Sirocco - Migration from Magento to Shopify Plus

Initial situation & goal

Sirocco is a renowned Swiss brand for exclusive tea and coffee products, committed to high quality, design, and customer loyalty. As part of their Magento to Shopify migration, they decided to replace their existing, maintenance-intensive Magento platform with a modern Shopify migration to Shopify Plus.

The focus was on future-proofing the e-commerce platform and enabling scalable growth in both the B2C and B2B segments. The migration was carried out with structured planning, technical support, and the goal of simplifying internal processes and sustainably improving performance and user experience.

Planning & Preparation of the Migration

During the planning and preparation phase, the focus was on a clear migration strategy, clean data mapping, and the analysis of all relevant products.

Close internal and external communication, along with continuous support, ensured that all requirements were addressed early on. This structured preparation created the necessary stability for a smooth migration implementation without interrupting ongoing operations.

Project goals

• Complete data migration
  Complete migration of all shop and customer data based on a structured export. The focus was on securing sensitive information and handling your data responsibly to ensure the stability of the site and smooth operation.

• Seamless UX/UI replication
  Replication of the existing UX/UI without functional or visual breaks, to consistently continue your online shop for existing customers and keep the user experience unchanged.

• Integration of individual features
  Implementation of a complex login system and the Sirocco Club with newsletter and loyalty features. This decision enabled strong customer loyalty and sustainable development of the platform.

• Scalable Shopify Plus architecture
  Building a scalable Shopify Plus architecture including B2B functionalities, designed for ongoing updates and security measures as well as stable operation with integrated customer support.

Implementation (Duration: 12 weeks)

• System audit & data mapping
  A structured analysis of the Magento database, product logic, and customer structure formed the basis for the migration. The goal was a clean mapping of the products to ensure consistent and highly secure data for later import into the Shopify store. Careful planning was the central principle for guaranteeing stability throughout the entire project.

• UX/UI takeover
  The existing frontend design was transferred 1:1 to Shopify Liquid and optimized responsively to ensure a seamless user experience in the Shopify shop.

• Development of individual functions
  Implementation of customized features based on technical knowledge, including login logic with company roles, exclusive member areas, and a custom app for newsletter management and club benefits.

• Product structure & configurators
  Implementation of complex product logic with variants, bundles and gift sets within Shopify limits, tailored to the requirements of the Shopify store.

• B2B functionalities
  Setting up separate B2B access and pricing logics via Shopify Plus features and apps, accompanied by clear communication and ongoing support.

• Launch & Training
  Go-live including redirects, DNS adjustments, and monitoring. Additionally, team training was provided to ensure a smooth operational handover and long-term stability.

Result

• Successful data migration
  In this phase, the 100% data migration of products, customers, and orders was successfully completed. Compared to the previously used open-source solution, the new solution provided a significantly more stable system foundation. The migration was evaluated positively from both a technical and operational perspective.

• Performance & Usability
  The Shopify store has seen a significant improvement in page speed and mobile performance. Thanks to a clear structure, optimized content, and intuitive navigation, users benefit from a consistent customer experience across all products.

• UX continuity for existing customers
  The existing user experience was retained without any loss of functionality, ensuring that existing customers can continue to navigate the site easily. This continuity was a key quality criterion for the implementing agency.

• Scalable setup for growth
  The setup is designed for future expansion in the D2C and B2B sectors and significantly reduces the need for regular maintenance. This creates a sustainable platform that remains scalable in the long term.

outlook

Following the launch, continuous improvements based on user feedback and shop analytics will be implemented, including A/B testing, SEO optimization, and functional enhancements. Behind the scenes, the new technical infrastructure ensures a clear distinction from the previous open-source solution and provides stability beyond the defined launch date.

For large shops, this setup offers a scalable foundation with a clear pricing structure, regardless of the country. Open questions are continuously evaluated and answered based on data.

Conclusion

The migration from Magento to Shopify Plus represented a strategic step to place Sirocco's digital strategy on a scalable foundation. Compared to the previously used open-source solution, a significantly leaner system with a clear codebase and greater flexibility was created.

The new shop is designed to function reliably even with large volumes of products and orders, and to simplify internal processes. The decision to use Shopify Plus was made in the context of long-term scalability and was implemented according to plan within the defined project timeframe, including all relevant milestones.