How to Migrate a Shopify Store to WordPress Without Losing Data

Updated 2026-06-26 · Hosting Reviews

Moving a Shopify store to a WordPress dropshipping setup can feel overwhelming, but with the right plan you won’t lose product data, customer info, or SEO juice. Below is a practical, no‑fluff workflow that covers everything from choosing a host to launching your new WooCommerce store.

Why Choose WordPress for a Dropshipping Store

WordPress paired with WooCommerce gives you full control over design, plugins, and pricing strategies—something Shopify limits with its app ecosystem. For dropshipping, you can integrate directly with suppliers like AliExpress, Oberlo alternatives, and automate order fulfillment without paying high transaction fees. The platform is also SEO‑friendly, which helps retain the rankings you built on Shopify.

What You Need Before You Start

1. Hosting – A reliable, fast server is essential for product images and checkout speed. For beginners, shared hosting works fine; expect costs around $3‑$7 / month. If you anticipate rapid growth, consider a cloud or VPS plan ($10‑$20 / month) for more resources and better isolation.

2. Domain name – You can keep your existing .com or buy a new one. Register through a registrar or through your host; many hosts, including Hostinger, throw in a free domain for the first year.

3. WordPress + WooCommerce – Install WordPress with one click, then add the WooCommerce plugin. Both are free, but premium extensions (shipping, payment gateways) may cost $30‑$100 / year.

4. Data export from Shopify – Use Shopify’s built‑in CSV export for products, customers, and orders. You’ll also need your theme files if you want to replicate the look.

Choosing the Right Hosting Plan

When comparing shared, cloud, and VPS options, ask yourself:

• Traffic expectations: Under 5,000 monthly visitors? Shared hosting is enough. Over that? Cloud or VPS offers scaling.
• Technical comfort: Shared plans often include a control panel and auto‑updates. VPS gives you root access but requires more maintenance.
• Budget: Shared plans range $3‑$7 / month; cloud starts around $10 / month; VPS begins at $15 / month. Introductory rates are lower, but renewal prices jump, so factor that in.

Hostinger’s shared hosting is a solid entry point: fast SSD servers, free SSL, and a one‑click WordPress installer make the migration painless.

Step‑by‑Step Migration Process

1. Set up hosting and domain. Sign up with Hostinger, choose a plan that fits your budget, and point your domain’s DNS to the new server.
2. Install WordPress. Use the one‑click installer from the control panel. After installation, log into wp‑admin and install the WooCommerce plugin.
3. Import Shopify data. In WooCommerce, go to Products → Import and upload the CSV you exported from Shopify. Repeat for customers (Users → Import) and orders (use a third‑party plugin like “Order Import Export for WooCommerce”).
4. Choose a dropshipping plugin. Popular choices include “AliDropship” or “WooCommerce Dropshipping.” Install, configure API keys, and map supplier SKUs to your products.
5. Set up payment gateways. Enable Stripe, PayPal, or any gateway you prefer. Test with sandbox mode before going live.
6. Design your store. Pick a WooCommerce‑compatible theme (many free options exist) and customize colors, fonts, and layout. If you want a Shopify‑like look, import the theme’s CSS and adjust templates.
7. Test checkout and fulfillment. Place a test order, verify that the dropshipping plugin sends the order to the supplier, and confirm that the customer receives the correct confirmation emails.
8. Redirect traffic. Add 301 redirects from your old Shopify URLs to the new WordPress URLs to preserve SEO. Most plugins let you bulk‑create redirects.
9. Launch. Disable maintenance mode, announce the new site, and monitor speed and security with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and a WordPress security plugin.

Throughout the process, keep backups. Hostinger provides daily backups on many plans, and you can also use plugins like UpdraftPlus for extra safety.

Speed and Security Basics for a Dropshipping Store

Even a well‑built store can suffer if it’s slow or vulnerable. Implement these three low‑cost measures:

• Cache plugin: Free options like WP Super Cache or LiteSpeed Cache dramatically improve load times.
• Image optimization: Use a plugin such as Smush or ShortPixel to compress product photos without quality loss.
• Security: Activate the free SSL from Hostinger, install a security plugin (Wordfence or Sucuri), and enable two‑factor authentication for admin accounts.

These steps keep page speed under 2 seconds—a benchmark that helps conversion rates and SEO.

Cost Overview and Ongoing Expenses

Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll spend in the first year:

• Hosting: $3‑$15 / month (intro rates), plus renewal at the same range.
• Domain: often free first year, then $10‑$15 / year.
• WooCommerce extensions: $0‑$100 / year, depending on needed features.
• Dropshipping plugin: $30‑$200 / year (many have one‑time licenses).

All told, a functional dropshipping store can launch for under $200 / year, far less than many Shopify plans that charge $29‑$79 / month plus transaction fees.

FAQ

Will I lose my Shopify SEO rankings after migration?

If you set up proper 301 redirects from old Shopify URLs to the new WordPress URLs and keep the same product titles and meta data, most of your rankings will transfer. It may dip briefly, but Google typically restores the equity within a few weeks.

Can I keep my Shopify domain after moving to WordPress?

Yes. Point the domain’s DNS records to your new Hostinger server, and the domain will continue to work. No need to buy a new name unless you want a rebrand.

Do I need a developer to complete the migration?

Not necessarily. With Hostinger’s one‑click WordPress install, the free WooCommerce plugin, and a reliable dropshipping extension, a technically‑savvy beginner can finish the migration in a day. However, if you have custom Shopify themes or complex apps, a developer can help translate those features into WordPress equivalents.