# Store migration: definition

> A migration means transferring an online store from one version, platform or host to another, while keeping all of its data intact.

- Source canonique : [https://allaux.fr/en/glossaire/migration](https://allaux.fr/en/glossaire/migration)
- Langue : EN
- Dernière mise à jour : 2026-09-30

## Three types of migration, one shared concern: lose nothing

Migration comes up in several situations: moving from an older version of PrestaShop to a more recent one, switching platforms entirely (for example from PrestaShop to WooCommerce), or simply moving the store to a new host without changing the software. In all three cases, the main concern stays the same: preserving the catalogue, order history, customer accounts and, where possible, SEO already earned.

For an online retailer, a poorly prepared migration can mean lost orders, product URLs that change and break rankings, or missing images after the file transfer. A serious migration involves a full backup before any operation, a test on a staging environment, then a check after going live: catalogue, checkout flow, payment methods, and redirects for old URLs if the addressing scheme has changed.

## In practice

> A migration between two different platforms is more complex than a simple version update: since the data structures differ, it often requires manually rebuilding some content.

## FAQ

### Does a migration cause the store to lose its rankings?

It can, if URLs change without suitable redirects. Well prepared, a migration generally preserves most of the rankings already earned.

### How long does a store migration take?

It depends heavily on the size of the catalogue and the scale of the change (a version update or a full platform switch); there's no reliable standard duration.

### Can a store be migrated without any service interruption?

The interruption can be reduced significantly by preparing everything on a separate environment, but a short downtime is usually still needed to sync the last orders.