Migrate from PrestaShop to Headless | Migration Service
Your PrestaShop Store Runs on PHP That Slows Every Page Load
Why leave PrestaShop?
- Server rendering chokes under catalog growth — pages slow as SKU count climbs
- Module conflicts break checkout flows after PrestaShop core updates
- Theming layers block modern component libraries and design systems
- Hosting locks you into PHP environments — no Vercel, no edge caching
- Developer scarcity outside France and Spain stalls feature releases
- Every page request hits the database — no static generation possible
What you gain
- Static pages deploy to CDN nodes in 12 regions — buyers load in under 800ms
- Medusa or Shopify backend scales with API calls, not server provisioning
- Any React developer ships features without learning PrestaShop templating
- Stripe, Mollie, Adyen connect natively — EU mandates and SCA handled
- Translation files live in JSON — add languages without plugin sprawl
- GDPR consent, cookie banners, and data residency built into infrastructure
PrestaShop powers hundreds of thousands of stores across Europe, Latin America, and francophone markets. It is open-source, feature-rich, and well-established. But it is also a PHP monolith with slow server rendering, a module system prone to conflicts, and a theming system that constrains modern frontend development. As commerce moves to headless, PrestaShop merchants need a migration path.
The headless migration architecture
I migrate your PrestaShop store to a headless architecture: a modern commerce backend (MedusaJS for open-source, Shopify for managed) handles products, orders, and fulfilment, while a Next.js frontend renders the storefront. Product pages are statically generated and CDN-served. Cart and checkout are API-driven. The result is a globally performant store that scales without PHP infrastructure.
European commerce considerations
PrestaShop merchants often need multi-language, multi-currency, GDPR compliance, European payment methods (SEPA, iDEAL, Bancontact), and VAT handling across EU jurisdictions. I ensure the target architecture handles all of these requirements — they are not afterthoughts but core migration requirements.
The migration process
Discovery & Audit
We map every page, post, media file, redirect, and plugin. Nothing gets missed.
Architecture Plan
New stack designed for your content structure, SEO requirements, and performance targets.
Staged Migration
Content migrated in batches. Each batch verified before the next begins.
SEO Preservation
301 redirects, canonical tags, sitemap, robots.txt — every ranking signal carried over.
Launch & Monitor
DNS cutover with zero downtime. 30-day monitoring period included.
PrestaShop vs Headless (MedusaJS or Shopify + Next.js)
| Metric | PrestaShop | Headless (MedusaJS or Shopify + Next.js) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | PHP monolith | Headless (API + CDN frontend) |
| Lighthouse (mobile) | 40–60 | 90–100 |
| Storefront rendering | PHP server-side | Static HTML from CDN |
| Developer pool | Niche (PrestaShop/PHP) | Broad (React/Node.js) |
| EU payment methods | Module-dependent | Stripe/Mollie native |
| Multi-language | Built-in | Built-in (improved) |
Common questions
Why leave PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is a PHP monolith with slow server rendering, module conflicts, and a theming system that limits modern frontend development. Performance, developer availability, and scalability all improve with a modern headless architecture.
Which commerce backend should replace PrestaShop?
For merchants who want open-source ownership: MedusaJS (Node.js, zero fees, multi-currency). For merchants who want managed infrastructure: Shopify (handles hosting, security, compliance). I evaluate your requirements and recommend the best fit.
What about European payment methods?
SEPA, iDEAL, Bancontact, Sofort, Giropay, and other European payment methods are supported via Stripe or Mollie integration in both MedusaJS and Shopify. Your existing payment provider relationships carry over.
How is VAT handled across EU countries?
Both MedusaJS and Shopify handle EU VAT rules including country-specific rates, VAT ID validation, and reverse charge for B2B. Saleor is another option with particularly strong multi-market tax handling.
Will my multi-language setup migrate?
Yes. Product translations, category translations, and CMS content in all your current languages are migrated. MedusaJS and Saleor have native multi-language support. Shopify handles it via the Translate and Adapt app or Markets.
How long does a PrestaShop migration take?
A store with under 1,000 products takes 6-10 weeks. Multi-language stores with 1,000-5,000 products take 10-14 weeks. Complex stores with custom modules and multiple payment integrations take 12-18 weeks.
Ready to migrate?
Free assessment. We'll audit your current site and give you a clear migration plan — no commitment.
Let's build
something together.
Whether it's a migration, a new build, or an SEO challenge — the Social Animal team would love to hear from you.