Radical Books Collective
From Shopify to Substack: How We Reimagined Radical Books Collective's Digital Home
When Radical Books Collective first approached us about shifting from Shopify to Substack, it wasn’t just about changing platforms—it was about embracing a bold new vision for independent publishing. They wanted more than just a storefront. They wanted a space that reflected their radical ethos, built deep community engagement, and simplified content distribution. So we helped them take the leap.
If you’re a creator or publisher considering a move to Substack, this story—and our step-by-step guide—might just be the inspiration (and roadmap) you need.
Why Migrate from Shopify to Substack?
Shopify is a powerhouse for e-commerce, no doubt. But for many niche publishers, authors, and literary collectives like Radical Books Collective, the platform can start to feel… impersonal.
With Substack, Radical Books Collective saw an opportunity:
Direct community building via email subscriptions and comment threads.
Simplicity in content management with native publishing tools.
Cost-effective operations—no more juggling third-party apps for newsletters, blogs, and payments.
And above all, a mission-aligned ecosystem that prioritizes storytelling over selling.
This wasn’t just a migration. It was a transformation.
Step-by-Step: Migrating from Shopify to Substack
Let’s break down how we helped Radical Books Collective make a seamless transition—and how you can, too.
1. Audit Your Shopify Site
We began by listing all the assets on their Shopify store:
- Product listings (mainly books and digital offerings)
- Blog content
- Event announcements
- Newsletter archives
- About, contact, and mission pages
- This helped us define what should be migrated, transformed, or sunsetted.
Pro tip: Not everything on Shopify needs a 1:1 replica on Substack. Prioritize what nurtures community and delivers content.
2. Set Up the Substack Backbone
We created a fresh Substack for Radical Books Collective with:
- A compelling About page capturing their mission and values.
- Clean, visual branding that mirrors their identity.
- Custom publication settings (free vs paid, post types, comments, etc.)
Bonus: Substack lets you structure your publication with sections. So we set up categories for Reviews, Events, Radical Reads, and more.
3. Migrate and Reformat Content
This was a crucial step. We helped Radical Books Collective:
- Move key blog posts into Substack’s long-form post editor.
- Convert event pages into announcement-style posts.
- Embed visuals, external links, and audio content where needed.
- Craft engaging titles and preview snippets for newsletter optimization.
Note: Shopify product listings were reimagined as editorial features. Books weren’t just listed—they were introduced, reviewed, and discussed. That’s the Substack difference.
4. Import Subscribers and Set Up Email Campaigns
Radical Books Collective had built an email base on Shopify via newsletters. We exported this list and securely imported it into Substack (with user permissions in place).
From Day 1 on Substack, their subscribers continued receiving updates—only now in a richer, story-driven format.
5. Redirect Traffic and Communicate the Shift
We added redirect links from their old Shopify site, updated all social bios, and announced the move through a dedicated launch post on Substack.
Communication was key. Readers were told why the shift was happening and how it would improve their experience.
Why Substack Was a Perfect Fit for Radical Books Collective
Here’s what changed for them:
- Lower Overhead, Higher Impact: No need for web hosting, plug-ins, or e-commerce fees.
- Built-in Audience Tools: Comment threads, paid subscriber options, podcast hosting.
- Simplified Publishing Workflow: No juggling blogs, newsletters, and email tools.
- Community-Led Growth: Each post becomes a conversation, not a transaction.
This shift helped Radical Books Collective center storytelling and reader engagement—without tech headaches.
Thinking of Migrating to Substack? Here's Why You Should
If you’re a publisher, writer, or indie brand who:
- Feels limited by the transactional focus of Shopify
- Wants to build a loyal email-based community
- Needs a simpler way to publish and distribute content
- Values flexibility, storytelling, and reader relationships
Then Substack isn’t just an option—it might be your ideal platform.
And if you’re looking for Substack services, you’re in the right place.
Ready to Make the Move?
Whether you’re planning a simple blog migration or a full-scale digital relaunch, our team specializes in Substack development tailored for publishers, collectives, and creators. We’ve done it for Radical Books Collective. We can do it for you.
✨ Looking for Substack development? Contact us today to get started. Let’s bring your stories to life on Substack.
