How to Migrate from Mailchimp to Klaviyo

How do you migrate from Mailchimp to Klaviyo?

Quick Answer: Migrating from Mailchimp to Klaviyo involves exporting contacts and segments from Mailchimp, importing into Klaviyo (with consent status preserved), rebuilding automations and flows (no automated migration), connecting e-commerce sources (Shopify, WooCommerce), recreating templates with brand assets, and running both platforms in parallel for 2-4 weeks before cutting over. A typical migration takes 2-4 weeks for a mid-sized list.

Migrating from Mailchimp to Klaviyo

E-commerce brands often migrate from Mailchimp to Klaviyo for Shopify-native segmentation and predictive analytics. The migration is mostly manual; only contact data transfers cleanly.

Phase 1: Planning (Week 0)

Audit the Mailchimp Account

List all active automations and customer journeys
Document all segments and audiences
Export templates and brand assets
Note all integrations (e.g., Shopify, Stripe)
Snapshot baseline metrics: open rate, click rate, revenue per email

Set Up Klaviyo Account

Choose plan based on contact count
Configure sending domain and DKIM/SPF authentication
Warm up the sending IP if dedicated

Phase 2: Data Migration (Week 1)

Export from Mailchimp

Audiences → Export as CSV
Include: email, first name, last name, tags, source, signup date, consent status
Export unsubscribes separately (critical for compliance)

Import to Klaviyo

Profiles → Add Profiles → Upload CSV
Map fields (email, consent, signup date)
Mark unsubscribed contacts as suppressed
Preserve consent timestamps for GDPR/CAN-SPAM compliance

Connect E-commerce

Shopify: Install Klaviyo Shopify app, sync historical orders (typically 12-24 months)
WooCommerce: Use Klaviyo plugin
BigCommerce: Use Klaviyo BigCommerce integration

Phase 3: Rebuild Automations (Week 2)

Priority Flows

Welcome series: Triggered by newsletter signup
Abandoned cart: Triggered by Shopify cart event
Post-purchase: Triggered by first order
Browse abandonment: Triggered by product viewed
Win-back: Triggered by 90 days of inactivity

Klaviyo-Specific Features

Use predictive analytics (CLV, next order date)
Add SMS steps alongside email if applicable
Build dynamic blocks with product recommendations

Phase 4: Segments and Lists (Week 2)

Rebuild segments using Klaviyo's more granular filters
VIP customers (top 10% by spend)
Lapsed customers (no order in 90 days)
High engagement (opened 3+ emails in 30 days)

Phase 5: Templates and Branding (Week 2-3)

Rebuild core templates in Klaviyo's drag-and-drop editor
Apply brand assets (logo, colors, fonts)
Test rendering in 10+ inbox previews

Phase 6: Parallel Running (Week 3-4)

Run both platforms simultaneously for 2 weeks
Send 50% of traffic through Klaviyo, 50% through Mailchimp
Compare deliverability and engagement metrics

Phase 7: Cutover (Week 4)

Pause all Mailchimp automations
Redirect signup forms to Klaviyo
Update integrations (e.g., Zapier) to point to Klaviyo
Retain Mailchimp subscription for 30 days for reporting access

Common Migration Pitfalls

Losing consent timestamps: Export them before migration
Forgetting suppressions: Unsubscribed contacts must not be re-emailed
Template rendering bugs: Test thoroughly before cutover
Automation logic drift: Document exact timing and conditions to replicate

Typical Outcomes

Shopify merchants migrating to Klaviyo commonly report improvements in email-attributed revenue within 2-3 months due to richer segmentation and abandoned cart flows.