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How To Duplicate A Shopify Store
Last modified: November 15, 2023
The eCommerce business model can be very addictive, and when you’ve started one site, you might be tempted to start multiple destination stores. Or you might be a brand that wants to create the existing store you have now, but for another territory, like moving from the US to the UK. To do this, you need to know how to clone a Shopify store.
You don’t want to be wasting time redesigning the same store, with the same features, products, and even images from one site to another manually. This can be very time-consuming and can result in mistakes. What you want is a way for you to copy your current site and then make the necessary changes to the new site that you want.
There is a quick way to do this using Shopify. Remember, if you’re using Shopify Plus, you don’t need to do this. You can automatically do this by talking to your Shopify account manager who can help you.
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Backup
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ExIm ‑ Export / Import data
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Excelify
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ThemeWatch ‑ theme backup tool
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Export Import Data
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Theme Save
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What Can’t You Duplicate?
Some of the information on your store won’t be duplicated within a duplication. For instance, the following information won’t be duplicated.
- Visitor traffic data because this will now be tracked using a new .myshopify.com domain.
- Orders won’t be duplicated. However, this can be done at a later date using a Shopify API and a Shopify expert.
- Discount codes.
- Issued gift cards.
- Saved custom reports.
Steps To Duplicate Your Shopify Store
These are the instructions to duplicate your Shopify store. This uses the term new store (where the duplicate is going) and old store (where the content is taking place). This also assumes that you’ve got the new store activated but not created.
Step 1 – Login
At first you need to login to your new and old stores as the store owner.
Ensure that both stores are on the same subscription plan as each other.
Step 2 – Theme
Select the same theme that is used on the old theme from the theme store. Or you could upload a theme from your computer.
Step 3 – Export
From your old store, export CSV files to backup certain aspects from the store including:
- products
- customers
- collections
Step 4 – Images
Ensure you’ve got all your images ready for export.
Step 5 – Import
Now import all the CSV files you’ve produced into the new store. You can use the Shopify admin for products, customers and collections. Or you can use some apps to help.
You might want to try using a sandbox test store for the Shopify store clone.
Step 6 – Collections
If you didn’t use collections in your CSV files, then you can manually add these to your website.
Step 7 – Apps
Now you need to reinstall any apps that you had on the destination store. This might mean that you have to pay for additional subscriptions.
Step 8 – Settings
Now you need to manually reconfigure your store settings. This will include taxes, shipping, checkout and payments. You might also want to copy over your blog posts, online store pages and any online store navigation that you had on your old site.
Advanced Considerations in Shopify Store Duplication
Preparing Your Store for Duplication
Before initiating the duplication process, it’s crucial to prepare your store, like disabling automatic order fulfillment and staff order notifications, especially if you’re migrating orders.
Ensuring these settings are correctly configured in your new store prevents unintended actions during the data transfer.
Setting Up Essential Elements
It’s important to replicate your store’s core elements accurately by setting up new locations to match the original, ensuring product inventory and order fulfillment are correctly replicated.
Additionally, if you’re migrating metafields or metaobjects, setting up corresponding definitions in the new store is essential for a seamless transfer.
Export and Import Process
The process of duplicating your store involves exporting data from your existing store and importing it into the new one.
Selecting the right file format for export, like CSV or Excel, is crucial depending on your data size and modification needs.
After exporting, use the appropriate tools to import the data into your new store, ensuring all elements are correctly transferred.
Strategic Benefits and Methods to Duplicate Your Shopify Store
Understanding the Benefits
Duplicating a Shopify store offers several strategic advantages. It provides a reliable backup, facilitates business expansion, and simplifies launching multiple stores.
Additionally, it allows for testing changes in a safe environment, ensuring your live store remains unaffected during experimentation.
Choosing the Right Duplication Method
Selecting the appropriate method for duplicating your store is vital. Manual duplication offers complete control but can be time-consuming.
Alternatively, using third-party apps can streamline the process, automating tasks like copying products and settings, though it’s important to choose a reliable app that fits your specific needs.
Final Steps and Launch
After duplicating your store, it’s essential to thoroughly test and verify all functionalities. This includes checking for inconsistencies and ensuring all processes work as expected.
Once testing is complete, you can launch and promote your duplicated store, using various marketing strategies to attract and inform your audience.
Conclusion: How To Duplicate A Shopify Store
When duplicating your site, there is a lot of work to do. However, there is an easier way and that is by using the import store app Store Copy. This app allows you to duplicate and manage multiple Shopify stores with ease. You can learn how to install an app from this FAQ post here. And then with this, you can complete the transfer and build a Shopify clone store.
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How do I handle domain settings when duplicating a Shopify store?
When duplicating, update domain settings in the new store. Redirects and DNS settings need manual configuration for proper functioning.
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Can I duplicate my Shopify apps along with the store?
Shopify Apps cannot be directly duplicated into the new store. You must reinstall and configure them individually in the new location of your Shopify store.
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Is it possible to automate the Shopify store duplication process?
Partial automation is possible using third-party apps. However, some aspects like theme and app settings require manual intervention.
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