
Migrating an e-commerce store to Shopify is a major decision, especially for businesses running on complex legacy systems like Odoo, Triton, or other custom ERPs. A full migration can feel overwhelming—data transfers, system integrations, employee training, and SEO risks all add up.
That’s why transitioning in phases is the smartest approach. By breaking the migration into manageable steps, you reduce risk, control costs, and ensure business continuity. At Market Jack, we specialize in helping businesses move to Shopify strategically, leveraging our deep expertise in IT, operations, and e-commerce.
Why a Phased Approach?
Migrating in one big move sounds efficient, but it can cause major disruptions. A phased approach allows for:
- Gradual adoption – Your team and customers adjust smoothly.
- Lower upfront costs – Spread expenses over time instead of a single large investment.
- Reduced downtime – Keep your store running while you migrate key functions.
- Data integrity – Avoid errors in order processing, customer accounts, and inventory tracking.
- Flexibility – Test solutions and pivot if needed before full commitment.
Here’s how we break it down:
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning
Before writing a single line of code, you need a clear migration strategy. This phase includes:
- Evaluating your current tech stack – What works? What’s holding you back?
- Identifying pain points – Slow processing, poor UX, or costly custom development?
- Setting priorities – What features must be live first?
- SEO assessment – What must be preserved to avoid traffic loss?
- Choosing between full migration vs. hybrid approach – Should Shopify fully replace your ERP, or integrate with it?
💡 At Market Jack, we conduct deep discovery sessions, mapping out every business requirement before recommending a tailored Shopify setup.
Phase 2: Proof of Concept (POC)
Before committing to a full rebuild, test your assumptions with a small-scale Shopify setup. This might include:
- Creating a Shopify test store – Set up products, categories, and checkout flow.
- Trialing key Shopify apps – Test solutions for inventory, order management, and analytics.
- Data migration testing – Ensure clean product imports and customer data integrity.
- Integrating Google Sheets – If you rely on spreadsheets, connect them first to simulate workflows.
🔹 Example: A business using Odoo or Triton could test running just one product line through Shopify before fully migrating.
Phase 3: Backend & Operations Setup
Once the POC proves viable, the next step is implementing Shopify’s backend processes:
- Order processing workflow – Define how fulfillment, returns, and edits will work.
- Inventory sync – If staying connected to an ERP, ensure real-time stock updates.
- Shipping & tax automation – Configure Shopify’s built-in tools or third-party solutions.
- Payment processing setup – Enable multiple payment options for flexibility.
- Custom app development (if needed) – If Shopify’s standard features don’t cover your needs, consider custom API development.
💡 Market Jack helps businesses find the right balance between Shopify’s native tools and custom integrations to avoid overcomplicated (and costly) setups.
Phase 4: Frontend & UX Migration
With backend operations running smoothly, it’s time to move your store’s customer-facing experience to Shopify. This includes:
- Theme selection or custom design – Replicate your current look or refresh your branding.
- Optimizing site speed & SEO – Ensure your Shopify store loads fast and maintains rankings.
- Navigation & category setup – Ensure intuitive browsing and product filtering.
- Product descriptions & content migration – Preserve SEO-friendly content to maintain search engine visibility.
🔹 If your old system was slow or outdated, this phase is a great opportunity to enhance UX and mobile performance.
Phase 5: Full Go-Live & Optimization
The final step is launching Shopify as your primary e-commerce platform and refining operations post-migration. This involves:
- SEO redirects – Prevent broken links from hurting your rankings.
- Performance monitoring – Track conversions, page load speed, and bounce rates.
- Team training – Ensure employees can manage orders, products, and customer inquiries smoothly.
- Marketing & automation setup – Leverage Shopify’s email marketing, retargeting, and analytics tools.
💡 At Market Jack, we support businesses post-launch, ensuring everything runs seamlessly and optimizing as needed.
Why Work With Market Jack?
Migrating to Shopify is more than just moving data—it’s about building a sustainable, scalable business. With over 15 years of e-commerce experience, I’ve helped brands like NBC, Blue Mercury, and Skinny & Co. transition to Shopify while minimizing risks.
✅ Cost-effective, enterprise-level expertise – Get the strategy of a high-end agency without the six-figure price tag.
✅ Customized approach – We tailor migrations to fit your unique needs, whether integrating an ERP or going fully Shopify.
✅ Proven results – Our clients achieve faster operations, improved SEO, and better UX post-migration.
👉 Ready to discuss your Shopify migration? Contact Market Jack today.