Global Checklist: How to Move to Shopify Without Losing Traffic

Migrating your global store to Shopify? Follow this checklist to map URLs, manage multiple languages, and protect international traffic with SC Easy Redirects.

3 minutes, 25 seconds

Global Checklist: How to Move to Shopify Without Losing Traffic image

Moving your global business to Shopify is a major milestone. However, an international migration is complex. You are dealing with multiple languages, different domains (like .com, .co.uk, .ca), and thousands of indexed pages. If you don't handle the move correctly, you could lose your rankings in every single country you serve.

This checklist is designed for global brands that need to migrate to Shopify while keeping their international traffic intact.

Quick Answer

A global migration requires a strict Redirect First strategy. You must map every language-specific URL from your old site to the new Shopify version. Using SC Easy Redirects is the best way to manage this because it supports bulk CSV uploads for thousands of international links. By using 301 redirects for every page and updating your Hreflang tags, you tell Google exactly where your content moved in every market. This prevents 404 errors and ensures your local customers always land on the right version of your store.

The Global Migration Checklist

1. The Pre-Migration Crawl

[ ] Crawl every version of your site (.com, .fr, .de, etc.).
[ ] Export a list of all current URLs.
[ ] Identify your top-performing pages in each country.

2. URL Mapping

[ ] Create a master spreadsheet with Old URL and New Shopify URL.
[ ] Ensure French links go to the French Shopify path, not the English one.
[ ] Map all blog posts and info pages, not just products.

3. Technical Setup

[ ] Install SC Easy Redirects on your new Shopify store.
[ ] Upload your mapping CSV to the app.
[ ] Set up your domains and subfolders in Shopify Markets.

4. SEO and Hreflang

[ ] Update your Hreflang tags so Google knows which language is which.
[ ] Verify all regional domains in Google Search Console.
[ ] Submit a new sitemap for every market.

5. Launch and Monitor

[ ] Perform the Switch.
[ ] Use SC Easy Redirects to watch for 404 errors in real-time.
[ ] Fix any regional 404s immediately using the app’s dashboard.

Summary

Global migrations are about precision. By mapping every link and using SC Easy Redirects for bulk management, you protect your international revenue.

Moving your global brand? Use SC Easy Redirects to keep your international traffic safe.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

+ Why do I need 301 redirects for a global Shopify migration?

301 redirects tell search engines that your pages have permanently moved. Without them, you risk losing rankings, traffic, and revenue in every market you serve.

+ How do Hreflang tags help with international SEO?

Hreflang tags indicate the language and regional targeting of each page. They ensure Google shows the right version of your store to users in different countries, preventing duplicate content issues.

+ Can SC Easy Redirects handle thousands of international URLs at once?

Yes. SC Easy Redirects supports bulk CSV uploads, making it easy to map and redirect all your language-specific URLs, saving time and protecting your global traffic.