The Temptation to Do Everything at Once
Platform migration seems like the perfect time to redesign. You are already changing the site. Why not improve everything? This logic is understandable but carries significant risk.
Risks of Combining
Combined projects face compounded challenges.
Extended timeline
Redesign adds weeks or months. If migration has a deadline (contract end, security concerns), combining may not be feasible.
Compounded complexity
Migration issues are harder to diagnose when everything is new. Is the problem the platform, the design, the data, or the integration? With many changes, root cause analysis is difficult.
Stakeholder fatigue
Long projects exhaust stakeholders. Enthusiasm at project start becomes frustration as timelines extend.
Scope creep
Redesign opens discussions about features, user experience, and functionality. These discussions expand scope beyond the original intent.
Benefits of Combining
Despite risks, combining has advantages.
Single disruption
One project instead of two. One launch instead of two. One training cycle instead of two.
Coherent result
Design built for the new platform from the start, rather than adapting to platform constraints.
Potential efficiency
Some work overlaps. Doing it once may be more efficient than doing it in phases.
Phased Approach
Migrate first, redesign after.
Phase 1: Migration
Move to Shopify with minimal design changes. Use an existing theme that approximates current design. Focus on data, integrations, and functionality.
Stabilization period
Run on the new platform for 4-8 weeks. Fix issues that emerge. Learn the platform. Stabilize operations.
Phase 2: Redesign
With stable operations, focus on design and user experience. Implement on a platform you now understand.
Phased advantages
- Faster initial migration
- Reduced risk per phase
- Learning informs redesign decisions
- Clear accountability per phase
When to Combine
Combining makes sense under specific conditions.
- Flexible timeline with no hard deadline
- Strong project management capability
- Clear, locked design requirements
- Experienced team on both platform and design
- Current site is unusable or embarrassing
When to Phase
Phasing makes sense when:
- Deadline pressure exists
- Design requirements are unclear
- Team lacks Shopify experience
- Integration complexity is high
- Current design is acceptable short-term
For migration planning, see Shopify migration.
Working with LiftKit Digital
LiftKit Digital advises on project structuring based on your specific constraints. We help you choose the approach with the best chance of success.
To discuss your migration, get in touch.