Hybris to Shopify Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

Seamlessly Migrating Your E-commerce Store from Hybris to Shopify

Replatforming an e-commerce store is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business's future. For merchants currently on Hybris (SAP Commerce Cloud) looking to transition to the agile and user-friendly Shopify ecosystem, this guide provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap. Shopify offers a robust, scalable, and intuitive platform perfect for growing online businesses, making it an attractive destination for merchants seeking a fresh start.

Since direct API connections from Hybris are not typically supported by standard migration tools, this guide will detail the process using a CSV.File Data Migration approach. This method involves exporting your valuable store data from Hybris into structured CSV files, which are then seamlessly imported into your new Shopify store. Our comprehensive instructions will help you ensure data integrity, minimize downtime, and set your new Shopify store up for success.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before embarking on your data transfer journey, careful preparation of both your source (Hybris) and target (Shopify) stores is essential. Addressing these prerequisites will streamline the process and prevent potential complications.

Preparing Your Source Hybris Store for Data Export

• Data Cleanup: Before exporting, take the opportunity to clean up your Hybris store. Remove any outdated products, unused customer accounts, or redundant order statuses. This ensures you only migrate relevant, high-quality data.
• Data Export: You will need to export your Hybris data into structured CSV files. The data entities you should focus on include: Products, Product Categories, Product Manufacturers, Product Reviews, Customers, Orders, Invoices, Taxes, Stores, Coupons, CMS Pages, Blogs, and Blog Posts. Ensure these CSV files are well-organized and accurate.
• Backup Your Store: Always create a complete backup of your Hybris store before initiating any major data operations.
• Review Access: Ensure you have full administrative access to your Hybris instance to facilitate data export.

For more details on preparing your source, refer to our How to prepare Source store for migration? FAQ.

Preparing Your Target Shopify Store for Import

• Set Up Your Shopify Store: If you haven't already, create your new Shopify store. Choose a suitable plan, whether it's Basic Shopify, Shopify, Advanced Shopify, or Shopify Plus, based on your business needs.
• Install Cart2Cart App: The Cart2Cart Store Migration App is required for connecting to Shopify. Install this app from the Shopify App Store.
• Disable Notifications: It's highly recommended to disable email notifications in your Shopify admin during the migration process to avoid sending customers premature or confusing updates.
• Review Limitations: Be aware that Shopify's "Pause and Build" plan blocks orders. If you plan to migrate customer reviews, consider installing an app like "AirReviews" on Shopify, as reviews often require specific app integration for proper display. Note any country restrictions for orders that might affect your data.

For additional guidance on target store preparation, consult our How to prepare Target store for migration? FAQ.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once your stores are adequately prepared, you can proceed with the migration process using the Cart2Cart migration wizard. Follow these steps to smoothly transfer your e-commerce data.

Step 1: Initiate Your Migration

Begin by navigating to the migration tool's starting page. Here, you'll choose to start a new migration process.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Hybris Store (via CSV)

Since direct Hybris API integration is not available, you will connect your Hybris store data by uploading CSV files. Select "CSV File to Cart" as your Source Cart. You will then be prompted to upload the CSV files containing your Hybris data. Ensure these files are correctly formatted according to the tool's specifications for optimal data recognition.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Shopify Store

Next, select "Shopify" as your Target Cart from the dropdown menu. Enter your Shopify store's URL. The recommended connection method is to install the Cart2Cart app directly from the Shopify Marketplace. Click the provided link, follow the on-screen instructions to install the app, and then return to the migration wizard to establish the connection.

Alternatively, you can choose to provide API access credentials if you prefer. This involves creating a custom app in your Shopify admin, configuring API scopes, and obtaining an Admin API access token.

Step 4: Select Data Entities to Transfer

This crucial step allows you to specify exactly which types of data you want to migrate from your Hybris CSV files to Shopify. You can choose to migrate all available entities or pick specific ones. Common entities include:

• Products (including SKUs, pricing, images, descriptions, variants)
• Product Categories
• Customers (including customer data, addresses)
• Orders (with statuses, order IDs)
• Coupons
• CMS Pages
• Blogs and Blog Posts
• Product Reviews (note: often requires a compatible Shopify app like AirReviews)
• Gift Cards
• Price Rules

Step 5: Configure Additional Options and Data Mapping

Refine your migration with a range of additional options and ensure data consistency through mapping.

• Additional Options: Select options such as "Clear Target Store Data" (before migration), "Preserve Order IDs" (critical for historical data), "Migrate Images in Description," and "Create 301 SEO URLs" to maintain SEO rankings and link equity. Other Shopify-specific options include "Migrate All Categories," "Migrate Groups to Tags," and "Concat Short Description."

• Data Mapping: This step ensures that customer groups, order statuses, and other custom fields from your Hybris data are correctly mapped to their corresponding structures in Shopify. Careful mapping is vital for maintaining data integrity and a seamless user experience post-migration.

Step 6: Run a Free Demo Migration (Recommended)

Before committing to the full transfer, run a free demo migration. This allows you to transfer a limited number of entities to your Shopify store, enabling you to preview the results, test the data transfer, and identify any potential issues or data discrepancies without any cost or risk. It's a crucial step for ensuring accuracy.

Step 7: Initiate the Full Data Transfer

Once you are satisfied with the demo results and have reviewed all your settings and options, proceed with the full migration. At this stage, you may consider adding a Migration Insurance Plan, which offers additional remigrations for a specified period, providing peace of mind. The tool will then begin the comprehensive data transfer, working in the background to move all your selected data to Shopify.

Post-Migration Steps

After the data transfer is complete, there are several essential steps to finalize your move and prepare your new Shopify store for launch.

• Data Verification: Thoroughly review all migrated data on your Shopify store. Check products (SKUs, pricing, images, descriptions, variants), customer accounts, orders, and content pages to ensure everything has transferred correctly and data integrity is maintained.
• Configure SEO & Redirects: If not already configured during the migration, set up 301 redirects for any old Hybris URLs that have changed on Shopify. This is crucial for preserving your SEO rankings and ensuring link equity. Update your sitemap and submit it to search engines.
• Install and Configure Essential Apps: Beyond the Cart2Cart app, install and configure other vital Shopify apps for functionalities like shipping, payment gateways, customer reviews (e.g., AirReviews), loyalty programs, and marketing automation.
• Theme & Storefront Customization: Choose and customize your Shopify theme to reflect your brand identity. Ensure optimal user experience across all devices.
• Extensive Testing: Conduct thorough testing of your entire store. This includes the checkout process, customer account creation and login, search functionality, product filters, and all integrations.
• Update DNS Settings: Once satisfied, update your Domain Name System (DNS) records to point your domain to your new Shopify store.
• Post-Launch Monitoring: After launch, continuously monitor your store for any issues, paying close attention to traffic, sales, and error logs.
• Consider Recent Data Migration: If new orders or customer registrations occurred on your Hybris store during the migration period, consider utilizing a Recent Data Migration Service to transfer any delta data.

Migrating from Hybris to Shopify can seem daunting, but with careful planning and a structured approach, it's a manageable and rewarding transition. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth data transfer and successfully launch your optimized Shopify store. Should you encounter any challenges or require expert assistance, don't hesitate to Contact Us or explore our Frequently Asked Questions section for further support.