Omnisend is built specifically for e-commerce. If you are on Mailchimp and running an online store, Omnisend gives you SMS, better abandoned cart flows, and deeper store integrations without the complexity of Klaviyo.
This guide covers everything you need to migrate from Mailchimp to Omnisend without losing subscribers or breaking your automations. Estimated time: 2-4 hours.
What transfers and what does not
| Item | Transfers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and email addresses | Yes | Via CSV export/import |
| Tags and segments | Partial | Export as custom fields, remap on import |
| Custom field data | Partial | Transfers if mapped correctly during import |
| Unsubscribe history | Yes | Import as suppressed contacts |
| Email templates | No | Need to be rebuilt in Omnisend |
| Automation workflows | No | Need to be rebuilt from scratch |
| Campaign history | No | Historical stats stay in Mailchimp |
Step-by-step migration guide
Sign up at www.omnisend.com before doing anything else. Keep your Mailchimp account running throughout the migration: do not cancel it until everything is confirmed working in Omnisend.
Add your domain to Omnisend and follow the DKIM authentication instructions. This improves deliverability and ensures your emails arrive in inboxes, not spam folders. Complete this before importing any contacts.
In Mailchimp, go to your audience and export your full contact list as a CSV. Make sure to include all custom fields, tags, and segments. Export your unsubscribed contacts separately: you will need to suppress these in Omnisend to stay compliant.
Upload your CSV into Omnisend and map each column to the correct field. Import your unsubscribed contacts as suppressed. Review the import report carefully before proceeding: fix any mapping errors before building automations.
Screenshot or document all your active automations in Mailchimp before rebuilding them in Omnisend. Start with your highest-priority flows: typically your welcome series and any active nurture sequences. Do not activate them until you have tested them with your own email address.
Build your signup forms in Omnisend and replace the Mailchimp embed codes on your website. Test each form to confirm subscribers land in the right list and trigger the correct automation.
Send a test campaign to yourself. Trigger your automations manually. Check every link. Confirm your unsubscribe flow works correctly. Only cancel Mailchimp once you are fully satisfied that Omnisend is working as expected.
Once Omnisend is fully operational, cancel your Mailchimp account. Check your billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Download any historical reports or data you want to keep before cancelling.
The bottom line
Omnisend is the right move if you run an online store and want better e-commerce automation than Mailchimp offers. The migration is manageable and the e-commerce features are significantly stronger.
Not sure Omnisend is the right destination? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation.