Migrate your PrestaShop store
Upgrade to PrestaShop 8 or 9 safely. Zero data loss, minimal downtime, SEO preserved. Our Swiss agency handles end-to-end migrations from initial audit to final go-live.
Why migrate your PrestaShop store now?
Running a PrestaShop store on version 1.6 or 1.7 is a growing risk. Security patches have stopped, PHP compatibility is narrowing, and the module ecosystem is shifting toward PrestaShop 8 and 9.
At WePresta, we handle PrestaShop migrations from initial audit to final go-live. We migrate stores with large catalogs, complex multi-shop setups, and heavily customized themes — without losing data, traffic, or revenue.
1.6 is a security liability
No security patches, no bug fixes. Every day on 1.6 increases exposure to known vulnerabilities.
1.7 is losing ground
The ecosystem focus has moved to PrestaShop 8 and 9. Module compatibility is declining on 1.7.
8 and 9 are worth the move
Better performance, modern PHP 8.1+, cleaner module architecture, and a more maintainable back office.
How we handle a PrestaShop migration
A proven 3-phase process to upgrade your store with no data loss and minimal downtime.
Audit & Staging
- check Complete inventory of modules and overrides
- check Risk and compatibility assessment
- check Staging environment setup
- check Production stays online during the build
- check Detailed migration scope and timeline
Migrate & Test
- check Automated data migration with integrity checks
- check Theme adaptation or rebuild on modern foundations
- check Module compatibility testing and replacement
- check Full checkout matrix and end-to-end test orders
- check Performance benchmarks vs. legacy store
Go-live & Support
- check Low-traffic cutover with final delta sync
- check SEO migration: 301 redirects, sitemap, hreflang
- check Active monitoring for 48 to 72 hours after launch
- check Indexing and Core Web Vitals tracking
- check Priority support for 30 days post-launch
Everything we migrate, with integrity checks
No data left behind. No SEO traffic lost. No customer continuity broken.
inventory_2 Products and catalog
- Products, combinations, attributes, features, suppliers
- Categories, images, specific prices, packs, virtual products
- Customization fields and multilingual content
people Customers and accounts
- Customer accounts, addresses, and groups
- Guest history preserved
- Users keep access without losing continuity
receipt_long Orders and history
- Full order lifecycle and states
- Invoices, credit slips, and references
- Accounting and operational traceability preserved
travel_explore SEO and URLs
- Complete URL mapping and 301 redirects
- Products, categories, CMS pages, manufacturers
- Avoid traffic loss and 404 spikes
palette Theme and design
- Existing themes adapted when technically viable
- Rebuild on modern foundations when needed
- Brand identity and UX goals preserved
extension Modules and functionality
- Every module audited for compatibility
- Replaced or adapted when custom
- Validated end-to-end before go-live
Migration paths we handle
upgrade PrestaShop 1.6 to 9
- The most complex path, handled as a structured rebuild
- Removes legacy debt while preserving data and SEO
trending_flat PrestaShop 1.7 to 8
- A smoother migration with strong adaptation potential
- Suitable for quality themes and well-maintained modules
double_arrow PrestaShop 1.7 to 9
- Similar to 1.7 to 8 with stricter compatibility checks
- Built for the latest PrestaShop architecture
arrow_forward PrestaShop 8 to 9
- Often an upgrade path rather than a full migration
- Validated in staging with full QA before production
swap_horiz Other platforms to PrestaShop
- WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and others handled case by case
- Detailed data mapping and content audit included
What can go wrong (and how we prevent it)
Migration projects fail in predictable ways. Here is how we keep yours on rails.
backup Data loss
- Risk: missing images, broken relations, incomplete data
- Prevention: automated integrity checks and randomized manual spot checks
trending_down SEO traffic drop
- Risk: ranking loss due to bad redirects and crawl errors
- Prevention: complete URL map, 301 redirects, sitemap resubmission, monitoring
shopping_cart_checkout Broken checkout
- Risk: payment and carrier issues discovered after launch
- Prevention: full checkout matrix testing with real end-to-end test orders
speed Performance regression
- Risk: the new store ends up slower than the old one
- Prevention: staging benchmarks and optimization before go-live
Frequently asked questions
How long does a PrestaShop migration take?
Typical timelines range from 2 to 3 weeks for straightforward projects to 6 to 8 weeks for complex 1.6 to 9 migrations with heavy customization. We confirm a precise schedule after the initial audit.
Will my store be offline during migration?
No. Work is done in a separate staging environment. Your production shop remains online, and only the final cutover causes a short downtime, usually scheduled during low traffic hours.
What happens to my module licenses?
Licenses remain tied to your domain, but some modules require a paid version update for PrestaShop 8 or 9 compatibility. We list every affected module during the initial audit so there are no surprises.
Can I keep my current theme?
If the theme is technically healthy, it can often be adapted. If it relies on deprecated architecture, a rebuild on modern foundations is usually safer and more cost-effective long term.
Do I lose Google rankings after migration?
With proper 301 redirects, canonical tags, and sitemap updates, rankings generally remain stable. Some short-term fluctuation can occur during re-crawl, but a well-handled migration often improves SEO performance over time.
What if something goes wrong after go-live?
We keep a full backup of the legacy store and maintain priority support for 30 days after launch, including rollback planning for critical incidents.
My store is heavily customized. Can you still migrate it?
Yes. Complex custom stores are exactly where expert migration matters most. We map all custom hooks, overrides, and non-standard data before the migration begins.
Tell us about your project
Free appointment. We respond within 24 hours.