Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Square Online to Shopify Migration Guide

Square Online

Shopify

This guide walks you through migrating from Square Online to Shopify to unlock access to 8,000+ apps and simplified store management. Learn step-by-step processes for transferring products, customers, and orders while maximizing Shopify's extensive customization options.

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Square Online to Shopify Migration Guide

Complete migration from Square Online to Shopify to leverage better app ecosystem and management tools while maintaining your product catalog and customer data.

Export Data from Square Online

Access your Square Dashboard and navigate to Items > Export to download your product catalog as a CSV file. Also export customer data and order history from the respective sections in your Square Dashboard to ensure you have complete records for the migration.

Set Up Your Shopify Store

Create your Shopify account and select the appropriate plan (Basic at $39/mo is suitable for most small businesses). Configure your store settings including payment methods, shipping zones, and tax settings to match your current Square Online configuration.

Import Products and Customer Data

Use Shopify's built-in CSV import tool to upload your Square Online product data, ensuring product variants and inventory levels transfer correctly. Import customer information separately through Shopify's customer import feature to maintain your customer base.

Install Essential Apps and Integrations

Browse Shopify's 8,000+ app ecosystem to install tools that enhance your store's functionality beyond what Square Online offered. Focus on apps for email marketing, inventory management, and customer service to take advantage of Shopify's robust third-party integrations.

Configure Theme and Design

Select and customize a Shopify theme that matches your brand identity from Square Online. Upload your logo, configure navigation menus, and ensure your product pages display correctly with the imported data.

Test and Go Live

Thoroughly test all store functions including checkout process, payment gateways, and app integrations before switching your domain. Update your domain settings to point to Shopify and monitor the transition to ensure seamless customer experience.

Square Online to Shopify Migration Process

A comprehensive 12-step migration guide to transfer your ecommerce store from Square Online to Shopify, leveraging CSV exports and maintaining business continuity while accessing Shopify's robust app ecosystem.

Export Data from Square Online Dashboard

30-45 minutes

Access your Square Dashboard and navigate to the 'Items' section to export your product catalog via CSV. Go to 'Customers' to export customer data, and 'Transactions' for order history. Download each CSV file separately as Square Online doesn't provide a unified export option. Ensure you have admin access to your Square account before beginning this process.

Tips:

• Export data during off-peak hours to avoid missing new orders
• Save all CSV files in a dedicated migration folder
• Export transaction data for the past 2 years for comprehensive records

Important:

• Square Online CSV exports don't include product images - save these separately
• Customer passwords cannot be exported and will need to be reset

Set Up Shopify Account and Plan Selection

20-30 minutes

Create your Shopify account and select an appropriate plan based on your business needs. For most SMBs migrating from Square Online, the Basic Shopify plan ($29/month) provides sufficient features. Complete the initial store setup including store name, address, and basic business information. Shopify offers a 14-day free trial to test the platform before committing.

Tips:

• Use the same business email as your Square account for consistency
• Choose a plan that matches your current transaction volume
• Take advantage of the free trial to test all features

Important:

• Don't launch your store publicly until migration is complete
• Shopify transaction fees vary by plan - factor this into your decision

Select and Customize Shopify Theme

2-4 hours

Browse Shopify's theme store and select a theme that matches your brand aesthetic and functional requirements. Install your chosen theme and begin basic customization including logo upload, color scheme, and font selection. Configure the header, footer, and navigation menu structure to match your current Square Online site layout where possible.

Tips:

• Choose a responsive theme optimized for mobile commerce
• Free themes offer excellent functionality for most businesses
• Preview themes with your actual product images before finalizing

Important:

• Extensive theme customization can delay your launch
• Some premium themes may require additional apps for full functionality

Prepare and Import Product Data

3-6 hours

Clean and format your Square Online product CSV to match Shopify's import requirements. Since Square allows unlimited variants while Shopify limits products to 100 variants, review products with high variant counts and consider splitting them into separate products. Use Shopify's CSV template to ensure proper formatting, then import via the Products section in your admin panel.

