How to Import Etsy Listings to Shopify: Complete 2026 Guide

You've decided to move from Etsy to Shopify—congratulations on taking control of your brand. But now comes the practical challenge: how do you transfer months or years of carefully crafted listings without starting from scratch?

The good news is that you don't have to manually recreate every product. Whether you have 20 listings or 2,000, there are efficient methods to import your Etsy products to Shopify while preserving your product data, descriptions, and images.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every import method, explains exactly what transfers and what doesn't, and helps you avoid the mistakes that trip up most sellers during migration.

Why Import Instead of Starting Fresh?

Before diving into the how-to, let's address whether importing is the right approach for you.

The Case for Importing

Time savings: Manually creating products in Shopify takes 15-30 minutes each. With 100 products, that's 25-50 hours of work. Importing can reduce this to hours.

Consistency: Your product descriptions, pricing, and variants are already refined from Etsy sales. Importing preserves this work.

Fewer errors: Manual data entry introduces typos and mistakes. Importing maintains data accuracy.

Historical reference: Even if you optimize listings after import, having the original data as a starting point beats blank product pages.

When Starting Fresh Makes Sense

Consider creating products manually if:

• You have fewer than 10 products
• Your Etsy descriptions are outdated or keyword-stuffed
• You want to completely rebrand your product line
• Many products are discontinued or low performers
• Your images need complete replacement anyway

The Hybrid Approach

Most sellers benefit from a middle path: import your top performers and best-documented products, but leave behind underperformers, outdated items, and products with poor descriptions. This gives you the efficiency of importing while creating space to improve your catalog.

Understanding What Transfers (And What Doesn't)

Before you begin importing, set realistic expectations about what data moves between platforms.

What DOES Transfer

What DOES NOT Transfer

The Review Problem

This deserves special attention because reviews are often your most valuable Etsy asset. Unfortunately, Etsy reviews cannot be directly imported to Shopify—they belong to Etsy's ecosystem.

Your options:

1. Screenshot reviews: Create an image gallery of your best Etsy reviews to display on your Shopify store as testimonials (be transparent that these are from Etsy)

2. Use review import apps: Some apps like Judge.me or Loox can help import reviews if you have customer emails from order inserts or other sources

3. Request fresh reviews: After your first Shopify sales, actively request reviews from customers

4. Run both platforms: Keep Etsy open during transition to continue building reviews while establishing Shopify

Method 1: Manual CSV Export and Import

The manual method gives you the most control and costs nothing, but requires more hands-on work.

Step 1: Export Your Etsy Listings

1. Log into your Etsy seller account
2. Navigate to Shop Manager > Settings > Options
3. Click the Download Data tab
4. Select Download CSV under the listings section
5. Save the file to your computer

Your export will include:

• All active, inactive, and draft listings
• Product titles and descriptions
• Prices and quantities
• Variation details
• Tags and categories
• Image URLs (not the images themselves)

Step 2: Download Your Product Images

Etsy's CSV includes image URLs, but you need the actual image files for Shopify.

Manual method:

1. Visit each listing on Etsy
2. Right-click and save each image
3. Organize by product in folders

Bulk download options:

• Use browser extensions like "DownThemAll" or "Tab Save"
• Use a URL-to-image bulk downloader
• Some import apps handle this automatically

Important: Save images at the highest quality available. Etsy allows up to 10 images per listing—make sure you capture all of them.

Step 3: Format Data for Shopify

Shopify requires specific CSV column headers. You'll need to transform your Etsy export.

Required Shopify CSV columns:

Handle, Title, Body (HTML), Vendor, Type, Tags, Published,
Option1 Name, Option1 Value, Option2 Name, Option2 Value,
Variant SKU, Variant Grams, Variant Inventory Qty,
Variant Price, Image Src

Key mapping:

Creating the Handle: The Handle becomes your product URL. Convert titles like:

• "Handmade Leather Wallet - Minimalist Design"
• becomes: handmade-leather-wallet-minimalist-design

Use lowercase, replace spaces with hyphens, remove special characters.

Step 4: Handle Variants Correctly

Etsy and Shopify handle variants differently, and this is where most import errors occur.

