Catalogue cleanup before a platform move can reduce import errors and make the new store easier to browse. Start by exporting products and checking for duplicate SKUs, inconsistent category names, missing images and unused attributes. Decide which discontinued products should move, be archived or be left behind.
Create a mapping sheet
Record source fields and destination fields, including title, description, price, stock, category, variation, image, shipping class and custom data. Identify which values need transformation. For example, a source collection may become a destination category, or a size option may need a standard attribute format.
Sample and approve
Choose representative simple and variable products and import them into a test environment. Confirm the image matching, prices, stock and storefront layout before processing the rest. Keep a copy of the original export and a record of decisions.
Product claims and pricing must be verified by the business. A migration can transfer data, but it cannot determine whether information is current or legally appropriate. For large catalogues, consider a cleanup stage before migration rather than compressing research, correction and import into one uncertain estimate.
Written by Code Papa, an independent WordPress developer based in the UAE with 15 years of experience.