Axis Commerce to Shopify Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Axis Commerce to Shopify

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can feel like a monumental task, but with the right guidance and tools, moving your store from Axis Commerce to Shopify can be a seamless and rewarding experience. Shopify offers a robust, scalable, and feature-rich environment, making it an excellent choice for merchants looking to enhance their online presence, improve user experience, and streamline operations. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparation to post-migration verification, ensuring a smooth transition for your valuable data.

Given that Axis Commerce does not have a direct API integration with common migration tools, this guide will focus on a highly effective method: migrating your store data via CSV file export. This approach ensures that all your critical information, from products and customer data to order history, is accurately transferred to your new Shopify store.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, thorough preparation of both your source (Axis Commerce) and target (Shopify) stores is essential to ensure data integrity and minimize downtime.

Preparing Your Axis Commerce Store (CSV Export)

• Data Export: Since Axis Commerce doesn't typically offer a direct API for migration tools, you will need to export all your crucial data into CSV files. This includes products (with SKUs, variants, images, descriptions), product categories, customer records, orders, reviews, and any CMS pages or blog posts.
• Data Cleaning: Before export, take the opportunity to clean your Axis Commerce data. Remove any outdated products, inactive customer accounts, or redundant information. This will result in a cleaner, more efficient Shopify store.
• CSV File Formatting: Ensure your exported CSV files are well-structured and properly formatted. Pay close attention to headers and data types to avoid import errors. For more detailed assistance with this step, consider our CSV.File Data Migration service.

Preparing Your Shopify Store

• Shopify Account: Ensure you have an active Shopify store. A trial store is sufficient for the initial migration steps, allowing you to test the process before committing to a paid plan. Be aware that Shopify's 'Pause and Build' plan might block orders, so plan accordingly.
• Install Migration App: Shopify requires the installation of the Cart2Cart Store Migration App for seamless data transfer.
• Disable Notifications: It's highly recommended to disable email notifications on your Shopify store during the migration process to prevent customers from receiving incomplete or confusing updates.
• Review App Planning: If you plan to migrate product reviews, be aware that Shopify often requires a dedicated app like AirReviews to manage these. Plan for its installation and configuration post-migration.

For more comprehensive guidance, review our FAQs on How to prepare your Source store for migration? and How to prepare your Target store for migration?

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you are ready to use an automated migration tool to move your e-commerce data. We will outline the process using the Cart2Cart migration wizard.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Navigate to the Cart2Cart website and either create a new account or log in if you're a returning user. Once logged in, you'll find the option to begin your new migration project. Click the 'Start Your Migration' button to kick off the wizard.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (Axis Commerce via CSV)

In the migration wizard, you'll be prompted to select your source platform. From the dropdown menu, choose 'CSV File' as your source cart. You will then upload the meticulously prepared CSV files containing your Axis Commerce data.

It's crucial that your CSV files are accurate and complete, as they are the direct source of all information for your new Shopify store. Our CSV.File Data Migration service can assist if you encounter any challenges with this step.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Store (Shopify)

Next, select 'Shopify' as your target shopping cart. The wizard will then guide you to connect your Shopify store. The recommended and most straightforward method is to choose 'Install App from Marketplace'.

Click the provided link to navigate to the Shopify App Store, install the Cart2Cart Store Migration App, and follow the on-screen instructions. Once the app is installed and configured, return to the migration wizard to proceed.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

This step allows you to specify exactly what data you want to move from your Axis Commerce CSV files to Shopify. You can select all available entities or pick and choose based on your needs. Shopify supports a wide range of entities, including:

• Products (SKUs, variants, images, descriptions)
• Product Categories
• Product Reviews
• Customers
• Orders
• CMS Pages
• Gift Cards
• Coupons
• Price Rules
• Blogs
• Blog Posts

We recommend migrating all relevant data to ensure a comprehensive transfer and a fully functional new store.

