Start a new store or re-build existing?

Shopify Discussion
1

Hi all,

We have a Shopify Plus store which requires a total re-build (it’s been a bit of a Frankenstein build over the last 5 years). In short, we’ve got issues with:

  1. Site speed

  2. Excessive custom code (and errors in the code)

  3. Product setup (and meta-fields)

  4. A plathora of un-used apps

What are the pro’s and con’s with each option (new store vs re-building existing)?

Would setting up as a new store (using the same URL) create any issues with our digital marketing, SEO etc/.?

Thanks in advance,

Danny

2 Likes
2

Hello @dpettiona m,

Welcome to Shopify Community!

Here are the pros and cons of Rebuilding and New Store:

Re-building existing store:

Pros:

  • You can keep your existing URL, which can help maintain SEO ranking and prevent any negative impacts on your digital marketing efforts.
  • You can retain any existing customer and order data, which can be useful for business continuity.

Cons:

  • It may be more time-consuming. If there are too many apps in your existing codebase which makes it particularly complex, it may be difficult to resolve all the issues without affecting other areas of the site.

Solution:

  • If you want to rebuild the existing store start with installing a new theme. Do not publish it.
  • Uninstall unwanted apps
  • Reach out to third party app support and ask them to configure the new theme [Always ask for the changelog when any third party app configure the theme]

Starting a new store:

Pros:

  • You can start fresh and build a site that is tailored to your current needs and goals.

Cons:

  • You will need to redirect your old URL to the new store, which may temporarily affect your SEO ranking and cause some disruption to your digital marketing efforts.
  • You will need to migrate your customer and order data to the new store, which may be time-consuming and complex.

Conclusion:

In summary, re-building your existing store may be a good option if you want to retain your current URL and customer data, and if you can resolve any code issues without causing significant disruption to other areas of the site. Starting a new store may be a good option if you want to start fresh but you will need to plan carefully to minimize any negative impacts on your SEO ranking and customer experience.

Thanks

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3

If your store has a lot of customers, I recommend rebuilding. In Wordpress, you can build a store on another server and transfer the finished project to the site, thanks to which there is no interruption in the availability of the site. I don’t know if there is anything like that on spotify.

4

First, let’s talk about the pros. Rebuilding a dropshipping store can give you an opportunity to update the design, improve the user experience, and optimize for better conversion rates. You can also analyze your past performance, identify the weaknesses and strengths, and make necessary changes to boost your business. Additionally, rebuilding your store gives you a chance to expand your product catalog, test new niches, and experiment with different marketing strategies. It can also help you build your brand identity and increase customer loyalty.

On the other hand, there are some cons to rebuilding a dropshipping store as well. For one, it can be a time-consuming and costly process. You may need to invest in new design, marketing, and development services. Moreover, you risk losing your existing customers and traffic during the transition period. Additionally, you may encounter technical issues, bugs, or other unforeseen problems that could negatively affect your business. Therefore, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

Speaking from my own experience, I have faced similar situations in the past. I was running a dropshipping store that was doing fairly well, but I noticed that there were some areas where I could improve. I wanted to update the design, add some new products, and optimize the checkout process. So, I decided to rebuild the store from scratch. You can also try Fulfillman Dropshipping Services. We offer a wide range of products to help e-commerce businesses with their shipping and logistics needs. They offer services such as storage, picking, packing, and shipping of products, as well as custom packaging and branding options. Fulfillman also offers a variety of products, such as packaging materials, shipping labels, and custom boxes, that can be used to improve the customer experience and enhance brand recognition.

Fulfillman_0-1678450258717.png
Fulfillman_0-1678450258717.png1280×720 242 KB

It was a challenging process, to say the least. I had to find a new development team, design a new logo, and create new product listings. I also had to deal with some technical issues and bugs that delayed the launch date. However, I learned a lot from the experience and ultimately, the store performed much better after the rebuild. I was able to attract more customers, increase the average order value, and improve the conversion rate. So, while there are certainly some cons to rebuilding a dropshipping store, the potential benefits can outweigh the costs if you approach it strategically.

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5

Hello @dpettiona ,

This is Gina from flareAI app helping Shopify merchants get $5Million+ in sales from Google Search, on autopilot.

When considering whether to rebuild your existing Shopify Plus store or create a new store with the same URL, there are several factors to consider.

Here are some pros and cons of each option:

Pros of rebuilding existing store:

  1. The existing store has already been established and has some existing traffic and customers, which could help to retain your existing audience.
  2. You can keep your existing store design and branding, which may help with brand recognition.
  3. If you use the same URL, you may not need to change any external links or SEO content.

Cons of rebuilding existing store:

  1. There may be limitations to what can be changed, depending on how the original site was built. This may limit your ability to improve site speed, remove custom code or unused apps, and make other necessary changes.
  2. It may be more time-consuming to rebuild the existing site than to start fresh with a new site.
  3. You may still have to deal with underlying issues from the previous build, which could lead to more issues down the line.

Pros of setting up a new store:

  1. You have the opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate, which can help to eliminate any underlying issues from the previous build.
  2. You can take advantage of the latest technology and best practices for e-commerce sites, which can help to improve site speed and overall performance.
  3. You can easily remove any unused apps or custom code and streamline your site for a better user experience.

Cons of setting up a new store:

  1. You will need to rebuild your site design and branding, which may require additional resources and time.
  2. You may lose some existing traffic and customers, which could impact revenue in the short term.
  3. If you change the URL, you will need to redirect any external links and may experience a temporary drop in SEO rankings.

In terms of digital marketing and SEO, setting up a new store with the same URL can potentially create issues if not done correctly. It’s important to ensure that all existing URLs are properly redirected to the new site to maintain SEO rankings and avoid any negative impact on search engine visibility. Additionally, any changes to the site structure or content may require updates to your SEO strategy and digital marketing campaigns. It’s important to plan accordingly and consult with an SEO expert to ensure a smooth transition.

Gina

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