How can I smoothly transition to a new brand and website URL without disrupting backend operations?

[SITB]

Hi

We are a current site on shopify and our brand is evolving and in this evolution, will be named something different = complete rebrand, new website URL etc.

Current business and URL = www.thisisincense.com.au
NEW business and URL = www.gentlehabits.com.au

Our backend doesn't change, Our products don't change. Our customers and subscribers do not change (they are on the journey with us). The only thing that changes is the URL and website look, feel, tone.

We have created a holding page for the new URL to have a frontage and capture sign up.

However, for a smooth roll over, my idea was that i create/update the new website underneath the current LIVE website in the new template / branding. 
When time comes, cancel holding page, export new subscribers, switch to the new URL and handle on the current store update company name / update details etc

What i am trying to eliminate is re setting up the entire backend when it is just the frontage and branding that changes.

Do you think this would work ?
Would the limitations in going this way be that it is hard to implement certain templates and new apps etc - as these only populate when live ?

Any feedback or best practise solutions would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Claire.

[DavidEKim · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You need to work on www.thisisincense.com.au underneath the current LIVE website in the new template. You don't need to re-setting up the entire backend. 

You only need to make a new template (new theme) for the new brand image. After you finish the work, you can publish the new theme (or template, tone, image, etc.) over the current theme and connect the new domain name to the current store. You can have 2 or more domain names. Just make the new domain name to be the primary domain.

The steps should be

1. Keep the current store running. (www.thisisincense.com.au)

2. Make the new look underneath. (You can change the collection, create pages, or do some other works that can be done within the new theme).

3. After completion of the new store, publish it.

4. Connect the new domain name (www.gentlehabits.com.au) and make it the primary domain.

5. In this case, you don't need to import or export anything and all user info & product info will be there and safe.

One of my clients is currently re-building their store with a new theme.

Their current store is https://solvedskincare.shop/.

They will connect solvedskincare.com shortly (as soon as their renewal work is completed).

The preview store is https://spq9a50fbry9xhv1-29634068613.shopifypreview.com (currently working on - almost completed).

The look & feel is completely different (the collections, navigation structure, and pages are different) but their products, customer info, subscribers, order info, payment gateway, and many different fields still stay in the backend.

The only things for the look, feel, and domain name will be changed.

Hope it helps.

Thanks.

[SITB]

Yes - you have completely solidified my thought process. Thank you.

THISISINCENSE.COM.AU is currently live
I am working on the new brand GENTLEHABITS.COM.AU in a new theme/look/feel/tone and will follow the suggested steps, it was what i thought so good to know i was on the right path.

Claire.