Order synchronization in WooCommerce to Shopify Sync (W2S) lets you copy orders between WooCommerce and Shopify in a controlled and predictable way. This guide explains how order sync works, what order data is transferred, supported sync directions, available filters, limitations, and best practices to ensure accurate results.
W2S is designed to safely create orders without altering existing financial records. To avoid conflicts, duplicate updates, or accounting issues, order sync is intentionally limited in scope and behavior.
How Order Synchronization Works #
Order synchronization in W2S Sync is creation-based. This means the plugin creates new orders on the destination store based on orders created on the source store.
Once order sync is enabled and configured:
- W2S listens for new orders based on the selected sync direction and timing
- When a new order is detected, the plugin prepares the order data
- The order is then created on the destination platform using API-based communication
To keep order history accurate and safe, W2S follows these rules:
- Orders are synced only once, at the time of creation
- Existing orders are never updated
- Payment, fulfillment, and financial data are not overwritten
- Sync behavior is safe for live production stores
This approach ensures that historical order records remain intact and prevents accidental changes to completed or paid orders.
Supported Sync Directions #
1. WooCommerce → Shopify
Orders created in WooCommerce can be synced to Shopify. This is commonly used when WooCommerce is the primary checkout platform, and Shopify is used for order visibility, reporting, or fulfillment workflows.
Common use cases
- Migrating historical WooCommerce orders to Shopify
- Keeping Shopify aware of WooCommerce sales
- Using WooCommerce as the main checkout system
How Sync Orders from WooCommerce to Shopify (Step by Step)
This section explains how orders created in WooCommerce are synced to Shopify using WooCommerce to Shopify Sync.
Step 1: Choose the Sync Direction
Go to Woo-Shopify → Config and under Choose Sync direction, select WooCommerce → Shopify. Only orders created in WooCommerce will be considered for syncing.
Step 2: Select Sync Timing
Under Select Timing for Auto Sync, choose when order sync should run:
- On Save Sync
Orders are synced when the configuration is saved. - Scheduled Sync
Choose hourly, daily, or weekly to sync orders periodically. - Custom Sync
Set a specific date range to sync orders created during that period. This is useful for historical order migration.
Note: Ensure a cron entry is configured in your WordPress setup before sync.
Step 3: Enable Orders Module and Actions
Under Select Modules to Sync, locate the Orders module and enable it.
Choose one action, such as Create or Delete.
- Create – Creates new orders in Shopify when they are created in WooCommerce. Order sync in W2S is creation-only.
Step 4: (PRO Feature) Apply Order Filters
Click Advanced Sync under the Orders module to apply filters. Currently, you can sync orders based on their status.
- Enable WooCommerce Status.
- Select one or multiple statuses from the dropdown
- Click Apply
This helps control which orders are transferred and avoids syncing unnecessary or unwanted records.
Step 5: Save Configuration
After selecting the sync direction, timing, and order options, click Save Configuration. The configuration becomes active immediately.
From this point onward, any new WooCommerce orders that match your configuration will be created in Shopify automatically.
Step 6: Monitor Order Sync Activity
To verify and track order sync results:
- Go to the Audit tab
- Review logs for successfully created orders, skipped orders,
Or warnings or errors (such as missing customers or products).
The Audit section shows information like entity (order), action (create), message, status, and date.
2. Shopify → WooCommerce
Orders created in Shopify can be synced to WooCommerce. This is useful when Shopify is used for checkout, and WooCommerce is used for centralized order management, reporting, or accounting.
How to Sync Orders from Shopify to WooCommerce (Step by Step)
Step 1: Choose the Sync Direction
Go to the Config tab and choose the sync direction: Shopify → WooCommerce. Only orders created in Shopify will be considered for syncing.
Step 2: Select Sync Timing
Choose when your order sync should run:
- On Save Sync
- Scheduled Sync
Choose hourly, daily, or weekly to sync orders automatically at regular intervals. - Custom Sync
Select a from and to date to sync orders created during that period.
Note: All sync types require a valid cron setup in WordPress.
