Migrating from Shopify to Ecwid represents a strategic move from a standalone eCommerce platform to an embedded shopping cart solution. In 2025, with Shopify's platform lock-in and Ecwid's flexibility to embed into any website, some merchants are making the switch for better integration with existing websites and content management systems.

This comprehensive technical blueprint covers Shopify's REST Admin API structure, field mappings to Ecwid's REST API, and step-by-step migration execution.

1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Shopify?

💰 Website Integration

The Shopify Pain: Shopify is a complete platform. If you already have a website on WordPress, Joomla, or another CMS, you need to manage two separate systems or rebuild on Shopify.

The Ecwid Gain: Ecwid is an embedded shopping cart that integrates seamlessly into any existing website. Add eCommerce to your current site without rebuilding.

🚀 Multi-Platform Presence

The Shopify Pain: Shopify store is limited to Shopify's platform. Selling on multiple websites or platforms requires separate stores or complex integrations.

The Ecwid Gain: Ecwid can be embedded on multiple websites simultaneously. One store, multiple websites, unified inventory and orders.

🛠 Content Management Flexibility

The Shopify Pain: Shopify's content management is basic. If you need advanced CMS features, you're limited to Shopify's capabilities.

The Ecwid Gain: Use your preferred CMS (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc.) for content while Ecwid handles eCommerce. Best of both worlds.

⚡ Lower Cost for Simple Stores

The Shopify Pain: Shopify starts at $29/month plus transaction fees. For simple stores, this can be expensive.

The Ecwid Gain: Ecwid has a free plan for small stores. Paid plans start lower than Shopify, making it cost-effective for simple eCommerce needs.

2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit

Shopify is a hosted SaaS platform with REST Admin API, while Ecwid is a hosted platform with REST API access.

Shopify Plan: Are you on Basic, Shopify, Advanced, or Plus? API rate limits differ by plan.
API Access: Shopify provides REST Admin API. Generate API credentials in Shopify admin.
Ecwid Setup: Ensure Ecwid store is created. Ecwid provides REST API for data access. Generate API keys in Ecwid admin. Note your Store ID.
Product Structure: Shopify products map well to Ecwid products. Variants structure is similar.
Images: Shopify images are on Shopify CDN. Need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to Ecwid.

3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint

Shopify's REST Admin API structure maps well to Ecwid's REST API.

🛍 Product Data Mapping

Shopify Field (Source)	Ecwid Field (Target)	Notes & Logic
`Product.id`	`id`	Ecwid generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping.
`Product.title`	`name`	Direct string transfer.
`ProductVariant.sku`	`sku`	Shopify SKU is at variant level, Ecwid at product level.
`ProductVariant.price`	`price`	Price per product in Ecwid.
`Product.body_html`	`description`	HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Ecwid CDN.
`Collection`	`categories`	Shopify collections become Ecwid categories.
`Product.options` and `ProductVariant`	`options`	Shopify variants map well to Ecwid product options.

👥 Customer Data Mapping

Shopify Field	Ecwid Field	Critical Logic
`Customer.email`	`email`	Unique identifier.
`Customer.password`	`password` (on create)	Requires password reset. Shopify and Ecwid use different hashing. Customers must reset passwords.
`CustomerAddress`	`addresses`	Shopify addresses map to Ecwid customer addresses.

📦 Order Data Mapping

Shopify Field	Ecwid Field	Mapping Logic
`Order.name` (order number)	`order.id`	Preserve Shopify order number in Ecwid order ID or custom field.
`Order.financial_status`, `Order.fulfillment_status`	`order.fulfillmentStatus`	Map Shopify's dual status system to Ecwid order statuses.
`Order.total_price`	`order.total`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.

4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle

Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)

Tools: Migration Shop, LitExtension, Cart2Cart

Specialized tools that connect via Shopify Admin API and Ecwid REST API.

✅ Pros: Handles API complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $400).

Option B: Custom Script

Tools: Shopify Admin API + Ecwid REST API

✅ Pros: Full control, can customize mapping.
❌ Cons: Requires developer ($100-$200/hr), 25+ hours.

5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step

Phase 1: Environment Preparation

1.1. Prepare Target (Ecwid):
Create Ecwid store. Generate API credentials in Ecwid admin. Note your Store ID for API access.

1.2. Prepare Source (Shopify):
Generate API credentials in Shopify admin. Create private app with read permissions for products, customers, and orders.

Phase 2: The Connection Setup

2.1. Ecwid API Access:
Generate API keys in Ecwid admin. Use Store ID and API credentials for authentication.

2.2. Shopify API:
Use Admin API access token from Shopify. Migration tool authenticates via Shopify REST Admin API.

Phase 3: Migration Execution

Use Automated Tool: Recommended for handling Shopify API and Ecwid API mapping.
Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.

Phase 4: Post-Migration

4.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the migration. They'll need to reset passwords.

4.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify images, prices, and variants.

4.3. Website Integration:
Embed Ecwid store into your existing website using Ecwid's embed code or plugins for WordPress, Joomla, etc.

6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)

Custom Script

$2,500+

Developer Time

Automated Cloud

$199

Average Cost

Agency Service