Step 5: Configure Additional Options & Map Data

This critical step allows you to fine-tune your migration settings and ensure data integrity.

• Additional Options: Select from a range of additional migration options. Popular choices include:
  • 'Clear Target Store Data': Use this if your Shopify store contains demo data or old information you want to remove before the migration. Learn more about clearing current data.
  • 'Preserve Order IDs': Maintain the original order numbers from your Axis Commerce store in Shopify. Discover how Preserve IDs options can be used.
  • 'Create 301 Redirects': Crucial for SEO, this option helps preserve your search engine rankings by automatically creating redirects from your old Axis Commerce URLs to your new Shopify URLs.
  • 'Migrate Images in Product Descriptions': Ensure all product images embedded within descriptions are also transferred.
  • 'Migrate Reviews to AirReviews app': If you selected product reviews, this option facilitates their transfer to a compatible review app on Shopify.
• Data Mapping: The wizard will present you with mapping tables, primarily for customer groups and order statuses. This ensures that customer roles (e.g., 'Customer', 'Admin') and order states (e.g., 'Pending', 'Processing', 'Completed') from your Axis Commerce data are correctly assigned to their corresponding equivalents in Shopify, maintaining consistent customer data and order history.

Step 6: Perform a Free Demo Migration

Before committing to the full migration, it's highly recommended to run a free demo migration. This transfers a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Shopify store, allowing you to:

• Verify the accuracy of the data transfer.
• Check how products, customers, and orders appear on Shopify.
• Identify and address any potential issues early on.

This step is invaluable for building confidence in the process and ensuring your actual migration will be successful.

Step 7: Launch Full Migration

Once you are satisfied with the demo migration results, you can proceed with the full data transfer. Review the summary of your selected entities and the total cost. At this stage, you might also consider adding a Migration Insurance Service, which offers additional remigrations and support, providing peace of mind. Find out how Migration Insurance works.

Click the 'Start Full Migration' button to initiate the complete data transfer. You'll receive a notification once the process is complete.

Post-Migration Steps

After your data has been successfully transferred to Shopify, there are several crucial steps to ensure your new store is fully operational and optimized.

• Verify Data Integrity: Thoroughly review your Shopify store. Check product listings (SKUs, variants, images, descriptions), customer accounts, order history, and CMS pages to confirm all data has been transferred accurately. Pay attention to any special features or metadata.
• Configure Shopify Settings: Set up essential Shopify configurations such as payment gateways, shipping zones, tax settings (Shopify allows multi-tax), and general store preferences.
• Design and Theme Customization: Customize your Shopify theme to match your brand's aesthetic and ensure a seamless user experience. Install and configure any necessary apps for extended functionality, such as the AirReviews app for product reviews.
• Set Up 301 Redirects: If you didn't use the 'Create 301 Redirects' option during migration or if you have specific URL changes, manually set up 301 redirects to guide users and search engines from your old Axis Commerce URLs to the new Shopify ones. This is critical for maintaining your SEO rankings and link equity.
• Update DNS Settings: Point your domain name to your new Shopify store. This makes your Shopify site the live version for your customers.
• Conduct Thorough Testing: Perform extensive testing of all store functionalities. This includes adding items to the cart, the checkout process, customer account creation and login, searching for products, and ensuring mobile responsiveness.
• Go Live: Once you are confident that everything is working perfectly, officially launch your new Shopify store! Announce your new platform to your customers.
• Monitor Performance: Keep a close eye on your website's performance, traffic, and SEO rankings in the weeks following the migration. Address any issues promptly to ensure a smooth transition for your customers.

Migrating from Axis Commerce to Shopify via CSV is a strategic move that can significantly benefit your e-commerce business. By following this detailed guide, you can confidently navigate the replatforming process and unlock the full potential of your new Shopify store. If you require further assistance or a completely hands-off solution, our Ultimate Data Migration Service and our expert team are always ready to help. Don't hesitate to Contact Us for personalized support.