Magento 2 came out in 2015. Many online stores still use the old Magento 1 platform. Magento 1 will stop being supported in 2020. So stores need to start planning to move to Magento 2 soon. Migrating to a new ecommerce platform takes time and preparation. Follow our tips for a smooth transition to Magento 2 before it’s too late. Moving to Magento 2 is important to keep your store supported and running optimally.
What is Magento Migration?
Magento migration means moving your online store from Magento 1 to Magento 2. This involves moving all your store data, products, customers and orders. It also means moving your store theme and any custom code. Migrating is like packing up your old house and moving to a new one.
Migrating to Magento 2 is more than just a technical process. It impacts your whole business. You need to plan the move, set timelines, get tools, and test everything. Your team will need to learn the new Magento system. Customers may see the change too.
When to Migrate to Magento 2
Don’t wait too long to migrate to Magento 2. Start planning your move 6-12 months before you want to launch your new site. Target completing your migration by mid-2023. Migrating sooner rather than later avoids rush at the end. Take time for careful planning and testing. Delaying migration too long risks headaches when support for Magento 1 ends.
Preparing for Migration
Moving to Magento 2 takes careful upfront planning. Make a list of all your Magento 1 extensions, customizations and integrations. You’ll need to find Magento 2 alternatives. Clean up old products, customers and order data that you don’t need to migrate. Set up a Magento 2 test environment to practice migrating.
Get an internal team together to handle the migration tasks. Bring in developers, testers, and project managers. Outline all the steps in the migration plan. Set a schedule with deadlines. Gather the financial and human resources needed to complete on time.
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Audit your current Magento 1 site
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Cleanup unnecessary data
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Setup a Magento 2 test environment
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Assemble internal migration team
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Create detailed project plan and timeline
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Allocate budget and resources
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List all extensions and customizations
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Find Magento 2 replacement extensions
- Develop migration checklists and tests
Choosing Migration Tools
Magento provides the Data Migration Tool to move your products, customers, orders, etc from Magento 1 to 2. This handles most of the data. Test it early in your test environment. You may need to tweak it for custom data fields.
For moving custom code and extensions, use migration kits. Or your developers may need to manually move code to Magento 2. Check if your Magento 1 extensions have Magento 2 versions available. Third party services can also help migrate code.
If needed, get help from pro migration services. They can fill any gaps in your team’s skills and experience. Make sure to vet services thoroughly first. Read reviews and check their portfolio for similar Magento migrations completed successfully.
Replatforming to Magento 2
Migrating isn’t just about moving data. You also need to set up the new Magento 2 system. Get hosting, install a fresh Magento 2, customize it, and migrate data.
- Choose hosting platform and infrastructure for optimal speed and security
The infrastructure and hosting setup for your Magento 2 site is critical. Take time to choose a high performance and secure solution tailored for Magento 2.
- Install a completely new Magento 2 instance
Don’t upgrade or modify existing Magento 1 instance. A fresh install of Magento 2 ensures you start without legacy issues.
- Migrate data from Magento 1 using migration tools
Once your Magento 2 environment is ready, use migration tools to bring over products, customers, orders etc. from Magento 1.
- Conduct extensive testing and quality assurance
Testing the new site throughly is key. Test all functionality, speed, security, integrations. Fix any issues before launching.
Also read: What is Headless eCommerce: The Guide of 2024
Launching the New Site
The launch phase is an exciting time after all the hard work migrating to Magento 2. Now your shiny new site gets to greet customers. Careful planning makes sure the launch goes smoothly.
Be sure to redirect traffic from your old Magento 1 URLs to the new Magento 2 site. Test the redirects fully before launch. Monitor them closely after going live to fix any issues fast. Surprises are no fun for customers.
Give customers notice about the upcoming launch date. Email and post announcements a few weeks before switching sites. This prevents confusion about changes to the site design or layout.
Keep a close eye on key performance metrics after launching. Check for any worrisome drops in traffic, sales or speed. Your team should be ready to quickly investigate and resolve any migration-related issues.
Maintaining Business Continuity
The launch is not the end. You still need to maintain operations on both Magento versions during the transition. Keep the old site active while ramping up the new site.
Gradually shift key processes like order management and fulfillment to the Magento 2 system. Train staff on using the new platform. Document processes to avoid disruption or confusion.
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Run Magento 1 and 2 sites in parallel during transition
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Slowly transition operations like order processing to Magento 2
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Provide training and resources to help employees learn Magento 2
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Document procedures to maintain continuity when shifting systems
- Plan for accessing old Magento 1 data after end of life
Conclusion
Migrating your store to Magento 2 takes planning and effort. But following these best practices will ensure a smooth transition before Magento 1 ends. Take time to prepare, test, and launch thoughtfully. Moving to Magento 2 soon gives your business the latest features and support. With careful execution, you’ll have a successful migration and happy customers.
