Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

WooCommerce to Wix Migration Guide

WooCommerce

Wix

This guide walks you through migrating from WooCommerce to Wix's user-friendly platform, helping small businesses simplify their ecommerce operations without WordPress hosting complexities. Learn step-by-step how to transfer your store data and leverage Wix's affordable drag-and-drop builder.

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WooCommerce to Wix Migration Preparation

Essential steps to prepare for migrating your WordPress WooCommerce store to Wix's user-friendly ecommerce platform, focusing on data export and platform setup.

Export WooCommerce Product Data

Use WooCommerce's built-in CSV export tool under WooCommerce > Products > Export to download your product catalog, including descriptions, images, pricing, and inventory levels. Also create a full WordPress export from Tools > Export to capture additional content like pages and blog posts that you'll want to recreate on Wix.

Backup Customer and Order Data

Export your customer list and order history through WooCommerce > Orders > Export, as this data will need to be manually recreated or imported into Wix. Consider using a plugin like WP All Export for more comprehensive customer data extraction including registration dates and purchase history.

Choose Your Wix Business Plan

Select between Business Basic ($27/mo), Business Unlimited ($32/mo), or Business VIP ($59/mo) based on your storage needs and transaction volume. Business Unlimited is typically recommended for most small businesses migrating from WooCommerce as it offers sufficient bandwidth and storage for growing catalogs.

Audit Your Product Catalog Size

Review your WooCommerce product count and variants, as Wix works best with smaller, focused catalogs compared to WooCommerce's unlimited capacity. Consider consolidating similar products or removing inactive items to optimize your catalog for Wix's drag-and-drop interface and search functionality.

Document Custom Functionality

List all WooCommerce extensions, custom fields, and specialized features currently in use, such as subscription products, advanced shipping rules, or custom checkout processes. Research Wix App Market alternatives or prepare to simplify these features to match Wix's more streamlined approach.

Prepare Content and Design Assets

Download your current theme files, custom CSS, logo, and brand assets from your WordPress media library. Gather high-quality product images and marketing content, as you'll be rebuilding your site design using Wix's visual editor rather than transferring your existing WordPress theme.

WooCommerce to Wix Migration: Complete Guide for Small Businesses

A comprehensive 12-step migration process to move your WooCommerce store to Wix, designed for small businesses seeking affordable simplicity. This guide addresses Wix's 100-variant limit and focuses on streamlining your product catalog while maintaining essential business functionality.

Audit and Prepare Your WooCommerce Data

2-4 hours

Before exporting, review your current WooCommerce store to identify products with variants and assess compatibility with Wix's 100-variant limit. Create a spreadsheet listing all products and their variants, noting which products exceed Wix's limitations. Simplify your product structure by consolidating similar variants or converting complex variable products into separate simple products. Clean up your product database by removing outdated items, fixing incomplete product information, and optimizing product images.

Tips:

• Use WooCommerce Analytics to identify your best-selling products and prioritize them for migration
• Consider combining color and size variants into separate products if you're near the 100-variant limit
• Export a backup of your current store before making any changes

Important:

• Wix has a strict 100-variant limit across your entire store, not per product
• Complex product configurations may not transfer directly and will need manual recreation

Export WooCommerce Data

30-60 minutes

Use WooCommerce's built-in export tools to download your product data as CSV files from WooCommerce > Products > Export. Export customer data separately through Users > Export, selecting only customers with orders. Download your WordPress content using WordPress Admin > Tools > Export, selecting 'All content' to capture pages, posts, and media. Create a full database backup using your hosting provider's backup tools or phpMyAdmin as a safety measure.

Tips:

• Export products in smaller batches if you have a large catalog to avoid timeout issues
• Download all product images separately and organize them in folders by product
• Export order history for reference, even though it won't import to Wix

Important:

• CSV exports may not include all custom fields or plugin-specific data
• Large exports can fail due to server timeouts - break into smaller batches if needed

Set Up Your Wix Account and Business Plan

45 minutes

Create a new Wix account and select a Business & eCommerce plan that includes online store functionality. Choose the Business Unlimited or Business VIP plan based on your storage and bandwidth needs. Connect your custom domain if you have one, or register a new domain through Wix. Enable Wix Stores from the App Market and complete the initial store setup wizard, including basic business information and currency settings.

Tips:

• Start with a 14-day free trial to test the platform before committing
• Business Unlimited plan offers the best value for most small businesses
• Set up your domain immediately to avoid SSL certificate delays

Important:

• Free plans don't support eCommerce functionality
• Domain connection can take 24-48 hours to fully propagate

Select and Customize Your Wix Store Theme

2-3 hours

Browse Wix's eCommerce templates and select one that matches your brand aesthetic and product type. Use Wix's drag-and-drop editor to customize colors, fonts, and layout to match your previous WooCommerce design. Configure your homepage layout, ensuring product galleries and key information are prominently displayed. Set up your main navigation menu structure, including product categories and important pages like About Us and Contact.