Etsy structure: Each variant can have its own listing row

Shopify structure:

• First row: Full product info + first variant
• Additional rows: Same Handle + different variant values only

Example Shopify CSV for a product with size variants:

Notice how rows 2-3 only need the Handle and variant-specific fields.

Step 5: Import to Shopify

1. Go to Shopify Admin > Products > Import
2. Click Add file and select your formatted CSV
3. Preview the import to check for errors
4. Click Import products
5. After import completes, manually upload images to each product

Manual Method: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Free (no app costs)
• Complete control over data mapping
• Good for smaller catalogs (under 50 products)
• Learn the data structure deeply

Cons:

• Time-intensive for large catalogs
• Error-prone without spreadsheet experience
• Manual image upload required
• Variant formatting is complex

Method 2: Using Import Apps (Recommended for 50+ Products)

For larger catalogs or sellers who want automation, third-party apps streamline the process significantly.

LitCommerce

Best for: Ongoing multi-channel selling (keeping both Etsy and Shopify)

What it does:

• Connects directly to your Etsy shop
• Imports listings with one click
• Syncs inventory across platforms
• Updates listings on both platforms simultaneously

How to use:

1. Install LitCommerce from Shopify App Store
2. Connect your Etsy account via OAuth
3. Select products to import
4. Map categories and attributes
5. Run the import
6. Enable ongoing sync if running both platforms

Pricing: Free plan for up to 20 products, paid plans from $29/month

Pros:

• Easiest setup for non-technical users
• Ongoing inventory sync
• Good customer support
• Handles images automatically

Cons:

• Monthly cost if over 20 products
• Less control over data mapping
• May import unnecessary data

Matrixify (Formerly Excelify)

Best for: Large catalogs, complex variants, one-time imports

What it does:

• Powerful Excel/Google Sheets based import
• Handles complex variant structures
• Mass editing capabilities
• Supports scheduled imports

How to use:

1. Install Matrixify from Shopify App Store
2. Export your Etsy CSV
3. Use Matrixify's templates to format data
4. Upload formatted file to Matrixify
5. Preview and run import
6. Handle images via URL or bulk upload

Pricing: Free up to 10 products, paid from $20/month

Pros:

• Extremely powerful for complex needs
• Great for spreadsheet-comfortable users
• Excellent documentation
• One-time imports don't require ongoing subscription

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Overkill for simple catalogs
• Still requires some manual formatting

Ablestar Bulk Product Editor

Best for: Post-import cleanup and optimization

What it does:

• Bulk edit products after import
• Mass update prices, tags, descriptions
• Find and fix import errors
• Optimize metadata across products

Use after initial import:

1. Import products via CSV or LitCommerce
2. Install Ablestar
3. Use filters to find products needing fixes
4. Bulk update fields across multiple products

Pricing: Free trial, then $9.99-$99/month based on features

Other Notable Apps

Importify: Good for dropshipping-style imports Stock Sync: Specialized for inventory syncing EZ Importer: Budget option for basic imports

Choosing the Right App

Handling Product Images Properly

Images often cause the most import headaches. Here's how to handle them correctly.

Image Quality Standards

Shopify requirements:

• Maximum file size: 20MB per image
• Recommended resolution: 2048 x 2048 pixels
• Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP
• Square images work best with most themes

Best practices:

• Maintain consistent sizing across products
• Use white or neutral backgrounds for main images
• Include lifestyle/contextual images as secondary
• Optimize file size for fast loading (under 500KB ideal)

Bulk Image Import Methods

Method 1: URL-based import (fastest)

If your Etsy images are still accessible via URL:

1. Include image URLs in your CSV Image Src column
2. Shopify downloads and hosts them automatically
3. Multiple images: Add multiple rows with same Handle, different Image Src

Method 2: Manual upload (most reliable)

1. Download all images from Etsy
2. Organize in folders by product
3. After CSV import, go to each product in Shopify
4. Upload images directly to product pages

Method 3: App-assisted upload

LitCommerce and similar apps handle images automatically:

1. Connect accounts
2. App downloads images from Etsy
3. App uploads to Shopify
4. Image associations preserved

Common Image Import Issues

Problem: Blurry images after import Solution: Etsy may have served compressed images. Re-upload original high-res files.

