Magento Migration Checklist: Essential Steps for Moving from Magento 1 to Magento 2

Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a significant step for any online store. Following a proper checklist can help ensure a smooth transition and minimise potential issues. This process involves careful planning and execution to maintain your store’s functionality and performance.

Your migration checklist should include evaluating your current setup, migrating data, and updating themes and extensions. Each step is crucial to keep your business running efficiently during the switch. With the right approach, you can leverage the improved features and security of Magento 2, providing a better experience for your customers.

As you prepare to make this change, it’s important to understand the specific requirements and best practices involved. This will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your new store is optimised for success.

Understanding Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration

Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a crucial step for any e-commerce business. This change entails several important factors, including why migration is necessary and what the distinct differences are between the two platforms. You’ll also need to consider the implications of Magento 1’s end of life on your online store.

Why Migrate to Magento 2

Migrating to Magento 2 offers many advantages that can benefit your business.

Performance Improvements: Magento 2 is significantly faster than Magento 1. Load times are optimised, leading to better user experience and increased sales.

Enhanced Security: Magento 2 includes improved security features, helping to protect sensitive customer data, which is crucial for maintaining trust.

New Features: With Magento 2, you gain access to modern tools and capabilities, such as streamlined checkout processes and advanced reporting tools.

As a result, moving to Magento 2 supports both current and future business needs.

Key Differences Between Magento 1 and Magento 2

There are notable differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2 that impact how you run your online store.

• Architecture: Magento 2 has a more modular architecture, which simplifies customisation and development.
• User Interface: The admin interface in Magento 2 is more user-friendly, making navigation quicker and easier.
• Checkout Process: Magento 2 features a one-page checkout, reducing cart abandonment rates.
• Performance: With improved caching and a modern database structure, Magento 2 offers superior speed and reliability.

Familiarity with these differences helps you exploit Magento 2’s full potential.

Magento 1 End of Life: Implications for Online Stores

Magento 1 reached its end of life in June 2020. This means that there are no longer updates or security patches available for this version.

Security Risks: Using Magento 1 exposes your online store to vulnerabilities. Without regular updates, your site may be at risk from cyber threats.

Compliance Issues: Many rules and regulations regarding data protection require the latest software updates. Failing to migrate could lead to compliance violations.

Loss of Support: You will no longer receive official support from Magento for Magento 1. You may struggle to find assistance for technical issues.

Considering these factors is essential to maintain a secure and efficient e-commerce environment.

Planning Your Magento Migration

Planning your migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is crucial for a smooth transition. A well-thought-out migration plan helps minimise risks and ensures that your data and store functionality remain intact. Key aspects include assessing your current setup, creating a thorough migration plan, and estimating associated costs.

Creating a Migration Plan

Start by developing a detailed migration plan. This document should outline each step of the process, including timelines and resources needed.

Key components to include:

• Goals: Define what you want to achieve with the migration (e.g. improved performance, enhanced features).
• Timeline: Establish a realistic schedule, including milestones to track progress.
• Resources: Identify the team responsible for the migration, including developers, designers, and project managers.

Ensure you review the migration checklist to cover all necessary tasks.

Assessing Current Store and Data

Before migrating, evaluate your existing Magento 1 store. This step is essential for understanding what needs to be transferred and what can be improved.

Consider the following:

• Data Audit: Examine your current product, customer, and order data. Look for duplicates or incomplete records.
• Extensions and Themes: List all installed extensions and themes. Determine which ones are compatible with Magento 2 and which will need replacements.
• Custom Features: Identify any custom features or functionality that need to be re-implemented.

This assessment will inform your migration plan and help ensure a successful Magento migration.

Estimating Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration Cost

Understanding the costs associated with migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is key for budgeting.

Factors to consider include:

• Development Costs: Hiring developers with Magento experience can vary significantly based on their expertise and your project’s complexity.
• Hosting Requirements: Magento 2 may require more robust hosting solutions, influencing your overall costs.
• Extensions and Integrations: New or updated extensions may require additional purchases.

By carefully estimating these costs, you can prepare financially for the migration and allocate resources effectively. Consider consulting with professionals to get an accurate Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost estimate tailored to your needs.

Preparing for Migration

Preparing for your migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is crucial. This stage lays the foundation for a smooth transition. You need to focus on backing up your data, reviewing extensions and custom code, and evaluating your theme and design elements.

Backing Up Magento 1 Data

Before starting the migration process, ensure you have a complete backup of your Magento 1 site. This includes your database, files, and media. Use a reliable backup tool or follow these steps:

1. Database Backup: Export your database using phpMyAdmin or a command-line tool.
2. File Backup: Copy your entire Magento folder, including all subdirectories.
3. Media Backup: Don’t forget the media folder, as it contains all product images and other important files.

Keeping a secure backup allows you to restore your original site if needed. This step protects your data and gives you peace of mind.