Tips:

• Choose a template designed for your product type (fashion, electronics, etc.) for better optimization
• Keep mobile design in mind as Wix automatically creates mobile versions
• Use your brand colors and fonts consistently throughout the site

Important:

• Once you start editing a template, you cannot switch to a different template without losing customizations
• Some advanced design features may require Wix Code knowledge

Import and Set Up Product Catalog

4-8 hours depending on catalog size

Manually add your products to Wix Stores, as there's no direct CSV import feature for WooCommerce exports. Create product categories first, then add products one by one, including titles, descriptions, prices, and inventory levels. Upload product images ensuring they meet Wix's recommended dimensions (1000x1000px minimum). Set up product variants carefully, monitoring your approach to the 100-variant store limit and using Wix's variant system for size, color, and other options.

Tips:

• Create products in order of importance in case you need to prioritize due to time constraints
• Use Wix's bulk actions for updating prices or inventory when possible
• Optimize product images before uploading to improve site speed

Important:

• Wix doesn't support direct CSV import for products - all entry must be manual
• The 100-variant limit applies to your entire store, not individual products

Configure Payment Processing

1-2 hours

Set up Wix Payments as your primary payment processor, which integrates seamlessly with Wix Stores and offers competitive rates. Add alternative payment methods like PayPal, Stripe, or Square through the Wix App Market based on your customer preferences. Configure payment settings including accepted currencies, tax handling, and payment confirmation emails. Test payment processing in Wix's test mode to ensure everything functions correctly before going live.

Tips:

• Wix Payments offers the best integration but check if it's available in your country
• Enable multiple payment options to reduce cart abandonment
• Set up automatic payment confirmation emails with your branding

Important:

• Payment processor approval can take 2-7 business days
• Some payment methods may have geographic restrictions

Set Up Shipping Configuration

1-2 hours

Configure shipping zones and rates in Wix Stores based on your WooCommerce shipping setup. Create shipping rules for different regions, weight ranges, or order values as needed for your business model. Set up flat rate, calculated, or free shipping options, ensuring they align with your previous WooCommerce shipping strategy. Enable shipping confirmation emails and tracking integration if you use services like USPS, UPS, or FedEx.

Tips:

• Start with simple flat-rate shipping and add complexity gradually
• Offer free shipping thresholds to increase average order value
• Test shipping calculations with various cart combinations

Important:

• Complex shipping rules may not be possible - Wix has more limited shipping options than WooCommerce
• International shipping setup requires careful attention to customs and tax implications

Configure Tax Settings

45 minutes - 1 hour

Set up tax configuration in Wix based on your business location and tax requirements. Configure automatic tax calculation for different regions if you sell across multiple states or countries. Enable tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive pricing based on your business model and local requirements. Connect with tax automation services like Avalara through Wix's App Market if you need advanced tax compliance for multiple jurisdictions.

Tips:

• Consult with a tax professional if you're unsure about tax requirements
• Enable automatic tax calculation to reduce manual errors
• Set up tax exemption handling if you sell to businesses

Important:

• Tax laws vary significantly by location - ensure compliance with local requirements
• Incorrect tax setup can lead to compliance issues and penalties

Migrate Content and Create Essential Pages

2-3 hours

Recreate your essential WordPress pages in Wix, including About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and FAQ pages. Copy content from your WordPress export and paste it into new Wix pages, reformatting as needed for Wix's editor. Set up contact forms using Wix's form builder, ensuring they capture the same information as your previous WooCommerce contact methods. Create any additional pages needed for your business, such as size guides, return policies, or shipping information.

Tips:

• Use Wix's SEO wizard to optimize each page for search engines
• Maintain the same URL structure where possible for SEO continuity
• Add contact forms to multiple pages to increase customer engagement

Important:

• Wix's editor works differently than WordPress - expect some formatting adjustments
• Complex page layouts may need to be simplified for Wix's system

Import Customer Data

2-4 hours depending on customer base size

Manually add your most important customer information to Wix, as there's no direct import tool for WooCommerce customer data. Focus on customers with recent orders or those in your email marketing lists. Use Wix's customer management system to add contact details, order history notes, and customer preferences. Set up customer accounts and email marketing integration through Wix's built-in email marketing tools or third-party services like Mailchimp.

