Shopify Migration Timelines: How Long It Takes (and Why)

One of the primary questions we are asked by our clients right from the start is: How long does it take to migrate to Shopify?

This is a fairly natural question, and the drive to have your newly migrated brand up and running on Shopify as soon as possible is a universal one. The change and the new possibilities are exciting, and everyone deserves to see a timeline of the progress and the definite launch day. So, how long does it take to migrate to Shopify? The answer depends on a few key variables, which we are going to break down here. Ultimately, it depends on the complexity of the project. But don’t worry—in this article, we’ll go over the important phases of a typical Shopify launch timeline, what affects the duration, and how to set realistic expectations for a smooth migration and successful launch day.

We work with dozens of Shopify and Shopify Plus migration clients, and whether you’re coming from Magento 2, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or a custom platform, this guide is designed to be a sneak peek at what goes into the Shopify migration timeline—and how to plan it right.

Don't know where to start? Try our FREE Shopify Migration Assessment program today.

1. Understanding the Full Shopify Migration Stages

Being in the loop and knowing what's going on during migration is always a good thing, as the Shopify launch timeline isn't just about moving products from Point A to Point B—it's a multi-phase process. This is especially true when working with Shopify and Shopify Plus Migration Experts, where there will be elements that require some close collaboration, testing, and careful planning.

Here’s a typical breakdown of the key phases:

Discovery and Planning

Each Shopify and Shopify Plus migration project starts by discussing your goals and gathering the overall business requirements. We also assess your current platform and scope the project, mapping out existing functionalities, integrations, and content that need to be carried over and what needs to be left behind. Migration is also an opportunity to clean house, taking with you your strengths and leaving behind the clutter that slowed you down.

Data Migration and Cleanup

Store data needs to be moved from one platform to Shopify, and this includes everything from your product data, customer records, order history, collections, and pages. It’s a meticulous and careful process, and depending on the size and structure of your data or store, this can be straightforward or more involved.

Design and Theme Setup

Many brands take migration as a chance to do a redesign and get a fresh look. You may choose a Shopify theme, customize one, or go for a fully bespoke design. The amount of visual and UX work here can significantly affect how long your Shopify migration timeline runs, depending on the design scope. But we say it’s all worth it once you see the fresh results and how fast your website runs!

App and Functionality Mapping

Not every app or custom feature on your old platform has a 1:1 equivalent on Shopify. But thankfully, the Shopify App Store has over 8,000 apps for you to choose from to add whatever function your store requires. Alternatively, you can work with developers for a custom app that replicates the desired functionality.

QA Testing and SEO Setup

Quality assurance testing, or QA testing, is a vital aspect of Shopify and Shopify Plus migration. We need to make sure that everything is working as it should, so we run tests to validate redirect mapping, URL structure, functionality, mobile responsiveness, and a lot more. This is how we ensure everything functions correctly and no SEO value is lost in the migration—a non-negotiable for all brands.

Launch and Post-Launch Support

Launch day involves going live with your Shopify store! The big moment. Launch is typically done with no downtime for your business, and customers will ideally experience no disruption because of the switch. Post-launch, we monitor performance once again,  ensuring a complete and seamless migration process.

Get a FREE Shopify Migration Assessment from Ecommerce Pro

Planning to migrate your store to Shopify? At Ecommerce Pro, our FREE Shopify Migration Assessment gives you a clear understanding of the entire migration process—from project scope to recommended strategy. Whether you're moving from WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, or another platform, we’ll help you identify what’s involved so you can move forward with confidence.

Ready to discuss your Shopify migration project? Contact us today for expert guidance.

2. Key Factors That Affect How Long It Takes

So, how long does it take to migrate to Shopify? The truth is, the answer varies depending on a few key factors.

At Ecommerce Pro, most Shopify and Shopify Plus migrations take around 3 months from start to finish. That includes everything from planning and data migration to testing and launch. Of course, the exact timeline depends on the complexity of your store, but three months is a realistic benchmark for a thorough, high-quality migration—especially for growing or enterprise-level brands.

When it comes to the factors in between, like project complexity, determining the timelines, here’s what makes the difference:

Size and Complexity of Your Store

The more SKUs, content, customer data, and custom functionality your current store has, the longer the migration may take. A simple store with a few products will naturally move faster than a store with thousands of SKUs or multiple storefronts.

Quality of Your Existing Data

Clean, structured data helps keep the migration process quick and efficient. Often, a quick migration assessment to go over data early on helps identify cleanup tasks before migration starts.

Design Scope and Expectations

Are you using an existing Shopify theme with light customizations? Or do you want a fully bespoke design with custom UX features? A theme-based approach is generally faster, while a full redesign requires more design hours and testing that adds to the Shopify launch timeline.

Third-Party Apps and Integrations

If your current store integrates with CRMs, ERPs, marketing tools, or other backend systems, you’ll need time to identify Shopify-compatible apps or custom-build the integration.

Internal Bottlenecks

Surprisingly, one of the biggest factors that can delay a project is internal decision-making. Things like delayed feedback, multiple approval layers, and late submissions of images and content can extend the timeline. It’s best to maintain consistent communication between your brand and migration partners. Having a dedicated point of contact on your side helps keep the project on track and streamlined.

