Can I migrate an existing affiliate program?

Yes. You can start a new affiliate program in Simple Affiliate or import an existing program, depending on your Shopify plan and whether your store and Simple Affiliate subscription meet the import safeguards. A planned migration helps you move affiliates, preserve the right referral relationships, and give partners clear instructions about any new links, codes, or sign-in steps.

Option A: Start from scratch

Starting from scratch is appropriate when you want to redesign your commission structure, groups, links, or affiliate onboarding instead of carrying forward existing records.

1. Review your current affiliate list, commission rules, groups, referral links, and discount codes.
2. Decide which affiliates and tracking methods you want to recreate in Simple Affiliate.
3. Configure your new groups, commissions, referral links, and codes in Simple Affiliate.
4. Invite affiliates to use the new affiliate dashboard and provide the instructions they need to sign in.
5. Test a referral link and discount code before publishing the new program.

Affiliates sign in with your store's Shopify customer accounts. New customer accounts use the Shopify customer-account area, while classic customer accounts use a branded dashboard page on your theme, such as /pages/simple-affiliate.

Option B: Import an existing program

CSV import can help you bring eligible affiliate records into Simple Affiliate instead of entering every record manually. Import availability is restricted to eligible paid Shopify plans and depends on store-age and app-subscription safeguards. Not every store can import immediately, so confirm that your store qualifies before scheduling the migration.

1. Review the eligibility requirements for CSV import in the Simple Affiliate help centre.
2. Prepare your existing affiliate information in the required CSV format.
3. Check the file for duplicate affiliates, outdated contact details, and records that should not be carried forward.
4. Import the CSV when your store and Simple Affiliate subscription meet the required safeguards.
5. Review the imported records and configure any groups, commissions, links, or codes that need additional setup.
6. Ask a test affiliate to sign in and confirm that the affiliate dashboard shows the expected information.

The import process should be treated as a data migration, not as an automatic conversion of every old tracking rule. Keep a record of the source program so you can compare affiliates and settings after the import.

Plan the tracking cutover

If you are moving from another Shopify affiliate app, schedule a cutover window rather than changing everything without notice. Old links and discount codes may need to redirect, be replaced, or remain active temporarily while affiliates update their marketing materials.

Review each tracking method used by your existing program:

• Referral links: Simple Affiliate can attribute referrals through links that include a tracking code such as sacode, with optional UTM parameters for campaign reporting.
• Discount codes: Confirm that each existing code has a corresponding code in Simple Affiliate before asking affiliates to replace published links or promotions.
• Connected customers: On the Pro plan, a customer can remain connected to the referring affiliate after the first referred purchase when the feature is enabled.
• Published materials: Check email campaigns, social profiles, paid ads, blog posts, and partner websites for old links and codes that may need updating.

Do not assume that an old URL, code, or attribution relationship will be preserved without verification. Test the exact customer journey your affiliates use, including the landing page, checkout, order attribution, and commission result.

Important migration checks

Before announcing the change to affiliates, verify the following:

• Affiliate access: Each migrated affiliate can access the correct Shopify customer account and affiliate dashboard.
• Program structure: Groups and commission rules match the terms you intend to honour.
• Tracking: Referral links and discount codes record the expected attribution.
• Customer experience: Existing customers can still reach the intended store pages and checkout.
• Communication: Affiliates know which links or codes to use after the cutover date.
• Records: You retain an export or copy of the previous program for reconciliation and support questions.

What happens next

Once the migration is tested, notify affiliates of the effective date, new dashboard access instructions, and any replacement links or codes. Keep the old program available during the agreed cutover window only if that is compatible with your previous provider and your tracking requirements. Simple Affiliate can provide the new program and its tracking tools, but it does not determine which legacy links, codes, or commission outcomes should be retained; you must define and verify those migration rules.