From Instant Commerce to Laioutr: Migration Step by Step

Migrating a storefront frontend is not a small task. This guide describes the migration path from Instant Commerce to Laioutr in concrete terms, phase by phase. The Shopify backend stays unchanged. Context on the pivot: The Instant Commerce AI Pivot

Phase 1: Discovery and mapping (weeks 1-2)

Inventory all active page types: homepage, PLPs, PDPs, content pages, landing pages. Map each custom block (instant-sdk) to a Laioutr component or custom development. Content inventory from Storyblok: which stories are in use, which fields are consumed by the frontend? SEO audit: which URLs generate traffic, which meta tags and structured data are in use? Integration mapping: analytics, tracking, chat, search.

Phase 2: Laioutr setup and base configuration (weeks 2-3)

Create Laioutr account (use the switch program if available). Configure Shopify backend connection via Shopify Storefront API. Select a base theme from the Laioutr UI library. Prepare domain setup: production domain stays on IC, Laioutr runs in parallel on staging. Make the CMS decision: Storyblok can continue to be used (Laioutr integrates with Storyblok), or switch to Laioutr Studio.

Phase 3: Component migration and content build (weeks 3-6)

Custom blocks from instant-sdk: typical split in mid-market projects: 60-70% standard components, 30-40% custom development. Transfer content from Storyblok if CMS migration is in scope. SEO configuration: meta tags, Open Graph fields, Schema.org markup, URL structure preserved. Core Web Vitals baseline defined. Marketing editor training on Laioutr page builder.

Phase 4: QA, performance validation, and SEO review (weeks 6-7)

Mandatory checklist: all page types tested on staging including edge cases. Full checkout flow tested (Shopify Checkout stays unchanged). Core Web Vitals on staging not worse than IC baseline. SEO parity check: all significant URLs reachable. 301 redirect plan for URLs that change structurally. Tracking and analytics verified on staging. GDPR compliance: cookie consent integrated. Rollback plan documented.

Phase 5: Go-live and DNS cutover (weeks 7-8)

Set the go-live window to a traffic low point. Reduce DNS TTL to 60 seconds 24-48 hours before cutover. Final staging check immediately before DNS change. Update DNS record to Laioutr production endpoint. Monitor propagation. Verify all page types on production manually. Monitor analytics live for 2 hours. Keep IC storefront as fallback for 14 days.

Timeline overview

Total duration: 6 to 8 weeks. More complex with many custom blocks or larger CMS migration: up to 10 weeks. Phase 1 (weeks 1-2): Discovery and mapping. Phase 2 (weeks 2-3): Setup and base configuration. Phase 3 (weeks 3-6): Components and content. Phase 4 (weeks 6-7): QA and validation. Phase 5 (weeks 7-8): Go-live.

Frequently asked questions about migration

Does the Shopify backend need to be adjusted? No. Laioutr connects via the Shopify Storefront API. Can we keep using Storyblok? Yes. The CMS change is optional and not a migration blocker. What happens to existing SEO rankings? With correct URL preservation and a 301 redirect plan, there is no structural SEO loss.

More on the decision framework: Instant Commerce vs. Laioutr: Which Frontend for Which Team?. General Shopify headless migration guide: Shopify Headless Migration: Step by Step

Related Laioutr resources

Explore how the Laioutr frontend layer applies here:

• Headless Frontend for Shopify
• Composable Headless Frontend
• Content Management