Migrating from Optimizely Commerce (formerly Episerver) to Shopify Plus isn’t just a technology update—it’s a transformative business decision that can redefine your e-commerce operations. In today's digital age, brands need a platform that not only scales with them but also empowers innovation, streamlines operations, and delivers superior customer experiences. Shopify Plus provides this edge, and in this post, we explore why it’s the ideal upgrade and how to execute a smooth migration.
Why Migrate to Shopify Plus?
Unleashing Innovation with a Best-in-Class Store Builder
At the heart of Shopify Plus is the Online Store 2.0 CMS—a state-of-the-art tool that offers unprecedented flexibility and control over your storefront design. With its drag-and-drop capabilities and modular architecture, you can create a highly customized and responsive site without heavy reliance on developers. This modern customization ensures that your brand’s unique identity shines through, ultimately enhancing the customer journey.
Optimized Checkout for Maximum Conversions
A seamless checkout process is crucial for driving conversions and reducing cart abandonment. Shopify Plus is engineered to offer the fastest and most efficient checkout in the market—studies show that the Shopify checkout converts 33% better than the competition. With its user-friendly interface, advanced security protocols, and compliance with global payment standards, your customers can complete their purchases with confidence and ease, thereby increasing your overall conversion rates.
Expanding Your Reach with Built-In Sales Channels
Growth today means being omnipresent. Shopify Plus supports multiple sales channels, including social media integrations, online marketplaces, and even physical point-of-sale systems. This multi-channel approach ensures that your brand can reach customers wherever they are, reinforcing a consistent and engaging shopping experience across all platforms.
Enhancing Capabilities Through the Largest App Ecosystem
No business is one-size-fits-all, and neither is an e-commerce platform. Shopify Plus’s extensive app ecosystem allows you to add powerful functionalities—from marketing automation and advanced analytics to inventory management and beyond. This ecosystem empowers you to extend your store’s capabilities far beyond the basics, adapting to evolving market demands and customer expectations.
Empowering Hybrid Brands with Built-In B2B Capabilities
For brands that cater to both B2B and B2C markets, Shopify Plus offers robust, built-in B2B features. Manage complex pricing, customized customer segmentation, and streamlined order processing effortlessly. With B2B e-commerce growing at an impressive pace—some reports indicate that B2B online sales are experiencing double-digit growth annually—hybrid brands are better positioned to capture new opportunities and increase revenue. This capability ensures that whether you’re serving a retail customer or a wholesale client, the experience remains smooth and consistent.
Fast-to-Market Speed with Agile Deployments
In today’s competitive landscape, agility is key. Shopify Plus enables you to rapidly roll out new updates, features, and promotional campaigns with minimal downtime. This agility means you can quickly respond to market trends, seasonal shifts, or customer feedback—keeping your store at the forefront of innovation.
Seamless ERP & PIM Integration for Operational Efficiency
For many businesses, integrating backend systems is a major challenge. Shopify Plus simplifies this by seamlessly connecting with a wide range of ERP systems. This integration ensures real-time data synchronization across your operations, from inventory to sales analytics, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors.
Cost-Effective Technology with Unmatched Value
Another compelling advantage of Shopify Plus is its cost efficiency. The platform offers the lowest technology cost, delivering up to 30% better value than the competition. With a predictable, low-cost maintenance model, you can allocate more resources to strategic growth initiatives rather than being bogged down by IT expenses.
Tapping Into a Reliable Ecosystem of Partners
Migration is not a journey you have to undertake alone. Shopify Plus boasts a vast network of certified partners—from developers and designers to marketing experts—who can help you optimize every aspect of your new platform. This reliable ecosystem ensures that you have expert guidance at every stage of your migration and beyond.
How to Successfully Migrate to Shopify Plus
Migrating to a new platform involves more than simply transferring data; it’s about transforming your e-commerce operations to maximize performance, scalability, and customer satisfaction. Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you navigate the migration process:
1. Develop a Comprehensive Migration Strategy
- Set Clear Objectives and KPIs:
- Define your migration goals: Are you looking to improve site speed, enhance customer experience, reduce maintenance costs, or increase conversion rates?
- Establish measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) to track success post-migration, such as reduced cart abandonment rates, increased sales conversions, and faster page load times.
- Conduct a Full Platform Audit:
- Document your current system architecture, workflows, integrations, and custom features.
- Identify which components are mission-critical and which can be optimized or even retired during the migration.
- Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning:
- Anticipate potential risks such as downtime, data loss, or integration challenges.
- Develop a detailed risk management plan and establish contingency measures (e.g., rollback procedures, backup systems) to minimize business disruption.
2. Engage with Shopify Plus Experts
- Partner with Certified Specialists:
- Collaborate with Shopify Plus certified partners who bring a wealth of migration experience and technical expertise.