Step 3: Enable Orders Module and Action
Enable the Orders module from the modules list and choose an action (Create / Delete)
Step 4: (PRO Feature) Apply Order Status Filter
If you’re using the Pro version:
- Click Advanced Sync under the Orders module
- Apply order status filters such as completed, pending, or processing.
Step 5: Save Sync Configuration
After configuring the sync direction, timing, and order options:
- Click Save Configuration
Step 6: Monitor Order Sync Activity
Go to the Audit tab to see the sync status and message if any errors occur.
3. Bidirectional Order Sync
W2S supports bidirectional order creation, allowing orders from both platforms to sync independently. This means:
- Orders created in WooCommerce sync to Shopify
- Orders created in Shopify sync to WooCommerce
Important notes
- Orders are synced only once, at creation time
- Order updates are not synced back and forth
Bidirectional sync is best suited for stores that use both platforms actively but want to keep order records aligned without modifying existing data.
To configure bidirectional sync, visit the Config menu and select Bidirectional Sync from the sync direction.
Order Data That Is Synced #
Order-Level Information
The following order-level details are transferred during sync:
- Order ID (internally mapped for reference)
- Order total
- Currency (synced as-is, no conversion applied)
- Order creation date
- Financial status
Order Items
Each order includes detailed line item information:
- Product name
- SKU (used for matching when available)
- Quantity
- Item price
- Line total
If a product does not exist in the destination store, the order will still sync with the product name and pricing preserved.
Customer Information
The following customer details are included with each synced order:
- Customer email (primary identifier)
- First name and last name
- Billing address
- Shipping address
Important:
Customer synchronization must be completed before order synchronization. This ensures orders are linked to the correct customer records on the destination platform.
Order Filtering (Pro Feature) #
Filter by Order Status
W2S Pro allows you to filter which orders should be synced based on their order status.
Examples:
- Sync only Processing orders
- Sync only completed orders
- Exclude Cancelled or Refunded orders
Date-Based Order Sync (Custom Sync)
Using Custom Sync, you can sync orders based on a specific date or date range.
You can:
- Sync orders created on a specific date
- Migrate historical orders in batches
- Run controlled, one-time sync operations
This is especially useful during store migrations or phased rollouts.
Order Deletion Sync #
W2S supports order deletion synchronization. If an order is deleted on the source platform, the corresponding order is deleted on the destination platform.
Important
Order deletion is permanent and should be used carefully.
Recommended only for:
- Test or staging environments
- Cleaning up test orders
- Controlled migration scenarios
Order Mapping #
W2S maintains internal order mappings. These field mappings are built-in so you don’t have to make any adjustments. You can view order mappings under Mapping → Orders.
Prerequisites for Order Sync #
Before enabling order synchronization, make sure the following steps are completed:
- Products are synced first
- Customers are synced first
- Products have SKUs for better matching
- API connections are verified
- An initial test sync is completed
Skipping these steps may result in incomplete or unlinked orders.
Best Practices #
Before Sync
- Back up both WooCommerce and Shopify stores
- Sync customers and products first
- Test with a small number of orders
- Use filters to limit the sync scope
During Sync
- Monitor the Audit Log
- Avoid interrupting the sync process
- Review logs after each sync run
After Sync
- Verify order totals
- Confirm currency values
- Check customer linkage
- Review synced orders manually
Common Issues and Solutions #
Orders Not Syncing
Possible causes:
- The Orders module is not enabled
- Order status filters exclude the orders
- Customer sync is not completed
- API or permission issues
Check the Audit Log for detailed error information.
Orders Created Without Customers
Cause
- Customer sync was not completed
- Customer email mismatch between platforms
Solution
Sync customers before syncing orders.
Missing Products in Orders
Cause
- The product does not exist in the destination store
- SKU mismatch or missing SKU
Solution
Sync products first and verify SKUs.
Related Documentation #
- Product Synchronization Guide
- Customer Synchronization Guide
- Sync Configuration
- Field Mapping
- Frequently Asked Questions
Support #
If you need help with order synchronization:
- Review the FAQ
- Check the Audit Log
- Contact the Smackcoders support team