Reviewing Extensions and Custom Code

Next, assess your Magento 1 extensions and any custom code you may have. Not all extensions are compatible with Magento 2. You must:

• List Your Extensions: Identify each extension you use and check if they offer a Magento 2 version.
• Evaluate Custom Code: Review any custom code written for your Magento 1 site. Custom features may need rewriting or adjustment for Magento 2.

Using the Magento Migration Tool can help streamline this process, but be prepared to do some manual adjustments for custom solutions. This step is vital to maintain functionality in your new environment.

Evaluating Theme and Design Elements

Your site’s design is important for user experience. Examine your current theme and design elements to see what can be migrated. Here are key actions to take:

1. Select a Compatible Theme: Magento 2 has different themes compared to Magento 1. Choose one that meets your needs or consider a custom theme.
2. Assess Design Elements: Identify any specific design elements that may need redesigning or reconfiguring for the new platform.

Keep in mind that some design features in Magento 1 might not transfer directly. Planning for visual consistency is essential to ensuring a seamless user experience after the migration.

Data Migration Process

Migrating data from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a key step in your upgrade. This process involves transferring customer data, the product catalogue, and ensuring database structure compatibility. Understanding the best practices and tools available can make this migration smoother.

Migrate Customer Data and Product Catalogue

When migrating customer data, it’s essential to ensure all details are accurate and complete. This includes names, addresses, and order histories. You should use a robust data migration tool to automate this process, minimising errors.

For the product catalogue, exporting data to CSV files is a common method. Ensure that product attributes, categories, and pricing are accurately transferred. During this phase, it’s helpful to create a checklist of all necessary fields to verify that nothing is missed.

Database Structure Compatibility

Magento 2 has a different database structure than Magento 1. Before migrating, you must assess how your current database aligns with the new system.

Key changes include the removal of some tables and the introduction of new ones. Understanding these differences allows you to prepare your data accordingly. Using a migration tool, like LitExtension, can help facilitate this transition. The tool maps your old database structure to the new one, simplifying the process and reducing risks of data loss.

Migration Tools and Manual Migration

Using Magento migration tools significantly streamlines the process. Tools like LitExtension enable you to automatically transfer data without much technical knowledge. You can migrate various data types, including customer records and products seamlessly.

If you prefer manual migration, ensure you back up all data first. This process involves exporting data from Magento 1 and importing it into Magento 2 using scripts or SQL queries. While more time-consuming, manual migration allows for greater customisation and control over the data being transferred.

Make sure to thoroughly test the migrated data in your new Magento 2 environment before going live to ensure everything functions correctly.

Extensions and Theme Migration

When migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2, handling extensions and themes is crucial. You need to evaluate your current extensions and plan accordingly for the migration process. Below are the key areas to focus on during this transition.

Upgrading or Replacing Extensions

Not all Magento 1 extensions will work in Magento 2. Start by identifying which extensions are essential for your store. Check for updated versions or replacements that are compatible with Magento 2.

Create a list of your current Magento 1 extensions. Categorise them as critical, optional, or obsolete. This helps you make informed decisions on upgrades.

Next, look for Magento 2 equivalents. You can find many Magento 2 extensions either in the marketplace or from third-party developers. Ensure these replacements meet your needs and provide the same, or better, functionality.

Migrating Custom and Third-Party Extensions

If you have custom or third-party extensions, assess them carefully. Custom extensions will often need significant rework. Check their compatibility with Magento 2.

Start by reviewing your existing custom code. Identify the extensions you rely on the most. You may need to engage a developer to help recreate or adapt these for Magento 2.

For third-party extensions, contact the developers for migration guidelines. Many reputable developers offer tools or assistance for migration. Ensure any third-party extensions you want to retain are compatible with your new Magento 2 setup.

Theme Migration to Magento 2.x

Your theme also plays a crucial role in your store’s appearance and functionality. Migrating a Magento 1 theme to Magento 2 requires careful planning.

Begin by evaluating your existing theme’s design and features. Check for compatibility with Magento 2. If the theme is not compatible, consider redesigning it using Magento 2’s capabilities.

If you decide to use a new theme, select one specifically built for Magento 2. Some popular options offer modern designs and improved performance. Ensure that the new theme aligns with your brand’s identity and enhances customer experience.

In summary, focus on upgrading essential extensions, carefully migrating custom extensions, and selecting compatible themes for a smooth transition to Magento 2.

SEO and Performance Considerations

When migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2, you must pay special attention to SEO and performance. Proper steps can help you maintain your search engine rankings while improving site speed.

Implementing 301 Redirects and Robots.txt

One of the first tasks is to set up 301 redirects for any URLs that change during the migration. This tells search engines that the page has permanently moved. As a result, you retain the SEO value from the old URLs.

Create a comprehensive list of changed URLs to ensure every previous link points to the new location. You should also update your robots.txt file. This file helps search engines understand which parts of your site to crawl. Make sure it aligns with your new structure and allows access to key pages while blocking irrelevant sections.

Maintaining Search Engine Rankings

Keeping your search engine rankings is crucial. During migration, monitor traffic closely. Use tools like Google Analytics to track any drops in traffic. Fix issues promptly to avoid long-term damage to your rankings.

