Moving 10,000 contacts from Mailchimp to Klaviyo might sound like a huge job. But don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be kinda fun when you break it down step by step!
This guide will help you migrate your contacts easily, with zero downtime. That means no missing emails, no frustrated subscribers, and no data loss. Just a smooth switch from one email tool to another.
Why make the move to Klaviyo?
Klaviyo is powerful. It gives you better control, deeper segmentation, and automation that can grow your business fast. Here are a few reasons people love it:
- More detailed analytics and reports
- Smart segmentation and dynamic lists
- Easy integrations with Shopify and other tools
- Better email deliverability
Ready to jump in? Let’s do it!
Step 1: Prepare your Mailchimp contacts
Before you start exporting anything, get your list ready. A little prep goes a long way.
Here’s what to do:
- Clean your list: Remove any contacts that have unsubscribed, bounced, or haven’t engaged in months.
- Tag or segment: Use Mailchimp’s tags to organize your contacts by interest, status, or behavior.
- Export the list: In Mailchimp, go to “Audience > All Contacts” and click “Export Audience.” You’ll get a CSV file you can use later.
Nice job! You’ve got a file with all your contacts, tags, and custom fields.
Step 2: Set up your Klaviyo account
If you don’t already have one, create a Klaviyo account. It’s free to get started.
Then:
- Go to “Lists & Segments”
- Create a new list — call it something like “Mailchimp Contacts”
- Get ready to import your contacts
We’re getting close to the fun part!
Step 3: Import contacts into Klaviyo
Here’s where the magic happens. Upload your export file into Klaviyo. Simply drag and drop the CSV into your list.
Pro tip: Klaviyo lets you map fields during the import. Make sure you connect important fields like:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Tags or Interests (Mailchimp calls them tags—Klaviyo calls them “custom properties”)
Hit submit, and let Klaviyo do its thing. You’ll see your contacts pop up quickly. If the list is big, it might take a few minutes.
Important note: This step doesn’t send any emails. It only imports your contacts. You’re still in total control.
Step 4: Recreate key automations
Mailchimp automations won’t transfer over directly, so it’s time to rebuild them in Klaviyo. But don’t worry — Klaviyo’s Flow Builder is super visual and fun to use.
Most common automations to set up:
- Welcome Series
- Abandoned Cart Emails
- Post-Purchase Follow-Ups
Rebuilding in Klaviyo is actually a chance to improve them. You can add more personalized steps and try new things!
Step 5: Update your signup forms
If you’ve been using Mailchimp’s forms to collect new subscribers, it’s time to switch those over.
Options:
- Use Klaviyo forms — they’re slick, responsive, and easy to design
- Use native forms in Shopify or WooCommerce and link them to Klaviyo
Whichever option you choose, test your forms first. Make sure data flows smoothly into your Klaviyo list.
Step 6: Connect other tools and apps
Go to Klaviyo’s Integrations tab. Look for tools you already use. Shopify, Stripe, Facebook, even SMS — they’re all there.
Connect anything you were using with Mailchimp. This way, all your platforms talk to each other inside Klaviyo.
Reminder: Connecting these tools won’t affect your live site. It just ensures better data flow.
Step 7: Check your deliverability
This one’s big. You want to protect your sender reputation when you switch platforms. That way, your emails land in inboxes (not spam folders).
Tips to help your email deliverability:
- Don’t blast your whole list right away
- Start with your most engaged subscribers
- Warm up your domain with small batches
Klaviyo has smart tools that help you manage this step. They’ll even suggest how to warm up properly based on your past engagement.
Step 8: Pause Mailchimp (don’t cancel just yet!)
Now that everything is set up on Klaviyo, it’s time to pause Mailchimp campaigns. But don’t cancel your account yet!
Wait a week or two just to be safe. Keep an eye on your flows, deliverability, and subscriber activity in Klaviyo. If everything’s working like a charm — then you can say goodbye to Mailchimp.
Step 9: Celebrate!
That’s it — you did it! You’ve moved 10,000 contacts into Klaviyo without losing anything or stopping business. High fives all around!
Things to pat yourself on the back for:
- Zero downtime
- Your subscribers didn’t even notice the switch
- You now have smarter tools to grow your email list
Bonus Tips & Tricks
Tip #1: Use Klaviyo templates to design your emails faster.
Tip #2: Segment your audience with custom properties from Mailchimp tags.
Tip #3: Test your email flows using a dummy email to see what the experience feels like.
You’re in good company
Thousands of brands have moved from Mailchimp to Klaviyo. Why? Because it works better for ecommerce. It gives you more control, more performance insights, and more ways to connect with your audience.
Now you’re part of that crew. Welcome aboard!
Final thoughts
Migrating 10k contacts might sound wild at first. But when you follow these steps, it’s simple and painless. Best of all, you don’t have to stop your email marketing during the process.
So go ahead — explore, automate, and grow like never before with Klaviyo.
And hey… great job moving forward!