Migrating from Lightspeed to Shopify represents a strategic move from a POS-focused platform with eCommerce capabilities to a dedicated, powerful eCommerce platform. In 2025, with Lightspeed's eCommerce limitations, higher costs, and Shopify's robust online selling features, many merchants are making the switch for better online growth.

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

1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Lightspeed?

💰 eCommerce Focus

The Lightspeed Pain: Lightspeed is primarily a POS system with basic eCommerce. Online features are limited compared to dedicated eCommerce platforms. Higher costs for eCommerce features.

The Shopify Gain: Shopify is built specifically for eCommerce with comprehensive online selling features, advanced inventory management, and extensive marketing tools.

🚀 App Ecosystem

The Lightspeed Pain: Lightspeed App Store is limited with fewer eCommerce-focused apps and integrations.

The Shopify Gain: Shopify App Store has 8,000+ apps specifically designed for eCommerce: marketing, fulfillment, customer service, and more.

🛠 Pricing & Value

The Lightspeed Pain: Lightspeed eCommerce plans are expensive with transaction fees. Many features require higher-tier plans.

The Shopify Gain: Competitive pricing with no transaction fees when using Shopify Payments. More features included at lower price points.

⚡ Online Selling Features

The Lightspeed Pain: Lightspeed's online features are basic. Limited SEO tools, basic analytics, and restricted customization.

The Shopify Gain: Advanced SEO tools, comprehensive analytics, extensive customization options, and multi-channel selling capabilities.

2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit

Lightspeed is a hosted platform with REST API access, making migration more straightforward.

Lightspeed Plan: Are you on Lightspeed Retail or Lightspeed eCommerce? API access and features differ.
API Access: Lightspeed provides REST API for data access. Generate API keys in Lightspeed admin.
Product Structure: Lightspeed products map well to Shopify products. Variants structure is similar.
Inventory Sync: If using Lightspeed POS, note that inventory sync will need to be handled separately after migration.
Images: Lightspeed images are hosted on their CDN. Need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to Shopify.

3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint

Lightspeed's API structure maps well to Shopify's REST API.

🛍 Product Data Mapping

Lightspeed Field (Source)	Shopify Field (Target)	Notes & Logic
`itemID`	`id` (Product API)	Shopify generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping.
`description`	`title`	Direct string transfer.
`customSku`	`variants[].sku`	Lightspeed SKU is at item level, Shopify at variant level.
`Prices.ItemPrice`	`variants[].price`	Price per variant in Shopify.
`longDescription`	`body_html`	HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Shopify CDN.
`Category`	`collections`	Lightspeed categories become Shopify collections.
`ItemAttributes`	`options` and `variants`	Lightspeed item attributes map well to Shopify variants.

👥 Customer Data Mapping

Lightspeed Field	Shopify Field	Critical Logic
`ContactID` or `email`	`email`	Unique identifier.
`password`	`password` (on create)	Requires password reset. Lightspeed and Shopify use different hashing. Customers must reset passwords.
`Addresses`	`addresses[]`	Lightspeed addresses map to Shopify addresses array.

📦 Order Data Mapping

Lightspeed Field	Shopify Field	Mapping Logic
`saleID`	`name` (order number)	Preserve Lightspeed sale ID in Shopify name field.
`completed` or `status`	`financial_status`, `fulfillment_status`	Map Lightspeed order statuses to Shopify's dual status system.
`total`	`total_price`	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 Lightspeed API and Shopify Admin API.

✅ Pros: Handles API complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $500).

Option B: Custom Script

Tools: Lightspeed REST API + Shopify Admin API

✅ Pros: Full control, can customize mapping.
❌ Cons: Requires developer ($100-$200/hr), 30+ hours.

5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step

Phase 1: Environment Preparation

1.1. Prepare Target (Shopify):
Create Shopify store. Enable password protection during migration.

1.2. Prepare Source (Lightspeed):
Generate API credentials in Lightspeed admin. Create API key with read permissions for items, customers, and sales.

Phase 2: The Connection Setup

2.1. Shopify API Access:
Create private app in Shopify with read/write permissions.

2.2. Lightspeed API:
Use API credentials from Lightspeed. Migration tool authenticates via OAuth or API key.

Phase 3: Migration Execution

Use Automated Tool: Recommended for handling Lightspeed API and Shopify mapping.
Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.
Handle POS Integration: If using Lightspeed POS, plan for separate inventory sync solution after migration.

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. POS Integration:
If using Lightspeed POS, set up inventory sync between POS and Shopify using apps like Stocky or similar.

6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)

Custom Script

$3,000+

Developer Time

Automated Cloud

$249

Average Cost

Agency Service