Tips:

• Use Shopify's CSV template to avoid formatting errors
• Import products in batches of 250 or fewer for better processing
• Manually upload high-resolution product images for better quality

Important:

• Products with over 100 variants must be restructured before import
• SEO titles and descriptions may need manual optimization after import

Import Customer Database

1-2 hours

Format your Square Online customer CSV to match Shopify's customer import template. Import customer data through the Customers section in your Shopify admin, ensuring email addresses, names, and addresses are properly mapped. Note that customer passwords cannot be migrated, so plan a communication strategy to help customers reset their passwords on the new platform.

Tips:

• Send password reset instructions immediately after going live
• Segment customers by purchase history for targeted re-engagement
• Enable customer accounts in your theme settings before import

Important:

• Customer login credentials cannot be transferred
• Duplicate email addresses will cause import errors

Configure Payment Gateway Settings

45-60 minutes

Set up Shopify Payments as your primary payment processor, or configure your preferred third-party gateway if you want to maintain your current processor. If using Square for payments previously, you can install the Square app for Shopify to maintain consistency. Configure accepted payment methods, currency settings, and enable relevant payment options like Shop Pay, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

Tips:

• Shopify Payments offers the lowest transaction fees for most merchants
• Test all payment methods before launch
• Enable accelerated checkout options to improve conversion

Important:

• Third-party payment gateways incur additional transaction fees
• Payment gateway approval can take 24-48 hours

Set Up Shipping Zones and Rates

1-2 hours

Configure shipping zones based on your delivery areas and set up shipping rates that match or improve upon your Square Online setup. Create shipping profiles for different product types if needed, and integrate with carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx for real-time rates. Set up free shipping thresholds and local delivery options if applicable to your business model.

Tips:

• Use calculated shipping rates for accuracy
• Offer free shipping thresholds to increase average order value
• Set up email notifications for shipping updates

Important:

• Shipping rates significantly impact conversion - test thoroughly
• International shipping requires additional tax and duty considerations

Configure Tax Settings and Compliance

30-45 minutes

Set up tax collection for all applicable jurisdictions where you have tax obligations. Configure Shopify's automatic tax calculations for US sales tax, Canadian taxes, or international VAT as needed. Review your Square Online tax setup and ensure continuity in tax collection rates and exemptions. Enable tax-inclusive pricing if your previous setup used this approach.

Tips:

• Enable automatic tax calculation to ensure compliance
• Set up tax overrides for specific products if needed
• Consider using TaxJar app for complex tax situations

Important:

• Incorrect tax setup can create compliance issues
• Tax obligations may change when switching platforms

Migrate Content and Create Essential Pages

2-3 hours

Recreate important pages from your Square Online site including About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and FAQ pages. Copy content from your existing site and optimize it for Shopify's page structure. Set up blog posts if you have content marketing materials, and ensure all legal pages are properly linked in your footer navigation.

Tips:

• Use Shopify's rich text editor for better formatting
• Optimize page content for SEO during migration
• Create a comprehensive FAQ page to reduce support requests

Important:

• Legal pages must comply with your local jurisdiction requirements
• Missing privacy policy can impact Google Ads and Facebook advertising

Install Essential Apps and Integrations

1-2 hours

Browse Shopify's app store and install essential apps to replicate functionality from Square Online and enhance your store capabilities. Consider apps for email marketing, customer reviews, inventory management, and analytics. If you used Square's integrated tools, find equivalent Shopify apps or native features. Prioritize apps that integrate with your existing business tools and workflows.

Tips:

• Start with free apps and upgrade as needed
• Read reviews and check app ratings before installing
• Limit initial app installations to essential functionality only

Important:

• Too many apps can slow down your store
• Monthly app costs can add up quickly - budget accordingly

Set Up URL Redirects and SEO Migration

1-2 hours

Create 301 redirects from your Square Online URLs to corresponding Shopify URLs to preserve SEO rankings and prevent broken links. Use Shopify's URL redirect feature in the admin panel or install a redirect app for bulk redirects. Update your Google Search Console and Google Analytics to point to your new Shopify domain, and submit a new sitemap to search engines.

