Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a crucial step for businesses looking to improve their store’s performance, security, and scalability. With Magento 2, you get faster load times, better mobile responsiveness, and an improved admin interface, ensuring a seamless experience for both customers and store owners. As Magento 1 no longer receives security patches or updates, businesses are exposed to vulnerabilities.
If you’re wondering how to migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2, now is the time to take action and upgrade to a more secure, modern platform that can support your growing e-commerce needs. The migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2 may seem complex, but with the right planning and guidance, it can be a smooth transition. In the following sections, we’ll walk you through the steps, challenges, and benefits to ensure a successful Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration for your business.
Magento 1 vs Magento 2: A Quick Comparison Table
| Features | Magento 1 | Magento 2 |
| Performance | Slower page load times. | 50% faster page load times. |
| Mobile Experience | Limited mobile responsiveness. | Fully mobile-friendly design. |
| Admin Interface | Complex and less intuitive. | Streamlined and user-friendly. |
| Checkout Process | Complicated multi-step checkout. | Simplified 2-step checkout. |
| Extensions | Compatibility issues are common. | Seamless integration with new tech. |
| Security Updates | No support post-2020. | Regular updates and patches. |
| Scalability | Limited for large businesses. | Scalable for growing enterprises. |
This quick comparison highlights the advantages of Magento 2, making it clear why migrating M1 to M2 is a priority for e-commerce success.
Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration Steps
Step 1 – Basic Preparation
- Audit Your Current Site
Review your current Magento 1 site, including installed extensions, customizations, and the current theme. Bifurcate what is required and what is not. By doing so, you can avoid adding unnecessary elements to the migration that your store does not need
- Backup Your Data:
There’s always a threat of losing data during migration and upgrades. So, start with backing up your existing data including files, databases, and media to ensure you have a recovery option in case something goes wrong.
- Choose the Right Timing:
Yes, this is the last step but still, you need to plan. You should migrate during a low-traffic period to minimize the impact on your business.
Step 2 – Setup Magento 2 Staging/Development Environment
- Migration On Staging/Development:
When you start migration, it’s wrong to down your site or set it in maintenance mode before finishing migration or completing testing. So when you start migration you need to set up a development site where you will first migrate the site and ensure everything is working fine and all data are there.
- Install Magento 2:
Set up a Magento 2 instance on a development server. Make sure it matches the specifications of your Magento 1 store to avoid any further issues.
- Prepare The Server:
Choose the server environment that meets Magento 2’s requirements regarding PHP version, MySQL, and other server configurations.
Step 3 – Data Migration
Use the Magento Data Migration Tool:
Magento provides an official Data Migration Tool that helps in transferring your data (products, categories, orders, customers, etc.) from Magento 1 to Magento 2.
Configure the migration tool by editing the config.xml file to match your database settings.
Run the data migration tool in three stages:
1. Settings
2. Data
3. Delta
The delta phase allows for incremental data migration (new data is added to the Magento 1 store while the migration is in progress).
Step 4 – Extension and Custom Code Migration
- Migrate Extensions:
Not all Magento 1 extensions have Magento 2 counterparts. Check if the Magento 2 versions are available and compatible and then proceed.
- Custom Code:
Custom code needs to be rewritten or adapted for Magento 2. Use the Code Migration Toolkit provided by Magento to assist in converting Magento 1 code to Magento 2 or nowadays you can get help from AI.
Step 5 – Theme Migration
- Theme Porting:
Magento 1 themes cannot be migrated directly because Magento 2 has a different approach to themes. You will need to either find a similar Magento 2 theme or develop a custom theme.
Step 6 – Testing
- Test Extensively:
Before going live, test your Magento 2 site thoroughly in a development environment. Check all functionalities, user interfaces, payment gateways, and third-party integrations.
- Performance Testing:
Make sure that the new site’s performance is optimised and at least comparable to, if not better than, your Magento 1 store.
Step 7 – Go Live
- Plan for Downtime:
Even with careful migration, some downtime is inevitable. Announce this downtime in advance to your customers.
- Final Data Migrate:
Why migrate data again while you migrate your store live site will be running and getting orders and customers. So after completing migration on the development environment, you need to get the latest orders, and customers to Magento 2. If new Products are added in then that also needs to migrate.
- Deploy to Production:
Once you complete the testing and are satisfied with the Magento 2 site, you can make the switch.
- Monitor After Go-Live:
After migration, closely monitor the website for any issues and address them promptly.
Step 8 – SEO Considerations
URLs:
Update URL redirects, maintain your URL structure as much as possible, and update your Google Analytics and other SEO tools. This is required to maintain the SEO rankings of your store.
Step 9 – Post Migration Support
Train Your Team:
Ensure that you train your team well on the new Magento 2 backend. This is not a big thing but still can’t avoid this step.
Upgrades and Patches:
Magento 2 will likely receive updates and security patches. Keep your site updated to maintain security and efficiency.
Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a significant transition that can fundamentally change your online store’s operations. It’s advisable to conduct the migration with the help of professionals who have experience with Magento if you are not comfortable handling complex technical processes yourself.
Benefits of Migrating Magento 1 to Magento 2
1. Better Performance and Faster Load Times
Magento 2 offers faster page load speeds, reduced server response times, and improved overall site performance. These factors directly impact customer satisfaction and SEO rankings.
2. Mobile-Friendly Design and Responsive Themes
With the rise of mobile commerce, Magento 2 provides fully responsive themes, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across devices.
3. Streamlined Checkout Process
Magento 2’s simplified two-step checkout reduces cart abandonment rates and provides a smoother shopping experience for customers.
4. Advanced SEO Features
Magento 2 has built-in SEO tools, including meta tag management, XML sitemaps, and improved URLs, helping businesses rank higher in search results.
5. Enhanced Admin Interface and User Experience
The revamped admin dashboard in Magento 2 is more intuitive, making it easier for store owners to manage inventory, orders, and customer data.
Challenges in Migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2
1. Data Migration Complexities
Transferring a large volume of data without errors can be challenging, requiring careful planning and execution.
2. Compatibility Issues with Extensions and Themes
Extensions and themes from Magento 1 are often incompatible with Magento 2, necessitating additional work to find alternatives or rebuild functionalities.
3. Potential Downtime During Migration
Migration might lead to temporary downtime, affecting sales. Proper scheduling and communication can minimize its impact.
Conclusion – How CodeDecorator can Help you Migrate Data from Magento 1 to Magento 2
Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is crucial for ensuring your e-commerce store remains secure, fast, and scalable. In this blog, we’ve explored the key benefits of upgrading to Magento 2, including enhanced security, improved performance, and better user experience. As Magento 1 support ends, migrating to Magento 2 is not only essential for staying competitive but also for future-proofing your online business.
By choosing CodeDecorator for your Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration service, you benefit from our extensive expertise in seamless migrations. With a team of Magento-certified developers and over 10 years of experience, we ensure that your store’s data, functionality, and overall performance are optimized during the migration process. Let CodeDecorator handle the complexities of the migration while you focus on running and growing your business.
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