Modified eCommerce to Shopify
Migrating from Modified eCommerce Shop Software to Shopify moves your store from a legacy German PHP/MySQL platform to a fully managed eCommerce solution. In 2025, merchants choose Shopify for managed hosting, security, and migrations run from Shopify admin using apps like Cart2Cart. No server or database access is required on the Modified side when using a migration app.
This guide covers Modified eCommerce data structure, how it maps to Shopify, and a step-by-step migration path using Shopify apps run from your new store.
1. Why Leave Modified eCommerce?
Security and Updates
Modified Pain: Self-managed PHP/MySQL; you handle security and updates.
Shopify Gain: Shopify handles security and hosting. Migration runs from Shopify admin.
Hosting
Modified Pain: You manage hosting and MySQL.
Shopify Gain: Hosting and CDN included. Run migration from one admin.
Modules and Features
Modified Pain: Module ecosystem is smaller.
Shopify Gain: App Store. Migration apps connect to Modified and run from Shopify.
Developers
Modified Pain: Few Modified specialists.
Shopify Gain: Large ecosystem. Migrate using a Shopify app.
2. Pre-Migration Audit
Modified eCommerce uses MySQL; migration apps may connect via database or a bridge.
- Version: Confirm your migration app supports your version.
- Access: Migration from Shopify admin uses a bridge or MySQL.
- Product attributes: Map to Shopify options and variants.
- Categories: Map to Shopify collections.
3. Data Mapping
Modified products, customers, and orders map to Shopify when using a migration app run from Shopify admin.
Product Mapping
| Modified (Source) | Shopify (Target) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| products_id | id | Use SKU for mapping. |
| products_name | title | Direct transfer. |
| products_model / attributes | variants[].sku | SKU at variant level. |
| products_price | variants[].price | Per variant. |
| products_description | body_html | HTML; images re-hosted. |
| categories | collections | Modified categories to Shopify collections. |
| products_attributes | options and variants | Attributes become Shopify variants. |
Customer and Order
| Modified Field | Shopify Field | Logic |
|---|---|---|
| customers_email_address | email | Unique identifier. |
| customers_password | password (on create) | Password reset required. |
| orders_id / order total | name, total_price | Preserve order ID; map statuses. |
4. Toolkit
Option A: Shopify App (Recommended)
Cart2Cart and similar apps in the Shopify App Store
Install the app in Shopify and run the migration from Shopify admin. The app connects to Modified (bridge or DB), maps data, and creates redirects.
- Pros: No coding; runs from Shopify admin; products, customers, orders, SEO redirects.
- Cons: Cost scales with data.
Option B: Custom Script
Modified MySQL + Shopify Admin API
- Pros: Full control.
- Cons: Developer time, 40+ hours typical.
5. Execution: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Preparation
1.1. Target (Shopify):
Create your Shopify store; enable password protection during migration if desired.
1.2. Source (Modified):
Ensure the migration app can connect (bridge or DB credentials).
Phase 2: Connection from Shopify Admin
2.1. Install the migration app (e.g. Cart2Cart) from the Shopify App Store and open it from your Shopify admin.
2.2. Connect Modified eCommerce as source. Enter store URL and credentials as instructed.
Phase 3: Migration
- Run from Shopify admin: Select products, customers, orders; start migration. Attributes map to variants.
- Create 301 redirects: Use the app to map old Modified URLs to new Shopify URLs.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
4.1. Customers: Notify customers; they will need to reset passwords.
4.2. Verify: Check products, collections, and orders in Shopify admin.
6. Cost of Migration (2025)
Custom Development
Developer Cost
Shopify App (e.g. Cart2Cart)
Typical Range
Agency Service
Starting Cost
7. Troubleshooting and SEO
Common Challenges
- Product attributes: Modified product attributes map to Shopify variants; migration apps handle this.
- Legacy structure: Database structure may vary by version.
301 Redirects
Use the migration app from Shopify admin to map old Modified eCommerce URLs to new Shopify URLs and preserve SEO.
Ready to Move to Shopify?
Migrate from Modified eCommerce to Shopify using an app run from your Shopify admin. No server access or coding. Get products, customers, orders, and SEO redirects in one flow.