Problem: Wrong image order Solution: Shopify shows images in upload order. Rearrange in product editor or use specific Position column in CSV.

Problem: Images not importing Solution: Check URL accessibility. Etsy URLs may be temporary or require authentication. Download and re-upload manually.

Problem: Alt text not imported Solution: Etsy alt text doesn't transfer. Add alt text in Shopify for SEO/accessibility.

Setting Up Redirects from Etsy

Traditional URL redirects (301 redirects) aren't possible from Etsy because you don't control the Etsy domain. However, you can still guide traffic to your new store.

What You CAN Do

Update your Etsy shop announcement: Add text like: "We've launched our own website at [yourstore.com]! Same great products, better shopping experience."

Update your Etsy shop About section: Mention your new website prominently.

Include cards in Etsy orders: Physical cards in every Etsy shipment directing customers to your new store. Consider offering a first-order discount.

Update social media links: Change all your Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook links from Etsy to Shopify.

Update external mentions: Contact blogs, directories, or websites that link to your Etsy shop and request they update to your Shopify URL.

Google Search Console: If you had a standalone domain that redirected to Etsy, you can now redirect that domain to Shopify.

Building New SEO

Since you can't transfer Etsy's search equity, plan to build fresh SEO:

1. Optimize product titles for Google search (not just Etsy keywords)
2. Write unique meta descriptions for each product
3. Create collection pages targeting category keywords
4. Start a blog with content related to your products
5. Build backlinks to your new store
6. Submit sitemap to Google Search Console

Timeline for SEO Results

Expect 3-6 months before your Shopify store ranks for competitive terms. During this time:

• Keep Etsy active for traffic
• Invest in paid advertising to drive immediate sales
• Focus on email list building for owned traffic

Cleaning Up and Optimizing After Import

Importing is just the first step. Post-import optimization is critical for success.

Immediate Post-Import Checklist

Within 24 hours of import:

• Check that all products imported correctly
• Verify pricing is accurate (watch for currency issues)
• Confirm variants display correctly
• Test that images load properly
• Review inventory quantities

Product Optimization Tasks

Titles (Week 1): Etsy titles are often keyword-stuffed. Rewrite for Shopify:

Before: "Leather Wallet Mens Wallet Minimalist Wallet Bifold Wallet Gift For Him Personalized"

After: "Minimalist Leather Bifold Wallet | Personalized Men's Gift"

Descriptions (Week 1-2):

• Remove Etsy-specific language ("Thanks for visiting my Etsy shop!")
• Add your brand voice
• Include shipping and return info specific to your Shopify policies
• Optimize for AI search with natural, benefit-focused language

Collections/Categories (Week 1):

• Create logical collection structure
• Assign products to collections
• Set up collection pages with descriptions
• Consider seasonal or occasion-based collections

SEO Metadata (Week 2):

• Write unique meta titles (under 60 characters)
• Write unique meta descriptions (under 155 characters)
• Optimize URL handles for keywords
• Add alt text to all images

Quality Control Process

Spot check 10% of products:

1. Select random products across categories
2. Verify all information is accurate
3. Check mobile display
4. Test add-to-cart functionality
5. Confirm variant selection works

Common issues to fix:

• Missing variants
• Incorrect prices (especially if currencies differ)
• Broken image links
• HTML formatting errors in descriptions
• Duplicate products from import errors

Common Import Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' errors to save yourself time and headaches.

Mistake 1: Importing Everything

The error: Moving all 500 Etsy listings regardless of performance.

Why it's a problem: You carry over underperformers, outdated products, and clutter that hurts your new store's perceived quality.

The fix: Export your Etsy sales data. Identify your top 50% of products by revenue. Import those first. Evaluate whether bottom performers deserve a spot.

Mistake 2: Not Backing Up Before Import

The error: Running imports without saving original data.

Why it's a problem: Import errors can corrupt data, and you lose the original if something goes wrong.

The fix: Always keep your original Etsy CSV export. Export your Shopify products before running any import. Store backups in cloud storage.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Variant Formatting

The error: Importing variants as separate products instead of variant options.

