One defining feature that makes Magento stand apart from its competitors is – its flexibility. Store-owners can create their own plug-ins and extensions as per their needs. Among all the positives, one thing that dragged Magento behind was its bulkiness and slowness. With Magento 2 those things are fixed, besides the addition of a host of new features. Let us see why migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is necessary.
Why should I migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2: Top Benefits
There are many features in Magento 2 which makes it stand in a better position against its competitors -Shopify and WooCommerce. Below are some of its features:
Better Performance
One can easily notice that website speed with Magento 2 increases by at least 20%. This is due to full-page catching and better handling of catalog pages.
User-friendly Checkout
Magento 2 has simplified the checkout process and has made it streamlined. It is now easier for a user to complete the order with less number of information and in lesser time than before.
Enhance Security
Issues like cross-site scripting, infinite password attempts and arbitrary PHP code executions via the language pack CMS APIs are resolved in Magento 2, apart from many other security issues.
More Mobile-friendly
Being mobile-friendly is imperative if you want to ramp up your sales. Also, having a mobile-friendly site is good for your SEO too. Magento 2 has improved mobile-friendliness of websites.
Better Frontend Capabilities
New Magento UI library, product widgets, CSS pre-processing via LESS, new blank theme and easier B2B ecommerce functionality has been added to this version which has enhanced its Frontend capabilities.
Better Admin Functionality
You will find modern-looking and more customizable Admin panel. The panel is touch-accessible now. You can add or remove any integration easily from the admin panel.
Better Development Capabilities
The code base has been made modular and these modules are not distributed among multiple root-level directories. This has made handling and updating add-ons and extensions smoother than before.
Future Improvements and Releases
With the release of Magento 2.2, Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration has become very important. This new version provides:
- Better Performance
- Improved security
- Website Reporting Enhancements
Magento 2 migration is less of an option and more of a necessity for the users. There were a few flaws in the Magento 1 which made it easier for hackers to make hacking attempts. These are taken care of on the new Magento 2.2 version.
What does Magento 2 Migration Process include?
It important that the migration is smooth and there is no loss of data. To ensure this, one needs to have a definite and step-by-step plan on this. The following flow-chart represents the whole Magento 2 migration process:
What Are Included In Magento 2 Migration Service?
Magento 2 migration can take a lot of time and effort since this process is really complex and include hundreds of customizations. This is the reason why doing it on your own can be risky and the chance of failure is very high. It is thus recommended to choose a good Magento development services provider to do the migration process. Below are the four services that are included in Magento 2 migration:
Theme Migration
Magneto 2 theme migration is not possible. However, there are two ways in which you can make sure that your website’s design template remains the same as it was earlier:
- Recreate your theme on Magento 2: You can get your old design remade by Magento 2 developers and get the same design of your website.
- Redesign your whole store: Alternately, you can take this as an opportunity and redesign your whole store. Hire a team of creative web designers and give your storefront a modern and appealing look.
Code Migration
Most of the custom codes on Magento 1 are compatible with Magento 2 as well. There are tools available for Magento 2 code migration, but it requires technical knowledge and hard work to ensure that the codes are installed successfully.
Extension Migration
There are a large number of Magento extensions and a majority of them are non-transferrable because of code conflicts. One can get Magento 2 Extension migration in the following two ways:
- Find new extensions: If the extension you are using on Magento 1 has been developed for Magento 2, you will have to look out for it, install and configure it.
- Develop new Magento 2 extension: If you are unable to find the right extension for Magento 2; don’t worry. You can get the extension developed too.
Data Migration
Magento 2 data migration is a crucial step in the migration process. It requires an extensive amount of work and good knowledge of Magento 2 Database Migration. The customer data and store information are very important for any company and losing it can cost it its business. This process is a bit complicated and needs skilled hands to work on it. This process can take 2 to 5 working days.
Few Things You Must Consider
The migration process is long and one must be a little scrupulous while doing so. Here are a few things which are worth considering while carrying out such migration.
Before Migration: Consider upgrade
If you are still using Magento1, you can take this opportunity to upgrade your store. Magento 1 CE to Magento 2 Enterprise upgrade can be a good option because as it is you are going to devote your time and money on this. This upgrade will provide you features and facilities of the next level.
During Migration: Dry run
If you have already decided to go with migration and not upgrade, you must start the process in a testing environment. Follow these three steps for migration testing:
- 1. Copy your whole store to a staging server
- 2. Migrate the copied Magento 1 store to Magento 2
- 3. Test the new Magento version thoroughly on this new store
After Migration
When the testing is done and you find your new store to be ready for its users, here are few tasks that you must perform:
- 1. Stop all Magento 1 Admin activities and put your previous store on Maintenance mode.
- 2. Initiate cron jobs on Magento 2
- 3. Flush all cache types of your new platform
- 4. Reindex all indexers on Magento 2
- 5. Change the load balancers, DNS, etc., such that it points to our Magento 2 production hardware
Why should you choose i-Verve?
At i-Verve we have a team of Certified Magento Developers who have developed many Magento 2 stores for small, medium as well as large enterprises. Magento 2 migration needs a team which can handle high level of complexity and has proven track-record – and our team excels in both.