3. Where Most Brands Underestimate the Timeline

Migrating to Shopify is straightforward, especially with the right migration partner manning the entire process. But even with a smooth migration plan in place, a few small things can slow things down if not addressed early. The good news? These are easy to avoid with a bit of preparation.

Here are a few areas where brands tend to underestimate time, and how to stay ahead of them:

Content Updates and Approvals

Migration is often the perfect time to refresh your product descriptions, pages, and messaging. But reviewing and approving new content can take longer than expected.  The key is to plan this early and stay aligned with your team so nothing gets held up.

SEO and Redirects

Preserving your search rankings is simple, as long as redirects and SEO best practices are handled during the build. Your Shopify migration partner will take care of this during the migration process, and with the right SEO setup, you won’t miss a beat or lose rank.

Late-Stage Design Tweaks

It’s normal to want a few tweaks after seeing your new Shopify store in staging. As long as design changes are scoped properly and communicated early, they won’t disrupt your timeline.

Post-Launch To-Dos

After launch, there are a few final pieces to wrap up, like staff training. These are quick to implement, and we always include post-launch training for staff and support to ensure your store is running at full speed from day one.

4. What You Can Do to Stay on Track

A smooth Shopify migration is the result of great planning, fast feedback, and active collaboration in the form of consistent communication. While your migration team handles the technical lift, there are a few things your brand can do to stay ahead and help ensure your Shopify launch timeline stays on course.

Assign a Clear Project Lead

One of the simplest ways to speed up a migration is to designate someone on your team as the go-to project lead. This person acts as the bridge between your internal team and your Shopify migration partners, keeping communication tight and consistent. A responsive point of contact keeps the project moving forward.

Migrate with Intention

Brands use migration as an opportunity to clean house and archive products that no longer serve them. This is also the time to update outdated policies and consolidate collections. A leaner, more intentional catalog can make for a faster build and a better user experience on your new Shopify store that runs faster and better.

Prep Content and Assets Early

Whether it’s banners, product images, or blog posts, have your assets ready to go. Missing content causes delays as teams get held up waiting for these deliverables. It’s an easy fix with just a little foresight.

These are simple actions, but they have a real impact. When clients ask us, How long does it take to migrate to Shopify, our answer often comes down to this: the more decisive and prepared your team is, the faster (and easier) everything comes together.

Set Realistic Expectations and Plan Ahead

Shopify migration doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with the right Shopify and Shopify Plus migration partner in your team. Also, with a clear plan and the right support, replatforming can be a surprisingly smooth and stress-free experience, and, in the end, you’ll have a live Shopify website that supports your growth, running faster and better than your old website.

While no two migrations are the same, most brands find the process easier than expected, especially when working with a 5-star-rated Shopify migration partner who knows the platform inside and out.

For most businesses, the Shopify launch timeline lands comfortably at a 3-month range, and even more complex migrations are manageable with the right systems in place and a proactive team.

So, how long does it take to migrate to Shopify? It depends on your store’s starting point—but with the right partner, it’s faster and more seamless than you might think.

At Ecommerce Pro, our FREE Shopify Migration Assessment helps you get a better picture of what’s involved—from scope to approach—so you can move forward with clarity. You can also get in touch with us directly to discuss your project.

Migrate with Confidence: Partner with Ecommerce Pro

At Ecommerce Pro, we’ve helped dozens of brands migrate to Shopify and Shopify Plus—on time and on budget, with seamless results. As a certified Shopify Partner and trusted Shopify Plus Migration Agency with a long-standing 5-star rating, we understand what it takes to deliver a smooth, efficient migration from platforms like Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and more.

We handle every part of the process, making sure your Shopify launch timeline stays clear and manageable.

Curious where to begin? Start with our  FREE Shopify Migration Assessment or get in touch with us directly. We’re ready when you are.

FAQs About Shopify Migration Timelines

1. How long does it take to migrate to Shopify?
Set your sights on a 3-month migration process from start to finish, depending on your store’s size and complexity. Smaller stores with fewer products may expect a shorter Shopify launch timeline, while larger or more customized stores may take longer. This also depends on the level of collaboration between brands and their migration partners.

2. What affects the Shopify launch timeline?
Several factors influence how long your migration takes, including the amount of data, design customizations, third-party app integrations, and the quality of your existing data. Internal decision-making also plays a role.

3. Can Shopify migration be done without downtime?
Yes! A well-planned migration ensures your Shopify launch timeline includes a smooth go-live with little to no downtime, so customers experience no disruption during the switch.

4. Do I need to update my content during migration?
While you can migrate your existing content as is, migration is a great chance to refresh product descriptions, pages, and SEO. Planning content updates early helps keep the Shopify launch timeline on track. Some migration partners also have a content team on board who can help you get a refresh.

5. How important is SEO during migration?
SEO is critical during migration. Proper redirect mapping and URL structure validation ensure you maintain your search rankings. Ignoring SEO can cause traffic loss.

6. Who should be involved in the migration process?
Having a dedicated project lead from your team helps keep communication clear and decisions quick, which positively impacts how long it takes to migrate to Shopify.

7. What support is available after launch?
Post-launch support is part of a successful Shopify migration. It includes monitoring store performance, staff training, and fixing any issues that arise to ensure your new Shopify store runs as smoothly as it should.