Tips:

• Map all important URLs before switching domains
• Use Google Search Console to identify your most important pages
• Set up Google Analytics Enhanced Ecommerce tracking

Important:

• Missing redirects will result in 404 errors and lost SEO value
• Some SEO rankings may temporarily decline during migration

Comprehensive Testing and Go-Live Process

4-6 hours

Conduct thorough testing of your entire Shopify store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, payment processing, and email notifications. Test on multiple devices and browsers to ensure compatibility. Place test orders using different payment methods and shipping options. Once testing is complete, update your domain DNS settings, announce the migration to customers, and monitor the site closely for the first 48 hours.

Tips:

• Create a testing checklist to ensure nothing is missed
• Have team members test the store from a customer perspective
• Prepare customer service team for migration-related inquiries

Important:

• Don't go live during peak traffic periods
• Keep Square Online backup accessible for 30 days after migration

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Square Online supports Unlimited vs Shopify's 100.

customers

Customer contact info, addresses, marketing preferences transfer. Passwords must be reset for security.

orders

Order history for reference. Consider importing last 3-6 months for customer service.

Common challenges and solutions

Essential questions and answers for businesses migrating from Square Online to Shopify, covering data transfer, SEO preservation, app ecosystem differences, and operational considerations.

How long does it typically take to migrate from Square Online to Shopify?

A complete migration from Square Online to Shopify typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on your store complexity. This includes exporting data via Square Dashboard CSV, setting up your Shopify store, configuring apps, and testing before launch.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when migrating from Square Online to Shopify?

You can preserve most SEO value by implementing proper 301 redirects from your Square Online URLs to corresponding Shopify URLs. Plan your URL structure carefully and submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console after migration to minimize ranking impact.

Can I transfer my order history and customer data from Square Online to Shopify?

Yes, you can export customer and order data from Square Online via CSV through the Square Dashboard. However, you'll need to format this data properly for Shopify import, and some order details may require manual adjustment due to platform differences.

What Square Online features might I lose when switching to Shopify?

You'll lose direct integration with Square's POS system and some built-in Square-specific features. However, Shopify's 8,000+ app ecosystem typically provides superior alternatives, though many require additional monthly fees unlike Square Online's included features.

How much will my monthly costs change when moving from Square Online to Shopify?

Costs will likely increase significantly - from Square Online's free plan or $29-79/month to Shopify's $39-399/month, plus additional app costs. However, you'll gain access to more advanced features and the largest ecommerce app ecosystem available.

Will there be any downtime during the migration from Square Online to Shopify?

You can minimize downtime by building your Shopify store in parallel with your live Square Online store. The actual switchover should only take a few hours for DNS propagation, allowing you to maintain sales throughout most of the migration process.

Do I need to find new apps to replace Square Online's built-in features?

Yes, many features built into Square Online will require separate Shopify apps, such as advanced inventory management, specific payment processors, or marketing tools. Budget for 3-5 essential apps at $10-50 each per month to match your current functionality.

Can my customers keep their existing passwords after migrating to Shopify?

Customer passwords cannot be directly transferred due to security encryption differences between platforms. Customers will need to use the 'forgot password' feature to reset their passwords, so communicate this clearly during your migration announcement.

How should I test my new Shopify store before going live?

Use Shopify's password-protected development environment to test all functionality including checkout, payment processing, and app integrations. Place test orders using Shopify's test mode and have team members review the entire customer journey before removing password protection.

Will my Square Online theme design transfer to Shopify?

Your exact theme design won't transfer automatically, but you can recreate a similar look using Shopify's theme customizer or by purchasing a similar theme from Shopify's theme store. Many Square Online design elements can be replicated with Shopify's flexible theming system.

How do I handle ongoing operations while migrating to Shopify?

Continue processing orders and managing inventory on Square Online while building your Shopify store in parallel. Stop accepting new orders on Square Online only when you're ready to switch DNS, then import any final orders manually to maintain complete order history.

Can I migrate my product reviews from Square Online to Shopify?

Product reviews can be exported from Square Online via CSV and imported into Shopify using review apps like Judge.me or Yotpo. You may need to reformat the data and manually map products, but most review content and ratings can be preserved.