Custom platform to Shopify migration services
Move your custom or unsupported store to Shopify, even without the original developer or a usable data export.
30 minutes to understand your options. No sales pitch.
Why brands move from a custom platform to Shopify.
The original developer is gone
Custom platforms can outlast the team that built them, leaving changes slow and difficult to maintain.
Shopify is a supported platform with a large developer pool, so you are never locked to one person.
Hosting and maintenance cost too much
Custom systems run on servers you maintain and patch. Costs climb while the platform falls behind on payments and tax.
Shopify is fully hosted and ships modern payments, tax, and checkout out of the box.
The platform cannot keep up
Legacy systems struggle with modern payment methods, tax rules, and mobile checkout. Conversion and compliance both suffer.
Shopify keeps payments, tax, and checkout current without you maintaining any of it.
What we migrate.
Eight data sets move from your platform to Shopify, with each set checked.
Products and variants
We extract products from your database, even without a clean export, and map them to Shopify.
Collections and categories
Legacy category structures are rebuilt as Shopify collections with rules where possible.
Customer accounts and passwords
Customer records are extracted and Shopify issues secure resets so logins keep working.
Order history
Historical orders are pulled from the database for reporting, service, and finance continuity.
Content pages and blog
Pages and posts are extracted and ported to Shopify with URLs tracked for redirects.
SEO metadata and 301 redirects
We map legacy URL structures to Shopify with a full 301 redirect set to hold rankings.
Apps and integrations
Payment, shipping, and ERP connections are rebuilt on Shopify APIs and tested in staging.
Custom code and theme logic
Bespoke business logic is recreated with Shopify Functions and Flow, documented as we go.
Our Custom platform to Shopify migration process.
Five steps with clear deliverables over 10 to 20 weeks.
- Step 1
Audit
We inspect your database, code, and hosting to find what can be extracted. We document business logic to recreate.
What you get: schema mapping document
- Step 2
Plan
We define the extraction approach, redirect strategy, and dual-write cutover plan. You approve before build.
What you get: extraction and cutover plan
- Step 3
Build
We build the Shopify store and recreate custom logic with Functions and Flow. Integrations run on staging.
What you get: staging store
- Step 4
Migrate
We run custom ETL scripts to extract and transform data from the legacy database. Counts are validated against the source.
What you get: validated data extraction
- Step 5
Launch
We use a staged cutover with a dual-write window, apply redirects, and monitor. The old platform stays live until confirmed.
What you get: staged go-live with redirects
Free resourceFollow the process with a one-page checklist.
Tools and partners.
For custom platforms we write database extraction and ETL scripts because there is rarely a clean export. We produce a schema mapping document, recreate business logic with Shopify Functions and Flow, and use Shopify B2B and Markets to cover capabilities the old platform lacked. We cut over in stages with a dual-write window so no orders are lost.
You can also explore our Shopify development, Shopify Plus, Shopify and HubSpot integration, and managed Shopify support.
Selected work.
Migrations we have completed to Shopify.
Frequently asked questions.
Can you migrate a custom-built e-commerce platform to Shopify?
Yes. We specialize in moving bespoke and legacy platforms to Shopify, including in-house PHP or Node builds. We extract data directly from your database with custom ETL scripts. Business logic is recreated with Shopify Functions and Flow. Request an assessment and we will confirm what can be migrated from your system.
How long does a custom platform to Shopify migration take?
A custom platform to Shopify migration takes 10 to 20 weeks. The range depends on data accessibility and how much custom logic must be recreated. Systems without a clean export take longer to extract safely. We scope this in the audit and return a timeline based on your platform.
How much does a custom platform migration cost compared to a Magento migration?
Custom migrations often cost more than a Magento move because data extraction is harder. Magento has known structures and Matrixify support, while bespoke systems need custom ETL. How easily we can extract your data has the largest effect on cost. We scope your specific platform before quoting a fixed price.
What if my custom platform has no clean database export?
That is the common case, and we plan for it. We write custom extraction scripts that read directly from your database or, where needed, scrape the rendered storefront. The data is transformed and validated against the source. A messy or missing export does not block a Shopify migration with the right tooling.
Can you recreate custom business logic from my old platform in Shopify?
Yes. We document each piece of custom logic in the audit and rebuild it with Shopify Functions and Flow. Pricing rules, bundles, and workflows are recreated and tested on staging. Where Shopify needs an app, we select and configure it. We confirm parity with your old platform before launch.
How do you handle migration when the original developer is no longer available?
We reverse-engineer the system from the database and the live storefront. We do not need the original developer or documentation to extract your data. Our audit maps the schema and behavior so nothing is guessed. Shopify also gives you access to a wider choice of developers.
What happens to SEO rankings when moving from a custom URL structure to Shopify?
We protect rankings with a full 301 redirect map. Custom URL structures are mapped to Shopify's structure so every legacy page redirects correctly. Metadata is carried over and rankings are monitored after launch. The redirect map is the priority deliverable when URL structures change significantly.
Can you migrate a multi-storefront or multi-language custom platform to Shopify?
Yes. We map multiple storefronts to Shopify stores or Shopify Markets, and languages to Shopify's localization. Catalogs, pricing, and content migrate per storefront and locale. We cut over in stages so each storefront is verified before the next. Multi-language URL structures are included in the redirect map.
How do you decide between Shopify and Shopify Plus for a custom platform migration?
We base it on order volume, B2B needs, and storefront count. Shopify Plus suits high-volume brands, wholesale B2B, and multi-store setups, while standard Shopify fits leaner catalogs. We assess your data and requirements in the audit. We recommend the tier that fits, not the most expensive one.
Can my custom platform run alongside Shopify during the cutover?
Yes. We use a staged cutover with a dual-write window so both systems stay current during transition. Orders are captured without loss while we verify the Shopify store. The legacy platform stays live until cutover is confirmed. This keeps an active store selling throughout the migration.
Explore other migrations
Ready for a store that’s easier to run?
Make the move with a team that understands the business behind your store.
We agree on the scope and price of Custom Platform to Shopify migrations before work starts.
Talk directly to the people doing the work.
Talk about my move