Lots of e-merchants have been putting off their store migration from OpenCart to Shopify for fear of too much mess. To ensure that the replatforming process doesn’t go awry, we’ve created this quick, comprehensive checklist. It is targeted at those store owners who have already decided to switch from OpenCart to Shopify, but don't know where to start yet. Besides, this post will also come in handy as it includes more detailed and in-depth info regarding each step of the migration process.
Before you start
Prepare your OpenCart store
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- Back up the data
Backup your OpenCart store database using the available backup plugins, or take advantage of a backup option of your hosting provider. For comprehensive guidelines, consider our database dump migration service.
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- Conduct OpenCart store data audit
Take stock of the store database and clean it up for unused files, obsolete records, inaccuracies, or other problems. This pre-migration audit is crucial for a smooth migration process.
Prepare the Shopify store
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- Get your Shopify store ready
Sign up for a trial account at Shopify.com and select a theme for your store.
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- Choose a theme
Choose the default Shopify theme. Do not make any changes at this point, since it may negatively impact the switching process. When the migration is over, you’ll be able to alter the theme as required. Consider our migration customization service for bespoke adjustments.
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- Install necessary plugins (if required)
If you want to migrate the OpenCart store user reviews, please install the Product Reviews app before the migration. Check this link for installation instructions.
Set up OpenCart to Shopify data transfer
Configure the Source cart
Choose OpenCart as a Source cart from the pop-up menu and type in all the necessary access details in the corresponding fields.
Install the Connection Bridge
Download the bridge file to your computer and unpack it from the zip archive. Then paste it to the root directory of your OpenCart store (more details here).
Specify the Target cart
Select Shopify as your Target cart and install the "Migration for Shopify" app (more detailed info here).
Select data for migration
Specify the store entities you want to transfer to your new Shopify store.
Specify migration extras
Choose the additional migration options that can improve the result of your store data transfer.
Map customer groups & order statuses
Match your OpenCart order statuses and fulfillment statuses to the corresponding ones on Shopify.
Launch a free Demo migration
Transfer up to 10 entities to Shopify for free within 30 minutes (more info here).
Start Full migration
Click the Start Full Migration button to initiate the Full OpenCart database transfer to your new Shopify store. When finished, check the migration results and enjoy the possibilities of the new platform.
Find more info about Shopify migration in this post.
Post-Migration Recommendations
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- Install the necessary apps from the marketplace
If you want to recreate the previous eCommerce functionality on your new Shopify store, find the most up-to-date extensions at the Shopify App Store.
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- Make your store look great
When you have all the data transferred to the Shopify platform and you’re happy with the result, it’s time to customize the theme of the store. You’re free to customize the default theme or add a different one.
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- Invite customers to reactivate their accounts
Inform your customers that you’ve moved and ask them to reactivate their accounts. We recommend the “Bulk Account Invite Sender” app to send an invitation email to all your customers.
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- Test your Shopify store
Take time to test the new Shopify store in different browsers for any possible issues. We recommend following a detailed Shopify migration checklist during this process. Perform a test purchase to see if everything works properly.
Сheck out this post for more detailed and in-depth info about post-migration steps.
OpenCart to Shopify Migration - FAQs:
Will migration to Shopify affect my current OpenCart store?
With Cart2Cart, your existing OpenCart store will not be affected in any way. The service just copies the data from the OpenCart store and pastes it into the Shopify platform. Therefore, your existing OpenCart store will be fully operational and available to customers during the whole migration process.
Does Cart2Cart migrate images from the old OpenCart store to the new Shopify one?
Absolutely. Via the Cart2Cart service, the images of your existing OpenCart store products, categories, and manufacturers will be automatically exported to the new Shopify store. Besides, you can also migrate images in descriptions of products, categories, and blog posts just by selecting the corresponding additional option.
Does Cart2Cart support reviews migration from OpenCart to Shopify?
Yes, Cart2Cart has the necessary functionality to convert reviews from OpenCart to Shopify. However, you should install the free Product Reviews app on your Shopify store before the migration.
In fact, the whole OpenCart to Shopify move isn’t that difficult if equipped with the right tools (like Cart2Cart) and planned thoroughly. Consult this store migration checklist to ensure a smooth experience while migrating your store data to a new destination.
Monthly Update – November 2025
As we move into November 2025, e-commerce platforms continue to evolve at a rapid pace, with a strong focus on AI-driven personalization and enhanced customer journey analytics. For those considering or completing an OpenCart to Shopify migration, leveraging these advanced features on your new Shopify store is key to staying competitive. Post-migration, invest time in configuring Shopify's analytics to track customer behavior, identify popular products, and understand conversion funnels. Explore apps that offer AI-powered product recommendations or personalized marketing campaigns to create a more engaging shopping experience. Additionally, with holiday shopping approaching, optimizing your store for speed and mobile performance is non-negotiable. Ensure all images are compressed, unnecessary apps are disabled, and your theme is fully responsive to handle increased traffic and deliver a seamless experience across all devices. This strategic focus will maximize your ROI on the migration.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
