You can transfer a Shopify store to another Shopify store online, depending on what you wish to move products, customers, orders, themes, or store ownership. Shopify allows direct store ownership transfer, and store data can be moved using proprietary export/import features or third-party applications. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn the steps, recommended tools, SEO best practices, and errors to avoid when transferring a Shopify store to another.
Why Transfer One Shopify Store to Another?
There are many reasons why a Shopify store owner would wish to move their store to another one. Some of these reasons include:
- Rebranding to a new domain
- Selling or buying a store
- Merging multiple stores into one
- Creating a regional store (USA, UK, etc.)
- Migrating from a development store to a live store
- Restructuring product catalogs
Whatever your reason, the process can be smooth if handled correctly.
Option 1: Transfer Shopify Store Ownership (Full Store Transfer)
If you want to transfer the entire store, including products, customers, orders, themes, and apps, the easiest way is to transfer store ownership.
Steps to Transfer Shopify Store Ownership
- Log in to Shopify Admin.
- Go to Settings → Users and Permissions.
- Click on the user you want to transfer ownership to.
- Select Transfer ownership.
- Enter your password to confirm.
After this step, the new owner gets full control.
Important Notes:
- The new owner must have a Shopify account.
- If selling the store, transfer domain ownership too.
- Cancel billing only after ownership is confirmed.
This method is best when selling a complete store.
Option 2: Transfer Products from One Shopify Store to Another
If you only want to move products, use Shopify’s export/import feature.
Step 1: Export Products
From your original Shopify store:
- Go to Products
- Click Export
- Choose:
- All products
- Selected products
- Select CSV format for Excel, Numbers, or other spreadsheet programs
- Download the file
Step 2: Import Products to New Shopify Store
In your new Shopify store:
- Go to Products
- Click Import
- Upload the exported CSV file
- Click Upload and continue
- Review and confirm
Your products will now appear in the new store.
Option 3: Transfer Customers and Orders
Export Customers
- Go to Customers
- Click Export
- Download CSV file
Import Customers
- In the new store, go to Customers
- Click Import
- Upload the CSV
Important: Orders cannot be directly imported through Shopify’s default system. You will need third-party migration apps.
Best Apps to Transfer Shopify Store Data
If you want a complete migration (products, orders, customers, categories, SEO URLs), use apps like:
- Matrixify
- Cart2Cart
- LitExtension
These apps automate migration and reduce errors.
Transfer Shopify Theme to Another Store
You can manually move your theme:
Method 1: Download & Upload Theme
- Go to Online Store → Themes
- Click Actions → Download theme file
- Upload that file to the new store
Method 2: Duplicate & Share Access
If you use a custom theme, share collaborator access with a developer.
Note: Theme customizations tied to specific apps may not transfer perfectly.
Transfer Domain to New Shopify Store
If you are using a custom domain:
- Remove the domain from old Shopify store
- Add domain in new Shopify store
- Update DNS settings
If domain was purchased from Shopify, transfer ownership inside Shopify settings.
SEO Considerations When Transferring Shopify Store
One of the biggest risks when transferring a store is losing SEO rankings.
Follow These SEO Best Practices:
1. Keep Same URL Structure
If possible, maintain the same product URLs.
Example:
Copy code /products/blue-shirt
2. Set Up 301 Redirects
If URLs change, set up 301 redirects in:
Online Store → Navigation → URL Redirects
3. Verify Google Search Console
Add the new store to Google Search Console and resubmit your sitemap.
4. Update Sitemap
Shopify automatically generates:
Copy code yourstore.com/sitemap.xml
Submit it again to Google.
How to Merge Two Shopify Stores
If you want to merge two Shopify stores into one:
- Export products from Store A
- Import to Store B
- Migrate customers
- Recreate collections
- Set up redirects from old domain
Then close the old store after confirming everything works.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Backing Up Data
Always download CSV backups before starting.
Forgetting SEO Redirects
This can cause traffic loss.
Not Testing Before Going Live
Always test:
- Checkout process
- Payment gateways
- Shipping settings
- Email notifications
Ignoring App Compatibility
Some apps must be reinstalled manually.
How Long Does Shopify Store Transfer Take?
- Ownership transfer: 5–10 minutes
- Product import: 10–60 minutes
- Full migration via app: 1–24 hours, depending on size
- SEO stabilization: 1–4 weeks
Cost of Transferring Shopify Store
| Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ownership Transfer | Free |
| Manual CSV Transfer | Free |
| Migration Apps | $29 – $299+ |
| Hiring Expert | $200 – $2000 |
Cost depends on store size and complexity.
When Should You Hire a Shopify Migration Expert?
Consider hiring an expert if:
- You have 5,000+ products
- You have high SEO traffic
- You need zero downtime
- You are selling the store
- You want a complete redesign
Professionals ensure data accuracy and protect SEO.
Final Checklist Before Closing Old Shopify Store
✔ All products transferred
✔ Customers migrated
✔ Orders backed up
✔ Domain transferred
✔ Payment gateway working
✔ Shipping rules updated
✔ Email notifications tested
✔ 301 redirects added
✔ Google Search Console verified
Only cancel the old store after everything is 100% confirmed.
Conclusion: Transfer Shopify Online Store to Another Shopify Store the Right Way
Transfer a Shopify store to another online store using Shopify is totally possible and easy if the right procedure is followed. This could be moving the store, transferring ownership, or even merging the store with another, and it is all made easier with the power of Shopify apps and tools.
There are a lot of tools and applications available in Shopify that can help you move your store successfully, whether you’re moving your store due to a change of ownership or you’re just consolidating.
To successfully move your Shopify store to another Shopify store online, the most important thing to do is to plan and test everything properly, including your store’s SEO.
With the right approach, you can successfully move your Shopify store to another Shopify store online without losing traffic, customers, and sales, and while improving your store’s performance.