Migrate to Shopify

OpenCart to Shopify migration

We move your OpenCart store to Shopify with your products, customers, order history and search rankings. Instead of dealing with servers, extensions and security updates, you move to a platform where Shopify handles the maintenance.

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Method: Database, exports and import tools
SEO: 301s for SEO URLs and index.php URLs
Sales downtime: None
Timeline: Set during the audit

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What changes when you move from OpenCart to Shopify

Before

On OpenCart

You handle the server, PHP version and security updates
Extensions can conflict during upgrades
Speed needs separate caching and server tuning

After

On Shopify

Hosting, security and SSL handled by Shopify
Apps update independently of the platform
Fast image and page delivery through a global CDN
Payments, shipping and marketing channels in one admin

What moves from OpenCart

Because OpenCart is open source, data can be reached directly through the database or export extensions. We move it to Shopify with import tools and our own checks, and fill any gaps before launch.

Moves over

Products, variants, images and stock
Categories, as Shopify collections
Customer records and addresses
Order history
Blog posts and company pages
Meta titles, descriptions and image alt text
Product attributes and filters, as metafields

Stays behind

Customer passwords (can't be moved for security reasons; an activation email is sent)
OpenCart theme files and custom template changes
OpenCart extension settings

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Payments and instalment options
Shipping methods and zone rules
Features provided by extensions, with Shopify apps
Coupons, discounts and customer group rules
Invoicing and accounting connections

How OpenCart URLs are mapped

If SEO URLs are off in OpenCart, product URLs look like index.php?route=product/product&product_id=...; if they're on, only the product name appears. We crawl both formats and 301 redirect them to their Shopify equivalents. The rows below are examples.

/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=42301/products/handmade-soap

/handmade-soap301/products/handmade-soap

/index.php?route=product/category&path=20301/collections/personal-care

/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4301/pages/about-us

OpenCart vs Shopify

The main differences when moving from open source to a hosted platform.

Kriter	OpenCart	Shopify
Hosting and security	Your responsibility	Managed by Shopify
Version updates	Depend on extension compatibility	Automatic
App ecosystem	Extension marketplace	Shopify App Store
Code access	Full access	At the theme and app layer
Languages and currencies	With extensions	Built in with Shopify Markets

OpenCart

Hosting and security: Your responsibility
Version updates: Depend on extension compatibility
App ecosystem: Extension marketplace
Code access: Full access
Languages and currencies: With extensions

Shopify

Hosting and security: Managed by Shopify
Version updates: Automatic
App ecosystem: Shopify App Store
Code access: At the theme and app layer
Languages and currencies: Built in with Shopify Markets

OpenCart to Shopify migration steps

Your OpenCart store stays live until launch day.

1
Discovery
The database, extensions and every URL are reviewed.
Inventory
2
Test import
Data is imported into a password-protected Shopify store.
Test store
3
Extension equivalents
Shopify equivalents of the extensions you use are set up.
App list
4
Launch
Final sync, domain and 301s.
Live store
5
Monitoring
Indexing and error pages are tracked.
Monitoring report

What we watch for

What we watch for in OpenCart migrations

Issues we often see with open source stores.

01Redirecting both the index.php URL and the SEO URL of the same product
02Restructuring product options to fit Shopify's variant limits
03Covering the features of custom-built extensions on Shopify
04Mapping each language's URL structure separately in multi-language stores
05Taking a full backup before shutting down the old server

Questions about OpenCart migration

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch directly.

Message us on WhatsAppSend us your question Call us+90 538 036 86 52

How long does an OpenCart to Shopify migration take?

It depends on product and order volume, the number of extensions and the design scope. We share a written schedule in the audit.

What will replace my OpenCart extensions?

We list what each extension does and cover it on Shopify with a built-in feature, an App Store app or, if needed, custom development.

Do my customers have to sign up again?

No. Customer records and addresses are moved. Passwords can't be transferred between any platforms for security reasons, so customers receive a planned account activation email to set their own password.

Will my old index.php URLs be redirected too?

Yes. We crawl both the parameter URLs and the SEO URLs and 301 redirect them to their Shopify equivalents.

When can I shut down my server?

Once redirects and orders are working smoothly after launch. Before shutting it down, we recommend taking a full backup of the database and files.

How is the migration priced?

Based on data volume, order history, integrations and design scope. We send a written quote after the audit; we don't publish package prices.