BENEFITS OF A MAGENTO TO SHOPIFY MIGRATION

The Shopify revolution is well underway. It’s talk of the town, and online brands, big and small, are waxing lyrical about making the move. Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the possibility of a Magento to Shopify migration, have heard about Shopify on the grapevine, or are looking to take your business to the next step, you’ll want to know the key benefits for your business.

Improve your tech, improve your conversion

In the eCommerce world, two elements rule: technology and customers. The two coexist and drive each other. The world of discovery and purchase now cyclical. We’re shopping on multiple devices, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Technology is advancing day by day, hour by hour. Not only that but we now have access to data that gives us an image of just how customers are shopping. Actions and interaction encourage further change. (Read more on understanding your data.)

So tech is crucial for staying ahead of the game and keeping up conversions. Shopify is proving that it’s staying one step ahead of the game. It’s not just customers who want tailored experiences, store owners do too. Shopify’s approach is to make your site as tailored to your needs as possible, while keeping it simple to use and update. When your store works hard for you, conversions improve.

Ditch the dev

Easy street – that’s what we’re all aiming for with technology. Something that works for us, when we want and how we want. Many are making the move from Shopify to Magento for the simple reason that it’s easier to use. An easy interface, drag and drop options, and templates and apps galore all mean that your store is in your hands – you’re no longer tied to your developer.

Once, you’ve completed a Magento to Shopify migration and transferred all your data, it’s pretty easy to maintain, with minimal external assistance. A Shopify store also benefits from an uncomplicated hosting structure and security that’s not just trustworthy, it’s straightforward to navigate.

Encourage more buyers

In that light, Shopify offers an integrated payment processor, so you can easily manage payments in your dashboard. Super simple and uncomplicated. Of course, driven by choice and ease, Shopify also has an additional 70 payment gateways that are broken down into three categories. It’s much easier to find your way around and, ultimately, easy payment systems can help turn casual shoppers into converting buyers. (Read more about how to increase conversion.)

Stop returns damaging your online store

Returns is a big topic in eCommerce. Online purchases see a far higher return rate than those made in bricks and mortar stores. Statistics show that sales made in-store see around 8% returned, while for eCommerce this figure can reach 30%. This consumer behaviour has had a 360-degree effect for some stores. Amazon, for example, has built its legacy as a purely online shop, yet now has purpose built bricks and mortar stores specifically for customers to return their unwanted orders, and reduce shipping costs.

Shopify is tackling the returns challenge in two ways. Firstly, by making it easier to manage, and secondly by capturing the relevant data to help you react to the reasons behind the returns and create a better shopping experience. How does it do this? In June 2018 Shopify acquired Return Magic – a leading returns app, that manages and optimizes eCommerce returns.

Choice for store owners

That brings us nicely to apps and integrations. One of Shopify’s strengths is understanding that there is power in collaboration. As well as understanding the best apps to acquire (such as Return Magic), they know that the more integrations you have to choose from, the more optimized your store. That’s why there’s a plethora of integrations. Chances are that you can streamline your store, use integrations that you’re already familiar with on Magento, and try out new ones.

Cost-effective from the start

Finally, Shopify is pretty good value for money. There are three pricing tiers, so you can pick the one best suited to your store needs:

1. Basic. $29/month. This is aimed at new starters. If you’ve got a small store running on Magento and you’re looking for a refresh and improved store experience, rather than growth, then this low-cost Shopify option is right your street.
2. Shopify. $79/month. This is straight-up Shopify. If you’re looking to grow your business by changing platforms, this is the option for you.
3. Advanced Shopify. $299/month. If you’re bringing in the big bucks and have a large and thriving store, it’s worth investing in Advanced Shopify. It can support heavy data loads, and help you build a global brand.

Importantly for future-proofing your business, Shopify has the important touch points covered, no matter which pricing option you go for. All include a website with blog and a POS app, as well as 24/7 support.

Shopify is a platform that is responding swiftly and intelligently to the changing eCommerce world. It’s uniquely positioned to be accessible to anyone, ultimately making a Magento to Shopify migration a future-proofing method for small stores to global giants.

If your store has a few hundred SKUs, it’s possible to migrate from Magento to Shopify yourself. However if you have a few thousand, or are operating from a Magento site that has a high volume of traffic and data, we recommend calling in the experts.