best for small to medium stores | Designed for high-growth businesses |
Why Wix Store Owners Are Making This Move
You’ve already decided to migrate. This section isn’t here to convince you. But understanding the specific Wix limitations that drive this decision helps you plan your Shopify setup to actually solve them.
Variant limits
Wix caps products at 1,000 variants per product and 6 option types. Shopify raised its variant limit to 2,000 per product in 2025 and natively supports 3 option types (with Metafields or apps for more). For apparel, accessories, or any catalog with size/color/material combinations, this gap is real.
Payment availability
Wix Payments is only available in approximately 15 countries. Shopify Payments is available in 20+ countries, and Shopify supports 100+ payment gateways globally, including local payment methods through Shopify Markets.
App ecosystem
Wix has approximately 800 apps, many focused on general website building rather than ecommerce. Shopify has over 10,000 apps, the majority commerce-specific, covering everything from subscriptions and loyalty programs to ERP integrations and advanced wholesale pricing.
International selling
Wix’s currency converter changes the display currency; only transactions are still processed in one base currency. Shopify Markets handles local currencies, local tax calculations, and market-specific domains natively.
Multichannel selling
Shopify’s built-in sales channels connect your store to Amazon, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Google Shopping from one dashboard. Wix’s multichannel capabilities are more limited and app-dependent.
How to Choose Your Wix-to-Shopify Migration Method?
Three migration methods exist. Choose based on your store size and how much time and risk you can accept.
| Method | Best For | Technical Level | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Store Migration App (first-party) | Small stores, product-only migration | Beginner | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Manual CSV | Small stores under 300 products, no order history needed | Beginner–Intermediate | Half day to 2 days | Free |
| Migration Apps (LitExtension, Cart2Cart) | Medium to large stores, full data transfer | Beginner | 1–5 days | $30–$300+ |
| Professional migration service | Large stores, complex data, SEO-critical sites | None required | 2–8 weeks | $500–$5,000+ |
Note: These costs can vary based on store size, data complexity, SEO requirements, and custom integrations. If you’re comparing different platforms, this eCommerce platform migration guide can help you understand the broader process.
Not sure which to choose? If your store has fewer than 300 products, no custom integrations, and you don’t urgently need historical order data in Shopify, the manual CSV upload or Shopify’s own migration app will handle it. Anything larger, or any store where data accuracy and SEO protection are non-negotiable, use a migration app or professional service.
Should You Migrate from Wix to Shopify?
You should consider migrating if:
- You hit the Wix product variant limits
- You need advanced ecommerce functionality
- You want multichannel selling
- You need better SEO flexibility
- You plan to scale your store
You may stay on Wix if:
- You sell only a few products
- Your store is simple
- You don’t need advanced ecommerce features
- You don’t plan to scale
Is the Wix to Shopify Migration Hard?
The difficulty of a Wix to Shopify migration depends mainly on your store size, data complexity, and SEO requirements. Small stores with limited products can usually migrate using CSV import or Shopify’s migration tools. Medium stores with apps, blog content, and order history require more planning and testing. Large stores with SEO traffic, custom functionality, or complex product structures often benefit from a structured migration process or professional assistance.
Wix to Shopify Migration Difficulty
| Store Size | Difficulty | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 100 products) | Easy | Manual migration or the Shopify migration app |
| Medium (100–500 products) | Moderate | Use a reliable migration app |
| Large (500+ products) | Complex | Professional migration recommended |
Step-by-Step Wix to Shopify Migration Process
Follow these steps to migrate your Wix store to Shopify safely without losing data or SEO rankings.
Before You Start: Wix to Shopify Migration Checklist
If you’re planning a platform migration, you may also want to review our complete Website Migration Checklist covering pre-migration, migration, and post-launch steps.
Before beginning the migration, make sure you:
- Export all Wix store data
- Download digital products
- List all existing URLs
- Document installed Wix apps
- Note SEO metadata
- Take design screenshots
- Record shipping and tax settings
Step 1: Back Up Your Wix Store
Before doing anything, create a complete backup of your Wix store.
Back up your Wix site history
In your Wix Dashboard, go to Site Actions → Site History. Wix automatically saves versions when you publish; you can access and restore any previous version from here. Create a manual save point by publishing a minor change before starting.
Export your products
- In your Wix Dashboard, go to Catalog → Store Products → Products
- Click More Actions → Export
- Select All and click Export
- Name the file WixProductDownload.csv and save it
Export your orders
- Go to Sales → Orders
- Tick the Order checkbox to select all orders
- Click Export, this saves a CSV to your browser
Export your customer contacts
- Go to Customers & Leads → Contacts
- Click Import/Export → Export
- Download the CSV
Important digital products
Wix does not support exporting digital products. If your store sells digital downloads, you’ll need to re-upload each one manually in Shopify after migration.
Important blog posts
Wix has no blog export feature. Every blog post must be manually copied and pasted into Shopify’s blog editor. For stores with substantial blog content, budget time for this; it’s often the most time-consuming part of a Wix migration.
Store all exports in a folder along with screenshots of your current Shopify store settings (shipping rates, tax configurations, payment gateways). These serve as your reference during the rebuild.
Step 2: Set Up Your Shopify Store
Create your Shopify account
Go to Shopify.com and start your free trial. During signup, when asked “Which platform are you moving from?,” Select Wix; Shopify will configure certain defaults accordingly and prompt you to install the Store Migration App.
Do not install WordPress or any starter content. You’re importing an existing store.
Choose your Shopify plan
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | Solo stores, simple operations |
| Shopify | $105 | Growing stores, need reports, multiple staff |
| Advanced | $399 | Scaling stores, advanced reports, and third-party calculated shipping |
| Shopify Plus | $2,300+ | High-volume, enterprise, B2B |
Most Wix stores migrating for growth land on the Basic or Shopify plan to start.
Choose a Shopify theme
Your Wix design does not transfer to Shopify. You have to select a new theme and rebuild your storefront’s visual identity.
Free theme options: Dawn (Shopify’s official base theme, fast, clean, well-maintained), Craft, Sense, and Refresh. Premium themes: $180–$400 one-time purchase from the Shopify Theme Store.
When choosing, test on mobile first; over 65% of ecommerce traffic comes from mobile devices. Consider how the theme handles your product type and catalog size.
Configure your basic store settings, currency, tax rules, and shipping zones now. These don’t migrate from Wix.
Step 3: Export and Prepare Your Product Data
You have two paths here: use Shopify’s native Store Migration App (simplest) or prepare a CSV manually (more control).
Option A: Shopify Store Migration App (Easiest)
Shopify’s first-party Store Migration App is currently in early access, available for qualifying stores on desktop. After creating your Shopify account and selecting Wix as your source platform, Shopify will prompt you to install it from your setup guide.
What it does: accepts your Wix product CSV as-is, without requiring you to reformat column headers. Shopify handles the mapping automatically.
What it doesn’t do: handles only products and customers, not orders, blog posts, or redirects.
To use it:
- Install the Store Migration App from your Shopify setup guide
Upload your WixProductDownload.csv file
Click Import, the app processes the file and reports what was imported and what had issues
Review the import report and address any flagged items
