Part 7: What you forgot to plan for (but definitely should)
Even the most organized platform migration plan can hit snags ~ because there’s always something you didn’t think of. This post focuses on the common “oops” moments brands experience mid-migration and how to avoid them.
The Things No One Talks About (But Everyone Feels)
Platform migration sounds like a checklist. But it’s more like a choose-your-own-adventure book with hidden traps. Here’s what we see brands regularly forget:
Redirect mapping for SEO (hello, 404s)
Inventory and SKU syncing with fulfillment platforms
Customer account migration or re-onboarding
How existing automations (email, popups, rewards) need to be rebuilt or adapted
Post-launch speed tests and real-world UX scenarios
It’s Not Just Technical, It’s Emotional
The panic is real when:
The team realizes their Shopify theme doesn’t support the custom functionality they loved on Woo
Data didn’t transfer the way they imagined
The email list wasn’t backed up
Launch week coincides with Black Friday (yes, it’s happened)
How We Plan Around It
At WMD, we’re pros at helping clients avoid what we call “post-migration hangover.” That includes:
Setting up soft launch staging before the full go-live
Building migration QA sprints into the process
Creating a go-live checklist with roles for everyone on your team
Having a 2-week support window after launch
Want to see this done right? Check out our work with Aimée Ann Lou, where we migrated their site to Shopify and kept things smooth even through fulfillment changes and Nordstrom onboarding.
Avoid the unexpected. Contact WMD to make your next move clean, calm, and profitable.
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