Choosing a provider
Shopify product migration services
Sometimes only the catalogue needs moving: a store is merging product ranges, replacing a supplier feed, or moving platforms in stages. Product migration on its own still needs the same care as a full migration.
This page explains what a product migration provider should show you before, during and after the import, and how to stay in control of your catalogue.
Illustrative diagram
- Source exportKept unchanged
- MappingYou approve
- Test batchYou approve
- Full importDrafts where data is missing
- ReconciliationYou sign off
When a product-only migration is needed
Staged platform moves
Products move first so the new store can be built and reviewed with real items.
Merging stores
Two catalogues combine into one Shopify store, with duplicates resolved.
Supplier changes
A new supplier's data replaces or extends the current range.
Catalogue restructure
Products are rebuilt with new options, types and tags.
Three points where you approve the work
Mapping
You approve how each source field, option and image will land in Shopify.
Output: Approved mapping
Test batch
You review a small set of imported products, including the hardest ones, in the admin and on the storefront.
Output: Approved sample
Reconciliation
You receive counts and a list of exceptions after the full import.
Output: Signed-off catalogue
Agree rules for imperfect data
Source data is rarely perfect. Agreeing rules first avoids guesswork.
| Situation | Possible rule |
|---|---|
| Missing price | Import as draft and list for your review |
| Missing image | Import as draft, or import active with a placeholder you approve |
| Duplicate SKU | Stop and ask; never guess which is correct |
| Inconsistent option spelling | Normalise to the agreed list |
| Discontinued product | Exclude, or import as archived for reference |
Merging two catalogues
When two catalogues combine, the same product may exist in both with different names, prices or images. Matching usually starts with SKUs or barcodes, then falls back to careful comparison of names and attributes.
We produce a list of matched, unmatched and conflicting products for you to review. Only after you decide how conflicts are resolved does the merged catalogue get imported.
Staying in control
Before import
- Export your current Shopify products as a backup
- Keep the original source files unchanged
- Confirm the overwrite setting for each import
Afterwards
- Keep the final import file as the record of what was loaded
- Remove the provider's access when finished
What updates you should receive
Product migrations generate questions: which spelling of a colour is correct, whether a product without stock should be imported, which image is the main one. A careful provider collects these into a short list with suggested answers rather than deciding silently.
After the full import, you should receive counts by product type, a list of products imported as drafts and why, and any exceptions such as products that could not be imported. These records make it easy to finish the catalogue and to answer questions later.
Keeping the catalogue clean afterwards
The mapping and naming rules agreed during migration are useful long after it ends. Kept with the final import file, they show anyone adding products how titles, options, tags and specifications should be entered, so the catalogue stays as consistent as it was on launch day.
What you receive
Records
- Approved mapping and data rules
- Final import file as loaded
- Reconciliation with counts by product type
Follow-up
- List of draft products needing your input
- Exceptions that could not be imported
- Handle list for redirects
Questions worth asking
Ask any provider how they will handle your most awkward product, what happens to products with missing data, and how they will prove the counts match. Clear, specific answers to those three questions say more about the quality of a product migration than any description of tools.
Questions about Shopify product migration services
Can you import products into a store that is already live?
Yes. New products can be imported as drafts and activated after review, and existing products are backed up first.
How do you match products when merging catalogues?
By SKU or barcode first, then by name and attributes. Conflicts go to you for a decision.
What do I approve during a product migration?
The mapping, a test batch of products and the final reconciliation.
Can supplier feeds be imported regularly?
Recurring imports are possible, often with an app or a repeatable mapping. We discuss the right approach for your supplier.
Do you need logins for the platform I am leaving?
Exports you download yourself are often enough for a product-only migration. Access helps when exports are incomplete, and it can be removed afterwards.
How are product URLs handled?
Handles are planned before import, and redirects are prepared for any old URLs that change.
How long does a product-only migration take?
It depends on catalogue size and data quality. We give a timeframe once we have seen a sample of the source data.
Will draft products be visible to customers?
No. Draft products stay hidden until they are made active, which is why they are useful for products with incomplete data.
Sources referenced
Platform features, guidance and rules change. We check the current versions before committing to an approach. This page is general information, not legal advice.
- Shopify Help Center: Using CSV files to import and export products (opens in a new tab) — reviewed 2026-10-22
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