Regularly audit your site for broken links after the migration. Any broken links can negatively impact both user experience and SEO. Maintain your existing metadata, including title tags and descriptions, to ensure continuity and relevance for your audience.

Optimising Performance and Page Load Times

Improving performance and page load times can significantly enhance user experience and conversion rates. Start by leveraging caching solutions. This reduces server load, making your site faster.

Also, enable gzip compression to decrease file sizes, allowing pages to load quicker. Efficient images are essential too. Use high-quality formats like JPEG 2000 or WebP to keep visuals clear while minimising load times.

Evaluate third-party extensions. Some may slow down your site. Remove any unnecessary ones to enhance overall performance. Regularly monitor your site’s speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement.

Mobile-First Indexing Strategies

As more users access websites via mobile devices, adopting mobile-first indexing strategies is vital. Ensure your Magento 2 site is mobile responsive. This gives users a seamless experience across devices.

Optimise images for mobile by using appropriate sizes. Large images can slow down loading times, hurting your rankings. Also, consider AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) for faster loading on mobile.

Finally, test your site’s performance on mobile devices during and after migration. Use mobile-responsive design elements to ensure easy navigation and readability. This enhances user experience and keeps traffic flowing.

Post-Migration Steps and Testing

After migrating to Magento 2, it’s crucial to ensure everything functions correctly. This involves quality assurance, troubleshooting any issues, and launching your store with minimal downtime. Focus on key areas like performance, compatibility, and the checkout process to create a seamless customer experience.

Quality Assurance and Troubleshooting

Start by conducting rigorous quality assurance tests. Check all functionalities, including product listings, navigation, and the checkout process. Ensure that payment gateways work as expected and that all links are functional.

Perform both manual and automated tests. Use testing tools to identify performance bottlenecks. It’s important to pinpoint slow-loading pages or unresponsive elements. Address these issues before going live to enhance user experience.

Document any problems you encounter and the steps taken to resolve them. This can help in future troubleshooting.

Addressing Compatibility Issues

Compatibility between extensions and themes is a common challenge after migration. Review all installed extensions to confirm they are compatible with Magento 2.

If an extension is not compatible, look for alternatives or updates. Prioritise those that impact key functionalities such as inventory management and the checkout process.

Run a compatibility test to identify potential conflicts. This can prevent significant issues that could disrupt the customer experience or affect site performance.

Stay vigilant for updates from your extension providers, as they often release patches to improve compatibility.

Minimising Downtime and Launching Magento 2 Store

Minimising downtime is essential when launching your new Magento 2 store. Plan your launch during off-peak hours to reduce the impact on your customers.

Create a detailed launch plan, outlining every step from final testing to going live. Consider using a staging environment to test the final setup before the official launch.

Keep your customers informed about changes in advance. Clear communication can help manage expectations and maintain customer trust.

Once launched, monitor your site closely. Track performance metrics to identify any post-launch issues swiftly. Prioritise resolving any problems to ensure a smooth customer experience.

Security and Ongoing Maintenance

Maintaining security during and after your migration is crucial. This section covers how to apply essential security patches, utilise Magento 2’s enhanced features, and choose a reliable migration service provider.

Applying Security Patches and Enhancements

Applying security patches is vital for protecting your site from vulnerabilities. Adobe regularly releases patches to address known issues in Magento 2. You should stay updated and apply these patches promptly to reduce risks.

To check for available patches, log in to your admin panel. Go to the ‘System’ section, then ‘Tools’ and ‘Web Setup Wizard‘. Regular updates ensure that your site remains secure against threats. You can automate this process using a server cron job for better efficiency.

Make it a habit to regularly review your patch status and implement new updates to maintain a secure environment.

Leveraging Enhanced Security Features of Magento 2

Magento 2 comes with numerous enhanced security features compared to Magento 1. For instance, it supports two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security for your admin panel. This makes it significantly harder for unauthorised users to gain access.

Another feature is improved password management, making it easier to enforce strong password policies. You can also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) to help prevent cross-site scripting attacks.

It’s essential to explore and configure these features to align with your security requirements, providing a safer shopping experience for your customers.

Selecting a Magento 2 Migration Service Provider

Choosing the right Magento 2 migration service provider is crucial for a successful transition. Look for a provider with a proven track record and expertise in handling Magento migrations.

Verify their previous projects and client testimonials. They should offer comprehensive security measures during the migration process. Ensure they plan for data integrity and protection against vulnerabilities.

Research companies that specialise in Magento migration services. They will often have resources tailored to maintain security through the transition. This step can significantly impact your site’s performance and security after the migration is complete.

Bing Digital, the go-to eCommerce digital agency, provides cutting-edge services for businesses of all sizes. As a renowned Magento eCommerce agency and trusted Shopify development agency, we deliver customised solutions that drive results. Whether you need a digital agency for eCommerce or a skilled Shopify agency UK, we’re here to help. Reach out now to take your online store to the next level.