Move from Ribbn Webshop to Shopify (FAQ)
Overview
This FAQ helps you move your online storefront and online orders from Ribbn Webshop to Shopify, while keeping Ribbn as your system of record for in-store operations, inventory, and product data.
Rule of thumb after migration
- All product management stays in Ribbn
- All online order management happens in Shopify
Quick links (recommended reading)
Core migration guide
- Moving your online store from Ribbn to Shopify (FAQ):
https://help.ribbn.ai/moving-your-online-store-from-ribbn-to-shopify-faq-
Shopify App hub
- Shopify App overview:
https://help.ribbn.ai/shopify-app
Related setup articles
- How to give Ribbn access to your Shopify account:
https://help.ribbn.ai/how-to-give-ribbn-access-to-your-shopify-account - How Product mapping works with Shopify:
https://help.ribbn.ai/how-product-mapping-works-with-shopify - How Orders work between Ribbn and Shopify:
https://help.ribbn.ai/how-orders-work-between-ribbn-and-shopify
Credits (if applicable)
- Apply Ribbn seller credits toward a Shopify purchase:
https://help.ribbn.ai/how-do-i-apply-ribbn-seller-credits-toward-a-shopify-purchase
What changes (and what doesn’t)
What changes
- Shopify becomes your online storefront
- Shopify becomes the system where online orders are managed
- You build your Shopify theme, navigation, and collections inside Shopify
What doesn’t
- Ribbn remains your system for in-store operations
- Ribbn remains the source of truth for inventory and product data
- In-store sales and returns continue through Ribbn/Stripe
Storefront setup in Shopify
Do I need to create a new design in Shopify?
Yes. Shopify storefronts are built using a theme (the foundation of your storefront), then you add your own images, text, and content.
- Ribbn recommends the Horizon theme.
- You can also choose from Shopify’s free themes:
https://themes.shopify.com/collections/free-themes?surface_detail=navbar-collections&surface_inter_position=1&surface_intra_position=3&surface_type=nav
Do I need to create a new navigation/menu?
Yes. Themes include navigation components, but you must configure your menu items and structure.
Will collections transfer from Ribbn to Shopify?
No. Collections do not transfer automatically. You’ll create collections in Shopify.
Do I need to rebuild the taxonomy?
No. Your taxonomy carries over and appears as Meta Fields in Shopify.
Product syncing and availableOnline
How do I sync products from Ribbn to Shopify?
When a product is ready to sell online, you manually sync it from Ribbn to Shopify with one click.
- You can also select multiple products and sync them in bulk.
Does the availableOnline tag work in Shopify?
Not the same way. The availableOnline tag is no longer used by Shopify as a publish/sales trigger.
- It remains useful for internal product management and visibility inside Ribbn.
- You still need to manually sync products from Ribbn to Shopify.
Can I use availableOnline during the first sync to move everything that’s currently online?
Yes—recommended. Sync in batches (for example, by collection or product group) to keep the migration controlled.
In-store operations vs online operations
Are in-store returns still handled in Ribbn/Stripe?
Yes. All in-store sales, returns, and product management remain in Ribbn/Stripe. Only online sales move to Shopify.
Is in-store order management still handled in Ribbn?
Yes. In-store order management remains in Ribbn.
Timeline and process
How long does the migration take?
It depends mostly on how long you spend building your Shopify storefront (theme layout + content).
Suggested approach:
- Build your theme gradually over time (evenings/quieter moments); Ribbn can review and answer questions.
- For product migration and the domain switch, set aside one full day to do it carefully.
Have you worked in Shopify before? Can you show me around?
Yes. Ribbn can book a short meeting to walk you through Shopify. Shopify is typically intuitive and flexible for storefront building and management.
Inventory behavior when something sells in-store
How does sync work when an item is sold in-store and should be removed online?
When a product is changed to a Sold-state in Ribbn, Shopify inventory automatically decreases.
Behavior:
- Shopify inventory quantity is reduced
- When inventory reaches 0 (immediately for unique items), Shopify sets the product to Draft
- This removes the product from online sale after it’s sold in-store
Payments and Stripe fees
Will I pay Stripe fees twice?
No. Ribbn’s Stripe fees only apply to online purchases processed in Ribbn. After migrating online orders to Shopify, Shopify connects to Shopify’s Stripe/payment setup for online transactions.
After migration:
| Where the purchase happens | Platform handling the order | Fees apply through |
|---|---|---|
| In-store purchases | Ribbn | Ribbn/Stripe (Ribbn fees) |
| Online purchases | Shopify | Shopify payments/Stripe setup (Shopify fees) |
What data transfers to Shopify when you publish products
What data is transferred when publishing products to Shopify?
When you select products in Ribbn and click “Publish item(s) on Shopify”, Ribbn transfers product data to Shopify including media.
Synced data includes
- Title
- Product description
- Media (images)
- Price
- Other product information as Meta Fields in Shopify (details below)
Meta Fields synced to Shopify (examples)
The following product attributes are included as Meta Fields (among others), enabling Shopify-side filtering, searching, and collection building.
| Meta Field / Attribute | Example values |
|---|---|
| Primary Segment | Woman |
| Product Category | Bags |
| Product Type | Shoulder Bag |
| Product Style | Tote |
| Standard Size | (varies) |
| Label Size | (varies) |
| Brand | (varies) |
| Color | (varies) |
| Condition | (varies) |
| Original Price | (varies) |
| Commission | (varies) |
| Seller Name | (varies) |
| Ribbn Seller ID | (internal) |
| Ribbn Inventory Location(s) | (internal) |
| Ribbn Tags | doneEditing, availableOnline, Designers, carousel, etc. |
| RFID | (internal) |
| Status | SOLD (example) |
| Product Class | UNIQUE (example) |
| URL | internal Ribbn reference |
| Ribbn ID | internal identifier |
Ribbn vs Shopify responsibilities (practical workflow)
What this means in practice
- Create and update products in Ribbn
- When a product is ready for online sale, sync/publish it to Shopify
- If you update product information in Ribbn, Shopify updates automatically as long as the product was already synced
Returns and order history
Where are online returns handled?
Online purchase returns are handled in Shopify.
Can I still see order history in Ribbn?
Yes. Shopify orders are mapped into Ribbn so you can still see order history there, but Shopify orders cannot be managed in Ribbn.
For details, see:
- How Orders work between Ribbn and Shopify:
https://help.ribbn.ai/how-orders-work-between-ribbn-and-shopify?hsLang=en
Troubleshooting and next steps
If you’re about to migrate
- Pick a Shopify theme and start building your storefront content.
- Set up navigation/menus in Shopify.
- Plan a one-day migration window for:
- Batch syncing products from Ribbn to Shopify
- Final validation (inventory behavior, product visibility, collections)
- Domain switch
If you need help
- Review the Shopify App hub:
https://help.ribbn.ai/shopify-app?hsLang=en - If you haven’t already, grant Ribbn access to your Shopify account:
https://help.ribbn.ai/how-to-give-ribbn-access-to-your-shopify-account