Migrating your Shopify store? Protect your business by backing up all essential data before you start. A failed migration can lead to lost products, customer data, or orders, disrupting operations and hurting revenue. Here’s what you need to know:
Key Data to Back Up:
- Products & Collections: Titles, descriptions, images, pricing, inventory, metadata.
- Customer Data: Contact details, purchase history, segments.
- Order Records: Transaction history, financial records.
- Theme Files: Templates, custom code, design elements.
- App Settings: API keys, integrations, automation rules.
Backup Tools:
- Shopify Export: Basic CSV exports for products, customers, and orders.
- Third-Party Apps: Tools like Rewind, Matrixify, or EZ Exporter offer automated, complete backups.
Safety Tips:
- Follow the 3-2-1 Rule: Keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 types of storage, with 1 copy off-site.
- Test backups on a development store to ensure data integrity.
A solid backup plan ensures your Shopify migration is smooth and secure.
How to Backup & Restore your Shopify Store (3 Methods)
Required Data Backups
Before migrating your Shopify store, make sure you have secure backups of all your data. Imagine the frustration of having to manually re-enter data for 1,600 SKUs over several weeks after a failed migration. To avoid this, here’s a breakdown of the key data categories you need to back up.
Products and Collections Backup
Shopify allows you to export product data as a CSV file, but images require separate handling. Be sure to back up:
- Product details like titles, descriptions, and variants
- Pricing and inventory data
- Product images and other media
- Collection structures and rules
- Metadata and tags associated with products
Keep in mind, standard CSV exports don’t include everything. Tools like Rewind Backups (starting at $9/month) or Matrixify can help you create more complete backups. For extra safety, consider using the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep three copies of your data, store them on two types of media, and keep one copy off-site.
Customer Data Backup
Customer data is not only essential for your business but is also subject to privacy laws like GDPR. Make sure to back up:
- Contact details
- Purchase history
- Customer segments
- Account preferences
Order Records Backup
Your order history is another critical area to preserve. Here’s a quick look at what’s exportable:
| Data Type | Export Available | Import Available |
|---|---|---|
| Orders | Yes | No |
| Draft Orders | Yes | No |
| Financial Records | Yes | N/A |
| Discount Codes | Yes | No |
Theme Files Backup
Don’t forget to download your theme files directly from the Shopify admin dashboard. This includes:
- Theme template files
- Custom CSS and JavaScript modifications
- Store design elements
- Custom page layouts
- Navigation menus
App Settings Backup
App settings often require manual documentation, as they aren’t always included in standard backups. Take note of:
- Integration settings
- Custom configurations
- API keys
- Automation rules
- Connections with third-party apps
"Backups serve as our fail-safe in any website migration we carry out. They ensure that if anything goes awry (and trust us, it can), we can quickly restore the business to its pre-migration state without losing a single piece of data." – Rainy City Agency
For the best protection, stick to the 3-2-1 backup rule. This ensures your data is safe and accessible, even if something goes wrong during the migration process.
Backup Tools and Methods
Backing up your data is a must before any migration. Here’s how you can do it effectively.
Shopify Export Tools
Shopify’s built-in export feature provides basic backup options, but it has some limitations. While you can export products, customers, and orders as CSV files, exporting your entire store in one step isn’t possible.
| Data Type | Export Format | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Products | CSV | Images aren’t included directly |
| Customers | CSV | Only basic details are exported |
| Orders | CSV | Cannot re-import orders |
| Gift Cards | CSV | Limited data fields |
| Discount Codes | CSV | Minimal information provided |
| Financial Data | CSV | Export-only, no re-import option |
For more advanced options, consider using third-party backup apps.
Backup Apps
Third-party apps can simplify the process with features like automated scheduling and version tracking.
| App Name | Key Features | Monthly Cost | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewind | Automatic backups | Starting at $9 | High customer reviews |
| Matrixify | Bulk import/export | $20 – $200 | 4.8/5 |
| Exportier | Unlimited reports | $8.99 – $24.99 | Great for small stores |
| EZ Exporter | Advanced filtering | $29.95 – $99.95 | Professional-grade |
Manual Backup Steps
For those who prefer hands-on control, here’s how to manually back up your data:
-
Export Core Data
Export products, customers, orders, and financial data as separate CSV files. Be cautious when editing these files in spreadsheet programs, as product variants or image URLs can become misaligned. -
Download Theme Files
Save your theme as a .zip file from the Shopify admin dashboard. This file will include your templates, custom code, and design elements. -
Record App Settings
Shopify doesn’t support exporting app configurations. Manually document your app settings, API keys, and integration details.
A Rewind customer once lost 1,600 SKUs in just 45 seconds. It took them over three weeks to recover, showing how risky manual-only backups can be.
Backup Quality Checks
Before moving your Shopify store, it’s crucial to ensure your backups are complete and functional. Skipping this step can lead to data loss or migration issues.