- These experts can conduct a technical audit of your current setup, help in devising the migration plan, and provide hands-on support throughout the process.
- Customize Your Roadmap:
- Work closely with your partners to tailor the migration strategy to your specific business needs.
- Develop a detailed project timeline that aligns with your business cycles to avoid disruptions during peak sales periods.
3. Prepare and Cleanse Your Data
- Comprehensive Data Audit:
- Identify all data types to be migrated, including product details, customer information, order histories, reviews, and digital assets.
- Map out where each piece of data currently resides and plan its migration path to Shopify Plus.
- Data Cleansing and Standardization:
- Remove outdated, redundant, or inaccurate data to streamline the migration.
- Standardize data formats (e.g., date formats, SKU numbers) to ensure compatibility with Shopify’s systems.
- Leverage data migration tools and scripts provided by Shopify Plus partners to automate and validate the data transfer process.
- Ensure Data Integrity:
- Set up parallel runs where you verify that the data in Shopify Plus matches your legacy system before going live.
- Perform multiple rounds of testing to ensure that no critical data is lost or corrupted during migration.
4. Design and Develop Your New Storefront
- Leverage Online Store 2.0 CMS:
- Utilize the power of Shopify Plus’s Online Store 2.0 for a flexible, customizable storefront that reflects your brand’s identity.
- Customize themes and layouts to create a modern, engaging user experience that aligns with your conversion goals.
- Incorporate Responsive Design and UX Best Practices:
- Optimize the site for mobile, tablet, and desktop experiences.
- Focus on intuitive navigation, fast-loading pages, and a streamlined checkout process that converts—remember, Shopify’s checkout converts 33% better than the competition.
- Integrate Key Functionalities:
- Ensure seamless integration with sales channels, ERP systems, and third-party apps from Shopify’s extensive ecosystem.
- Build in essential B2B features, such as custom pricing and bulk order management, to support hybrid B2B/B2C operations.
5. Rigorous Testing and Quality Assurance
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT):
- Invite key stakeholders, including team members and a select group of customers, to test the new platform under real-world conditions.
- Gather feedback on usability, performance, and any issues encountered, ensuring that all functionalities are performing as expected.
- Integration and Load Testing:
- Verify that all integrations—ERP systems, CRM software, and third-party apps—are functioning seamlessly with Shopify Plus.
- Conduct load testing to ensure the platform can handle high traffic volumes without compromising performance.
- Security and Compliance Audits:
- Perform comprehensive security testing to safeguard against vulnerabilities.
- Ensure that your new platform complies with global payment standards and data protection regulations, building customer trust and confidence.
6. Launch and Monitor Performance
- Phased Rollout or Soft Launch:
- Consider launching your new store in phases or starting with a soft launch to a limited audience. This controlled rollout allows you to address any unforeseen issues without affecting the entire customer base.
- Real-Time Monitoring:
- Use robust analytics tools to monitor site performance, conversion rates, and customer behavior from day one.
- Establish a dedicated monitoring team or use automated alert systems to quickly identify and resolve issues.
- Feedback Loop and Rapid Iteration:
- Continuously collect feedback from customers and team members.
- Use this feedback to make rapid adjustments and enhancements, ensuring your platform evolves in line with market needs and user expectations.
7. Commit to Continuous Improvement
- Ongoing Optimization:
- Regularly update your storefront with new features and improvements leveraging Shopify Plus’s app ecosystem.
- Stay informed about the latest e-commerce trends and technology updates to keep your platform competitive.
- Performance Reviews and Strategy Refinement:
- Schedule regular performance reviews post-migration to assess whether your KPIs are being met.
- Adapt your strategies based on these insights, whether that means further optimizing the checkout process or expanding into new sales channels.
- Future-Proofing Your Business:
- Invest in training for your team to fully leverage Shopify Plus’s capabilities.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation to ensure your e-commerce operations remain agile and responsive to market changes.
Conclusion
Migrating from Optimizely Commerce to Shopify Plus represents more than a platform change—it’s a strategic evolution towards a more agile, scalable, and customer-centric e-commerce environment. With Shopify Plus, you benefit from a best-in-class store builder, an optimized checkout that converts 33% better than the competition, expansive sales channels, a robust app ecosystem, built-in B2B capabilities in a booming market, rapid deployment speed, seamless ERP integrations, and a cost-effective technology solution delivering 30% better value.
By tapping into a reliable network of expert partners and committing to continuous innovation, your business is poised for sustainable growth and long-term success. Embrace the migration as an opportunity to enhance your technological capabilities, improve your customer experience, and set the stage for a future-proof commerce platform. Make the move to Shopify Plus and unlock the future of commerce today.