Tips:

• Prioritize your most valuable customers for manual entry
• Send email notifications to existing customers about the new store
• Use this opportunity to clean up your customer database

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be migrated - customers will need to create new accounts
• Order history will not transfer automatically and must be added manually if needed

Set Up URL Redirects and SEO

2-3 hours

Configure 301 redirects from your old WooCommerce URLs to corresponding Wix pages to maintain SEO value and prevent broken links. Use Wix's URL redirect manager to map old product and page URLs to new ones. Update your Google Search Console and Google Analytics to point to your new Wix site. Optimize your Wix site's SEO settings including meta titles, descriptions, and structured data for products and pages.

Tips:

• Create a comprehensive redirect map before making changes live
• Submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console after migration
• Monitor 404 errors closely in the first few weeks after launch

Important:

• Some SEO ranking may be temporarily lost during migration
• Complex URL structures may not map perfectly to Wix's system

Test and Launch Your Wix Store

3-4 hours for testing, 24-48 hours for full launch

Conduct comprehensive testing of your new Wix store including placing test orders, testing payment processing, and verifying shipping calculations. Check all forms, links, and functionality across desktop and mobile devices. Test customer account creation, password reset, and order confirmation emails. Once testing is complete, update your domain DNS settings to point to Wix, announce the new store to your customers, and monitor closely for any issues in the first 48 hours.

Tips:

• Create a launch checklist to ensure nothing is missed
• Have a rollback plan ready in case of critical issues
• Monitor customer feedback closely in the first week

Important:

• DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally
• Keep your old WooCommerce site accessible until you confirm everything is working properly

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: WooCommerce supports Unlimited vs Wix'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 WooCommerce to Wix, covering data transfer, feature differences, and operational considerations.

How long does it take to migrate from WooCommerce to Wix?

A typical WooCommerce to Wix migration takes 2-4 weeks for small to medium stores. This includes exporting your WooCommerce data, setting up your Wix store design, importing products and customers, and thoroughly testing all functionality before going live.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when switching from WooCommerce to Wix?

You may experience temporary SEO impact due to URL structure changes and platform differences. Set up proper 301 redirects from your old WooCommerce URLs to new Wix URLs, and submit an updated sitemap to Google Search Console to minimize ranking loss.

Can I transfer my order history and customer data from WooCommerce to Wix?

Wix doesn't directly import WooCommerce order history, but you can export customer data via CSV and import it into Wix. You'll need to keep your old WooCommerce data accessible for historical order references and customer service needs.

What WooCommerce plugins won't be available on Wix?

Many specialized WooCommerce plugins like advanced inventory management, complex shipping calculators, and custom checkout flows have limited or no equivalents on Wix. Review Wix's App Market for alternatives, but expect simpler functionality overall.

What ecommerce features will I lose moving from WooCommerce to Wix?

You'll lose advanced features like complex product variations, detailed inventory tracking, advanced coupon systems, and extensive payment gateway options. Wix is better suited for simple product catalogs rather than complex ecommerce operations.

How much downtime should I expect during the migration?

With proper planning, you can minimize downtime to just the DNS changeover period (1-48 hours). Build your entire Wix store while your WooCommerce site remains live, then switch domains only when the new store is fully tested and ready.

Do I need technical skills to migrate from WooCommerce to Wix?

Wix migration requires less technical knowledge than WooCommerce maintenance, but you'll still need to handle CSV exports/imports and domain transfers. Consider hiring a Wix expert if you're uncomfortable with data handling or have a large product catalog.

Can I recreate my custom WooCommerce theme design in Wix?

Wix's drag-and-drop builder offers good design flexibility, but you may not achieve pixel-perfect recreation of custom WooCommerce themes. Focus on maintaining your brand colors, fonts, and overall layout rather than exact replication.

Will customers need to create new passwords after migration?

Yes, customers will need to create new accounts on your Wix store since password hashes cannot be transferred between platforms. Send advance notice to customers about the migration and consider offering incentives for re-registration.

How do I handle ongoing orders during the migration process?

Continue processing orders on WooCommerce until migration is complete, then manually transfer any pending orders to Wix or fulfill them through the old system. Communicate clearly with customers about order status during the transition period.

Will I save money switching from WooCommerce to Wix?

Potentially yes for small businesses - Wix plans start at $27/month with hosting included, while WooCommerce requires separate hosting ($10-200+/month) plus potential plugin costs. However, calculate total costs including any lost functionality you might need to replace.

Should I migrate my customer reviews from WooCommerce to Wix?

Export your WooCommerce reviews via CSV and manually import them into Wix, though this process can be time-consuming for large review volumes. Alternatively, consider starting fresh and encouraging new reviews with post-migration incentives.