Backup Completion Check
Use this table to confirm that all essential data is backed up:
| Data Category | Required Elements | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Products | SKUs, variants, images, descriptions | Missing images, broken variant links |
| Customers | Contact info, order history, tags | Incomplete addresses, missing tags |
| Orders | Transaction records, shipping details | Missing custom fields, incomplete metadata |
| Theme Files | Templates, assets, customizations | Missing assets, broken dependencies |
| App Data | Settings, configurations, integrations | Missing API keys, incomplete settings |
Backup Test Process
Testing your backups ensures all data is intact. Here’s how to do it:
-
Set Up a Test Store
Create a development store in Shopify to test your backups without risking your live site. -
Restore Samples
Test-restore 10–15 multi-variant products, a mix of customer records, orders with varying statuses, and theme files. -
Log Issues
Note any problems, such as corrupted data, broken links, or missing information, and fix them before moving forward.
Fix Backup Issues
Here are some common backup problems and how to address them:
| Issue | Solution | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Corrupted CSV Files | Re-export smaller data batches | Use backup tools with built-in validation |
| Missing Images | Download images separately | Automate image backups |
| Incomplete App Data | Manually document settings | Use tools that back up app configurations |
| Broken Theme Files | Export theme as a .zip file and verify | Keep separate theme backups |
Automated backup tools with verification features can save time and help catch issues early. E-commerce Dev Group (scaleshopify.com) suggests using these tools to streamline the process and ensure smooth migration.
Backup Safety Plan
Multiple Backup Copies
Stick to the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of your data, store them on two different types of storage, and ensure one copy is off-site. This method offers strong protection for your data during migration.
| Storage Type | Purpose | Recommended Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Backup | Main working copy | Shopify’s native export tools |
| Local Storage | Quick access | External hard drive with BitLocker |
| Cloud Storage | Off-site security | Encrypted cloud service |
While having secure backups is crucial, a fast and effective recovery plan is just as important.
Store Recovery Plan
A well-defined recovery plan ensures minimal downtime and keeps your business running smoothly. For example, during Darts Corner‘s 2023 migration to Shopify Plus, they implemented robust backup and recovery strategies. These efforts paid off, enabling quick data restoration and contributing to a 120% sales boost within the first 30 days after migration.
With both backups and a recovery plan in place, you’ll be ready to handle any migration challenges while safeguarding your critical data.
Data Protection Steps
Protecting your backup data requires several layers of security:
- Encryption
Encrypt cloud backups, use tools like VeraCrypt for local storage, and secure sensitive customer information. - API Security
Store API keys safely, set minimal permissions, and monitor usage to prevent unauthorized access. - Access Control
Assign unique credentials, enforce strong passwords, and perform regular security audits.
These steps ensure your data remains secure and accessible when you need it most.
After Migration Checks
Data Transfer Check
Make sure all migrated data matches your backup files to avoid interruptions in business operations. Here’s what to review:
| Data Type | Key Checks |
|---|---|
| Products | Images, descriptions, variants, pricing, inventory levels, SEO metadata |
| Customers | Contact details, purchase history, account settings, saved addresses |
| Orders | Historical records, status, payment details, shipping info |
Before diving into detailed checks, temporarily turn off order notifications to avoid staff receiving automated emails for every imported historical order.
Once you’re confident the data transfer is complete, move on to more in-depth verification.
Data Check Process
Use this three-step process to ensure everything is in place:
- Backend Validation: Log into the admin panel and confirm product collections, descriptions, variants, and pricing match the original data.
-
Frontend Testing: Test your site across various devices and browsers. Pay attention to:
- Product search functionality
- The checkout process
- Payment processing
- Image quality
- Theme responsiveness
- URL Structure Review: Set up proper redirects for bookmarked pages and third-party links to protect your SEO rankings and avoid confusing customers.
If any issues come up during these steps, tackle them promptly.
Fix Missing Data
If discrepancies are found, here’s how to address them:
Image Issues
Missing product images? Check these areas:
- Image URLs in your CSV files
- Media library hosting status
- File paths to ensure they’re complete
Data Recovery Options
- Retrieve backup files from your storage locations.
- Check if your hosting provider offers daily backups.
- Reach out to Shopify’s 24/7 support for help with data importing.
Summary
This checklist highlights the key steps for ensuring a secure Shopify migration. A solid backup plan is crucial, and following the 3-2-1 rule helps safeguard your data during the process.
Make sure your backup includes:
| Data Type | Key Components |
|---|---|
| Content | Products, collections, blog posts, pages |
| Customer Data | Contact details, purchase history, addresses |
| Financial Records | Order history, gift cards, transaction logs |
| Design Files | Theme files, customizations, media library |
| Technical Settings | App configurations, redirects, metadata |
A great example of this in action is Darts Corner’s migration to Shopify Plus. They used Rewind’s backup system, showcasing the importance of a reliable backup strategy.
For more complex migrations, consider working with experts. E-commerce Dev Group offers secure Shopify migration services, ensuring data integrity with thorough backup solutions and post-migration support.