Why it's a problem: A t-shirt with 5 sizes becomes 5 separate products instead of 1 product with 5 variants.

The fix: Study Shopify's variant structure before importing. Use the Handle field correctly. Test with a few products before bulk import.

Mistake 4: Rushing Image Quality

The error: Accepting whatever image quality imports automatically.

Why it's a problem: Blurry, poorly cropped, or inconsistent images kill conversion rates.

The fix: After import, review every product's images. Re-upload original high-res files where needed. Maintain consistent sizing and style.

Mistake 5: Copying Etsy Descriptions Verbatim

The error: Keeping "Welcome to my Etsy shop!" and Etsy-specific language.

Why it's a problem: Looks unprofessional and confuses customers who are on your Shopify store.

The fix: Search and replace Etsy-specific terms. Rewrite descriptions for your branded experience. Remove any mentions of Etsy policies that don't apply.

Mistake 6: Forgetting Mobile Testing

The error: Only checking imported products on desktop.

Why it's a problem: 70%+ of e-commerce traffic is mobile. Formatting issues may only appear on phones.

The fix: After import, view every collection and sample products on mobile devices. Check that images, descriptions, and variants display correctly.

Mistake 7: Not Testing Checkout

The error: Assuming products work because they imported successfully.

Why it's a problem: Import issues with shipping weights, inventory tracking, or variant pricing may only appear at checkout.

The fix: Place test orders for various products. Test different variants. Verify shipping calculations. Complete full checkout flow.

Timeline and Effort Expectations

Set realistic expectations for your migration timeline.

Small Catalog (Under 50 Products)

Medium Catalog (50-200 Products)

Large Catalog (200+ Products)

Budget Considerations

Getting Help with Your Import

When to DIY

• You have fewer than 50 products
• You're comfortable with spreadsheets
• You have time to invest in learning
• Budget is tight

When to Use Paid Tools

• 50+ products to import
• Complex variants
• Running both platforms with inventory sync
• Value time over money

When to Hire Help

• 200+ products with complex data
• Limited technical skills
• Need it done quickly for a launch date
• Can budget $500-2,000 for migration service

Finding Migration Help

• Shopify Experts Marketplace (official partners)
• Upwork/Fiverr (freelance specialists)
• E-commerce migration agencies
• Your app provider's professional services

After Import: Start Your Shopify Free Trial

Ready to begin your import? Shopify offers a free trial that gives you time to import products and set up your store before paying anything.

Start your free Shopify trial and begin importing your Etsy listings today. You'll get access to all the import features, themes, and apps mentioned in this guide.

The trial gives you time to:

• Import and organize your products
• Customize your store theme
• Set up payments and shipping
• Test everything before going live

Your First Week Checklist

• Start Shopify trial
• Export Etsy listings CSV
• Download product images
• Install import app (if using)
• Import first batch of products
• Verify import accuracy
• Begin optimization process

Key Takeaways

1. Import strategically: Don't move everything—focus on your best products first and leave underperformers behind.

2. Set expectations: Reviews, rankings, and customer emails don't transfer. Plan to rebuild these on Shopify.

3. Choose the right method: Manual CSV works for small catalogs; apps save significant time for 50+ products.

4. Plan for images: Image quality issues are the most common import problem. Verify and re-upload as needed.

5. Budget for optimization: The import itself is just step one. Plan time for cleaning up and optimizing every listing.

6. Test thoroughly: Check variants, pricing, and checkout flow before going live.

7. Keep Etsy running: Maintain your Etsy shop during transition to preserve traffic while building your new store.

Successfully imported your products? Now it's time to get discovered by AI shopping assistants. Run a free AI visibility audit to see how ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI tools perceive your new Shopify store, or contact our team for help optimizing your product listings for the AI-powered future of e-commerce.

Further Reading

• Etsy to Shopify Migration Guide: When and How to Launch Your Own Store
• AI Visibility for Etsy Sellers
• Product Descriptions for AI Optimization
• How to Get Your Products Recommended by ChatGPT
• Shopify Product Photography Guide